Off to San Antonio

It's that time already. We're off to the 72nd International General Assembly in beautiful San Antonio, TX. While we will make sure to take time for the kids to enjoy some of the historic landmarks such as the Alamo, most of our time will be consumed by the business sessions. This is Dave's first Assembly as an Ordained Bishop. He will be voting as a member of the General Council for the first time. There are always a few pressing issues, but this year everything seems to have come to ahead at once. The General Council needs much prayer support as they sift through the Agenda and present the General Assembly with a final form of the proposals.

Of course traveling with the family involves lots of strategic packing. The older the kids get the larger their clothes are and therefore the more room their clothes take up. Of course it always stresses Dave out at first when he sees all the luggage he must fit into the vehicle.

He always does it though. Of course the kids are never too sure of their seating arrangements.

I promise it became much for cofortable for the kids as the travel clothes rod broke mid trip. But we made it...

We are here....

What Accent Do You Have?

Do you think you have an accent? I'd always heard that Cincinnati, OH (where I was raised) is one of the few places in the United States that does not have a regional accent. I guess it must be true. According to this quiz I took that's exactly what accent I have - none.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland   "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The South
Philadelphia
The Inland North
The Northeast
The West
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

What? Me obsessed?

In an earlier post I alluded to my minor obsession with crafts. I just can't sit still. I always have to be doing something to occupy my mind andmy hands. This is one reason why I still adore reading actual books and not something electronic like a Kindle. Knitting is my current stress release and I must admit an obsession. I read so much for school that I now knit as part of my evening unwind. For those of you who never thought you'd ever see me with short hair, maybe this video can shed some light on the subject (LOL)...

The first annual Crab Orchard July Festival

We have had the great privilege of participating in the first annual Crab Orchard July Festival. One of the great burdens on the hearts of Dave and myself is the lack of the spirit of community in Crab Orchard. We both feel that without community spirit the small town will die. if you think of the small towns in America that seem to be surviving this age of suburban sprawl there is always a great sense of community pride. Crab Orchard has been lacking in this. This festival is a step in the right direction. City hall sponsored the event and participation by the local churches and Liberty Market made the day.

Our church set up a booth that we called "The Deep Fried Depot". We sold deep fried pickles, cheese on a stick, deep fried oreos, and deep fried twinkies. Our one concession to health consciousness was that we did use peanut oil for the frying. Church members, remember to ask Drew about the peanut oil. :)

These are a couple of pictures of Mary and Peggy mixing up the batter for the booth.

Liberty Market sponsored the fireworks and I was overwhelmed by the quality. We attended the Crossville fireworks on the 4th (see earlier post) but Crab Orchard's were far superior. The display was well over 20 minutes long. The following video is but a short sampling of the quality that was presented.

Independence Day

July 4th

Okay, I know that I have been ignoring this blog for a few weeks...but I wanted to post these pictures from the 4th. I forgot my camera and had to use my phone so they may be a little blurry. This was a busy day from picking up the kids from youth camp to preparing for the Crab Orchard Festival on the 5th to making sure we got to the bank in time to get a good parking spot. We met Dave's sister Marcie and her family as well as the Cobles to tailgate in the parking lot while waiting for the fireworks. This was my first official experience at tailgating with the portable grills and everything. We had a blast. The pictures above are of the kids setting off a smoke bomb and playing with Pop-Its. Overall it was a great day.

Jesus Camp

http://www.biography.com/broadband/main.do?video=Biography_Jesus-Camp_Audience-Reactions

I know I may be late to the party on this film as it was released in 2006 but I watched this documentary today on the Biography channel. I have mixed feelings about this film. If you go to this link you can view a video of the audience reactions at a screening. I think it was most difficult to watch such an intense scrutiny of Pentecostal Children's Ministry. I just kept thinking about what a non-Christian must think about videos of children slain in the spirit, speaking in tongues, etc. In this age of awareness over the use of Christian-ese language have we forgotten that actions speak louder than our words? We must define our actions to non-Christians the same as we do our language. This film depicts children's ministry as intense indoctrination rather than the picture of salvation that we view it as. I am undecided as to my opinion on this film. The ministry portrayed I agree with about 95%.

