Back-2-School

We have a 3rd grader and a 1st grader.... and 2 little men that feel a little left out.

Zoey's FROZEN Party



My trip to the beautiful country of Romania...

I couldn't put it into words if I tried.
Romania stole my heart, and I haven't quite gotten it all back.
There's just something about seeing God's church world-wide.

It expands my vision.

 



J

J- We didn't have balloons on Sunday... and we didn't have you.

J

J-
One year ago today we sat side by side with our coffees on a cold Monday night.... dreaming, brainstorming and laughing at the Orange Tour. Tonight I feel your absence. I miss your face. I desperately wish you were here.
-L

One of those days...

It's just one of those days where I am getting lost in Jesus.
The laundry can wait, dinner will be last minute and the kids can join in... but I need to stay right here... present with Him.

Call it necessity.
Name it essential.
Say it's circumstantial, unearthed or stumbled upon...

 

Any way you see it or say it, it's right where I need to be.

 

Proverbs 4:25
"Let your eyes look directly forward and your gaze be straight before you."

 

Here is my worship playlist today (this might clue you in to my inability to accomplish anything else this afternoon):

"Abba" by Jonathan David Hessler
"Cling To You" by Jenn Johnson/William Matthews
"Come and Breathe" by Jeremy Riddle/Kalley Heiligenthal
"Come Close" by Melissa Hessler
"Wind of the Spirit" by William Matthews/Austin Williamson

J

J-
My daughter told me yesterday that she finally decided that her favorite animal was a deer. I told her I had something to show her and brought out the canvas picture of a deer you gave me last year. You had heard me talk about reading Psalm 42:1 to my kids before school and a family of deer showed up in front of our house. You gave this to me as a reminder of Gods faithfulness to reveal Himself to our children...a conversation we had over coffee a few weeks prior. I told Z the picture was from you...she hugged it really tight and said "that makes it even more special." We really miss you.
-L

J

J-

I have some really awesome new kids music. I have probably grabbed my phone over a dozen times to call you about them. You would LOVE these songs, Ms. Resource Queen! Today as I driving your kids to Summer Camp, I had one of my favorite songs on. I heard a cute little voice from the back say "Oh, I like this, what song is this?" I loved that I was able to tell little Jaimie Jr. about all my new finds. She was so interested. Then all the kids began dancing and singing "This is the day You've made, I'll rejoice and be glad in You." Even Zachary was putting his hands up in the air and yelling "I will praise" over and over for the entire last 5 minutes of the car ride. It was just what I needed today. Your beautiful kids reminding me that God is still worthy of praise... today.

-L

Family Fun Day: Lexington

CFL 2014

It's just one of those things that makes my heart swell.

waves of the sea.

Waves.

/weɪv/ Show Spelled There are waves that are dangerous.

Waves that are calming.

Waves that are enjoyable.

Waves that are destructive.

Some are man-made and some are divine.

There seems to be a theme of waves lately.

I feel waves of grief, confusion and pain....

and then a moment later there are waves of grace, hope and love.

Here is the bottom line:
"Lord on high is mightier and more glorious than the noise of many waters, yes, than the mighty breakers and waves of the sea." Psalm 93:4

I spent sometime watching the Lake Huron waves yesterday. They weren't very big, but I still managed to get wet. When I looked up slightly, I could see that the waves touched the sky.... right at the horizon. There He is... the One who calms the waves... He hasn't gone anywhere.

Water Soccer.

 

Sorry for the blurry pictures... still getting the hang of my new phone... need to change the settings!

 One of my favorite things in youth ministry is seeing my kids enjoying hanging out with the teenagers... even more fun is seeing the teenagers take time to hang out with my kids! I was always worried that working in youth ministry and having young children would make it difficult to balance everything going on in my life. I also worried that being around older kids would have a somewhat negative affect on my kids... but honestly, the opposite is true. I guess that is one of the best parts of having incredible teenagers in our youth ministry that love God passionately and love kids too. It has been a blessing!

 

We have been doing a FIFA World Cup theme in Legacy this month and have had fun soccer games after each service. Tonight was water soccer. My kids LOVED it! It was so much fun seeing them enjoying the water field with the other youth leader's kids and some of our amazing youth. Such a fun night! I think Isaac jumped the entire time out of pure excitement.