Another great song and video

Fancy Feet Day

Zayvn's class talked about the letter "F" this week so today was Fancy Feet Day. Zayvn wanted to wear cousin Eddie's shoes so Kev went and got them. He stuck socks in the top of the shoe then Zayvn put his shoes on and then we stuck his shoes inside the other shoes. It was great!! Even Mrs. Crady got a chuckle out of it!!

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A Great Staff

Today was calendar and budget planning day for all the pastors. After such a long day for them the wives met them out at Cheesecake Factory for a time of fellowship. What an incredible time it was! Kevin and I are certainly blessed to be at Berean and to be amongst such a great group of pastors. Pastor Paul and Ann are just so real and transparent. The whole pastoral team mixes well together and only the Lord put that together. Fun and Laughter with one another. Getting to know one another more. That's what a pastoral team should be. Working well together inside the church and fellowshiping well together outside the church. Not all churches are like that. Not all churches have the staff that WANTS to be together. God is doing a new and great thing at Berean and I for one, am very excited to see what He's going to do.

Birthday Celebrations

Well, I forgot the camera so I couldn't take pictures of Steve and Kev. Kev and Steve share a birthday within a week of each other. When we lived here before we would get together with Steve and Brenda and celebrate birthdays. Brenda and I found sitters for the boys (all four of them together!) and headed out to dinner. What a great evening of fellowship without having to hear "Mom, mom" or "when's our food going to be here". After dinner we got the idea to go to a movie but, couldn't find one that started early enough so that we wouldn't be out too late for the sitters. Plan B we headed to the mall, which I don't get too very often. After a nice walk we headed back to Brenda and Steve's where we collected our boys and headed home. No major damage done to the house, sitters weren't tied up or anything and all seemed to be well. Thanks Ryan and Tara for subjecting yourselves to our boys!!

Closet Boys

Zayvn has been asking to sleep in his closet all week. We decided to let him do it tonight. Renn thought that looked like fun so he decided to do it too. Sleeping in the closet for Zayvn has special meaning. When he sleeps over at puppy grandma's, she has this walk in closet and ever since he was wee little she has always set it up as his bedroom. I think him sleeping in his closet gives him reminders of sleeping in puppy grandma closet. This ones for you puppy grandma!!

New Sign and Design

We are in the process of redesigning Zoom Zone. Our new name is The Filling Station and this is the new sign above the door into The Filling Station. It's a place where kids can come in and be Filled Up with the word of God. When we start to paint and such I'll post some more pics.

Never Give Up

I saw this video posted on my friend Angela's facebook page and thought it was so neat. I wanted to share it here.

Dancing with Jesus

This is Devon. Devon was in our children's church about 10 years ago. She was always such a happy little girl and her smile was just contagious. Today, we attended Devon's funeral. She lost her fight with a kidney disease last Thursday. As Kevin and I sat there during the funeral you could see all the people she touched in her young 17 years of life. As I looked over at Norma, Devon's mom, my mind couldn't even fathom the heartache she was going through. Weeping for a daughter that she loved and raised for 17 years. I wondered if that is what Jesus feels like every time one of His children leave Him. I can't imagine the heartache that must bring. It was difficult knowing this sweet young lady was no longer here on this earth. Jesus had called her home and together they were dancing on the streets of gold . This was in her program and I wanted to share it.

God saw you getting tired,

and a cure was not to be.

So He put his arms around you

and whispered, "Come with Me."

With tearful eyes we watched you suffer,

and saw you fade away.

Although we loved you dearly-

we could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

hardworking hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove-

He only takes the best.

It's lonesome here without you-

we miss you more each day.

Life doesn't seem the same

since you've gone away.

When days are sad and lonely,

and many things go wrong,

we seem to hear you whisper,

"Cheer up and carry on."

Each time we see your picture,

you seem to smile and say,

"I'm home in God's safe-keeping,

we'll meet again someday!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEV!

Tomorrow is Kev's birthday. (Do you think we should take a picture of him with shaving cream on his chest with the number of how old he is???) LOL My mom called today to wish him a Happy Birthday and I'm surprised he talked to her. See, he has received cards and a package in the mail the last couple days for his birthday. However, he hasn't opened them since it's not his birthday. He's waiting until tomorrow! That drives me nuts because I want him to open them now so I can see!! I teased him about taking my mom's call because it wasn't his birthday!! Anyway, he's a wonderful father and husband. Loves Jesus with all his heart. Is passionate about the ministry and to children. Loves to draw and create. When he does things, he does them BIG!! The ministry is not a job to him but a calling. A calling the Lord laid on his life many, many years ago. I love him for that. Happy Birthday Babe!! Hope you have a fantastic day!

Pondered Things

These are things that have been on my mind as of late. Some of them I've dealt with in the past week, others from conversations that I've had with people.

Why is it always up to me to make a phone call? Why can't someone else pick up a phone, email or text to see how things are going?

Family is wonderful thing but when your 18oo miles away on a holiday it makes it a little bit tough. I have a number of friends that are in the ministry that live a distance from their immediate family. I'm praying that someone has taken them in and made the holiday a little bit easier. Don't assume that someone else has it covered. That might not be the case.

When you feel change coming don't fight it. Let it change and then see what the Lord and you can do with it to make it work.

If you don't like something either change what you don't like or find a way to deal with it. Don't complain because it only makes it worse.

Friendships don't always stay the same and it can hurt when you realize they are changing.

Loneliness can be very hard.

It's time to get off the "woe is me" horse. That horse does no good and will keep bucking you off if you continue to ride.

Our outer beauty is not what the Lord looks at. He looks at the inner beauty and how the heart is.

God doesn't keep punishing us because He's mad at us. He's building character in us and it's our job to see how we'll handle obstacles that come our way.

When you miss your cousins so much it hurts pray that the Lord would bring a good friend that is nearby.

Yogurts, mixed with fruit, are a good way to hide multi vitamins. Applesauce will never be eaten again because of the trauma of thinking a multi vitamin was in there.

Don't forget to unplug your headphones from the treadmill before you get off of it.

Make sure the door is not open when the lawn is being mowed. Otherwise, the dog will become a permanent part of the lawn.

94 years young is a real accomplishment and lots of years full of Godly wisdom.

It's okay for people to move on. God will bring others in that have a hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Invest in those around you, especially long time friendships. Don't wait to be called to do something or go somewhere. Make the first move and invite!

McDonald's McCafe's, even with a free coupon, are not very good.

Thursdays are.....one of the best days of the week.

How can someone raised in a Christian home love the Lord so much then walk away without even giving it second thought?

Make it a point to have a date night with your spouse, without the kids.

Before you decide to shut the garage door, make sure your vehicle is all the way in the garage.

Open your eyes and see the beauty that the Lord has laid before you. It's all around. It gives new perspective on things.

Growing Kids God's Way

Kev and I are (more Kev than me) teaching a Sunday School class beginning tomorrow. It's called Growing Kid's God's Way www.gfi.org. We are excited about it and pray that it will be a blessing to those that come!