Karen Apple
@karenapple.bsky.social
The "Apple of My Eye", Rescued Kitties, & Nature's Beauty make me smile! I'm always looking for GOOD NEWS about churches, families & teaching kids.
I have an observation that brings a question with it. Why don't seminaries and undergraduate programs that prepare folks for pastoral ministry teach the importance of children's ministry in the church? OWN IT from the top down.
KIDS are part of the WHOLE CHURCH.
KIDS are part of the WHOLE CHURCH.
January 21, 2025 at 11:11 PM
I have an observation that brings a question with it. Why don't seminaries and undergraduate programs that prepare folks for pastoral ministry teach the importance of children's ministry in the church? OWN IT from the top down.
KIDS are part of the WHOLE CHURCH.
KIDS are part of the WHOLE CHURCH.
Preschoolers love books when the person who reads WITH them delights in the Child & the book!
January 15, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Preschoolers love books when the person who reads WITH them delights in the Child & the book!
Understanding others comes, in part, by having similar experiences. The deepest form of understanding comes from an ever increasing knowledge of the heart of God.
January 14, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Understanding others comes, in part, by having similar experiences. The deepest form of understanding comes from an ever increasing knowledge of the heart of God.
Church kids' ministry leaders often show up in the lives of kids & parents when they are at their most vulnerable. They don't watch the clock or count the cost.
Loving & caring is the mission!
Loving & caring is the mission!
January 14, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Church kids' ministry leaders often show up in the lives of kids & parents when they are at their most vulnerable. They don't watch the clock or count the cost.
Loving & caring is the mission!
Loving & caring is the mission!
Way back in the "olden days," a kiddo came home from church talking about a cross-eyed bear named Gladly. His parents listened to him explain, but finally called his teacher to get the story straight. It seems they sang the old hymn "Gladly the Cross I'd bear."
January 14, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Way back in the "olden days," a kiddo came home from church talking about a cross-eyed bear named Gladly. His parents listened to him explain, but finally called his teacher to get the story straight. It seems they sang the old hymn "Gladly the Cross I'd bear."
Reposted by Karen Apple
“How was your day, Cora?!”
This video is such a lovely illustration of toddler play that I couldn’t resist sharing.
(Thread 🧵)
This video is such a lovely illustration of toddler play that I couldn’t resist sharing.
(Thread 🧵)
December 10, 2024 at 12:58 PM
“How was your day, Cora?!”
This video is such a lovely illustration of toddler play that I couldn’t resist sharing.
(Thread 🧵)
This video is such a lovely illustration of toddler play that I couldn’t resist sharing.
(Thread 🧵)
Reposted by Karen Apple
Trauma recovery needs tears. Tears honor the victim and the awfulness of what occurred.
Tears are a way of remembering and honor who or what has been lost . . . they are worth crying over.
Tears are a way of remembering and honor who or what has been lost . . . they are worth crying over.
December 5, 2024 at 12:53 PM
Trauma recovery needs tears. Tears honor the victim and the awfulness of what occurred.
Tears are a way of remembering and honor who or what has been lost . . . they are worth crying over.
Tears are a way of remembering and honor who or what has been lost . . . they are worth crying over.
Reposted by Karen Apple
Only minutes old and already wrapped around their fingers.
Check out the clever the way this labor & delivery nurse helps to promote connection between newborns and their older siblings - suggesting a special “love test” in which baby will only squeeze the fingers of those she adores.
Thread 🧵
Check out the clever the way this labor & delivery nurse helps to promote connection between newborns and their older siblings - suggesting a special “love test” in which baby will only squeeze the fingers of those she adores.
Thread 🧵
December 1, 2024 at 2:06 PM
Only minutes old and already wrapped around their fingers.
Check out the clever the way this labor & delivery nurse helps to promote connection between newborns and their older siblings - suggesting a special “love test” in which baby will only squeeze the fingers of those she adores.
Thread 🧵
Check out the clever the way this labor & delivery nurse helps to promote connection between newborns and their older siblings - suggesting a special “love test” in which baby will only squeeze the fingers of those she adores.
