Here is an interesting way to have a ladies meeting. A Skype Baby Shower! Below is basically what we did at our church to get this idea rolling before the actual meeting.
Surprise Skype Shower
For our first ladies meeting of this year we will be doing something a little different. One of our missionary ladies is expecting her first child in November and we would like to have a surprise shower for her. Here is more information-
**Please read before purchasing a gift. **
How: 1) This will be a unique shower because Joanna will actually be in France when we have the shower. We are planning on collecting the gifts by August 21st so we will have time to prepare the package for shipping and have the “shower in a box” delivered to her before the shower. Then the day of the shower we will have the computers ready and we will be using skype for her to be a part of the shower. She will be able to open her gifts in front of everyone and she will be able to see/hear everything going on at the shower, i.e.: games, devotional, etc. In the event that something goes wrong with skype or computers, we will still go ahead with the shower and video it for her.
2) If you would like to purchase her a gift, we ask that you use the registry we have created for her at Wal-Mart. We have talked with her husband to see what some of their needs would be and also we have calculated the size and weight of various items to make sure the box is the right size for shipping. After you have purchased the gift, please wrap tightly with paper (no gift bags please to conserve space) and place the gift in the bin marked “Skype shower” by Sunday, August 21, 2011. *Also, if you feel there is a lot of unnecessary packaging/hangers/boxes, please remove extra packaging/cardboard to conserve weight and space in the box we will be shipping-you can still cut out and include care instructions, etc.
3) If there happens to be nothing left on the registry, cash is a welcome gift. It is fine also if you would just prefer to give cash. *If you do give cash in a card, please give it to E. L. or S. E. personally-please do not place cards with cash in the gift bin. Also, do not seal the envelope. We will note on the card how much was given and all cash will be sent directly to BIMI. This will enable them to receive the money through their account and they will not have to exchange the money.
When: September 10, 2001 @ 10:00 A.M.
Where: Maranatha Baptist Church
413 Polkville Road
Shelby, NC 28150
Questions: If you have any questions, please call E. L. . or S. E.
This ideas actually went very well. The ladies were very cooperative, shopped for their gifts from the list, and gave their money gifts to be sent to the mission. We had a volunteer to pack the box, who likes to do that sort of thing. The box was packed and shipped in time to get to France before the shower. Since this was a surprise, it was told the guest of honor that she would be skyping with a friend and that the box was from this friend who wanted to watch her open it. So they set up a time to Skype which was actually the time we had set for the actual shower.
We were blessed to have some techie people in our church who were able to get us some equipment for seeing and hearing Joanna better. So we as an audience could all see and hear her at the same time. One of our techie people spend quite a bit of time setting things up to make sure we had a good connection. This in itself was a great blessing.
The order of our shower was very similar to a regular baby shower:
- Connect with our friends on line. At first she was only aware of one friend talking to her and then the camera was turned on the audience.
- As we talked with Joanna, we had someone in charge of games who led the games just as in a normal shower while Joanna watched an chatted with us.
- A devotional was also given and addressed to Joanna
- Joanna then opened her box and unwrapped all her gifts in front of the camera
- At the end, anyone who wanted, could face the camera and talk to Joanna personally
- A light lunch was served and video was taken of this part to be sent to Joanna. We also included a few goodies and favors in Joanna’s box.
It was really a blessed time and such and encouragement to Joanna who was far away in another country, expecting her first baby, learning a new language and getting over culture shock. She too in turn was a great blessing to us.
Below is a copy of the devotional given by Michelle Beal, wife of the president of Ambassador Baptist College. After that is a video and a slide show of the shower. This is a great idea for anyone and could be adapted for just about any theme.
SHEPERDING AS PARENTS
When I was expecting Karis, we were in a revival meeting in Tennessee. A really sweet lady in the church took A. Smith and myself out to a Tea Room for lunch. We had a great time with her. Upon leaving the meeting, she gave us a basket full of gifts for our family. she even included a gift for our unborn baby, which was a little stuffed lamb that played Jesus Loves Me. I immediately fell in love with it. A short time later one of our sons was playing with it and broke the wind up part. I was not too happy about it, but there was nothing I could do to fix it. I tried to find another one just like it but to no avail.
