Baltimore Trip

The girls went to Baltimore this weekend with my mom (she is the crazy looking one in the background) and cousins!

Monday Mind Dump (through the eyes of the wife).

1) Wow, this has been the longest week in history! And I am soo tired (and I didn't have to do half of the work most of the volunteers did) I almost didn't get this update up! I started the post this morning but stopped and restarted at 4:30 in the afternoon because I slept most of the afternoon!

2) Its been a bittersweet week. In the midst of celebrating VBS at WABC Marc got word that he was being laid off from his "day" job. We have been down this road before and although its a scary road to travel we believe in God's plan for our life so in my heart and head....everything will be ok. God is in control! Marc has been considering going into business for himself full time, please keep us in your prayers as this will mean a big transition in finances for our family.

3) If you have been following me on twitter you know that my life has been crazy! In part because we had VBS all week, and also because our schedule was just crazy! Need I say more?

4) If by chance you missed my play by play of VBS week at WABC you can see the daily updates here, here, here, here and here.

5) I am so proud of all of the volunteers who gave their time and talent to VBS 09. I'm especially proud of my girls who gave their all to help with the ministry.

6) Friday Marc and I attended the homegoing celebration of a friend from our old church. It was an unexpected death for us only because we had not seen him in a while. But as we know its no surprise to God. I believe in my heart that he is with our Lord and savior and that he is no longer in pain.

7) I am still in shock at all of the deaths this week. Although I was not a follower of the tonight show, I remember fondly watching Ed McMahon on Star Search. And although I watched Farrah Fawcett on Charlie's Angels I most remember her for the movie "The Burning Bed". I'm still in shock that Michael Jackson is dead. I pray for peace for his family and for his three children. And of course last night we came home to news of the death of Billy May's the oxy clean guy!

8) Saturday we attended the wedding of the son of one of my friends. The wedding ended up turning into a reunion for many of us who had not seen each other in quite sometime.

9) Sunday after service we joined my goddaughter and her family down at the beach for some fun in the not so hot sun. Good thing too because I don't do well with sand and sun.

10) The girls spent part of the weekend in Baltimore with my mom and cousins, but came back early on Sunday so that they could see their god sisters.

11) I have absolutely nothing on the calender this week relating to church! Good thing to because my house has suffered the effects of being gone to many days and nights out at church. And now that Marc is home I am sure he will be wondering what in the world I do with my days! LOL

12) There is a chance that our vacation plans will have to be put on hold for a while. Although I am disappointed I am hoping that at least by next year things will have improved a bit and we will have the chance to reschedule our plans to travel to Alabama. Cass and her family have made it clear that if we still want to come we can. I love them so much. We have some really great friends. Not sure that we deserve them but I am glad they are in our life.

13) If Marc goes into business for himself (he is a telephone/computer tech) we will have to look for health insurance for him and I. Anyone have suggestions for people who are self employed?

14) The positive out of this whole situation is that if we are able to do this it may mean he would be more available to the church and to his family. He also may be able to go back to school. This of course would depend on whether he can get financial assistance. Once again please keep us in prayer.

Beach Day

After church today we met our friends down at the waterfront. We only live about 15 minutes (20 tops, depending on the traffic that day) from the ocean. I always laugh when people say oh you must spend a lot of time at the beach! In reality I have not been down there in years. I love the ocean, but the sand and heat are not my friend. But when your goddaughter comes into to town and request a day at the beach. Well, lets just say I would only do it for her. LOL. Several us gathered to get ice cream later that night and watched the fireworks (must be a summer thing). Its been a long week and weekend so I will come back later in the morning and share my week through the eyes of the wife! This old girl is bone tired!

Family Affair

Today one of my best friends son got married. Some how the wedding turned into a friends reunion! The guys hung out together talking as if they had not seen each other in years. And the ladies did the exact same thing. LOL It was good seeing everyone, and especially being able to see my BFF Cass and her family. They use to live here, but after Mike retired they moved back to their home state of Alabama. With the exception of one year, we have been able to get together each year since their move either when they come here or we travel to Birmingham to see them. Their youngest daughter is our Goddaughter and when they first told us they were moving away Marc and I made the commitment to stay in her life even if that meant traveling each year to see her. Whenever we go down we are treated as if we are royalty. One year we considered staying at a hotel during one of our visits. Kyra asked me why would I want to do that when I have a perfectly good room waiting for me at her house. How can you argue with her logic? LOL Tomorrow some of us plan to meet for ice cream after service. After a week of VBS and then the wedding today I am beat, but I wouldn't miss being able to spend time with my family and friends for anything in the world!

