Global Impact Conference

Our church hosted a Global Impact Conference, um, in September. This provided our church body opportunities to inquire about mission trips or areas of service globally and locally. During the Wednesday night service the kindergarten and first grade choirs sang a song they had been working on for Christmas.

It was such a sweet, sweet song.

Then, we Skype'd with a missionary during service - how cool is that!?

August happenings

During the later part of August we were getting in a new routine. With school, starting soccer and of course lots of travel for Daddy-o.

Our neighbor's friend, Guti, is here from El Salvador. He was kind enough to come over one afternoon and work on soccer skills with the kids. Jeremy & I are completely clueless about anything soccer related.

Dear friends from Tuscaloosa came down for their DW trip, too. We were so lucky to be able to go over and visit with them for a little while one afternoon/evening and swim. Always wish there was more time, but we will certainly take what we can get. (This was 8/25.)

 This was Ella Grace:

 then Gavin,

and even Kurt!

The next morning at church was 1st Grade Recognition. Jeremy was working. I almost forgot about it. We had a late night out. It was about 10 minutes before we were supposed to be there when I realize it. And girlfriend's hair was bad! We did a quick 'do and I thought we did a good job of getting there, safely, but hurriedly! She was so proud to walk up, have her name called and be presented with a special Bible.

A sparkly 4th

Running a little behind here, so bear with me!

We celebrated the 4th this year with our small group from church. We had them over for a late lunch/early dinner of barbeque and grilled chicken. It was a house full, but so much fun.

Arrival time approached, and we had our tables out, food ready, but the kids we were waiting on guests.

So, we practiced some cheerleading moves to pass the time...

Cheryl brought the ingredients for the red/white/blue drink we had seen on Pinterest. The second time was a charm; it was pretty much a bust after that - but we did keep trying!

Ella Grace and Major had been practicing the pledge and came up with the idea of doing the pledge and singing a song while everyone was there.

Elizabeth wanted a turn with the flag.

Major was the official flag holder, though!

And we pledged -

all of us!

That night, after all had gone home we let the kids hold the sparklers and throw their pop-its.

It was a fun day with friends, celebrating our God and country!

I took trees for granted

We have special visitors and I'm really not sure who was more excited to have them - the kids or myself! Pop & Nana are here. With the luck of school scheduling they are in for an action-packed vacation with us!

Friday they were able to make it to Ella Grace's "wedding". Yesterday morning we made a stop at the library. I had put several (okay maybe like twenty) books on hold and several were ready for pick up. The several ended up being about 12 and then I let the kids pick out about five books each - we were quite loaded down when we left! Then, we drove over to visit Nana's cousin Mr. Gary and his wife Mrs. Patty in Port Orange.

My babes had an absolute ball playing in their yard! Looking for tadpoles in the water, swinging, running around and climbing a tree. I miss our yard in our first house. I totally took them, and our yard, for granted.

 

My precious daughter wore a dress yesterday AND she left me put her hair up. (It was a miracle - and for both to happen on the same day...the stars must have aligned just right!) In her dress, with her hair up, (and with Nana's help) she climbed a tree. Then she asked for a book.

 

(This was completely a candid shot.promise.)

And read two books sitting in the tree. She read Amelia Bedelia. At first she told me she didn't like Amelia Bedelia (I loved her as a child). But, when I handed her the book she said, "Now, which one is she?" When she asked for the second Amelia Bedelia, I knew she was hooked!

Ella Grace with her second book

Meanwhile, brother was doing the brother thing.

Mrs. Patty found Major a lizard and then tied a thread around the lizard.

 

The thread was then attached to a stick; this ended up being Major's pet named "Alligator" on a leash. He was dragging that poor (ugly) thing around all over the place, through the air, on the table, trying to let it crawl on his hand.

Before we left for dinner they stuck the stick in the ground so he couldn't get away. (This morning, Alligator had kicked the bucket. Major was heartbroken - tears and all. It wasn't long before he realized he could use Alligator for bait and stuck him in the water to try to catch a minnow.)

We got up early this morning and attended a sunrise service at 7:00 oceanside. Oh.my.words! i had none. all taken away.

 

Afterwards we had the most important meal of the day at Pat's on the River.

 Cute, huh?

I had a pancake. Yes, I said "a". Thought it would be a measly one, so I ordered a side of bacon, too.