The Ghana Project

Anyone who knows me, knows that I tend to be addicted to crafts. I can't sit still and just watch TV or ride in the car. I am always reading a book or doing some sort of craft. The summer we moved to Crab Orchard I was bored silly. I had just left a job in the corporate world and chose to not search for a new job until my children were settled into school in the fall. The monotony of cleaning the house quickly got to me so....I taught myself how to knit. I love scrapbooking and cross stitch and sewing and drawing and painting and....but knitting has become a favorite of my hobbies. A knitting project so easily goes in the car with me and enables me to still carry on a conversation with my family. Now that my time is so absorbed by the primary passions of my life (these include my family, of course, community ministry, and my studies at COGTS) I look forward to the times when I can knit to my heart's content.

I just found a couple websites that make this pasttime all the more appealing. The one that grasps my attention the most is The Ghana Project. Check out the link in my new blog roll. Knitters from all over donate squares and they are sewn into afghans to be used as security blankets for children treated for orthopedic ailments at a hospital in Ghana. I can't wait to finish using up some of my scrap yarn and participate in community ministry at the same time. This project is great for all those who love to knit or crochet but don't feel like they have anyone to create for. Why don't you join me in knitting for this great cause?

End of School Year Crunch

It's that time of the year. It's the end of the semester for me and the end of the school year for the kids. The past few weeks have been a flurry of last minute field trips and school programs for the kids and term papers, textbook readings, and studying for finals for me. This is in addition to all the activities at the church. We have been busy, busy, busy! Caitlin asked me the other day that I wasn't allowed to have any more homework because it's almost summer. I wish it was that simple. My prayer in times like these is that I can be an example of commitment and academic endeavors to my children but also teach them the value of balance in life. Nothing seems to please them more than when I put down the book I'm studying and chase them around the yard. For all the chaos and stress I wouldn't trade a moment of these times with my children. Even when I feel guilty while I'm typing a paper or reading a book, the kids are trying to take care of me too. This week they have been hiding in their rooms, secretly making Mother's Day cards for me. (Ssh! don't tell them that I figured it out. It's supposed to be a surprise!)

Physical Activity Program

Last night was the Physical Activity program at the kids' school. As a response to the childhood obesity problem the school decided to present this program, preceded by a mile long Family Walk, instead of a traditional spring concert. I wonder if the "Tooty Ta" is what the International Offices have in mind when they recommend each minister be involved in an exercise program.

The Tooty Ta!

Cha Cha Slide

God Bless America

Why am I doing this?

The easy answer to this question posed in the tile of this post is that I want to provide both my parents and my in-laws an easy platform to stay updated on the lives of their children and grandchildren, but I must admit there is more to it than simple family updates. I will of course post pictures and stories of our lives but family beware you may get more than you bargained for when reading these posts.
I’ve recently read a blogpost in which the author said that he had temporarily lost the muse to write as his life had reached a point of stability and serenity after leaving his previous ministry position. I must say that I find myself quite the opposite. I too have reached a period of stability and serenity in my life but it has caused me to have time to think through all those issues that I have always pushed to the back of my mind. After years of ministry as youth pastors, children’s pastors, outreach and evangelism ministers, and anything no one else wants to do pastors, we are in the position of senior pastors (which is still the anything no one else wants to do pastor.) There is no longer the threat of impending or arbitrary dismissal from a position based on the whims of a senior pastor. With all the challenges that come with being the lead of all the ministries of the church, for the first time in my married life I feel settled into a community. I’ve chosen to enjoy this while it lasts. The ultimate effect of such a decision is to allow myself time to focus on those things that I never had the mental or emotional resources left to do before. I have finally begun my postgraduate education after many years of placing it on hold. This has brought me to the place of finding answers and asking questions in issues that alluded me previously. While I am setting up this blog as a way for family and friends to stay in contact with our family, I am sure it will also serve as an outlet for the many issues that have begun to direct my mind and method of ministry. I welcome your comments and would love to dialogue with others on these issues that are pressing on my heart.