What is your favourite flavour of ice cream? Whenever I go to an ice cream shop, it is hard to choose just one. There’s vanilla, strawberry, chocolate chip cookie dough, cotton candy, bubblegum and so many more. I like ice cream sundaes with chocolate syrup and mini marshmallows. But I also like cherry ice cream with rainbow sprinkles! With all the combinations of flavours, every ice cream sundae can be completely unique and special.
God made all of His children to be different and wonderful, just like a one-of-a-kind ice cream sundae. We are all children of God, and no matter who we are, how old we are or what our favourite ice cream flavour is, God loves us and invites us to love Him, too.
Your friend, Abby
WonderfullyMade
You created the deepest parts of my being. You put me together inside my mother’s body. How You made me is amazing and wonderful. I praise You for that. What You have done is wonderful. I know that very well.
—Psalm 139:13-14
What does this mean?
This is a verse in the Bible that praises and thanks God for what He has done. Before we are even born, God knows who we are because He created us. He made all the wonderful things about us— our personalities, interests, passions and senses of humour. We can feel confident because we are amazing creations that God has made!
Complete the Picture Affirmations
Affirmations are positive statements that we can say to ourselves and others that make us feel good and build confidence. They are like daily reminders of how special we are. Try saying these in the mirror once every day:
“I am beautiful.”
“I am smart.”
“God loves me.”
“I am a good friend.”
“I am confident.”
“I treat others with kindness.”
“I am going to have a great day!”
Hi kids!
When I was growing up, my mom took my sister and me to volunteer at The Salvation Army every Christmas. We helped sort toys and winter clothes for children and families in need. It was important for us to learn about helping others and it always made me happy to see people smile. I learned that you are never too young to make a difference.
Did you know that The Salvation Army helps people all around the world, not just in Canada? We have a special project called Partners in Mission that helps raise money so that kids and their communities have what they need to live, learn and grow. This includes schools, health care, helping people after disasters, and many other important things! Partners in Mission brings hope to people in places that face big problems, such as poverty, sickness or natural disasters.
In our own communities and across the world, The Salvation Army is there to help. Keep reading this issue of Just for Kids to learn how you can make a difference, too.
Your friend, Abby
A Global Army
The Salvation Army is active in 134 countries around the world. Can you find these ones?
You
Can Make a Difference!
ISSUE 6
When you raise money for Partners in Mission, you help The Salvation Army provide hope and support to people all around the world. Together, we can make a big difference—no matter your age!
Kids like you can help bring positive change to the lives of children and families worldwide. Here are some fun ideas for how you can help:
• Have a craft day with your friends and sell what you make.
• Organize a talent show and ask people to donate.
• Collect bottles to recycle and raise money.
• Bake cookies and sell them at church.
• Ask your corps officer about fundraising for Partners in Mission.
Mark Yan
Photos:
Spot 5 Differences Friends Around the World
Math Challenge
How
One of my favourite hobbies is baking. When I was younger, I used to bake shortbread cookies with my grandma to bring to friends at church. Now I bake everything from cheesecake to apple pie, and I still love sharing it with friends!
It’s easy to bake yummy desserts when you follow a recipe. A lot of treats start with the same basic ingredients—flour, sugar, butter and eggs. It’s what you add to those things that makes each recipe unique.
It’s like that with us, too. We’re all humans created in the image of God, but He has given each of us special abilities. No matter what those gifts are—whether you dance, draw, bake or something else— God can use them for good works. How can you use the gifts and abilities God has given you to help others this week?
Your friend, Abby
7
Find 3 Differences
Lydia Becomes a Christian
The Apostle Paul and his friends were travelling and telling people the good news about Jesus. They came to a city in Greece named Philippi.
While staying there, they walked down to the river. They sat down and began to speak to a group of women who had gathered there.
Ingredients:
250 ml (1 cup) butter
250 ml (1 cup) brown sugar
125 ml (1/2 cup) white sugar
2 eggs
10 ml (2 tsp) vanilla
560 ml (21/4 cups) flour
5 ml (1 tsp) baking soda
500 ml (2 cups) chocolate chips
Directions:
Heat oven to 190 C (375 F).
Acts 16:13-15
One of the women was named Lydia. She was a successful businesswoman who specialized in selling purple cloth. She was a worshipper of God.
Paul shared the good news about Jesus with Lydia and the Lord opened her heart to accept his message. She and her family were baptized.
Then Lydia invited Paul and his friends to her home. “Do you consider me a believer in the Lord?” she asked. “If you do, come and stay at my house.” And so they went with her.
Mix butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl until fluffy. Stir in flour and baking soda. Add chocolate chips and mix it all together.
Lay parchment paper on baking sheet. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the paper, 5 cm (2 inches) apart.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly brown at the edges.
*Remember to ask a grown-up for help. Enjoy!
This week, I cleaned out my closet. I had lots of nice clothes that I had outgrown, and I thought somebody else might like to have them. Instead of throwing them away, I gathered them up and gave them to the Salvation Army thrift store near my house. Now somebody else can enjoy them as much as I did! It’s important to be grateful for what we have and to be generous and giving toward others. Donating clothes is just one way we can help people in need. It is also good for the environment because it finds a new home for things we do not use anymore.
No matter who you are or how old you are, there are small things that you can do to make a difference, such as donating to your local thrift store or participating in clothing drives. In this issue of Just for Kids, you will read some great advice from the Bible about being kind and giving back.
Your friend, Abby
Why did the golfer bring an extra pair of pants?
In case he got a hole in one
Whatgoesup when the rain comes down?
An umbrella
Put the toys into the toy bin and the clothes in the washing machine.
All Bundled Up
Never Too Young!
Sometimes, it can feel like being young isn’t so great. You can’t drive. You have a curfew. You can’t have your own phone. It might seem like there are lots of “can’ts,” but we also have so many “cans”! You can ride a bike. You can be kind. Mostly importantly, you can make a difference!
In the Bible, there was a young Christian named Timothy. He was a friend of the Apostle Paul. Paul once told him, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Set an example for the believers in what you say and in how you live. Also set an example in how you love and in what you believe. Show the believers how to be pure” (1 Timothy 4:12). That’s good advice for us, too! One thing you can do to help others is go through your closet, gather clothes you’re no longer wearing— especially hats, sweaters and other winter clothes—and donate them to the Salvation Army thrift store. Ask your friends and other church members to join you.
Best Dressed
3 Differences They melt! What’s the biggest problem with snow boots? What does a house wear?
