I have a toddler and we go to church. Church comes every week so it shouldn't be a surprise and yet... I was always struggling to gather up all of the things that I would need. I've finally come up with a plan that mostly works. It isn't for everyone but hopefully, it may help you a bit. I'd love to hear your suggestions too...

1. Bag - Have a bag that is specifically for church only- include all of the items that you'll need. I re-fill it when I return from church. My items include:

• Dry erase/Magnet board
• Dry erase markers with eraser tops
• Magnetic games and/or felts- I found mine on etsy.com- we have a felt sea background with magnets that sticks to the dry erase board and felt fish as well as some magnetic matching activities (colors, people, animals)
• Organization Pouches
• Quiet Activity Book
• Lace and Trace items
• Diapering/Clothing kit- includes wipes, two diapers, backup church outfit
• Snack- I use fruit granola bars that won't melt or squish
• Offering- I learned the hard way to avoid change- little ones like to put it in their mouths

2. Getting your child ready

• Bathe the night before if possible.
• Have clothes laid out and ready.
• Don't dress your child until they've had breakfast.
• Distraction- I save Veggie Tales for Sabbath. My daughter is allowed to watch an episode while I work on getting myself ready

3. Getting yourself ready

• Get up early enough - my mom told me that she kept getting up earlier by 30-minute increments (7:00,6:30,6:00, etc.) until we could have a good morning. You are responsible for the tone of the day, set yourself up for joy.
• Pre-plan your outfit- I literally lay out everything that I'll be using- it keeps me sane.
• Don't skip breakfast- you'll need the energy to wrangle your toddler.

I'm doing my best to make morning pleasant- I want Sabbath to be happy rather than filled with frustration and hurrying. I'd love to hear your ideas for things that make your church mornings successful.

About the author: Summer Porter is the interim editorial assistant for GC Family Ministries. She's a working wife and mom who is very human and struggles daily with balance. She's spouse to David and mom to Brooklyn Dawn (age 3) and Breelyn Elizabeth (died of SIDS- age 4 months June 2016). Summer has a blog where she shares her thoughts about life and losing a child.

The Xin Dian Church located in Taipei opened its doors to friends and neighbors as well as church members for a family evangelistic series which began on Sunday, November 11 and ended on Sabbath, November 17, 2012. The speakers were Drs. Sally and Chek-Yat Phoon, Northern Asia-Pacific Division's Family Ministries Director and its Resource Personnel respectively. Church members with their PMM (Pioneer Mission Movement) pastor, Kim Seok Woon, have been laying the groundwork for months, visiting interests, conducting Bible studies and above all, fasting and praying for the success of this effort.

Interwoven with the gospel message of hope and salvation were family topics on how to have a close-knit and strong family which has God as its center. The first night's message was clear--In the beginning, there was love because in the beginning was God. If we want to have love in our homes, then we need to invite God to be in our hearts and our homes because where God is, there is always love--love of the right kind... The series included the story of the fall and its effects, particularly on the family. This has seriously impacted the husband and wife relationship, an issue that will be addressed so that there will be better understanding between the sexes.

When God's Plan A went awry because of the choices made by Adam and Eve, God immediately implemented Plan B by sending His only Son to show this sinful world how to love. The salvation story which features God's unconditional love for a dying world will be applied to the family setting, and participants will discover their individual love languages and learn how to love each other unconditionally and more effectively. God also crafted the Sabbath when He created the weekly cycle, a day to focus on Him and also on our families. Today, the greatest need in the family is time. Participants were reminded of the importance of spending time with God and with family members. The skill most lacking in families today was shared; all who attended practiced writing a note of encouragement to a family member or a friend. While we struggle with the attacks of Satan on our homes, we can surely trust that if we believe in Him, God will lead us to the ideal home of all homes--the new heaven and new earth.

These topics were well received as the approach to evangelism was new to them. The Xin Dian Church was fully mobilized as young and old worked together to visit and invite their friends, distributing flyers to the neighboring areas while a team of dedicated cooks prepared meals for the singing group from the Northern Asia-Pacific Division, the Golden Angels, who enhanced the meetings with their lively music. The highlight came on Sabbath when four people who had studied with the pastor, were baptized. Our prayer is that this evangelism has strengthened our families in Xin Dian to become living sermons to their new-found friends and contacts.

To read more about what is happening in the Northern Asia-Pacific Division visit: http://www.nsdadventist.org/