Summer REACH 5...13...Bonus

A couple weeks ago we made a list of things we wanted to do this summer to REACH out to the people around us. Here is our 2nd round of adventures:

Number 5:  Bring fun band-aids to donate to a children's hospital.

 This REACH mission was a little harder. As we were waiting at the reception desk, we saw dozens of ill children come in and out. We had a great talk about sickness and hospitals since they had just visited their brother in one. The kids were the most excited about the band-aids because they were so much fun to pick out. The receptionist was thrilled at our donation and even took us up to the labratory to donate them to the nurses there. They explained how much the kids that have blood drawn frequently look forward to having fun band-aids instead of boring ones. It's amazing how the little things can just make someone's day!

Number 13: Bring candy basket to police station.
I wanted my kids to appreciate police men/women and to realize that their jobs are to protects us as citizens... not just give out tickets when we break the law. (I realized this needed to happen when I heard the kids say "make sure you put on your seat-belt so the police don't take us off to jail!") We arrived with our candy basket to the police station and the officer we interacted with couldn't have been more blessed! It was so nice to have my kids see how appreciative the policeman was and how much he was interested in the kids.

 

BONUS: Operation Fill-A-Backpack.

Our church is sponsoring many outreaches this summer through 1Macomb (an extension of EACH in our district). One of the outreaches is to fill backpacks with school supplies for needy kids in Detroit. My kids were so excited to make these purchases and kept wondering which kids would use them to go back to school. This was a very simple, but profound REACH mission because they had a lot of questions on why these kids didn't have money to buy stuff for school. I was able to give them a hearty lesson on having a grateful heart for the things our family enjoys on a regular basis.

 

and in all things... session 38

Things I am thankful for on July 7th, 2012...

1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
2. A healthy family because of a faithful God.
3. Grocery runs with my daughter's undivided attention.
4. Godly friends who desire growth as much as we do.
5. The break in weather tonight...We even got down to the 70s
6. The youth that have been a part of LEGACY over the years.
7. Midnight swims with Chris under the stars clouds.
8. FAMILY... and the fact that they are close by.
9. Baby giggles.
10. Champions For Life Kids' Camp and the countless hours put into loving the foster kids in our area.

we wear them out over here.

...and we are on to #2

Zoey had her 1st Learn to Skate last week and she did AMAZING!

It was a matter of seconds before she was scooting across the ice on her skates.

That girl is SO determined to do whatever her older brother does!

The good life.

Such a great 4th of July!

Swimming. BBQ. Sparklers. Bike Rides. Remote-Control Cars. Coffee. Fireworks. Kisses. Suntan Lotion. Ice Cream. Ice Tea. Cuddles. Bonfire.

really tired of the white walls.

We spent this weekend in the hospital with our little man, Elijah. It was a roller-coaster and we have never been so happy to have our family all home together. He had pneumonia and some other respiratory issues and his pulse-ox level was dropping pretty low. All in all, this kid was quite the champ and really braved through some difficult situations that he didn't quite understand. Thanks to everyone who called, brought us food, sent texts/emails and especially those who prayed. We believe in a God who heals and trusted in Him this entire weekend. We aren't completely out of the woods yet, he still has to get that pulse-ox up (especially when he sleeps) so don't stop praying!

{phone photo dump}

Summer REACH 4...8...10...14...18

A couple weeks ago we made a list of things we wanted to do this summer to REACH out to the people around us. Here are some of our 1st adventures:

Number 4: Make brownies for the neighbors.

We honestly have the greatest neighbors ever. We moved in mid-October, and since then we have had meals, desserts and even toys brought over to our house on a daily basis. We wanted to love on our neighbors and show them how appreciative we are to have them in our lives. We snuck over to their porch and dropped off some extra-chocolatey brownies for them to enjoy!

Number 8: Donate diapers to Pregnancy Aid

Compassion Pregnancy Center help women facing a crisis pregnancy, or those who are struggling with an unwanted pregnancy. We brought over some packages of diapers for them to use for new moms who are struggling financially. I had a very heavy heart after this Summer REACH activity because it was so hard to explain "unwanted pregnancy" to my 6-yr-old. I loved that he had a hard time grasping the concept of someone not wanting a child God created.

Number 10: Pray at the flagpole of Isaac's new school

Isaac is transferring to a new school for 1st grade. We wanted to make sure to take some time to look around and pray that God would use him as a light to everyone he meets. My heart was so full after hearing my little man pray for this upcoming school year.

Number 14: Watch kids for a much needed parents night out

We were so excited to have Kate and Joesph come over to go swimming so their hard-working parents could sneak out to a quiet dinner alone. We loved playing in the sandbox, the pool and with all the toys in the kids' rooms. We even enjoyed some amazing Gelato from Mike and Kristen when they returned!

 Number 18: Send a "Love Note" to someone
who is going through a difficult time.

There is an incredible man in our congregation that has had a lot of wonderful influence on our church and on our family. Mr. Bob received a quadruple-bypass this past month and is at home recovering. The kids loved being able to decorate cards to send him in the mail to let him know we are praying for him!

thanking God for the seemingly unimportant.

