Awesome volunteers and New Friends

Today was an awesome day of getting some things moved from our church's previous location to NPCC. While Len and I were at our previous building I realized he would need some help to get the truck loaded so I called Butch & Loretta Harding, who live in the village and they said "Sure, we'll be able to come in about 15 minutes." What a blessing they were. They were so awesome during the major move too. They tried to always be available offering their pickup truck, diligently working, helping out where they were needed. This couple also serve in the Monkeys classroom, our 30-36 month old room, they just do a fantastic job there too. God Bless them, they made our day with their gift of helpfulness.

While unloading at NPCC, a couple walked in the door, saying "Is this Northpoint? Are we in Atlanta?" I knew they were joking because we get a few of those type of comments...ok maybe more than a few. After a few minutes of chatting we found out that they were from outside of Marietta, Oh and celebrating their anniversary here in Amish country. Something they do every year. When they saw the silo and the KidStuf sign on it they just had to drive up and see what was going on. You see they knew what that silo always used to say...yeah they knew the bear was gone...what's up. You see, they run a KidStuf at their home church and were they ever excited to see another church doing this too. What a great couple this was. They were excited about our environments and knew all the lingo of The Seven Practices, they had been to GrowUP, their leadership team went to Drive....yeah Kevin - they drank the koolaid. I just want to say "what a blessing"...Tony and Sarajane were. They made working on a Saturday worth it all with the fresh water they poured into my life. Their reflection of Christ's love in them was evident and passionate. I enjoyed sharing the alignment we have at NewPointe Community Church. It really gets exciting to have people visit and they "get" what's going on, where you're going and they start cheering you on and asking questions about how did you get here, how long did it take, when did you start planning...you know the inquisitive questions. Kevin's asked these questions for years..right Kev?

I love this church. The really really cool thing- what really grabs my heart, is how GOD uses people to make your day. You see, I really needed that double dose of encouragement today...because life can be difficult at times and being the messy person that I am...well I just plain mess up and I need God to redirect my attention.

Amazing...answered prayer

There are times I wonder how will all the things that need to be done by the week-end get done? There have been times I can barely pray about the needs before me, so I end up groaning prayers in my spirit. It's times like these that I'm glad the Holy Spirit makes intercession for me. The many little details to make The ReignForest (TRF) function properly on the week-end often goes unnoticed by many. But to make it a place where preschoolers can really connect with their Small Group Leaders and Coaches is hot on my list of success. It's not just that I want to win with the children but I want to win with families. It's also important to me that volunteers feel that what they are doing each week is significant in the lives of the families they serve. But that's not all, my newest "buzz" is all of the 5th & 6th graders getting involved in the North Canopy (theatre) and the teens that will soon begin playing live music there for the little ones. What is going on in TRF? Well, something is taking place...it's really cool, I think God is walking through our halls, checking in on the rooms, liking what He sees and He's finding He is being worshipped by preschoolers in a very genuine and enthusiastic way. This is way cool-it's the way in which innocent children do. I'm liking this worship time too. It's contagious, infectious an "I-wanna-be-like-them" purest worship time. I sometimes wonder how God's going to use these preschoolers... who are way cool future dudes and dudettes.
Well, all of this to finally say this, that today was a day of answered prayer with volunteers providing future support for many of the things that are needing to get done in TRF. I am so blessed with wonderful people who will come in through the week to help make a difference in our environment.
It's somewhat like the "chicken and the egg" question; "Which came first?". What made the change first - the preschoolers or the volunteers ? Ask some of the volunteers that serve in TRF, they will tell you that they receive more from the kids than they give. Funny thing, I've been saying that for five or six years now--who's counting. The week-end people who serve are awesome too. God's good...real good.