Practice

We had our first Christmas program practice last night. It was fun to see how the kids are getting excited and nervous for the big day. I thought practice went well considering we have so many very young kids. We talked about how we all had very important jobs and that we were working as a team to spread the Good News of Jesus during the program. I'm getting pretty excited myself for December 17th. It's such a great opportunity to invite people who may have never been to JCFC or have for whatever reason been away from church. It's pretty easy to get people to come to a kid's program. All the kids did such a great job of listening and staying focused for an hour. No easy task for most adults let alone kids. We have such awesome families at JCFC. It was fun to have some of the parents hang out during practice , too. I enjoyed having them there, I don't get to visit with them enough. Start inviting everyone to "Christmas Around the World" on December 17th at 10:15!

I'm Baaack

Oh, it's good to be back in church! Especially when you get to preach about Christmas. The kids seemed to be glad to have me back, too. They are all so sweet, asking about my knee and being very careful not to bump me. I'm sure there were a few conversations at home warning against some of the usual leg grabbing hugs I get. :) I only missed two weeks but it sure seemed longer. Thanks to everyone who went the extra mile and pitched in while I was gone.

Our Big Idea for the next three weeks is, "Christmas is not about me, it's about Jesus." You'll have to ask the kids about Mister Randy's giant Christmas wish list. They all agreed he seemed rather greedy. :)

It seems our boys came through in the end and won the offering contest. So...next Sunday, Pastor Lori gets the pie in the face. That's okay, I'll do most anything for missions. One of the girls was concerned though because I had made the comment that I cannot eat pie because of the sugar. She said, "How can you get the pie in the face, you can't eat pie." I promised to keep my mouth closed. It's pretty exciting that our small group of kids have caught the excitement of giving to missions and we could possibly hit the $700 mark by December 31.
Awesome...way to go Creek Kids!

Ahhhh...The Noise

It's the noise I've missed. Kids in the house! If you know our daughter Micaela, you know there isn't much quiet when she's around. :) The girl loves to laugh, talk, quote stuff (don't ask), play games and generally make noise. It's great to have her home for a few days. The only drawback is she leaves a trail. Oh well, I'll take it over too much quiet. I know when we have small children, we beg for and dream of quiet...even just a few minutes of it but when they move out, the quiet isn't as precious as it used to be. It's been so great to have my kids home and to share the time with Micaela's friend, Clover. The quiet returns tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful that I have both of my kids home with me today. Micaela brought a friend who couldn't travel all the way to Alaska to spend the holiday with her family, so we are blessed to have Clover with us, too. Randy is in Sioux City to spend Thanksgiving with his mom and oldest brother. I don't really like being apart from him today but it was more important he get to see his mom who has been struggling with some health issues. There is no way my doctor would allow me to travel yet, so it's an unusual Thanksgiving for us. I cooked most of yesterday to send Thanksgiving dinner with Randy and have all my kid's favorites for here. I am thankful for...Jesus, who loves me unconditionally and saved my soul, the Holy Spirit who guides me (I need it!), the Word of God, my hunky husband, my awesome kids, my family, my church, my friends, my cat, my call (Thanks, Jesus, for allowing me to minister to kids and their families.), all of God's provision, my new knees (I think), and for the exciting things God is doing in our lives and community. Enjoy the day, take a nap, hug everyone at least twice and don't count calories!

My Dad

Yesterday was a great day for me. I got to see my dad and step mom. They stopped by for a short over night visit on their way back to Michigan. We only get to see them once a year so the visit is a little too short but I'm so thankful we got to see each other. I have an amazing dad. He is a wonderful man of God who leads his family with great commitment, he's an awesome grandpa, and a loyal friend. My step mom is this terrific person who has always treated me with love and respect and as though I am one of her kids. She is also an awesome grandparent, the type we all dream about having for our kids. I wish we lived closer together! We all have "family issues" with siblings or parents, but I'm really counting my blessings when I get to see them. Hopefully, this coming summer Randy and I can get to Michigan and see my whole family. I have a sister and two brothers, three nieces and two nephews, a sister-in-law and a brother-in-law there, also. I haven't seen my Michigan siblings in four years. That visit sure blessed me and lifted my spirits. Thanks dad and Val!

New Lessons in Patience

I've always considered myself a very patient person. For three years, I worked one on one with behavior disorder kids in a middle school, I am the oldest of six kids, I can listen to people who take forever to tell a story, etc. But God has new lessons in patience for me in the last two weeks. Anyone who knows me very well knows I'm a "get over it" person when it comes to myself. I am so ready to be done with all this knee stuff that I am being taught that my way and my timing are not ever better than God's. Last night, for the third time, I really hurt myself. This time, I was alone and was trying to get up when I somehow almost ended up on the floor. It happened so fast, I'm not even sure what caused my accident but the pain caused everything to go black for a second, immediate sweating and choking back the urge to throw up. It scared me so bad! Poor Randy was at Walgreens when he got my hysterical phone call. He handled it so well, talking me through it until I could breathe and settle down. Evidently, I am being too impatient. It got my attention, I need to slow down and let my body heal. I want to have all this done but I need to trust in God's timing. What a humbling experience. Makes me dwell on the scripture of Isaiah 40:31 that teaches us to wait on God, "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." I will be singing that old chorus to myself today!

