Musings

Over the past several weeks I have felt a tugging in my heart for some ministry changes. Is it because we have been going non stop for a year now? Is it becasue my focus has changed? Is God truly the one tugging my heart or is it out of selfish reasons? I'll try to fill in the reasons later.....

But I do know that after 17 years of working in some role in children's ministry on Wed nights, from Mission Friends, GAs, Bible Drill, to AWANAS. I have turned in my resignation and given up working...whew! As I write this and say this, my heart beats a little faster and I begin to sweat! Really???!! Give up my beloved Children's Ministry?! What am I to do now? Am I growing up, maturing? Time to move on to "adult" ministries? hmmm?????

I do know that I feel called by God to serve beside my husband as we teach our adult Sunday School class. I feel that we have an incredible opportunity to support and fellowship and lead these other young couples.

I also feel called by God to homeschool my kids and to have home health therapy for Claire, which means 5 days a week we are busy with school and therapy---which can leave little time for other major preparations. What an incredible opportunity I have each day around my kitchen table to teach the Word of God to my kids and then impart knowledge in their hearts and minds! Wow! what an amazing responsibility.

It does seem I have moved on to some more "adult" roles....Sunday School, committee member, choir? (still considering that option....) As the door has closed for now on Children's ministry, I am excited about the new places God is leading now but holding out that in the future I can return to my beloved place among kids.....I guess only time and really finally God will be the say in that.

So to those of you struggling with ministry choices and opportunites.....open your heart's ear to hear God and the tugging in your heart as to where He would have you serve..... may we serve with joy and gladness.....

The Dog Days of Summer

Ok maybe summer didn't really fly by but it sure seems like it as we look back over the last 8 weeks. Boy have we had a fun and busy summer, from VBS, Branson vacation, basketball camp, swim team practice, Colorado Coolness....and now Russ is back to work, Hope is still swimming, and we are beginning to get our school stuff in order. Whew! And all the while we have been sweltering under 100+ days! Thank goodness for A/C!
Hope has done exceedingly well with swimming... she has almost completed level 4 of the 6 levels of swimming...plus she has made great progress on the swim team! You go girl! This year has been a huge year for her.....Her first overseas missions trip...her first testimony in front of 500 people...her first experience of leading kids to Christ....her first solo in a Children's choir program....the only kid in AWANAS to complete all 3 Sparks books (earning her the Sparky award). Hope, I am so proud of you!
Claire continues to make baby steps, although this year has been a tough one for her. We are still struggling to get her seizures under control which does make it harder for her to make physical progress. And to top it off, she grew 5 inches over thw winter---she is one tall girl now....
Molly is still the life of the party, our comic relief and the pusher of all limits! She is a great sister to Claire and she bugs Hope endlessly, all the while telling you how much she loves you!

Here are some of my favorite pics from the summer. May the end of summer and beginning of Fall be filled with as many blessings as we have seen this year!

Easter!

He is not here! He is Risen!

Probably one of my favorite Bible stories---the Easter story! Still takes my breath away to think about the amazing sacrifice that Christ did for us. Amazing love! Oh that I would remember daily what you have done for me and that then you conquered death and the grave and you are ALIVE today!

Ok flashback to about 5 years ago, Hope goes to Sunday School on Palm Sunday. Her lesson that week is of course about the Triumphal Entry. Her teacher asks the question, "What did Jesus ride into town on?" And Hope answers, "a donkey!" Good job, Hope!

Fastforward to this year. We are reading the Miss Pattycake Easter book. I ask Molly, "what did Jesus ride into town on?" and Molly answers, "a donkey!" Good job, Molly! And then I ask, "what did the people say when they saw Jesus?" and Molly says, "Hey Jesus! Why you riding that donkey!" Ha ha ha!

We have had a wonderful Easter time, from reading Miss Pattycake, to decorating eggs, to hunting eggs at church. Even Claire enjoyed the fun of coloring eggs and hunting them!

Thank you Jesus for Easter!



Easter Morning!

Pajama Time!

Easter Eggs!

Our Year so Far!

Whew! This year is flying by and we have filled it with all kinds of fun, crazy activities! Here are a few of our highlights!

*Trip to Nicaragua
*Move to a new house
*ACES started
*Valentine Banquet
*State Basketball Tournament(just got to go watch)
*2 girls Birthday party
*Spring Break to Grandma's

And here are some of our pictures from the year! Enjoy!