Thread 🧵
The fourth grader who hid under the classroom table, dug in her heels & refused to come out did not need scolding or a ruff jerk. She needed a friend who understood her, cared for her and offered her a safe place to "chill".
December 2, 2024 at 10:16 PM
The fourth grader who hid under the classroom table, dug in her heels & refused to come out did not need scolding or a ruff jerk. She needed a friend who understood her, cared for her and offered her a safe place to "chill".
Because Jonathan’s teacher knew how 4 year olds learn, most of the classroom activities and even the music related to the Bible lesson. Little ears, eyes, fingers and noses were sending signals to their brains about Jonah and a great big fish.
December 2, 2024 at 8:33 PM
Because Jonathan’s teacher knew how 4 year olds learn, most of the classroom activities and even the music related to the Bible lesson. Little ears, eyes, fingers and noses were sending signals to their brains about Jonah and a great big fish.
Education Directors: Is there an age or specific clues about an educator that make you consider him/her no longer relevant?
December 2, 2024 at 6:37 PM
Education Directors: Is there an age or specific clues about an educator that make you consider him/her no longer relevant?
Ever gone somewhere & felt like you didn't fit in or you were just a bit uncomfortable?
Kids feel like that too.
Bring on the smiles and high fives as they enter. Say their name. Direct them to an activity you know they'll enjoy.
Their heart will know this is where I belong!
Kids feel like that too.
Bring on the smiles and high fives as they enter. Say their name. Direct them to an activity you know they'll enjoy.
Their heart will know this is where I belong!
December 2, 2024 at 5:03 PM
Ever gone somewhere & felt like you didn't fit in or you were just a bit uncomfortable?
Kids feel like that too.
Bring on the smiles and high fives as they enter. Say their name. Direct them to an activity you know they'll enjoy.
Their heart will know this is where I belong!
Kids feel like that too.
Bring on the smiles and high fives as they enter. Say their name. Direct them to an activity you know they'll enjoy.
Their heart will know this is where I belong!
An artist painted beautiful animals along the preschool hallway walls. One little 4 year old petted the head of the gentle lion as she left for the day and quietly said, "Don't worry, I'll be back tomorrow!"
If you watch and listen carefully, you'll understand the heart of a child.
If you watch and listen carefully, you'll understand the heart of a child.
December 2, 2024 at 4:25 PM
An artist painted beautiful animals along the preschool hallway walls. One little 4 year old petted the head of the gentle lion as she left for the day and quietly said, "Don't worry, I'll be back tomorrow!"
If you watch and listen carefully, you'll understand the heart of a child.
If you watch and listen carefully, you'll understand the heart of a child.
A baby or a toddler will brighten and engage WITH you, when you weave their name into the lyrics of a song or the text of a book they love.
December 2, 2024 at 4:10 PM
A baby or a toddler will brighten and engage WITH you, when you weave their name into the lyrics of a song or the text of a book they love.
A Sunday kindergarten teacher assigned jobs each week. One boy always asked to be the "Trash Guy". After snack, he had the important job of policing the area by collecting the trash.
The children got up from the table when he said, "All clear!" An important job indeed!
The children got up from the table when he said, "All clear!" An important job indeed!
December 2, 2024 at 3:57 PM
A Sunday kindergarten teacher assigned jobs each week. One boy always asked to be the "Trash Guy". After snack, he had the important job of policing the area by collecting the trash.
The children got up from the table when he said, "All clear!" An important job indeed!
The children got up from the table when he said, "All clear!" An important job indeed!
Wobblers and toddlers love to explore the wonder of the "baby in the mirror". It can be hand held or an unbreakable mirror mounted on a cabinet. This little buddy discovered the joy of patting his new friend. This "baby" is all grown up now!
December 2, 2024 at 2:48 PM
Wobblers and toddlers love to explore the wonder of the "baby in the mirror". It can be hand held or an unbreakable mirror mounted on a cabinet. This little buddy discovered the joy of patting his new friend. This "baby" is all grown up now!
