Today's Playground

There are very few things in life that have not changed drastically since I was a kid. One thing that I've observed in the last few weeks as I have lunch at school with "my kids" is the playground of 2006 is pretty much the playground I used in the '60's. Oh yes, the equipment is a little nicer and some have mulch instead of sand and maybe look a little "artsier", but really they are the same. Today when I followed Leighton around the playground after lunch, there was still shrieking girls, hand clap games, swings, slides, teeter-totters, kick ball, boys tackling each other and the classic....boys chase the girls! Our little Miss Leighton was the object of one little guy's goal. Darrin chased her with all he was worth, but she was too quick for him. He finally gave up and went his own way. Good girl, Leighton...stay away from those boys. When I hear girls talk about their boyfriends, I always tell them the only boyfriend they need is Jesus! Anyway, it's kinda nice to see some childhood things are still in place. It's a lot harder to be a kid in 2006 than when I was in kindergarten in 1965. Let's hear it for good ole traditions!

Friendly Competition

Today one of our sweet little girls, Lisi, arrived at church full of excitement as always. She and her sister, Isabella, both came with their Buddy Barrels full of offering for our kid's missions program, Boys and Girls Missionary Crusade (BGMC). We are having a contest in Creek Kids that if the boys bring in the highest total offering for the next month, Pastor Lori gets a pie in the face. If the girls win, Mister Randy gets the pie. Well, as little Miss Lisi, who by the way isn't even old enough for Creek Kids yet, came running to me with Barrel in hand proclaiming, "Pastor Lori, GIRLS WIN!" Sounds good to me, Lisi! How cute is that? It's fun to see the kids get into the spirit of fun, but even better how they are excited to give to missions.

Old Friends

This week, I had the opportunity to reconnect with a couple that I ministered with at Berean. Our good friends Pastor Kevin and Trudy Umphress were in town doing a Kid's Crusade and I crashed a couple of services. It was so great to see them and catch up on each other's news. I'm so thankful for the time I got to work with them. I learned a lot from Pastor Kevin and we worked so well together. My favorite memories are of us doing character skits together, adlibing all the way...no scripts ever. The Umphress' are people who bring a smile to my face by just thinking of them. Do you know someone like that? Drop them a note today and tell them how much you love and appreciate them. I know I don't do that enough, I'm gonna try to do better.

Kids and Marriage

Some of you may have seen these come on an e-mail forward but they are so funny you have to read them. A challenge follows...

The Funny Things Kids Say: Kids Talk About Marriage
How do you decide who to marry?
(1) You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. - Alan, age 10
(2) No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. - Kirsten, age 10
What is the right age to be married?
(1) Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. - Camille, age 10
(2) No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married. - Freddie, age 6 (very wise for his age)
How can a stranger tell if two people are married?
(1) You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. - Derrick, age 8
When is it okay to kiss someone?
(1) When they're rich. - Pam, age 7
(2) The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that. - Curt, age 7
(3) The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. - Howard, age 8

So after I read these and had a good chuckle, I started to think about how our kids see our marriages. Do your kids see you and your spouse hugging and kissing, holding hands and exchanging loving glances? Or do they only see and hear the strife that comes with everyday life? Do they see you working as a team or as two separate figures that they can play against? Randy and I have always tried to show our kids how a marriage partnership works and I'm sure we had our failures along the way but I was determined to be a chain breaker. By that I mean, I came from a family of divorce and all the time I was growing up, I would watch how disfunction in my home effected every person and every minute of "family" life. I did not want that for my future family! I challenge you parents to take a look at the marriage picture you present in front of your kids. Let them see how dads should be the priests of the home. How he should love his wife as Christ loved the church. Let them see moms who submit to their husbands, not in an abusive way, but in the way the Word shows us. Let our children learn that they do not run the house or set the tone, but we as parents are in charge and are working for their benefit. Let our kids see we are not perfect but in everything we work together and with love. Divorce in "Christian" homes is just as high as in any home. Let us be chain breakers! Kids learn by example and will unfortunately repeat our mistakes so keep in mind they will also repeat our successes!

