A kid story

Here's a story from this past Sunday in The ReignForest.

A little girl comes in with her mom for the first time. She is not happy, she doesn't want to be here (unusual for us to hear that). She crosses her arms stomps her feet, puts out her lip and says, while crying, I want to go back to my old church. Her mom tries to calm her but she can't. The little girl takes her name tag off crumples it and throws it to the ground. I gently encourage the mom and daughter out of the hallway and into an empty room. She continues her verbal outrage at being at this church. Within a minute I encourage mom that she will be alright and to go ahead and go. Mom, very wisely, quickly exits the room. The little girl is now crying loudly and stomping and verbally telling me "I want my mom and I want her now!!!" After quite a few questions about playing with this toy or the sandbox I ask her if she attends preschool. She says she does. She attends "StrLt". Really, I tell her, that is where my granddaughter goes. Her eyes get big and she says that "She's my friend." Really I say, well you know she just came in 5 minutes ago and is in Canopy right now. Would you like to go sit with her?" No! she says. Ok, well maybe you would like to go peek at her through the window. She's alright with that and she sees my grand-daughter but still does not want to go in. I tell her that's ok we can wait out here for her. In just a few minutes my grand-daughter comes out holding the rope with her little table friends. The little girl beside me says "Hello T...." My grand-daughter just looks at her like Who are you? Great I think to myself...this might not work. We follow my grand-daughter to her room and I ask the little girl, "would you like to wear your name badge so they will know who you are?" She takes it from my hand and sticks it on her dress, walks in and sits down at the table beside my grand-daughter. I know there was Angels singing "Alleluia" at that moment. Somedays there are situations where even the angels must hold their breath wondering who is stronger, the grown-up or the child.

Where Does Time Go?....ah to facebook

So many days have passed since I blogged. Why? two small letters fb ... yes, my friends I tell you there is so much that can take place on facebook that it leaves little time left to blog. I look forward to getting back to blog world...but not right now. Chat with you on fb friends.

Back in the saddle again

WOW-here I am back on the horse, the regular routine...well maybe not after yesterday's power outage that sent us out the emergency doors at a time when parents are picking up their kiddies. The good, the bad and the ugly: We didn't lose any little ones, it happened during parent pick-up time and the ugly is that we know our weak spots or what we need to work on....OK that's not really ugly is it ? Actually, I was very thankful for the opportunity to know how an emergency exiting would go. I was hugely, immensely thankful that no children were mis-matched or lost - that would have been worse than ugly (don't even want to go there).
Last week I was at Orange Conference in Atlanta, Ga. where we collectively (churches)focus on mobilizing the next generation. It was a time of rethinking and relearning as we look at relevant opportunities. We looked at leadership and how the younger generation is redefining their look of faith. It’s an opportunity to network, learn new ideas and share what works in our ministry areas. Finally our family ministry team has an opportunity to get to know each other and fellowship at a level that supersedes anything that could take place back home.
Thanks to all who support family ministry and allow us to get away to hone and craft our ministry skills so we can be better at what we do each week-end.
Not to us, but to YOU Lord be the glory.

Cleaning it up

Well the bug has bitten me and I hope this one hangs on for a few weeks. Yep, that Spring housecleaning bug got me.
I like the smell of Murphy's Oil Soap, Lysol disinfectant, Windex and the fresh flower, trees, grass breeze coming in through the windows. My biggest dilemna has been, time and the energy to make it happen.
Well, I think I have found someone to come along beside me and help me. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and seek help.
My task has been overwhelming me since my daughter, husband and grand-daughter moved in with Len and I. It's been going well relationally but sometimes the "stuff" (and a lot of it's my stuff) gets me bogged down and stifles me.
This past Tuesday I took a personal day off and with the help of a younger set of hands we set in motion "gittin' er done". What a difference.
I know that tomorrow we will make another significant breakthrough and it will continue. It gives me hope.
This change is going to be good!
Do you ever get overwhelmed by your housework?
Coming soon: Confessions of a Packrat

He's Still Got the Whole World in His Hands

What an awesome Easter day. Our new series at NewPointe is so relevant. It's easy to forget with the downturn in the economy and everyday life ups and downs that God is in control. You can get too busy with life and miss the 7,000 promises in the Bible or forget to take time to realize that God does keep his Word and his promises. These promises can keep you balanced in the crazy times of life.

On Saturday night as I finished some preparations for Sunday I knew Easter was going to be a big "crazy" kind of day. We were kicking off a third service at 12:50 and we were expecting a big turnout...well it could be enough to keep you awake. I shared with my ReignForest volunteers in our Sunday morning huddletime the last item on my list which I made the night before.
#8 "Don't have a nervous breakdown - Trust God".
We all had a good laugh. I think they could relate. You wouldn't think you would have to be reminded that God is in control and you should just trust him, but at that moment when my mind wouldn't calm down...I really needed to act upon that confession. I was struggling with nerves and I needed to fess up and then affirm my action to "Trust God". After writing that last item and releasing my life to God, I went to sleep and slept well.

Easter attendance was 4,516. Almost 2,000 more than the previous year. Attendance in The ReignForest with just birth - 5 year olds 324 plus nearly a couple hundred volunteers.
Yep, I know who's in control and it's good to remember.
We can Trust God.
He is in control.

He's Still Got the Whole World in His Hands.

If it helps to remember it I'll write it down every day "Trust God".