Just a little testimony:

{It's sad to think that sometimes God's answer to our prayer has become commonplace to us.}

We had received a letter home from Isaac's school this spring that he had not passed his hearing test in his right ear. He had tubes put in a few years back to combat some issues he had and it worked like a charm. Chris and I prayed that God would heal his ears so that we wouldn't have to go through that process again, or something greater. I had mentioned it to our primary care doctor today during Isaac's well-child visit. She peeked in the ear and saw that he still had remnants of his tube (it should have fallen out after the 1st year). They did a saline ear treatment to flush out the tube {which we now have in a vial in our kitchen... boys are gross} and then did another ear test. He passed with flying colors. I know it seems small, but I really took time today to thank the Lord for answering our prayer... for constantly having his hand on our family. I guess I could explain it away and say that there never really was an issue, that the tube just needed to be removed... but I know my God who guides every step in order to fulfill His greater purpose. I trust in that.

finale

moving on is hard to do.

Chris and I have been having a rough time.

We are finally coming to the realization that this could possibly be our last baby.
{I've kind-of been waiting for that "I'M DONE!" moment... but the truth is I never got it}

The other day I held up a Nike outfit that we got at our baby shower for Isaac.

All 4 of our kids wore it.

It is too small for all of them now.

Chris' face sunk as I said "I guess we are all done with this outfit now."

Reality set in.

Although we are ready for the next phase of our lives, we have never been good at change.

I mean, who wouldn't want a dozen more of these?

agua

ramblings: a broken-hearted youth pastor.

It's 3:40am and I just got back home from saying goodbye to our youth mission team heading to Haiti for 10 days. I kept a smile on my face, but secretly in my heart I was heartbroken that I wasn't able to go with them. A love for missions runs through my veins... it always will.

This is such a weird season of my life.

A very difficult season for someone like myself.

...but a very purposeful season.

I have 4 very specific reasons I am not going this year and they are all sleeping soundly upstairs. The hard part isn't knowing the reasons, that makes it worth is... the hard part is not being able to watch my students experience one of the most incredible things in life: stepping out in faith and seeing God's heart for people around the world. There's nothing like it. 

So until I am again able to fly coach with a group with matching shirts to a place where most people will never venture, I will count my blessings and pray that God finds me faithful in this season of my life.

6.5

Jacob Christopher @ 6.5 months

16lbs and 26in

you love to eat your greens. you push Zoey's baby stroller all around the house from inside your walker. your favorite thing to chew on is apple slices. you love to play with hands. you roll all over the ground. you love when the kids come and jump in your crib in the morning. you love kisses. you light up when you see your daddy (but who doesn't?). you have hair on the back of your head that sticks straight up in the air... at all times. you take your walker over to the window and stare out silently for minutes on end. your are the happiest when you get to watch your brothers and sister wrestle. you love to dance. you and Elijah have a love/hate relationship... you love when he hugs you and hate when he tackles you. You love to grab everything.

"The disciples were devoted to the teachings of the apostles, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer." Acts 2:42

Tonight was the launch of our summer life groups, and it was such perfect weather for a S'Mores bar and a bonfire. So excited for what this summer holds!

The day I have been dreading for awhile now....

Well, it happened.

Our beloved fish passed on from this life.
Good 'Ol Sharkbait (at least I think that was his name this week)

It was a sad day in the Bunk household.

Some handled it better than others.

Others are still having a hard time talking about it.

In the words of the Patriarch of our family:

"He was a good fish. He always looked at me when I would come in the bathroom in the morning. He will be missed."

I'm not sure we will get another pet.

We might not be able to handle another loss like that.

To be determined once the grieving process is complete.

Last Day of Kindergarten

Well, he made it. 180 days later and he is now a Kindergarten Grad.

It was so much fun picking Isaac up after his last day of school. There were moms passing out pom-poms to each kid, silly string everywhere, and lots of cheering. It was a blast!

Isaac had very specific directions for what he wanted to get his teacher for the last day of school. A dozen roses (because her name is Mrs. Rose), a gift card to Barnes and Noble (because her favorite thing is books), and a large pack of dry-erase markers (because the only colors she has are red, white and blue.)

His Kindergarten Journal

Today Isaac brought home his "Writer's Journal" from school. They have been writing/drawing every week of school to see how they progress. Here are a few of my favorites...

That morning Zoey yelled at Isaac to leave her seat-belt alone when he was trying to help her get it on... it obviously scarred him for life.

One of the many ways he makes us proud.

They must not study the Revolutionary War until 1st Grade.

He got in trouble because he lost his shoe and we couldn't find it when he had to leave for school... we found it later behind the bounce house.

He has a lot of pages about his dad.

And a few about the woman who birthed him.

His last entry was about his Grandy. He said that she told him that when she was younger the boys would make fun of her red hair and call her a "Red-Headed Woodpecker". He was very upset by this story.. enough to put 6 sad faces!

having a day

...where I just need a couple of reminders... regardless of how I feel.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

{Psalm 18.2}

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will rejoice over you with loud singing.

{Zeph. 3.17}

(This one has been in my head all day b/c of our ride home from school singing this.)

 

The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

{Psalm 9.9}

 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

 {John 16.33}

friends forever.

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