Travelin' Girl

Micaela, my travelin' girl, is in Camden, Tennessee the next four days. She is spending her fall break from Evangel University ministering at a church in Camden with her outreach team, "Oath". They will be working around the church, ministering in both AM and PM Sunday services and working at a Habitat for Humanity site building a house. She was so excited when I talked to her. She has a real heart for serving and missions. I'm so proud of her and love how she is enjoying campus life so much. But...I miss her something fierce! I'll get to see her in a couple of weeks when she comes back to DM to be the Evangel rep for Iowa Youth Convention. Unfortunately, it's while I'm in the hospital. But it will be better than nothing. Hope I still can make some of her favorite foods while she's here. I know she wants some of her fav Mexican Chicken. Have fun in Camden, Mic!

Lunch with Pastor Lori

Okay, I messed up. I should have included in my birthday top ten reasons I love Pastor Josh, the fact that he is cool with me having flexible "office hours." The reason I love it is because it gives me the opportunity to spend time with the kids to whom I minister. Like this week I started having lunch at school with some of my kids. They are so funny and react different to me seeing them outside of the church setting. Awnna would have had me spend the whole day and she introduced me to every person at DM Christian, well it seemed like every person. I got the grand tour and even played on the playgound! If you know Awnna Claire, this will not surprise you...she doesn't know a stranger! Jaron wasn't quite sure what to do with me being at his school. He was polite, quiet, and looked a little nervous. He would only talk when I asked him a question. He wrinkled up his nose when one of his buddies asked if I was his mom. I asked him if he wanted me to stay for recess and he said, "AAAA, no, that's okay." I had to stiffle a laugh, he is so adorable, a great little man. Today I had lunch with Jordan. She smiled so big the whole time I was there, she looked like she was going to bust with excitement. She is such an angel, so loving and happy. She was thrilled to show me her purple water bottle. She knows Pastor Lori's favorite color is PURPLE! Each lunch date had one thing in common. Their friends. They were all so curious who I was, why I was there and when I said I was their pastor, I got the most hilarious looks. I guess in most churches, they don't have women pastors or pastors that they see outside of Sunday morning. I LOVE doing this. I hope it shows my kids how much I enjoy just spending time with them and just maybe it will be a way to reach someone else with the love of Christ. I hope in a small way it speaks of how very important children are to us at JCFC. I did have a great conversation with someone at Jordan's school that I hope leads to a visit to our church. This person seems like they could use a friend and a support system.

If I haven't set a date with your child for lunch, please let me know if they are interested. Thanks Pastor Josh, you help make it possible! Those school hot lunches looked better than when I was in school! I just may have to try one. :)

Conversations With Colin

Today, I had the opportunity to hang out with my buddy Colin Singleton. We went to mom's group together and had a great time. The drive there and back was the best. We had this sweet, funny conversation that merits recording. When we left, I asked this adorable 2 year old if mommy's tummy was better. His mom, Dara, had an emergency appendectomy the other day. He said yes and I asked if he prayed for mom and he said no, so I said let's pray now. After praying for Dara, he started listing off others who needed help with their tummies. He said to pray for Lisi's tummy. After we did, I asked him if Lisi was his friend and he very emphatically said, "NO, GIRLFRIEND!" Our conversation varied from trains (a Colin obsession), trucks and toots. Yes...I said toots. Out of the blue he said, "Awnna did it, not me." I asked what she did and he said, "tooted." I said Awnna is at school so he said, "You did it." Of course followed by a sweet little giggle. I asked him if it was really him that tooted and he said, "Yes, it's gross." I've never heard him say gross before. All that just on the way to mom's group. On the way home we got to talking about today being daddy's birthday. I asked if he was going to sing Happy Birthday to daddy and he said no. He tried to convince me that it was really his mom's birthday. When I asked him how old dad was now, he said without pausing, "18." I asked if dad was old and he said, no, so I asked if Mister Randy was old and he said, "Yes, Randy's old. I love Mister Randy. Awnna loves Randy, too." AAAAHH! How sweet. I'm telling you, if you need a good laugh, hang out with a toddler who's vocabulary is exploding. Good times, thanks Colin.