The preschoolers who come running down the hall to find their Sunday morning classroom are the kiddos who feel at home in the space and with the people who truly love them. #Church #preschoolers
December 2, 2024 at 2:33 PM
The preschoolers who come running down the hall to find their Sunday morning classroom are the kiddos who feel at home in the space and with the people who truly love them. #Church #preschoolers
When do you miss "HOME" the most?
December 2, 2024 at 2:29 PM
When do you miss "HOME" the most?
Reposted by Karen Apple
We are not called to protect our institutions, nor do we protect the God of truth by covering up sin or a crime. To do so is to “protect” a cancer – and cancer kills.
We honor God by caring for the wounded and by dragging sin to the light and calling it by its right name.
We honor God by caring for the wounded and by dragging sin to the light and calling it by its right name.
November 25, 2024 at 1:34 PM
We are not called to protect our institutions, nor do we protect the God of truth by covering up sin or a crime. To do so is to “protect” a cancer – and cancer kills.
We honor God by caring for the wounded and by dragging sin to the light and calling it by its right name.
We honor God by caring for the wounded and by dragging sin to the light and calling it by its right name.
Karen Apple🍎
@KarenApple
I worked in Paris one summer. I thought I'd learn a lot of French. BUT every time I sat alone at a "beauty site", thinking someone would come & speak French to me, a college student would sit & eagerly ask me to speak English so they could learn. Made friends!
I LOVE PARIS!
November 27, 2024 at 6:36 PM
Karen Apple🍎
@KarenApple
I worked in Paris one summer. I thought I'd learn a lot of French. BUT every time I sat alone at a "beauty site", thinking someone would come & speak French to me, a college student would sit & eagerly ask me to speak English so they could learn. Made friends!
I LOVE PARIS!
Reposted by Karen Apple
Here’s the most joyful thing you’ll see all day.
This fantastic video, shared to IG by mr_blandy, offers a double dose of fun.
First, admire the way these two manage to fully engage despite being separated by a window.
(Thread 🧵)
This fantastic video, shared to IG by mr_blandy, offers a double dose of fun.
First, admire the way these two manage to fully engage despite being separated by a window.
(Thread 🧵)
November 26, 2024 at 12:43 PM
Here’s the most joyful thing you’ll see all day.
This fantastic video, shared to IG by mr_blandy, offers a double dose of fun.
First, admire the way these two manage to fully engage despite being separated by a window.
(Thread 🧵)
This fantastic video, shared to IG by mr_blandy, offers a double dose of fun.
First, admire the way these two manage to fully engage despite being separated by a window.
(Thread 🧵)
Reposted by Karen Apple
Your baby is adorable by design.
Those big eyes. Those chubby little cheeks. That sweet smile…
(Thread 🧵)
Those big eyes. Those chubby little cheeks. That sweet smile…
(Thread 🧵)
November 25, 2024 at 1:03 PM
Your baby is adorable by design.
Those big eyes. Those chubby little cheeks. That sweet smile…
(Thread 🧵)
Those big eyes. Those chubby little cheeks. That sweet smile…
(Thread 🧵)
Reposted by Karen Apple
A kids' minister arrived at the hospital & found a boy surrounded by police, fire fighters, nurses & doctors. A nurse kept repeating, "What's your name son?" The minister answered for the traumatized child, "His name is David!"
David shouted out, "Mrs Apple, I knew you'd come!"
David shouted out, "Mrs Apple, I knew you'd come!"
November 24, 2024 at 10:29 PM
A kids' minister arrived at the hospital & found a boy surrounded by police, fire fighters, nurses & doctors. A nurse kept repeating, "What's your name son?" The minister answered for the traumatized child, "His name is David!"
David shouted out, "Mrs Apple, I knew you'd come!"
David shouted out, "Mrs Apple, I knew you'd come!"
Planning for overnight guests when the weather changes makes you realize how many new blankets you need.
November 23, 2024 at 5:38 PM
Planning for overnight guests when the weather changes makes you realize how many new blankets you need.