Christmas Decorating!!!

Well, today is officially the first day of winter and as the song says, "Baby it's cold outside!" It seems like the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas just fly by. It's funny, when I was a kid it seemed like it took forever for Christmas to finally come, but now that I am older it seems to come quicker each year. I like to celebrate the entire month of December. My favorite part of the season is spending time with my family, friends, and church family. I like to put up my Christmas decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving. Each year, we "Deck the Walls" at the church the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This is a time of not only decorating, but fellowshipping and enjoying Christmas music--which is another thing I LOVE about this time of the year. I wanted to share a few pictures of the church decoations.

This is the tree in the church foyer (sorry the ladder is in the picture.)  

Below is a picture of the front of the sanctuary. The Nativity on the communion table belongs to my mother. I love the simplicty of the Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus figurine. She has been kind enough to loan it to me to use in the church for the past several years.

Tree in fellowship hall:

When we "Deck the Walls", women, men, teenagers and even children participate. The following picture is of one of our youth, Royal. Royal is blind, but he enjoys coming to listen to the music and to chat. Royal always has plenty to talk about!

Below is a picture of one of the children, Christopher. He is such a sweetie, and he wanted his picture made. Check out his big smile!

We all had a great time. Some of us even got in touch with our inner child (sorry , Karen, I couldn't resist!)

It was a fun night and thanks to everyone who helped make the church festive for the Christmas season. May God bless you!

Remember: Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Technically, it's still autumn!

I know it's Christmas, and yes, I have decorated my house and even my blog. In fact,I have been to a couple of Christmas parties and have indulged in many Christmas treats! As I type this, I'm wearing a Christmas sweater and listening to Christmas music. However, winter does not officially begin until December 20th or 21st (I can never remember); therefore I think it is still okay to blog about fall and share some pictures from various events this fall.

First of all, we spend a lot of time at football games from September through the beginning of November. I have mentioned previously, that I know very little about sports. I had no brothers and my father was not much of a sports fan, so I was never exposed to sports. However, I love going to the high school football games. First of all, my oldest son, Caleb plays the alto saxophone in the band. I too played saxophone in the marching band and have fond memories of marching and playing in the stands. My younger son, Josh, loves sports and has been on the junior high football team. This was his first year to play on the high school team. I do know that he is #88 and his position is tight-end, but that is about the extent of my knowledge.  I'm one of these Momma's sitting on pins and needles praying he doesn't get hurt!

In addition to home football games and away games, there were band competitions. I enjoy watching the band perform their shows. This year, the MHS Band's theme was "We Didn't Start the Earth Wind and Fire".

Josh in his football uniform (apparently, you are not supposed to smile in football pictures!)

Here are some pictures of the mascot and some pictures from homecoming 2009. He was an excellent mascot and provided us with much entertainment at the games.

Our good friend, Michael, showing his school spirit!

In addition to football and band, we were busy planning the church's annual Fall Festival.This has become a much anticipated annual event and fundraiser at our church. We have a silent auction, sell baked items, and food. The kids have fun playing games and participating in the cake walk and costume contest. Katie Beth dressed up like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.

Vena and Karen-- or should I say "Moneybuckets the Clown"-- helping sell tickets!

Lots of yummy pies, cakes, and canned items! To the left you will see Ms. Ruby and Sherri. They are just a few of the ladies, youth, and men who volunteered to make the Fall Fest successful.

Our youth department sold BBQ nachos, sandwiches, fried pickles and other delicious items at the "Hollywood Grill". They were dressed as movie and television stars. To complete their theme, they had a red carpet walkway and a giant Oscar. I guess this is "Dorothy" winning the Oscar!

So these are just a few of the things that my family has been doing this fall. The Christmas season is well underway and it is cold outside. I hope to share some Christmas tradititons and decorations soon.

God Bless!!

Blessings!!!

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (I Thessalonians 5:18).

I love the Christmas season, and I must confess, that I even know how many days until Christmas (30 days!). I have started some Christmas decorating and I have even bought a few gifts. However, I like to make sure that I do not rush through the Thanksgiving Holiday. While the Bible tells us that we are to give thanks in all circumstances, many times I am guilty of not giving thanks like I should. I would like to take the time to blog about some special blessings in my life.

First of all I am thankful for my salvation. My mother took me to church and at the age of 7, I accepted Christ as my Savior. While I admit that I can't remember the exact day or the circumstances, I vividly remember realizing that I was a sinner, and kneeling at an altar and praying the sinner's prayer.

Next I am thankful for my husband. God blessed me with a wonderful Christian man and he has been my best friend and soul mate for 19 years. He is a great husband and father and always puts his family before himself.

I would also like to give thanks for Caleb, Joshua, and Katie Beth. God gave me 3 bright and healthy children with their own unique talents and personalities. Each day they bring me joy and I am so thankful that they have each made a decision to live for Christ. They are so much fun.  Here are some pictures from our Thankgiving trip last fall to Gatlinburg. They were being silly!

I am thankful for my Mom and sister, Tobye. Losing Dad in 2007 has  caused us to walk through a dark valley in our lives, but even in death, God was faithful, allowing us to not only witness Dad's salvation, but also his passing from this life into Heaven.


Here is a picture of me with my Mom, sister, kids, and my Grandma Marie, my only living grandparent who suffers from dementia. The next picture is of my dad. It is a blessing to know, that one day will all be reunited in Heaven. Dad has already received his physical healing, and some day Grandma will receive complete healing in her mind.

God has also allowed me to be a part of a wonderful, loving church. The Lord has put people in our path throughout our ministry that have loved us and held us up in prayer.

God bless you all! Happy Thanksgiving!

