Christmas Music

Both K and L sang in the children's Christmas choir. K played a piano solo (video below) and T played the drums for "The Little Drummer Boy" (video below).

Feed the Hungry

This past weekend our family participated in a local missions project with our church. On Friday night, all three of us girls went and helped pack sack lunches.

The little girls helped fold up socks and put them in Ziploc bags.

They were rewarded with some extra cookies we had.

On Saturday evening, Dad, T, and K went to three different sites to pass out hot meals, sack lunches, socks, hats, and mittens. Dad had lots of opportunities to tell people about Jesus and pray with and for them. This is our family's third year helping with this ministry and the children, especially, look forward to it every year!

5th Sunday Sing

Our family sang a song at our church's 5th Sunday Sing last night. K wanted to do "Cast Your Cares" from a CD from Seeds Family Worship. Have you heard about Seeds Family Worship? If not, click over and check them out! They make great CDs filled with Scripture-songs! We really like them! I pray our family will continue to praise and worship together! I really didn't know if the children would actually do this when there was a crowd watching them or not, but they did. This video is actually a portion of one of our practices.

Vacation Bible School

I remember attending VBS as a kid, and I remember helping with VBS as a teenager and college student. I love VBS! Now that I'm a parent, I love how it is a ministry that our entire family can participate in. I remember teaching 1st and 2nd graders at West Helena Baptist Church whenever T was 3, K was 2, and L was just 2 months old. I dropped L off in the nursery, ran to teach my class, and they let me take a break while they were in recreation so I could go nurse her, then I ran back and finished up teaching my class! L was the only one in the nursery, but the nursery coordinator in that church came every morning to watch her so I could teach. VBS has always had a special place in my heart as far back as I can remember. This year I am teaching 3rd and 4th graders. K did a great job this year helping me cut things out for our lessons. Each night the children do something to help me get prepared whether it simply be just helping me carry all my junk into the church. I am co-teaching this year with a wonderful friend of mine, and I'm so thankful! Heath is helping lead the worship rally and he enjoys this so much! Vacation Bible School is a fun week to minister, grow, and learn together as a family, as we teach children about Jesus!

Easter Choir

On Good Friday, our church's choir led worship through an Easter Cantata called, "Run to the Cross." Heath directed the choir again this year. We had a wonderful time getting to know more of our church family and building relationships with them. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was shared through music and through our Pastor's preaching.

We pray you all have a blessed day tomorrow as we celebrate our Risen Savior! Hallelujah!

VBS Carnival!

The children had a blast at the VBS Carnival! The bounce house was their absolute favorite!

VBS 2009!

T and K enjoyed VBS very much! L didn't want me to leave her, so she just hung out with me. I think the 10-day separation was a bit much for her:) So, she and I enjoyed hanging out with friends, taking pictures, and walking down to the snack shack to get snowballs (a.k.a. snow cones).

The 2nd night of VBS was the day I returned home from Peru! When I walked in my mind was flooded with many thoughts when I saw all the teachers dressed up, and all the elaborate decorations. I was reminded how little the Peruvian churches have in comparison to most churches in the U.S. I was reminded how content, thankful, and joyful the Peruvian children were with a simple coloring sheet and ONE single piece of candy. Part of me felt a little guiltly, and greatly saddened by the amount of money our church (and many others) spend on one week of VBS. Don't get me wrong, I think VBS is great! But, I do think sometimes we overspend and lose sight of the MOST important thing in the midst of the decorations, costumes, crafts, and music. The most important thing is Jesus Christ - sharing His love and His saving message! How I pray the children who attended our VBS truly understand who Jesus is and what He has done for them!

I know my children learned a lot, and had wonderful teachers. I am thankful!

Peru

Well I (Mom) am home from Peru. If you'd like to look at some of the pictures and videos I took while there, you can click HERE.

I love the Peruvian people! They are warm, caring, and loving! Truly their JOY comes from Christ, and Him ALONE!!! Oh, the lessons I have learned from them!!!

I am thankful the Lord gave me the opportunity to go and serve in this way! To simply join Him and the Peruvian churches in their ministries.