Happy Birthday

Hey, it's Pastor Josh's birthday on Friday, October 13. In honor of my favorite pastor, I thought I would share the Top 10 reasons I love Pastor Josh....

10. He's cool with me wearing slacks to church, which is great when I have to crawl under the theater curtains.
9. He totally understands the importance of premo coffee for church even though he doesn't drink it much.
8. He makes awesome guacamole!
7. He has the greatest laugh.
6. He thinks out of the box.
5. He still loves toys like I do. How many senior pastors do you know that buys himself a water balloon launcher?
4. He doesn't micro-manage.
3. Seriously, he's very humble.
2. He's almost as passionate about children's ministry as I am.
And the #1 reason I love my pastor...He's not afraid to do whatever it takes to win the lost to Christ. He genuinely loves people, is compassionate, and never asks us to work any harder than he does.

Okay, that was a couple more than 10, but he's easy to love. Have a great birthday Pastor Josh!

Knee Update

I am finally feeling like I'm making significant progress with my new knee! God has been working over-time for me, and you know how great that extra income feels. :) My bend is supposed to be 110 degrees to have "normal" use of my knee and after five weeks, I'm at 105 degrees! The pain level is getting better each day and I'm so thankful. Randy has been so awesome (as always) through this whole business and the poor guy has to relive it in four more weeks with my other knee. Does anyone know of a "Husband of the Decade" award I could nominate him for? Seriously, he's the BEST, sorry girls, he's all mine! Thanks for all the prayers...keep 'em coming. The kids have been so sweet at church. They are so concerned and always asking how I am, making me cards, praying for me and trying to be helpful. I love those little monsters!

Blog-a-holic

Okay, I must confess, I love to read blogs. One that Randy has me hooked on now is http://perrynoble.com . If you like pastors who say like it is and have a great sense of humor, check it out. His entry today was awesome. His church is experiencing an incredible move of God and it's fun to rejoice with them through their testimonies.

Comments Anyone?

Just FYI...I changed the setting on my blog so non-bloggers can leave comments. I didn't realize I had that set and had a request to change it. Comment away, my friends.

Kids and Lying

Yesterday in Creek Kids, our sermon was from Genesis 27 and 28, Jacob Lied and Had to Run. You all know the story; Jacob pretends to be his older brother Esau to trick his ailing father, Isaac, into granting him the family blessing. The kids listened with wide eyes as I told the story of lying and how even Jacob's mother was involved in the scheme. Jacob's consequence of sin was pretty drastic, he had to run for his life when his brother discovered the truth. I told the kids that when they lie, they may not have to run for their lives, but we all have consequences and it makes God so sad when we lie. During the challenge time after the sermon, several kids raised their hands when I asked who needed help with this sin and who wanted to ask for forgiveness. I could tell a couple of them were truly convicted and then repentant. It was beautiful to watch their faces as they received from God, sadness turning to joy and peace.

I've known very young kids who have been caught lying. You may ask how little kids learn to lie. Most of them don't need to be taught, it is in our sin nature. We may even be tempted to think it is cute or funny when our kids come up with some grand story or excuse, but we must be ready to instruct and help them to realize the truth is ALWAYS the best way. I assured the kids that when they make a mistake God still and always will love them but they must make it right with the Lord. Mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, or even Pastor Lori cannot do it for them, they must ask to be forgiven themselves. Of course we can help them know how, but the younger they learn how to ask for forgiveness, the better their walk with Jesus will be. I'd love to hear if any of your kids talked about the sermon, it's always interesting to hear their slant and what spoke to them.

