Getting ready for xalt :)

So excited to be apart of reception preparation. Lots of twigs and flowers and woodland items. As we prepared last night Retha Greene pulled twine from her fathers twine roll that was housed on his farm. I pulled out my collection of mason jars passed down from my great aunt. It was like they were a part of the event. They would have been proud :).
It reminded me of our heavenly Father and how proud he is when we include him in all the events of our lives. The prayers we send up driving in the car, the praise we give him in the beauty I His creation and the ultimate gift of love he poured out on us through the gift of His Son, Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins. If we treasure the items our earthly relatives have left us, how much more should we treasure the gifts of our heavenly Father.

X-Alt dress rehearsal

Wow! After a great morning at church even more blessings came as I watched the x-alt dancers in dress rehearsal. Thank you so much to Leah Winegar, Lynda Hammes and all the teachers who put countless hours of work into making X-alt a unique worship experience. I can not wait to help back stage and watch lives being touched by this type of worship. Thank you Jesus for allowing us to have a dance ministry dedicated to worshiping you.

Nemo & Jude

Thank you Ms. Sandy for teaching this weekend on the book of Jude in X-treme kids. Who knew Jude and Nemo had so much in common. In the movie when all the fish are caught in the net and Nemo tells them to swim down, he knew what the right thing to do was. Just like we should be studying the Bible and praying so we will know the right things to do and can be a positive influence on the people around us.
A bit of sadness though... Our 6th graders have already began there transition into "ignite" our middle school youth group. It is so sad. I will miss seeing them each week in children's ministry:(. Like Nemo they are venturing out into the big blue ocean of youth. LOL

Small group

I love our small group from church. Cinco de Mayo celebration tonight :). The kids talked the waiters into singing "Happy Birthday" to Russ Mantooth. He is such a good sport! Let's see... Was this a lesson in humility?

Trying to regroup

I'm having a hard time being joyful. I don't know why? It is very puzzling to me because I am naturally joyful. So I ask myself, where does my joy come from? Well, it comes from God. I know that but I am just not feeling it. So how do you feel joy? Then I think sunshine always makes the world a brighter place. I like sunshine. Maybe I will go for a walk and sit in the sunshine today. Praying that the Lord restores my soul.

I wasn't going to publish the above thoughts however, we all struggle sometimes and we might as well be honest about it!  Later on that evening, I am happy to say I found a bit of joy!  My sweet friend Laurie Sharp graduated from Fire Fighter rookie school. I was a little amazed that there was such evidence of faith in the room.  The Graduation was opened in prayer and then followed by a sermonette on the fourth one in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel 3
Although I am no fire fighter, I had felt as if I had been going through a fire lately and that was God's little whisper to remind me that I am not alone.  He is always there.  He is the fourth one in the fire... no matter what your fire may be.

I was so honored to have been invited to graduation and so inspired by the strength  and determination Laurie had to get there.  She makes me proud!