There's Something in the Water

If you attend DM First or visit anytime soon, please be forewarned...there is something in the water!! We have an outbreak of pregnancies. Every time I go to church, I hear of another expectant mom! One family is expecting #7, one #4 and lots of #2's. Added to the huge visitor day last Sunday, I think I had better set some plans in motion for nursery #3 to open in a few months....or maybe a few weeks. Eeek. Seriously, a good problem to have. But back to the baby boom....I'm gonna have lots of newborn fixes and opportunities to minister to these families. An added bonus is several friends who are pregnant, too. Life is good!

Wild Day

This past Sunday was a wild day in the DM First nursery! It was the first day that the congregation from Metro Assembly of God permanently joined our congregation so we had a lot of extra people anyway but it was also a very high visitor day. I had 41 babies for the three service times and 23 of them in the 11 AM service alone! Yowza...we were hopping. It's a good thing this coming Sunday is the beginning of two nurseries! All things are in place for the split as long as our new toddler table arrives this week.

Everyone is excited for the changes and we have had several parents who haven't used the nursery for a while begin to do so again. We are not just adding another room but also a teaching and music segment for each age group.

Our next Baby Dedication day is Mother's Day. DM First has 3 or 4 set days during the year to do dedications because we have enough babies arriving all the time we could be doing dedications every week! I love baby dedications....I get to do one for my friend Jen Yates on May 31 at their family reunion. I did her son, Chance's, dedication in a park, also, a couple years ago.

Say a prayer for me this weekend! You know there are always bugs to work out when you make a big change but I know the Lord will help us transition as smooth as possible.

Iowa District Council and Stuff

The last three days have been long, a little stressful but also wonderful and refreshing. We just finished our annual Iowa District Council for the Assemblies of God. It's a time when all the pastors in Iowa can gather for teaching, preaching, business meetings and voting of leadership and to recognize those who are receiving their credentials to preach. It is also a great time to reconnect with ministry friends, network, encourage and just fellowship with our tribe. I always enjoy council because it is refreshing to me as I don't get to sit through many adult services and the preaching is always off the hook! We had Dr. Ron McManus as our guest speaker and he did a leadership teaching on Wednesday morning that was by far the best leadership session I have ever sat in on. It was 1 1/2 hours but I could have listened to his teaching for a couple more. We were also blessed to have Dr. Blessman from Blessman Ministries speak to us about health care and how we pastors have a tendency to not take care of our bodies as well as we should. He is a member at DM First and his ministry is very cool. He has a gaming ranch in South Africa where you can go and hunt or do a picture safari, then you can be a part of his medical missions. He has an emphasis on providing eye glasses. My pastor, Dave Beroth, recently went and experienced it all.

Of course, the high light of the three days was Keaton receiving his ministry credentials. We could not be more proud! Both of our kids have done so well in the areas that God has called them. Keaton looked soooo handsome in his new suit! It was definitely a "that'sa my boy!" moment. Some of the pictures are with other friends who received their credentials and with some of our leadership. Keaton has an amazing journey ahead of him. I know I am biased as his mom, but he is one of the best at what he does at such a young age. There are not too many people who can do both children's and youth ministries and do them so well. I was told by more than one person in leadership that he is a hot commodity! :) God also laid a new vision on his heart that is very exciting. I'll only let him speak of that as God leads him.

Our district also jump started two new Iowa missionary families and that was super exciting, too. One family is going to Israel and my friends, the Van Wyk's are going to Botswana, Africa. The district also announced a new church plant in Waukee led by a great family who used to be on the mission field, Kerry and Liz Brown and their three boys. It's called Destiny Church and they are launching in September but are still looking for a location.

It was my first experience to schedule all the child care for the conference and I was so nervous that I would have enough but all went pretty well. We had as many as 18 babies in one room at a certain point and almost as many preschoolers so it took many hands but my team did an awesome job. They didn't have to call me out of service once! After I made sure all was well and we were in ratio, I was able to enjoy council. I wonder how many diapers were changed in the last three days? :) I know we went through a lot of Gold Fish crackers! I also got do do part of the two Kid's Council services so that was fun to hang with the older kids again!

God knows me so well! I have been missing preaching so much lately but the Lord opened a couple doors for me this past week. I was asked to do an extra chapel service at DM Christian for their spiritual emphasis week and you all know how much I LOVE to do chapel! I will be back there in May 14 to do my last one for the school year. PLUS - our district asked me to be the kid's speaker at our Family Camp this year. I filled in a few services for it last year when they had a cancellation and really enjoyed it. Camp is June 7, 8, and 9 and I will have five services to do for kids 4-11. I'm really looking forward to it! Thanks, Lord, for those opportunities!

