Sunday Morning Marathon

I feel sorry for PK's.  I think as a child I spent a lot of time a church, but on a Sunday morning I never remember going to more than 2 services unless it was Christmas or Easter and the choir sang.  However, when your dad is the pastor and your mom helps lead music at the 11 o'clock service, you're in it for the long haul.

This is what a typical Sunday morning looks like for June and Ruben.  Wake up early enough to see Dad before he leaves for church.  I spend the next hour furiously packing the diaper bag with enough toys and snacks (and even a paper bag lunch) to occupy the kids for the next four hours.  Both kids are thrown into clothes that pass a church clothes even though I know one or both of them will end up in the extra clothes packed in diaper bag by the end of the morning.  We manage to get in the car and to the church within 10 minutes of 8.  I spend the next hour setting up sound equipment and keyboard stuff for the Go Fish service and practicing with the band.  June and Ruben play somewhat contentedly on the floor, although at some point there is usually a complete melt down that requires me to step out of practice.  Between the services we visit Dad in the narthex and get ready for Sunday School.  I'm looking forward to the school year when there is a nursery available for Ruben and 2 year old Sunday School for June but for now they both play on the floor of the fellowship hall with a couple of other kids while the parents try to pay attention to the lesson. Oh, and Ruben usually naps.  Now it is finally time for church.  Unfortunately, June's stomach also tells her it is time for lunch so she plops down at a table with her packed lunch while the rest of the congregation starts the service.  Ruben spends the service with a table of wonderful ladies who pass him around and entertain him with treats and special toys.  June splits the time with me and Karl sometimes running to the front to be with Karl while I'm distracted playing a song.  Of course after the service we have to catch up with different people so by the time we get to the car it is well into naptime.

Amazingly, this schedule works for our kids.  While sometimes things get out of hand and either Karl or I am forced to step out of our duties, generally it works.  We're able to lead a family service while demonstrating how incredibly hectic it is to try to worship with a family.  I know it is good for the congregation to experience, and I think our kids will benefit from it as well. Praise God for a supportive congregation that not only puts up with our crazy Sunday schedule, but jumps right in to help care for and love our kids!