Girls' Jamboree 2009: On a Quest!!!!!

Each year our church attends the state Girls' Club Jamboree. It is an event for local churches to bring girls ages 3-18 for an overnight trip. This year's event was in early October.  We left on a Friday afternoon and loaded up the church van with 9 girls and 3 chaperones-- and lots of overnight bags and necessities. The campground is about a 2 and a half hour drive and the girls had fun chatting and singing on the way. That was what I used to love the most about church trips was riding in the van. I can remember all of the fun I had just traveling with my friends (Melody, Shelley, MiChele, Lynn, Jean, Tanya, Kim) just to name a few.

I appreciate my friends Karen and Ashely for going with me to help chaperone the trip. Eveyone is so busy this time of year and I know there were other things they could have done, but they gave of there time to help out. Thanks Ashley and Karen!

Here are a few pictures of us chaperones after the long van ride with a bunch of giddy girls!

That night before bed, the girls had a pajama pageant. They were quite the hams as they walked down the "runway" (orange carpet in the cabin). Here are some pictures of them modeling the latest in sleepwear fashions and accessories.

 

 

The next day the girls had a great time playing games, jumping in the inflatables, and just hanging out with their friends. An all girl band, "Seven More Years for Rachel" from Hot Springs led praise and worship during the church service. This group had not only wonderful musical talent but a great testimony for the girls as well.

 

There were even some teen girls that had some fun. This is Abby & Angel from Pathway Church of God (my home church). They didn't act like they were too big to participate at the Jamboree. They jumped in and had fun too. Don't they look sweet?

Below is a picture of Michelle Maggard, ACOGGCC (Arkansas Church of God Girls Club's Coordinator). She and the Girls Club Board worked hard planning a fun weekend for the girls. I would say that it was successful and that the girls (and us big girls) all had a great time!

 I am looking forward to futures trips with these girls. They are a wonderful group of kids. Some come from broken homes and have endured sad circumstances in their lives, yet they desire to live for the Lord. The theme for the Jamboree was "Quest". Our group made a banner called "On a Quest for God's Best". That's what we should all strive for in life.

Projects!

Wow, it has been over a week since my last blog entry. Katie Beth has not had a chance to blog either because our family has been so busy lately. In hindsight, the beginning of the school year was probably not a good time to begin our blogs, but I have come to find out that every time of the year has its own unique busyness.

This fall has been consumed with football, band, and senior year activities. Caleb began taking concurrent courses at the local community college this semester. This has been quite an adjustment for him, but I am so proud that he is doing well in both classes. Juggling these courses with his high school work, marching season, and church activities has been tough, but he has risen to the occasion and is doing great.

The following picture was taken during the band senior night at one of the home football games. Each senior was recognized and escorted by their parents. Each senior was presented with a pin. The wind was blowing, it was raining, and it was COLD. But I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Below is a picture of Caleb and Samantha, one of the girls from the church youth group. Caleb and Samantha both play their instruments for the church music team. I appreciate young people who use their talents for the Lord.

For Josh and Katie Beth, this has become, "The Year of the Projects". Both of them have had to create a model of a cell--which is surprising since he is a sophomore and she is in 5th grade. I do not have one artistic bone in my body. Seriously, drawing a stickman is a stretch for me. Luckily, the kids must have inherited some artistic ability from Danny. They gave me a list of what they needed me to buy to represent each part of the cell and did the work themselves.

Katie Beth's Plant Cell

Josh's Model of a Cell

 



Katie Beth has been studying about Indians in social studies. Each child was required to complete a project on a tribe of their choice. Katie Beth chose, the Comanches. This is the only tribe I knew anything about and my knowledge was limited to the fact that I have watched Lonesome Dove several times. Anyhow she researched the tribe with little help from me and completed her project. The Indian projects were on display when we went to parent teacher conferences last week and I was amazed of the creativity of these 5th graders. Anyway, from what I saw, any of these students would have been excellent to appear on "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader."

Josh also has had to do a project on the Colossus of Rhodes.

Well, we have made it through the first 9 weeks of school, football season is almost over, and the band marched in their last competition on Saturday. I am glad to be slowing down some, but it is also bittersweet, because some day I know that I will miss the days of football, band, and school projects.

Have a great week!!

Captain Light and the Light Force!!!

Jesus stated in the book of John, "I  have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark". (John 12:46)




Recently, we had some very special guests at our church for a Kids Krusade. My cousin, Michael and his wife Laura, serve as children's pastors in Indiana and they were able to come to our neck of the woods for a few days. The theme for the week was centered around Jesus being our Superhero. The villian, Mr. Sinister, would show up each night with some evil plan. But, alas, Captain Light would arive and use the Word of God to fight the evil forces of Mr. Sinister and his crew. Needless to say, the kids were anxious each night to see what the bad Mr. Sinister would do and how Captain Light would save the day. On the last night of the crusade, Mr. Sinister even kidnapped Pastor Pankey (my husband).


Here we have Captain Light with the Professor. The Professor was somewhat absent-minded and spent most of the week working on a robot. However, we weren't too sure if the Professor would be able to get this robot together. He was REALLY scatter-brained.

On Sunday morning, after much anticpation, the robot made his debut. Wow,could that robot dance! His theme song was "Love, Liberty, Disco". If you've never heard this song, you can scroll down my playlist on the side-bar to hear the music.

Even though Captain Light was a Superhero, he had plenty of time to pose for pictures and sign autographs.

Ignor P. Rant (Iggy) also came with Michael, Laura, and the Light Force. Poor Iggy. He really liked the women, but just wasn't very lucky in love.

We had a great time with Michael and Laura (and Jeter, their dog). We appreciate their ministry!