I ate one piece of bacon. Maybe a bite off of another piece before my kids took the rest. smile. I ate pancake. or some of it.

 

I was stuffed. 

Pop seemed to enjoy his meal, too. He didn't have to sit by the bacon-thieves.

 

See, here's one of them. And she has evidence.

Here's the other one, but he is a little more sneaky.

 

 WE were all exhausted when we got home. The babes watched some cartoons on my bed, while I dozed off a time or two. maybe. Major was in and out. Ella Grace climbed on my back and after finally getting her off of my ponytail. I felt an occassional twitch. I took my phone and reached around me to take a picture. My suspicions were correct.

 I called Nana (really, like on my phone) and she came in with a laugh.

Some of us lived our day to the fullest.

And we got to Skype with Lori and MeeMaw, and that just topped off our day perfectly!

Who's sitting beside you?

Two notes before I begin my actual story:
Last Sunday at church, we were challenged to commit to telling one person about Jesus Christ this year. We wrote our own name on a card and placed it before a cross at the front of the Sanctuary.

Also, this morning, for some reason, the kids & I were running a bit late. Therefore, I wasn't able to "choose my typical seat" in the Sanctuary.

I walked in to "big church" a little late this morning. One of our pastors was in the middle of baptizing someone. After picking up an outline for myself I made my way to the area I normally sit. Of course the area appeared to be full, but I found a place to sit and I positioned myself on the end of the right side of a pew. There was a full pew in front of me, with the man directly in front of me having a walker in the aisle. As I sat there I realized he had some strong cologne, which began to make my head ache. I contemplated moving. I also thought about the commitment cards from last week. I thought to myself "Wow! Really only 9 more months to fulfill my commitment."

I bothered to carry my umbrella in with me this morning. It was propped beside me on the pew down to the floor, blocking the entrance to my pew. I looked up when someone tried to enter and I moved my umbrella. Normally I would have just moved down but he was ready to sit down. He introduced himself and I told him my name and shook his hand. I never understood his name because of the music/speakers, etc. He did ask "You don't happen to work at the hospital, do you?" I answered no and returned to my own involvement in the service.

I didn't really notice, but a friend pointed out to me later that it did bother her a bit, that this man, let's call him David instead of "the man", that David sat rather close instead of moving on in further in the pew. There was space enough for a Bible and a few other things between us. As I had thought about those commitment cards earlier I thought "Maybe this is my person."

As Pastor moved in to his sermon and I took up my Bible and found the Scripture, David didn't have a Bible. I pointed to the pew Bible and told him he could use it if he wanted. He took it and found 2 Samuel on his own, quite quickly I might add. A couple of times during the service I noticed he kind of put his hands on his temples, I'm not sure if he was attempting to cover his ears due to the volume or out of habit.

The service came to a close and I wanted to speak to a friend behind me on our way to Small Group. Her husband assists with guests that go forward during the invitation. For whatever reason, right before we stood up to be dismissed, I slipped my arm through my purse and another small bag I carry my Bible and Small Group book in. I thought it may help me to catch my friend and also to get out of David's way, I don't like the feeling of being rushed and holding someone up. So, we stood, I grabbed my umbrella and turned to go. When I looked up one of the church security guys was standing there motioning for me to hurry. I am sure I looked a bit more than puzzled, caught off guard. He continued this "hurry up" gesture and as I got a closer he said "We've been watching him."

Watching him?

What happened,I still wonder? I thought this was "my person". He may have been a little "rough around the edges", a little bit longer hair, but he had on a suit. I didn't notice anything unsettling, nothing unnerved me. Did I miss something? I'm sure I didn't. But, what alarmed security?

Someone was looking out for me today, maybe for nothing, maybe not.

But, who was sitting beside me? Was he still supposed to be "my person"? Should I have stayed and spoken to him instead of worrying about my friend?

Do you know who is sitting beside you?

Ring the bells!

The Sunday after we got back from our Thanksgiving trip the kids' choirs performed at church.



They sang songs separately (4 year olds and kindergarten) and then the two choirs together.


It was precious!


We (me!) were even able to arrange for them to stand beside each other for two strategic reasons...1) so Major would not cry this year and come off the stage and 2) so we could more conveniently take pictures!


Shout out to my friend Amanda for videoing for me! I help with Ella Grace's choir so I was a little pre-occupied.


Afterwards, there was a craft and cookie decorating in the CLC. The kids had a great time!