Where did the summer go?

The kids are getting ready to go back to school Wednesday. What?!? This Wednesday? You're kidding me. Summer is already over?!?

It's true. Summer vacation officially ends on August 12th. It seems like just yesterday we were taking exams (Mom), preparing for TCAPS (kids), and doing this:

Now summer is almost over. But one thing I always love about this time of year is the beginning of the harvest season. And that reminds me of God's promise in our lives and ministry.

At our house this:

turned into this:

And today in an effort to find an affordable outside activity for the kids we did this:

Blueberry picking! It's a favorite around here! The kids are even plotting to go back in the morning with Dad. So my freezer is filling up. I'm considering getting out the canner. I'm wondering if I should make some preserves too. Decisions, decisions.

But most importantly I'm thrilled to realize one thing.

SCHOOL STARTS NEXT WEEK! HALLELUJAH!

VICTORIOUS

Last Tuesday night was the science fair at the kids' school. All three participated. Robbie was required as part of his science grade and even had to present his project to his class. This of course involved Mom and Dad and even Ms. Robin to bring him the video games and accessories needed for his presentation.

Here are a few pics of doing the experiment at Aunt Marcie and Uncle Tom's house. (We needed more volunteers!)

And here is the finished project board.

Nichola did her project just for extra credit.

And here is Nichola posing next to her finished board.

The school brought in judges from outside the school district including one gentleman from a national committe of science fairs. I didn't even know that they had such a thing. In a school with just a few students over 400, there were 262 submissions for the science fair. So the school supplied the display boards and asked that everyone put the required info on them for display in the gym.

Caitlin did a project just for fun. Her teacher asked for her to do one, but Caitlin had already decided she wanted to do one.

Her's was called Straw Wars and while not the purpose of the project it did show just exactly how big the mouths are in our family.

But guess what. The one who did it all just for fun....

SHE WON FIRST PLACE IN HER CATEGORY AND AGE GROUP!




Dave and I are so proud of all three of the kids and all their hard work.

Noah, the Ark, the Dove, and my Life

Isn't it great how God uses the things we go through in order to allow us to become what HE had always intentioned. Yesterday morning Dave made a statement during the opening of his sermon that put this all in perspective to me.

"Noah couldn't have been used by God if he had not obeyed what God told him to do."

After all we have been through spiritually, emotionally, financially, and physically in the past six months it is such a joy to watch my husband in the pulpit. The anointing that God has placed on his life in so much more apparent to me than it had been for months. I know he has recently said similar things about me, but I see it more in observing him obeying what God told him to do. For the first time in 3 years I am able to sit in the sanctuary and listen to his sermons week after week. As he began his sermon with such a simple statement about Noah's obedience to God I was struck with how much it applies to us. It has been difficult to stay in place and wait for God's timing. We have been broken in such a way that now we see God moving in our church and community the way we have been praying for it to happen. The day to day struggle of rebuilding the congregation are stressful, but the miracles and testimonies are worth it all.

I tried to discreetly take a short video clip of Dave's sermon yesterday, specifically so his parents could see. I realized after I loaded it to the computer that I am unable to rotate the frame like I can with photos from the same camera. I'm going to post it below, but be forewarned it is sideways. I'll try to make sure I don't turn the camera from now on...but he's sooooo TALL!

Oh and by the way his sermon was on the dove (the title of this post).

The Forgotten Blog

My poor little forgotten blog. I have neglected you so.

Life has been so crazy for the last few months that I have not done much of anything. We have been on autopilot. But now I'm back and feeling stronger than ever. Family, I will try to do much better at updating with pics and videos. Friends, perhap you will see sides of me you never knew were there. Anyone else who stumbles upon this blog, I hope you find something that brightens your day.

My goal will be to post at least once a week, but there may be more. Keep checking back.

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.

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.