FRG Leaders

A wonderful story about the invisible string that connects loved ones. Whenever one thinks about another member of the family, the string gives a tug and you feel it.

Our battalion used this book at a recent Family Night event.  All the kids were together in one corner of the room with volunteers helping them with a few crafts.  One of the volunteers read this book aloud to them before crafts began. 

It's a sweet story; from the Amazon.com description:  Specifically written to address children's fear of being apart from the ones they love, The Invisible String delivers a particularly compelling message in today's uncertain times that though we may be separated from the ones we care for, whether through anger, or distance or even death, love is the unending connection that binds us all, and, by extension, ultimately binds every person on the planet to everyone else. Parents and children everywhere who are looking for reassurance and reaffirmation of the transcendent power of love, to bind, connect and comfort us through those inevitable times when life challenges us!

After reading the book, the kids all made an 'invisible string' bracelet.  Here are the items we used (found at our local Hobby Lobby store, but also available at other craft stores, jewelry stores, even Wal-Mart):


Plastic heart-shaped beads



"Stretch Magic" Bead & Jewelry Cord, .5mm



We simply cut a length of cord for each child, added two heart beads -- one to represent the child's heart and the other to represent the Soldier's heart -- and tied the cord in a knot.  We trimmed any leftover cording afterwards.  One volunteer pre-cut the cord and placed one length of cord and two different-colored beads into a snack-size Ziploc before the meeting which made it very easy to hand out supplies to all the kids.

This was a simple, inexpensive, and fun craft to do for a large group of kids.  The kids really seemed to connect with this idea and were very proud of their bracelets.

Two boys with their red and yellow "Red Dragon" heart beads.

*One safety tip: be sure parents know you've sent their children home with the bracelet.  The beads are small and could be a choking hazard if the child removes the bracelet and takes off the beads ... not likely, but still worth mentioning to parents.

~ Traci Cook