I’m Suzanne Clothier. This is how God’s enabling me to live deeply through a nearly 25-year volunteer commitment co-teaching CSPC two- and three-year-olds with my friend Dana O’Kelley. (Dana shared her story last week.)

(1/2) “Back in the day, in 2001, CSPC made parents work once a month in the nursery if you had your kids in the nursery. It was a requirement. So we didn’t have the problem of a shortage of nursery volunteers. But they always had a terrible time getting teachers for the two-year-olds. Every year it seemed like they were begging people to teach that class. Then I heard the announcement from the pulpit: they would close the room and there would be no Sunday school for two-year-olds if no one would teach. Having a two- and a three-and-a-half-year-old at the time, I was like, ‘Oh goodness, we need teachers!’ If I’d had to take my kids everywhere at church, that would have been really hard. This was somewhere I could help, so I decided to sign up. That’s how Dana and I met. We didn’t know each other, but we have had so much fun together over the years and I’ve gained a great friend. As our kids have grown up, we’ve celebrated all their milestones together: the graduations, the weddings, the grandbabies. We share photos with each other. We’ve prayed for each other in hard times. The Lord has blessed us in our friendship, and in our co-teaching. We each have different gifts, and I think He put us together for just that reason. Dana is so good at getting on the kids’ level and teaching them- they love her and the little songs she does with them. I’m more of the organizer when they come in- keeping track of the numbers, handling the paperwork, getting us to where we need to go on time.

It’s rewarding just seeing the kids’ spiritual learning and how they grow during the year. Those little moments when they’re singing and worshiping, or praying- oh my goodness, it guts you. It’s really special. A couple of weeks ago we were singing and one little kid was standing next to Dana- so into it, so worshipful. Sometimes they bring tears to my eyes in those moments. Just watching them as they learn the Lord’s Prayer, or practice the monthly Bible verse with special hand motions, which helps them learn. It’s fun to watch them as the month progresses. They recognize stories and raise their hands and answer questions, and you just see these light bulb moments. It’s a privilege to be able to watch that. But besides all that joy and the friendship with Dana, there’s another reason I do it: to model service. Modeling for your children makes a lasting impression. Serving helps your kids learn the importance of serving. My own parents served at this church my whole life- I remember them teaching in junior church, helping with youth group, doing adult Bible studies and discipleship. (And all that was before my dad even went on staff!) It stuck with me because I watched them for all those years. CSPC always needs more people to teach these young ages, so if you think God might be nudging you, I’d say go for it! It’s easy and fun and, as long as you at least show up, you won’t mess it up. And don’t let FOMO stop you, either. I’m involved in other CSPC activities with adults -including the women’s ministry- so I don’t feel like I’m missing out. Dana and I just sort of assume we’re going to keep doing this every year. Time flies when you’re having fun, right? The kids we started with are 26 now. Some are married. We haven’t had any second generations in class yet, but I imagine that’s coming soon. Wouldn’t want to miss it!”