Kids at Texas Ranch

I am so troubled by what is going on at the Texas ranch that just had 413 children removed for safety reasons. I'm sure that the courts are doing the best they can to protect them and find out if accusations of abuse are truly happening but I feel so bad for the kids. How frightened and confused they must be. Now they are starting genetic testing to see who their parents are and are talking about placing them in foster care. It breaks my heart that they have to endure this because of their parent's weird or extreme beliefs. Of course, I am glad if they are being abused in any way but you know there are innocents involved, too. I hope and pray they can resolve things quickly and that the kids are okay and not too traumatized. Who knows what is happening inside that place in the name of "religion." I see the pictures of the compound and wonder all kinds of things. How are they paying for all those new, huge buildings? Is there one central leader like you hear of in most cults? What exactly do they believe?

Our world has a lot of interesting "spiritual and religious" things going on right now between this in Texas, the Pope visiting and the country's most dangerous woman, Oprah. We need to be praying against the dark principalities of this world and praying that the Truth, Jesus, would be revealed to all. In these end times, the Bible tells us that people's eyes will be blinded and hearts hardened to the things of God. It appears to be happening more and more. Makes me want to go to Texas and bring some of those kids home with me.

Odds and Ends

Did you hear about the "Idol Gives Back" segment of American Idol where they sang Shout to the Lord? Cool, huh!?

Our lead pastor, Dave Beroth, has just finished his first book and is ready for publication! We are so excited for him. He will be preaching a sermon series beginning in June based on the book and then our life groups will have discussion times over the sermons. We as a staff will get the chapters each week to help write discussion questions for the life groups. I'm really looking forward to reading it! The title is Before You Know, He Knows.

Saturday night, we got together with Michael "Obie" Oberbeck at his mom and dad's house since he was in town. He brought a couple of Master's Commission buddies to help him play in the worship band for Iowa District Youth Convention. It was great to see him and catch up on all God is doing in his life. He is loving Texas! Of course, I had to make him some of his fav Scotch-a-roos.

My insurance company sent me a birthday greeting and in it was a "newspaper" page of happenings and facts from April, 1961, my birth year. The Soviet Union launched the first man into space. Some of the popular music was "Runaway" by Del Shannon, "Surrender" by Elvis, "Please Mister Postman" by The Marvelettes and "Runaround Sue" by Dion. Barbara Streisand made her off Broadway debut and the Yankees won the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. The average price of a house was $30,000, a gallon of milk was $1.05, a loaf of bread 21 cents, a gallon of gas was 25 cents, a new car was $2,275.00 and the average income was $5,315.00. Wow, times have changed!

Happy ER Birthday

Well...my 47th birthday was a flop! Not because of a lack of well wishes but because I ended up with a migraine! I haven't had one for several months and I got up at 5 AM Sunday morning with a full blown, throwing up, wanting-to-die migraine. Of course, that meant a trip to the ER for shots after I threw up my meds I have at home. A couple hours later and two good shots in the ole rear and I slept ALL day. I woke up long enough to eat part of an Arby's roast beef sandwich and that's about it. I was mostly coherent by 6 PM but that meant we missed our awesome life group, too. Oh well, I guess I can celebrate another day. Poor Randy got to watch me sleep all day and miss the fun, too. My last holiday was in the ER, too. What's the deal? I think I need to lay low Memorial weekend. :)

ABC's of Me

My pals Angela and Jena tagged me for this list...kinda fun!

A- Attached or Single: Quite firmly attached - almost 28 years :)
B- Best Friend(s): Randy, Jesus, my kids & a few really close girlfriends
C- Cake or Pie: Pumpkin pie - when I used to eat sugar
D-Day of Choice: Sunday
E-Essential Item(s): carmex, laptop, cell phone, sugar free mints, jewelry, coffee, hugs
F-Favorite Type of Music: Contemporary Praise and Worship, lots of variety
G-Gummy bears or worms: bears, but I don't eat sugar, all gummies rock!
H-Hometown: Sioux City, Iowa
I-Indulgences: Panera bagel with hazelnut cream cheese, Starbucks, jewelry
J-January or July: Definitely July!!!
K-Kids: the best 2 kids in the world, daughter Micaela (24) and son Keaton (23)
L-Last movie: The Bucket List (pretty good, too)
M-Marriage Date: June 21, 1980 (I totally got the better end of the deal!)
N-Number of Siblings: 2 sisters and 7 brothers (six living and one that was given up for adoption that we've never found)
O-Oranges or Apples: this week oranges, sometimes Fuji apples
P-Phobias or Fears: heights, grasshoppers, beetle-type bugs
Q-Quotes: "You can just eat a big bowl of shut the heck up!"
R-Reasons to Smile: Are you kidding? What's NOT to smile about...Jesus loves me, my hunky husband, my awesome kids, my church family, being a pastor, coffee, plus I have TONS of wonderful friends! I could go on and on.
S-Season: Spring and summer!!!
T-Tag: Angela Albers, Trudy, and Adrian
U-Unknown Fact About Me: I'm an open book but not everyone knows I used to weigh 340 pounds
V-Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: Me like meat!
W-Worst Habit: Being "thin skinned", procrastinating sometimes
X-X-rays or Ultrasounds: ultrasound
Y-Your Favorite Food: bagels, Mexican, pizza
Z-Zodiac: Aries

