High Desert Men's Summit and Community Worship Concert

Don't Miss the Holy Ground Community Worship Concert on Friday, September 12 at Deschutes County Fairgrounds Expo Center. Bring the family and join several thousand people as we worship God together. Michael will be leading the worship with the ComeUnity band and other Central Oregon musical artists will be performing as well. You will even get a chance to hear Mike Huckabee playing bass! Below is a link for more information:

http://www.hdmsummit.org/holy-ground-community-concert/default.aspx

The following day, Men from all over Oregon will gather for the 2nd Men's High Desert Summit featuring several nationally known speakers. Check out the website for more info:

http://www.hdmsummit.org/.

Reflections On Life In Ministry

Last night we celebrated!!! What did we celebrate? Our 3rd anniversary at Redmond Community Church!! For some this may seem kinda silly, especially if you haven't moved much in your life but for this family it is huge!

Many of you know we have been in occupational ministry for 15 years. In these 15 years we have been at 5 different churches. In between some of those churches Michael has pursued other vocational training and job opportunities. In 14 and a half years of marriage we have moved 16 times and lived in 8 different cities.

But finally we have reached a milestone that we have yet to reach, we have been at Redmond Community Church longer than any other church. This morning I was singing on the worship team and could barely make it through the service without tears because I am so thankful for this wonderful place. Here at RCC much healing has taken place. I have children who have finally put down roots and sense security in their lives here in Redmond. I have a husband who is finally relaxing and enjoying ministry. For years he was guarded because of the hurt he went through at different churches. Personally, I am happy just to see my family happy. This morning I walked up to our pastor, Curtis, and held up 3 fingers. He knew what I was referring to. He had a big smile on his face, one that communicated to me that all is good. We are in a safe, healthy place. God knew what he was doing. He was preparing us for this special place.

As I write this I am reminded that all the trials we have faced (and all the memories we have made) these last 15 years in churches, and even my breast cancer has changed our family for the best. We rejoice that we have gone through these tough times and praise God that He has brought us through them. We are stronger as a family and individuals because of them. We are also closer to God. I love seeing the relationship my oldest daughter has with Jesus because times of trouble brought her closer to him. I love seeing my oldest son devour the Word of God on his own because he has learned that is where he can find the answers to life's toughest questions.

I am looking forward to what God has for us in the future and know that whatever it holds, He will be there to guide us through it.

Here is my preschool room!!

4 Day Weekend!!!

After working on my preschool room and curriculum for the fourth eight hour day in a row, my pre-k4 partner and I finally saw all the fruit of our labor. We had no choice, all had to be done by tonight for Back to School night. I am happy to announce that my room is finally complete and I can now take a breather for a couple of days; hopefully for the four day weekend that starts tomorrow for me and the kids before school starts on Tuesday.

I was so happy to finally meet most of my sweet 3's tonight. They are too cute for words. I can't wait to get to know each one individually. I got high 5's from the boys and hugs from the girls. I even had one precious girl tell me she loved me. We had just met! This just reminds me of the awesome job that God has given to me and the love these little ones have for their teachers. I pray that these children will feel totally loved, accepted and safe with me. What a great job I have-to be able to share God's love in all that I do and teach.

Pray for me this weekend as I try to put aside some of the great responsibility that I have in planning curriculum to spend with my own children and who have never before had a working mommy. They have been with out me a lot while I have been working the last two weeks. The nice thing is, starting Tuesday I only work 2 days a week. Oh yeah, pray for my house too! I have neglected it way too long and it needs some cleaning. If only I could wave a magic wand. Abra cadabra, make the mess go away and let dirty clothes get clean and folded. Where is the easy button when you need one!

Well I am tired and worn out and going to sleep, sleep, sleep. I don't care if I should train my body to get up at 5:30 so that come Tues. it is easier. I AM going to sleep in tomorrow until I am absolutely needed by my hubby and children.

I am still alive!!!

It is amazing how long it has been since I have blogged. I really miss it! As many of you know I got the job at CCS as the new preschool 3's teacher. The last two weeks since coming home from the beach have been spent decorating my classroom with the pre-k4 teacher with whom I share a room with. We have spent many hours and late, late nights setting it all up. Last week we spent two evenings until 12:00 and 1:00 am. I didn't know that it would take this much time. However, I am enjoying the process and can't wait until my first day of school which is on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd. Please pray for me that day!

Yesterday, Mon. the 25th I officially started work. Today is my second full day listening about school procedures and policies. I am enjoying all the teachers that I meet. Everyone is so sweet and helpful to us newbies. I have also been trying to finish the room and prepare curriculum plans.

Thursday night I will meet my students at open house. All the work we are doing to the room will have to be done. So there is an end to sight!!

Mandi has been so wonderful in watching her siblings all day while Michael and I work. So far the house hasn't burned down! LOL!! Actually she does an excellent job at managing the kids and also keeping the house tidy. She has also been watching neighbor kids, Emma's friend and a three year old that I usually watch. Thank goodness they are not all here at the same time.

I hope to post pictures of my room as soon as I am able. I also hope to share pictures of our beach trip. For now I am putting all my focus on my new job and my family. BUT I WILL RETURN!!!!

Beach Bound!!

We are so excited! Today after church we left for the beach. We are spending the night at Michael's parents house in Grants Pass and leaving early in the morning for Brookings to spend three nights and four days at a beach house that our family has stayed at several times in the last decade. Our friends who own this beach house are missionaries in Thailand and open up their house to missionaries and pastors as a place to give rest and relaxation. We have made so many memories here and look forward to the memories we will make this week with our friends and family.

I brought my camera so I can take lots of pictures of sand, ocean and of course kids!

Summer Vacation Part 2

Wednesday we got to Tahoe and checked into the Monte Blu Hotel and Casino. This was a three night package that we got for visiting a Time Share presentation. We actually get most of our vacations this way. We keep going to presentations and they keep giving us incredible packages at great destinations for little money. I can't believe they haven't gotten the picture that we don't plan to buy.

Thursday was an incredible day. We took off driving around the lake looking for a great hike. We saw a picture of Eagle Falls in the art gallery of the Hotel and wanted to visit that. When we got to Eagle Falls it was nothing like the photo. The beautiful, rushing falls was just a trickle of water. I guess we came too late into the summer. We continued the hike past Eagle Falls to a beautiful lake called Eagle Lake. It was quite a hike. All uphill for about 1 mile but it sure felt longer than that. Once we got there the lake beckoned us to swim in it. It was fairly warm and so clean. I didn't wear swimming attire but that didn't stop me. I got in with my clothes any way. I was very soggy for the much shorter hike down.

We loved being just the two of us but every where we looked we saw kids and I knew my four would have a blast at this big nature playground. It is hard to take pics of just the two of us. Actually the pictures are kind of boring. I many times wanted to take pictures of other peoples kids because kids are, well, just so cute!!

Friday we spent the day on the Lake. We rented a canoe and rowed an hour long the shore of the lake. Then we camped out on the sandy beach to enjoy the Alpine setting and the sun. We bought floaties earlier and floated the lake for than I should have because we were a little toasty at the end of the day. We ended our vacation with dinner at a quaint little cafe that served the best and biggest burger I have ever eaten and then a movie.

Saturday came and we were ready to see and love on the kids but we had a 6 hour drive home. Michael and I loved our time together and felt very relaxed when we got home. The kids were happy to see us and vise versa. Life is good!!

Then.......
back to reality!