Have you ever noticed in gift shops when you come to the baby section there is usually a lamb somewhere in the mix? I wonder if it has to do with the connection of the Bible referring to us as sheep. Isaiah 53:6 says All we like sheep have gone astray; Throughout Scripture we will find different verses where the Lord makes references to us as being His sheep and He the great Shepherd. The Lord has blessed you, Joanna (the one this devotional was referring to, since we were doing the Skype shower for her), with a little lady lamb. You and Brenson, as parents will be playing a role as shepherd in her life. After preparing this devotion, the Lord brought to mind a book written called Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted Tripp. As a parent our role is like that of a shepherd so here are some thoughts on shepherding.
One of the very first things that you will do as a mother if not the first thing, is FEED your little lamb. If you are planning to nurse, this is one of the very first things that the doctor will encourage you to do right away. In those first few weeks you will feel like that is all that you are getting done, but as she gets older it will take less of your time. You will find it important to feed her what is healthy and what is the best thing for her. As she grows and matures, you will not only give her physical food but also spiritual food. As mothers we need to be careful about what we let our children graze on.
When I was in college I did a research paper on sheep and found some interesting facts about their make up. Psalm 23, The Great Shepherd Psalm tells us that He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; It is almost impossible to make a sheep lie down. They must be free from fear, friction with others, pest, and hunger. The same is true of us as Christians. Do you find it hard to lie down and sleep if you are afraid, or you are at odds with someone, if you have a pest zizzing around your room, or if you are hungry? Your little lamb will not want to sleep if she is hungry.
Another aspect of your shepherding will involve LEADING. The shepherd leads beside still waters and in the paths of righteousness. The shepherd understands the needs of His sheep. When thirsty they become restless and search for water. He knows that rushing water scares them. He will make sure that they get early morning grazing because the dew is the best source. He also leads in paths of righteousness. How are you as the parent going to know how to lead? By being in the Bible. Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
As shepherd your role will also involve DISCIPLINING. The shepherd carried a rod and a staff. These instruments were used for authority, defense, governing, and ruling. The shepherd must sometimes shear the sheep which is not a pleasant process. Your little lamb must know who her authority is. She must be taught to obey at an early age. A great deal of your time in the early years will be spent in disciplining. Proverbs tells us to chasten our son while there is hope, to not withhold correction, to spare not the rod, but that the rod and reproof give wisdom. They need to know up front what results in an automatic punishment, such as lying, disrespect, and direct disobedience. As your children grow there will be other methods of discipline. Part of disciplining is knowing your child. Jesus said in John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: What may work for one child may not work for another. Just as sheep know the voice of their shepherd your baby girl probably already know your voice and Brenson’s voice, for that matter. Not only will she know your voice, but she will also follow you. Much of what they learn is by example and that can be scary. Our children are really little imitations of us.
Another role of your shepherding involves PROTECTING. There are wolves out there that would like to snatch our little lambs up. We have to protect them by TEACHING them. Deuteronomy 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. When you are busy with all your daily tasks of cooking, cleaning, laundering, bathing, shopping, and whatever else the Lord puts in your path, teaching should be at the core of everyone of them. Talk to them, listen to them, and teach them at every given opportunity.
And lastly, your role as shepherd involves loving and caring for your little lamb. Bumps and bruises are all a part of growing up. When a child gets hurt or they are sick, most of the time they want Mommy. Mommy knows how to give that loving touch, and the kiss that makes it all better. They will fall down and get hurt and sometimes these falls are worse than others, and we have to be there for our children to pick them up and comfort them. Sometimes, a shepherd would have to carry a sheep back to the sheepfold, over his shoulders. As your children grown and mature, their hurts become very real to them. Aren’t you glad that we have a Great Shepherd that loves and cares for us, picks us up when we fall and heals all those wounds? 1 Peter 5:7 … He careth for you.
When you are feeling overwhelmed with your shepherding, and there will be days you will feel that way, take heart and look to our Great Shepherd and Lamb of God.
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