Kids and Worship

I am not a singer. I have some things that I am good at; cooking, talking with just about anyone, fairly organized, neat and tidy, yada, yada, yada. But singing, as much as I love to do it, I am not very good at it. I don't have to worry about it with the kids at JCFC, they tolerate my singing because what I lack in talent, I make up for in enthusiasm! One of the advantages to having so many younger kids in Creek Kids is that they are not to the age of being too cool to worship yet. So each week I try to share what it means to worship God, why we do it and why it helps us prepare to receive from God. Now if you came in and watched what was happening, you may not think that anything "spiritual" is taking place because we are having such a good time doing it. Fun and spiritual...can that happen together? Of course. Anyway, a lot of our songs have motions. It helps the kids remember the words, helps us to not take ourselves too seriously and it gets the wiggles out. I have parents tell me all the time, "I need to learn the motions to the________ song." I was joking with my friend Amy that I may need to have a "motions clinic" for parents. Amy is one who occasionally hears from her daughter, Isabella, "Mom, you must not know the right motions." It's awesome to hear how Isabella and her sister, Lisi, belt out our songs while riding in the car. Oh, I hope they never get too cool to do the motions, it's too fun for me to give up. I love to watch the kids worship without fear of what others are thinking of them. When we "grow up" we think it's undignified to jump or move our feet when we worship but remember, King David danced before the Lord. If it's not undignified for a king, why is it for some of us? Okay, so maybe we can get too old for some things. I'm probably too old to train for the Olympics or have a baby but I'll never be too old to worship God.

"The Bionic Rev"

That's what my beloved husband calls me. With two new plastic and metal knees, I guess I am kinda bionic. The progress this time is a little different. My swelling in not near as bad, and my bend seems to be advancing a little quicker but I cannot lift my leg yet. That part is slower than last time. My left knee is working overtime, so it's pretty sore but seems to be holding up. My balance is not very good yet. I have fallen once and nearly fell again last night. Thank God when I fell, I was close enough to the chair that I landed on it with my rear but it felt like I tore everything from my ankle to my hip. I was thankful Randy was home but I scared him so bad with the blood-curdling scream I let out. Last night, I tried to pick up something off the floor and almost lost it again and pulled my knee pretty good. I guess I need to be more careful with the balance thing. My pain level is the same as last time, so that's a little frustrating. But after all that complaining I really am thankful that I have no more knees to fix, my husband is my knight in shining armor, I have the BEST friends ever, and Jesus is with me every wobbly step I take. I can't imagine what this would all be like without the Lord.

Speaking of friends....they are feeding us so well, I'm sure I'll need to fast a few days after all the awesome chow we are having delivered to our door! Thanks to those who came by to visit, especially those who brought the kids along. I know things are fine at church without me (Dara and Camille are incredible) but I miss the kids so bad, I can't wait to get back.

Taking a Break

I will be taking a break from the blog world. I will have my next knee replacement surgery tomorrow. Not really looking forward to it but know the Lord is with me and it needs to be done. The first one is still healing and sore but making slow progress. The hospital has my number on speed dial from so many surgeries, I'm praying this will be my last one, EVER. Thanks for all the prayers.

Advice from "Peanuts"

Randy loves the cartoon Peanuts. It's never been my fav but you've got to love the creator Charles Schultz's philosophy. We at Jordan Creek Family Church want to show the people in our community that we truly care for them. Everybody needs a friend, everybody needs Jesus, but not everybody always feels welcome in the "church". JCFC wants to change that. May these words inspire you and help you remember that kindness, caring and being genuine with people are what really counts!

Charles Schultz Philosophy
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners. Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier? The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
Amen Charles!

Upcoming Stuff

I'm very excited about the upcoming events in the children's ministry area of Jordan Creek Family Church. We are starting our Christmas program practice this Sunday, working on some music. Our presentation of "Christmas Around the World" will be at 10:15 on Sunday, December 17. The "cute factor" will be off the charts so be sure to invite every person you have ever met in your life and make sure you all have cameras, video equipment, extra batteries and please practice your "ooo's and ahhh's"!! :) The program is a simple message with some new and traditional songs and what I like best about it is that it has a missions emphasis. Our JCFC kids love missions! There will even be special appearances by all of our Baby Steps members. Come on...how can you even think about missing that?

After Christmas, on December 28, we will celebrate the kids making and surpassing our missions giving goal with a pizza and ice cream party. We will keep you posted with more details but mark your calendars and let's make it a family event.

In January, Randy and I will be starting a new Life Group. We are leading a parenting class that I pray will not only help you be all God wants you to be as a parent but will also empower you be the spiritual leaders of your kids.