When I was presenting the Found Sheep Judith, age 6, took one of the sheep during our pondering time. She held onto it as if she was not going to give it back. I explained to all the children the importance of making sure that we leave all the pieces of the work together when we leave for home so the other friends who share the atrium have everything they need to do the work. Judith put the sheep back then went off and drew this picture. She explained that it was the power of Spirit that helped Jesus find the sheep.

Almost all of Judith's detailed drawings have Jesus in them with his hand outstretched with a pearl or seed in it with radiating lines.

The Seeds of Faith

During atrium, we had covered the presentation on the Parable of The Sower.  During worktime, Taryn, age 10, took it upon herself to write this poem:
THE SEEDS OF FAITH

WE EACH HAVE A SEED SPROUTING IN US.
IT IS OUR FAITH.
IF WE TAKE CARE OF IT, IT WILL GROW.
IF WE IGNORE IT, IT WILL WITHER AWAY.
THE SEED IS A MAGICAL PLACE.
IT IS WHERE YOU AND GOD LEARN AND LOVE EACH OTHER.

HOW BIG IS YOUR SEED?

Lays down his life

Kristin, age 4, works with the Good Shephard work quite frequently. On this particular Sunday, a day after her Grandfather died, her catechist noticed that when she read "He lays down his life for the sheep", Kristin not only moved the Good Shepherd to a position laying down, but all of the sheep, too.

Kristin is the catechist's niece and it was her father who had died. She wondered, "When I saw Kristin lay the sheep down, it really made me wonder if she perceived that her Pa had laid down his life for his family, and now in sorrow we were laying down our lives for each other."

My Heart is full

Uri, age 4, had spent some time working with the Good Shepherd work. He took this work and placed it back on the shelf. He then went to the chasubles and placed each one very neatly on their hangers. He came to me to join him in singing the "Color Song", in which we name the colors of the liturgical year, and their meanings--Purple for preparation, white for celebration, etc. When we were finished he placed his hand on his chest and said "My heart is full when I come here."

We need to take care of each other

After a presentation of the Good Shepherd and the Hirelings, Niles, age 6, worked a while with the materials. He said nothing about the materials and restored them after he was done. Later his parent came into the Atrium to pick him up. He immediately began to recount his work with the Good Shepherd to his parent. His revelation was " Mom, Jesus takes care of the sheep. We are the sheep. He takes care of us. That means we need to take care of each other."

Hidden Treasure

Beatriz had received the lesson on the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, several weeks before she spontaneously sang this song. In the lesson, they contemplated what the Hidden Treasure could be.

The treasure. The Treasure.
The treasure loves the most. 
He probably likes me more than anyone.  
He likes me forever.
The Treasure comes to me and you
To show us what we can do.
The treasure comes to me and you
To show us what we can do,
The treasure comes to me and you
To guide us. 
The Treasure is mine.
The Treasure is so special.
The Treasure will never die.
The Treasure is ours.
It is very special.
I wonder if the treasure is mine forever.
I wonder if I will learn about the treasure.
I wonder who the treasure is.
I will share and share it and never keep it all for mine.
I am the treasure.
I would not give it up for one dollar or a Pokemon card. 
It is treasure!
Some people walk in darkness but they have seen the light. 

At the end of the song, she paused and said, "Do you like it? It is a God Song because the treasure is God."

How prayer works

Upton, when he was 4 explained how prayer works.  “When you’re born, God gives you love.  When you pray for somebody, you give some of your love back to God, and He gives it to the person you’re praying for.  Later, they give it to someone else, and someone else, and it can even go through animals, like dogs.  But one day, the love comes back to you.”

The Yeast Grows

Becca age 7, attends a Montessori school with an atrium. After communion at church one Sunday, Becca said to her mom, “That was good.”   Her mom said, “Jesus bread is always good.”  Becca responded, “That’s because it’s filled with love.  And the yeast is the kingdom of heaven growing bigger and bigger and bigger until it’s as big as the whole world.”