Junior Bible Quiz

JCFC launched it's first Junior Bible Quiz (JBQ) team today! JBQ is a wonderful discipleship program that kids 1st-6th grades can be involved in. They make up teams and study Bible facts and memorize scripture and then meet one Saturday a month and compete with other churches. Within the season they can win several different trophies and advance to state, regional and national levels of competition. I personally have been involved with JBQ and Pee Wee (1st-2nd grade division) quiz for about 13 years and have been one of four state of Iowa coordinators for the last 6 or 7 years. It is one of the best ministries for kids to learn the Bible and something that will stay with them forever.

Our team of three hard-working boys, Rob, Christian and Drew, finished the day with a 4 and 1 record and between them earned 4 trophies! What an awesome start! I'm so proud of them and am so thankful for their families who coach the team and work so hard to help them be successful. Keep up the great work fellas. The team has a great name...Redemption Phase III. I love it. Next month, we travel to Oskaloosa. We'll keep you posted on our progress.

"Watch Me"

"Pastor Lori, watch me!" I heard that several times this morning as I "crashed" our JCFC mom's group. Every Friday, our mom's get together at different locations and let the kids play while they get a little fellowship time in. I am going to make it a habit of crashing more often...it was a blast to watch all those kids. As I enjoyed them playing at Backyard Adventures, I had great memories of our two kids at those ages and even shared a couple of stories. Each one of those kids were having such a great time and all were playing so nicely together. It was fun to listen to their giggles and them using their imaginations as the served each other bread and milk in the club house. Kids are so interesting to watch and I can't help but think about how they are also watching us. I pray they see in me, and all the important adults in their lives, someone who is trying to live each day in a way that is pleasing to God. That they see how much they are loved by people here on earth but how much more they are loved by God. I pray they see the evidence of God all around them and their lives are always a "Backyard Adventure" for Jesus. "Pastor Lori, watch me!" Oh, I am and will keep watching them grow up to be all God wants them to be.

Want to be a part of the JCFC mom's group? Hop on our web site http://jordancreek.org and you can look in the upcoming events for times and locations. Everyone is welcome...even dads! :)

Great Team

I am so blessed! Last night, we had a great meeting and fellowship time with most of our Baby Steps ministry team. We have some awesome people on board who are loving and teaching our babies. I am so thankful for each and every one. It's exciting to see how more people are catching the vision for our children's ministry at JCFC. I absolutely love having some husband and wife teams serving together in Baby Steps. As someone who gets to minister with my husband, I can tell you when you serve together it gives you another way to be close with your spouse. Thanks to the team, you guys rock!

School Shootings

What a scary world we live in. If you are a parent with kids in school, the recent school shootings are at the forefront of your minds. I know it may make you want to keep your precious children right by your side 24/7 but we must be realistic. Just a couple of things that come to my mind. First, this is a reminder of how important that you and I are working as a team to get your children ready to make their own decision to be a Christ follower. Most kids by the age of 4 understand enough about Jesus and what He did for us to make a real decision to ask Him into their lives as their Savior. Daily help them to know that no matter what, Jesus is always with them. Second, be pro-active in your school. Whether public or private, don't be afraid to point blank ask your teachers what the safety plans are for their classrooms and schools. Having worked in a public school for 9 years, I know we had codes and procedures in place for strangers in the building, bomb threats, and other emergencies. Don't assume that everyone knows what they are supposed to do. ASK and be assured that your kids are as safe as possible. Get involved with your PTA or many schools have PACs (Parent Advisory Committee). It's a great way to be "in the loop" of what's happening at your school and doesn't take a lot of time or committment. If your kids are hearing about these school shootings, and they have fear, let them see you are helping to make sure their school in safe. It breaks my heart that our kids have to even think about being safe at school but we are surely living in the end times, getting closer and closer to the return of Jesus. Please let me know if I can help your kids in any way. Pray for our schools!