Make a Difference

A pastor friend of mine sent this to me and I thought it blog worthy!! In our lives, we all have days when we wonder if who we are and what we do makes a difference in the world....or even in our own family. We all have heard what the Bible says about the tongue and the power of our words...there is life and death in them. (Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.) I have always tried to be an encourager but fall short many times. This was a beautiful reminder and an amazing example of how who you are makes a difference! We need more teachers like this gal!



http://www.blueribbonmovie.com/

Volunteer Appreciation Banquet

Last night, our leadership team for Des Moines First's children's ministry department had our annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet. We had a great time honoring all those who faithfully serve the children of our church and community. One cool thing about being in an established church is that you get to meet people who have dedicated more than 30 years to their passion for kids.

It was a ton of work preparing as it is for any big event but we sure had fun working together to pull it all off. We actually have a part time gal, Jill, who's main job is big event planning for the children's department. She had great ideas for the decorations, as you can see in the pics, for our theme of "Bloom where You're Planted." The room was so beautiful after we got all the tables done. I was able to score some incredible door prizes from lots of different businesses. I don't know what it is but I have a knack for getting free stuff! :) I had 90 door prizes to give away for our 120 people that could make the banquet. Our team is much larger but several couldn't be at the event. Pert-near everyone got a prize...love that! Plus we gave away the table flowers and decorations.

Our caterers where Drew and Adrian Stinson and they did a fantastic job! The food was yummy and the presentation lovely! It was great to get to visit a little too. We haven't got to connect much lately because of Drew's new restaurant that is opening and Adrian traveling for her grandmother's death. We had awesome chicken parmigiana and some green beans that were to kill for! The cake, I'm told, was super good. It sure looked cute.

Detective Durk Durango made an appearance to tell us the story of the Faithful Servant and in typical Durk style, had the crowd on the edge of their seats. BBopp is one of the most talented actors you'll ever meet! He writes and performs the coolest skits and characters.

I'm so glad we had this opportunity to say "thank you" to those who dedicate their time every week to love children. It's not always a glam job but so rewarding. My partner in crime, Pastor BBopp, says that there is a little know scripture in the Bible that he likes to quote....this is Jesus speaking (according to BBopp)..."Let the little children spit up onto me." Amen! My feet hurt. :)

Cute Couple

Here's a pic from GYRAD (get your roommate a date) night at Evangel. Micaela went rollerskating with her friend Michael and a bunch of the EU crew. Aren't they cute? I think they should go to Spring Fling together. It's hard to not be a matchmaker. Heeheehee.

Casting Vision

I had my first opportunity at First Assembly to do a training session with my First Embrace team. I was kinda nervous as I am still a new-be at DM First and am still meeting the tons of people that go there.

I feel like God has placed me in this position for a season to help bring their nursery from great to fantastic. The previous coordinator did a very good job but where she had inexperience, I have some to share. Pastor BBopp and Pastor Dave have other plans for me later in the year but for right now, this is my mission.

The first half of the team came Sunday and the second half will get the repeat session this Sunday. Everyone there was very positive about the changes and additions I shared and were quick to get on board to serve in greater ways. The meeting went very smooth, praise God. Pastor Dave's wife was there and she was super excited about the ideas and helped spread the excitement to her hubby! :) I now have all the $$ I need to implement the expansion. I pray the excitement has a real trickle-down affect and we are able to expand the team, also. Pastor Dave even said he may take a Sunday off preaching so he can serve in the nursery!

Change always brings about work, worry, questions, stress, and some growing pains but if communication is present and attitudes remain positive, great things will come about for the kingdom of God!

Don't Give Up!

If you have ever tried to talk to someone about Jesus and gotten the cold shoulder, you can relate to this awesome post from Perry Noble. http://www.perrynoble.com/2008/04/01/dont-give-up/ Don't give up!