Learning Center Fall Fest

We had a great time at the Learning Center Halloween Party.  When we are planning a party or event at the Learning Center, we have to come up with what we want to do before we do anything.  The reason for this is because we have to get everything donated so, if we want it...we have to ask!  I am always overwhelmed by the generosity of my family and friends.  People I know donated EVERY SINGLE THING we had for the party.  We had 40 real pumpkins donated, drinks, $115, plastic pumpkins for candy, tons of candy, paper goods, books, and the list goes on.  It is great to see the giving hearts of others.  Mrs. White even sent a few Z-club girls from CSHS to help.  They were awesome!

I am a mentor for a girl that goes to Plain Dealing.  She is doing her senior project on teen pregnancy and was able to be excused from school to help with the party. She did a great job getting involved.

Learning Center Easter Celebration

We have been planning a fun Easter party for the active clients at the Ark-La-Tex Learning Center for about a month now.  We had a great turn-out and I was so excited about that!  I was thankful that we had plenty of volunteers to help out including: Neil, Leslie, Mom, Beau and Leigh, and lots of clients.  Neil grilled hot dogs for everyone and Leigh painted faces.  We had a preacher there to give a little Easter message for everyone.  The kids each got a basket and got to find 15 eggs each.  We decorated cookies, had face painting, and Easter Bunny pictures.  I think everyone had a great time.  One of the moms told me that this party was going to be the only Easter they were going to get.  I was so glad that we got to do this for them!

So many of my friends donated baskets, eggs, Easter grass, and other items to make it a success.  The Captain Shreve HS Z-Club donated goodie bag fillers and about 300 filled eggs!  Our church, FUMC donated all of their left over goodie bags from their Easter egg hunt and let us borrow their bunny costume.  Neil's Aunt Catherine bought all of the hot dogs and buns. Sylvia (the assistant director) kept saying "isn't amazing what God does?"  It really is.  We didn't know where we were going to get half of the stuff we wanted to do...and we ended up with leftovers!

THANK YOU to everyone that helped make it a success!  We are hoping to have one every year.

I didn't want to upload any pictures of people that I don't have their permission...so you will know most of the people.  I just want to give you an idea of the awesomeness that is the Learning Center.  It is so great that we have such a neat organization in town.

A family photo...not so cute...but we were all there having fun!

Now, we just have to start planning the Mother's Day luncheon!!!

The Learning Center

For the past few months, I have been feeling that God wanted me to get involved with the Crisis Pregnancy Center. I kept feeling constant urges and gentle nudges to do more for pregnant teens. I kept ignoring these nudges and was straight up being disobedient. I kept saying "I don't have time for this or I don't need one more thing added to my plate!" Well, God had a different plan in mind for me. One day I finally called the CPC and they were thrilled at the thought of having a new volunteer. It is not feeling like extra work, it just feels like this is what I am supposed to do. I will begin teaching "Life Skills" classes and planning special events for the center beginning in April. I am so excited to get involved with this new ministry! Why is it so hard to trust and obey sometimes?

Since it is a non-profit, donation funded ministry, I will need donations for my classes. I think it is great that they don't accept money from the government so that they can keep is a Christian values based ministry. I sent the following e-mail to my family and friends. If you would like to get involved...please contact me!

Dear Family and Friends,

I recently started getting involved with the Learning Center (a branch of the Ark-La-Tex Crisis Pregnancy Center). This is a wonderful faith-based ministry that allows pregnant teens and families to take classes and earn "merits for mom." The students are invited to "Earn while they Learn." If they take classes, read books, attend church, attend doctor appointments, etc they can earn items for their babies. The Learning Center has an in house boutique with maternity clothes, baby clothes, diapers, car seats, strollers, etc. As they earn merits, they can purchase items needed from the boutique. This is a wonderful ministry and I am excited to share it with you! One thing the staff at the Learning Center wants to teach is ways to have good, clean fun with your families. I have decided to plan an Easter celebration and a Mother's Day gathering for the center for this reason. I would love to have help with these if you are interested.

I will begin teaching "Life Skills" classes there on Thursday afternoons from 4:30-5:30 beginning in April. Some of the subjects include basic cooking, renting an apartment and selecting colors, meal planning, grocery shopping, memory keeping, time management, and house cleaning. In order to make my classes work, I am asking for donations. If you have anything you are not using, please consider donating! Here are some specifics that I am requesting:

• measuring cups and spoons
• George Foreman grills or similar
• microwaves
• craft paint
• paintbrushes
• colored cardstock or construction paper
• scrapbooking supplies
• old cookbooks
• folders with brads and pockets to create “Life Skills” handbook
• Any craft supplies (markers, colored pencils, scissors, etc.)
• Gently used or new baby items

Easter Celebration on April 23rd:

• Easter Baskets
• Easter grass
• candy filled plastic eggs
• Easter craft supplies
• Someone to dress up like Easter Bunny

If you would like to help this awesome ministry please e-mail me or leave a comment. Thanks so much!