Feeding the 5000 (or 300)

Our first family dinner was a success in so many ways. The biggest way? That we didn't run out of food! 180 people had signed up, we decided to plan for 50 more than that, and we ended up feeding almost 300!
People were very patient, considering we had to set up five extra tables. We had to ask people to share food from table to table.
Many commented on how fun it was to eat "family style" by passing the food around the table instead of standing in a serving line.

We have already shared lots of ways to make it even better next time. Would love to hear your ideas!

Why Children's Ministry is Dangerous

Last night at Tuesday school witht he preschoolers, we were talking about how God created everything, including the animals. I had some kids come up to act out animals. Christian was acting out climbing up a tree and chomping with his mouth. The rest of the kids just weren't getting it. I asked him to give us a few hints. We said, "I eat leaves". Well, that didn't help. So, even though I've been working with kids for years, I asked, "Is the animal you're thinking of as big as me or smaller than you?" "Hmmm, it's medium like a mom." I had to take a moment to recover!
I am especially fond of that boy - and so is God!

SPLASH! at the Rink

I think it was as much fun to watch some moms get their groove back as it was to watch the little ones develop theirs for the first time. Us big people had to envy the diaper padded seats that the little ones could fall on. They had an advantage! That floor is wicked hard! I had forgotten the disco ball! Was that cool for us to watch the kids watch! Getting psyched already for the next SPLASH! night October 27 - we'll be learning about using sign language with our little ones. Invite your neighbors

Ears WIde Open During the FIre

The sadness I feel in the aftermath of the fire is overwhelming at times. But the incredible, simple ways that God took care of fire victims by whispering in people's ears to be His hands and feet keep me focused on how we need to cling to hope for our neighbors.

I count it a privilege to have been at church for the Onomia Quilt Auction when the fire broke out and to have been able to watch how God worked. I'm sure Larry Klimek and Carol Grier and Mike Cheney, who showed up to spruce up the church for the 60th anniversary party that morning felt privileged, too. God needed us to be there because people needed water and diapers. They needed someone to listen or sit near them as they silently watched their home burning.

But He kept whispering and more people came. Don Wille saw the smoke and stopped in, having driven the van with the wheelchair lift, not knowing that Gerald, who was wheelchair bound would need transporting away from the smoke that had followed him into the lobby of church.

And He kept whispering. And more people came. Calvas saw the smoke and came running. They ended up spending the whole day manning the phones and meeting countless needs by connecting people wanting to help, with ways that they could help.

He sent Laugens at the very moment we got the list of the contents of all of Christopher's birthday presents, down to the Sponge Bob cake so he could celebrate his fifth birthday in the High School commons while his parents waited for the Red Cross to arrive.

He sent Maria Guidarelli, a high school Little Lambs employee to offer childcare to the children as the wait in the commons got too long for their little bodies. She got on her cell and rallied her friends.

So many others.
And people keep listening to the promptings of God's whispers. He is so very good! It strikes me how He wants our ears wide open to His promptings always. Lord, forgive me for the noise in my life that keeps me from hearing how you want to use me every day!
If you are interested in ways that you can help with the fire check out Central's website. We will post info about needs there.

Remember Rollerskating?

Did any of you go rollerskating when you were younger? I'm even remembering the stale-popcorn-stinkyshoes-plastic-smell.Oh, yeah! I can't wait, because we're going again on Monday night. But with a twist! SPLASH! families are bringing their little ones along in strollers. Looking forward to it! You can still sign up! (just click on my e-mail address and tell me you're coming) 5:30-7:30 Monticello Roller rink (Click for map) $3.00 per person - $10.00 per family! Let's strap on those skates - do you think they are still as heavy as they were!

Invisible

Jessie K. forwarded this You-tube video to me . . . it is so worth watching! I want to be invisible for Christ!

The Buzz

What a great meeting we had last night for Tuesday school. Tons of energy in the room. There was a buzz! How cool that God has put it on over 30 people's hearts to come hang out here on Tuesday nights with kids! I've got this cool vision of thousands of little faith seeds getting planted into children's hearts! Can't wait to see how God grows them! If you haven't signed your kids up for this year yet - do it on-line by clicking here.