I nearly grabbed a baby in the church service yesterday I just wanted to hold one.
My sister had a baby 4 weeks ago and I can't wait to hold that little dainty thing!
But as much as I miss my kids during this trip, they miss me more (at least I think)
To help the time pass I made them bags, one for each day with treats in them.
I hid them around the house and they have to call me to get directions to find them. Allows me to check in and get reports on if they are respecting granny like they should!
I added video game rentals, books, candy, new movies, game ideas, art etc.
Had I been super mom I would've added new art supplies, new project ideas etc.
Aunt Debbie has created a blog. You can find it.here
Which, along with Cody's sermon today, inspired this idea.
I sit on a pew every Sunday. I didn't as a kid. My church isn't trendy and flashy. We don't meet in a remodeled strip mall or have fountains down the isles or outside huge windows behind the preacher. We got a projection system within the last 2 years. There are still hymnbooks behind the pews. We still take up an offering and praise God we still have potluck dinners.
Jesus, I have discovered, isn't really impressed with the building or the service. He peers into our hearts. And I just try to make mine available each Sunday to whatever he has to say.
Several years ago I married the preacher. I vowed to go where God led him. While I may be hours away from my beloved ocean and miles from a large grocery store this small town is home.
Back to the pew on which we sit....
It is a great privilege to sit beside my children each Sunday. I grew up going to children's church but I have seen the great value in worshiping along with my kids. They do not always see that as a privilege. So I pray.
God alone changes people's hearts. HE ALONE.
So here's an idea for creating learning during that lecture time. I think it could go for any age.
I bought a completely blank notebook the other night at a crafts store. I had no idea what I was gonna do with them but they were half off and surely I would eventually need them....
Cody happens to be preaching through the book of Exodus. And we may be there awhile. I thought we were done at passover but seems like some of the best stuff is after they left Egypt.
So my idea is that using Cady's drawing love (I'll encourage pictures of what's being said although a moshi monster may make he's way in) and my notes and I'm sure Silas will contribute...we'll all add to the notebook each week. The 3 points, the video's we watch, the people who need prayer, those who choose for the first time to follow Jesus, those baptised, the weather that day, special guests, activities...gum...what we were wearing....
The Exodus Book
I love my mother in law and one thing I will never forget about her is her notebook she always kept sermon notes in. It has been a awesome thing watching her love for God grow the last 15 years I've been in the family.
So in quoting my sis and dad, "You'll forget 80 % of what you hear so write it down"
And until Cody starts puting the sermons to music...I better start writing....
Born 18 months after me and for my childhood and adulthood enjoyment, I am convinced, was this girl on the left. I always called her Deb. She was Debbie during school years and successfully made the switch in college to Deborah. Hats off to that- She forever calls me Lorina.
Nine years ago she packed up and moved to Orlando after college. Probably to meet the guy on the right, who is her perfect soul mate.
Five years ago I made another long 10 day journey to the hottest town on earth for her wedding. It was a celebration I will never forget.
Then 2 years ago in August after watching her bump grow via skype she had this little guy.
And he evened out the boy/girl ratio on the Robbins side.
There is something about your sister's kid that is so dear to your heart. We hate the 1000 miles that separate us but make do. You know relationships are conversation. I have her in Florida and another childhood friend in California. We are as close now as we were when we all went to church together because we talk no less than once or twice a week. Staying connected. Having quality and quantity conversations. Now apply this to a relationship with creator God....
She was over zealous and when I told her 2 years ago we were coming to Orlando for the convention she went out and bought a house last year. JK , God provided a wonderful deal for them and they are using the blessing to bless us. We stayed 6 nights with her, ate her food, used her laundry. Her husband and baby got sick, but never did they make us feel unwelcome- we will be back. But not in June, if I can avoid it. I hear Feb and Oct are real nice.
Her inlaws live on the next street over and have raised 4 boys. They have a pool and this is how we spent last Sunday afternoon after going to their church.
It's the only way to do Orlando in the Summer.
We even listened to Mama Mia soundtrack. I'm still singing "dancing queen "
During convention I always attend the minister's wives luncheon.
Don't know how I stumbled upon it years ago but I did. I still have the totebag from that occasion. I paid $10 for the luncheon and the bag had over $100 worth of DVDs, books and giveaways. Two years we've gotten premier jewelry (mine broke) .
Deb and my mom kept the kids that day and let me go have some girl time. I met up with blogging friend Angela on left there and Becky (on right, childhood friend ) and Tara on the far right, she I met threw Becky last year at the convention and had a blast.
This year I signed up to be a table hostess. It was really fun. We had ladies from Kentucky and Alabama in our group. There are over 1000 woman at this thing and one year I sat at the same table as one of Becky's husbands' groomsman's wife. Yeah we made that connection over lunch. Small world.
As I walked in I was in awe- Orange. They had decorated in orange!!!! And the totebag with all the goodies was orange! Over all in all the exhibits we collected 8 of this kind of bag that I use to haul groceries in :)
I wish I had a pic of us in the airport last week, I had her in a front carrier, a backpack and a pull suitcase, they charge now for checking in bags so I took ours on the plane and since I was by myself I could pull a bag and push a stroller. Luckily she still fit in the carrier. We were quite a sight I am sure. Charis wasn't feeling well most of the trip but still was a great traveler. We really felt blessed to go, the Lord provided work so I could afford to go. I love my family so much, I am glad I got to go be a part of Deb's newest adventure. I also got to see her school and hang out with Nate's cool family. We swam, watched a lot of movies and played the wii, I scored 569 on power bowling.
Couldn't resist posting my care bear in this toy tote. My sis and her new baby Judah Brenton, why we went to FL
In other news- I've added a new Bible study to the church tote, Stepping Up by Beth Moore- it's on the psalms. Good so far. She's got us on our faces each day before the Lord, literally. It should be good discipline.
I am still keeping Shyann during the day, she had a good week.
My lessons are going well. I have 11 paying students (4 guitar, 4 piano, 2 piano but want to be in voice) and 3 non paying, my 2 kids and a sitter swapper (she takes voice and is a God send) . God is so good to always provide for us no matter how much I fret.
My totes are full, coming and going as always.
I have to add one more non tote picture. my kids are in a small town school and everyone goes all out for homecoming, today's theme is I wish I were.... So I pulled together a Jedi knight costume for silas and Cady was really on her own. She is Barbie. A cute one huh.