Let's Call It A Wrap!

This is why we do what we do. Its a chance to put a smile on someones face. A chance to show people the love of Jesus through service, but especially to show them that their time and talent is needed in order to further the Kingdom! I watched so many people blossom this week, using gifts they never knew existed. Last night it wasn't about us it was about them.

VBS Day 4 ( Go Lead )

We were all so tired today that we could barely think straight! The odd thing is that it has been a good tired. Someone said tonight that its like we are having a big party every night. I don't think I have gotten home before 11 PM each night and that is because even after we are done cleaning up for the night people are still hanging around talking and laughing. The theme today was ....Go Lead. I think we have proven this week that even leadership should and can have fun in ministry. Tonight several members of our leadership team participated in the fun and games. The support that the adults have shown the kids just makes my heart sing. They have been singing the songs, cheering on the various teams, and shouting at the top of their lungs during the challenges. You see support for one another from the smallest to the oldest. Various generations sharing in ministry together. Its been a great experience. When I got home tonight I realized that we have accomplished the mission of the VBS Camp. WABC has shown Real Teamwork, Real Service and Real Fun! Of course what else would you expect from a church who's motto is a Real Church, Serving the Real God, Reaching out to Real People, to Effect Real Change!

VBS Day 3 (Go Tell)!

Today's VBS theme was "Go Tell". Jesus lives again and the women run to tell. So I thought I would come and tell about our day (we even played the telephone game). We have had to substitute the slime game with something else for the last couple of days because we couldn't get the recipe down. Well tomorrow we will have slime! The girls have been playing with it every since they made it (like having it run down their nose and the side of their mouth). I can't imagine what is going to happen when the kids get a hold of it! We had even more kids today. Everyone has been inviting a friend or two to join them. Yeah!!!! I can't believe we are at day three. Nicki played "Vanna" White today and Quisha was her assistant. I swear I don't know where I got those two from (the craziness runs on their dad's side). The children were wrapped in plastic today symbolizing Jesus being wrapped after being crucified and placed in a tomb. Yesterday was wore a funny hat, today we wore our favorite sports jerseys (of course I had to pull out the Disney gear) and tomorrow is crazy dress day. We have been encouraged to wear our clothing on backwards. We haven't had a recreational day because the kids have been enjoying their lessons . Frankly I think they are enjoying the games (and prizes) during the opening and closing so much that they don't miss it. LOL

VBS Day 2 (taking a risk)!

Today's story was about Esther, and taking risk. It was also the day Nicki ended up in the kitchen (which is risky in itself...LOL) helping with the meal and Quisha and I turned Marc's office into a nursery. All of my friends who have a portable church. You have got to share the secret. We had to change some people around today to accommodate more children showing up. I don't even want to think about Wednesday! Not sure where we will put them all by the end of the week. And we are already in panic mode about next year (sorry, its the planner/dreamer in me). The best part of the whole evening was hearing our teens get up and say they want to risk it all to help others in their area and community. So they are committing to serving past this week at VBS! I think I will share my copy of Servolution with them tomorrow.

VBS Day 1

I never tire of seeing my girls serve. Its in their blood. We have been volunteering for ministry since they were small. Its always included them working in one capacity or the other (from the kitchen to the classroom). Its no different at WABC. Of course sometimes it can get a bit messy. Apparently tomorrow they will be working with slime. Better them then me! LOL

Sunday Mind Dump Through The Eyes of the Wife (in picture form).

We made one last visit of the evening to my uncles home so that I could drop off his Father's Day gift. My uncle has been my surrogate dad my entire life. He along with my grandfather have been there for me no matter what. I lucked out in the daddy dept with them and then again when I met Marc all of those years ago. My children have a very special father who gives to everyone around him each day. I was happy to see him enjoy "daddy" day.

Marc with his twin sister Marsha.

Marc with his big sister Sharon.

Marc working on the his nephews TV. Even on Father's Day he is working! LOL

All of the girls together.

The girls with their cousin Jasmine who graduated from high school this week.

Marc playing with his great nephew!

The church surprised Marc with a card and gift this morning. You can tell by his face that he was surprised! His message today "Lesson's From A Famous Father" was about being the best dad that you can be. He reminded us that the greatest example of a father is our heavenly father and that if we need an example of what a father should be we need only look to God. I hope you all had a blessed day and to all of the dad's out there Happy Father's Day. We have a busy week ahead with VBS. Look for lots of updates throughout the week.