Mother~Son Weekend

This weekend Troy and I were able to attend a mother~son conference through Pine Cove. A friend at work told me about these conferences and I thought it would be a great addition to starting middle school for Troy and Kelby...a time to strengthen our relationship and their relationships with the Lord and talk about life issues that might arise in junior high. Kelby still hasn’t decided if he wants to come, but if he does I will be going back with him! And Teague is already wishing to be in 6th grade so he can go.

The Pine Cove staff was so welcoming and energetic and during the mom speaker sessions the college guys would take all the boys out for their own lesson. Troy loved those the most. He always had something to write in his journal when he came back. The weekend was a great mix of fun and learning!

 

Friday night we had a challenge to make the grossest sundae...the boys loved it! Then we had a real ice cream sundae party!

One of my favorite activities was a picnic lunch with a craft. We each made a gospel bracelet and they had some great questions we were able to discuss.

There were tons of activities to participate in during free time and we did it all!!

   

       

 

 

 

 

   

  Saturday night was camp night and we played a game called stealth patrol that was so much fun! 

We couldn’t have asked for a better weekend and I pray every moment will be sealed in both of hearts forever! 

When nations collide

This past week, Richard and I had the pleasure of hosting 3 young men and a leader associated with the Amani Children's choir from Uganda.  The choir has been in America on tour since March and has been to many states, with Texas being their last stop.  We were so excited to be chosen to be a host home!  When we first met them they were so polite and well spoken, but all week they just continued to amaze us!  We fell in love with Ryan, Benjamin, Elisa, and Posiano.  They were the perfect house guests!  They made their own lunches, cleaned up after themselves, asked to be excused from the table, led Bible studies nightly, offered to help in anyway possible...the list could go on and on.  I told Richard that our kids are going to have a wake up call once they leave because I will now be expecting the same from them!  :)  

They all shared many stories of life back home and were very patient with all of our questions.  Elisa wants to be a doctor, Ryan wants to be an accountant, Benjamin wants to be a lawyer.  Posiano will be getting married in January so we heard all about African wedding traditions. It was a true blessing to serve them all week and to spend time getting to know them.  

We took them to see the Baylor bear and the Baylor campus one day.  The boys didn't believe us when we said it was a real bear we were going to see. Lucky for us, the bear put on quite a show!

On Saturday evening we had some people over for games and food.  At about 8pm, Posiano asked everyone to grab their Bible for a Bible study.  Sweet Ryan led the study by reading a portion of scripture and sharing what it meant to him.  He then asked us what it meant to us and we were able to share.  Afterwards, they took prayer requests and we all took turns praying.  It was amazing to see that 10 year old lead so well.  

On Sunday they put on a show at church in the morning and in the evening.  They sang and danced and played the drums and shared scripture with us.  They are truly an inspiration!

After everyone got home from school during the week, our evenings were filled with food and games and just hanging out with one another.  They were always up for whatever the kids wanted to do. They played in the basement and outside on the trampoline and rode the 4 wheeler and played in the shop and even had a night time jam session with drum beats and dancing.  They were pure joy all of the time!

This week has been one that will forever stay with me.  It changed a lot about me, my thoughts and the top of my heart's desire.  I pray the boys will always remember these sweet children and maybe one day venture to Uganda to see them again or help others just like them.  As they were preparing to leave I felt my heart ache because I wanted them to stay...or I wanted to go with them...I just wanted to be around them.  I felt the Lord gently ask "What are you chasing?"  I guess my answer was the joy, the simplicity, the wisdom, and the love.  I am praying that I can take what they brought into our home and better myself, my family and others around me.  This experience was far beyond anything I can put into words and will probably be the pinnacle of my 2018 word Others, but who knows...God may have more up His sleeve!!  

Success comes from obedience

Back in June, the Lord deposited a dream into Richard’s heart; to start a 5th quarter in our community. A 5th quarter is a gathering after home games with food and games and prizes and Jesus. While we were at youth camp over the summer Richard mentioned in passing that the Lord told him to do something so I asked what and he never really told me, nor mentioned it again. Over the years of being with Richard I have learned that he is not a poor communicator, as I had originally thought when I first met him, but rather he communicates very effectively, in his time. So all summer I prayed for whatever it was that the Lord spoke to him. At the end of July he finally shared with me his idea of the 5th quarter. I immediately felt so much life in him and the idea. I knew it was from the Lord and because of that it would be successful!

In a matter of a month or so Richard reached out to so many people who willingly volunteered to help with man power or ideas or money and last night I watched the Lord’s dream, through one man’s obedience, come to fruition.  To say I’m proud is an understatement. As I read my Bible this morning this verse was in my reading and it captures my heart’s thoughts completely! 

Song of Solomon 5:16

“His mouth is full of sweetness, and he is wholly desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend.”

He truly is my beloved and best friend and I’m honored and humbled to serve along side him is all the Lord challenges us to do! 

A gym full of kids! Praise Jesus! Charles shared a spoken word with all of us. 

Playing a few games led by the Young Life leaders.

 

A highlight video was shown from the pep rally and game. 

First Day Jitters

The night before the first day of school is always filled with so much emotion.  This summer I did quite a bit of reflecting and reading and wondering.  Last year was not the easiest year for me and could possibly go down as one of the worst.  A year like that will suck the confidence right out of any teacher!!  But the positive side is it forced me to reflect and I feel like this year and these kids will get the fruit of my struggles from last year.

With my 2018 word, Others, at the top of my heart I spent this summer jotting down What Ifs...

What if my students started each day with a hand shake and eye contact from a peer genuinely saying “Good Morning”?

What if I focused more on team work and listening and respect when crafting a lesson plan?

What if teachers came together to pray collectively for one another and the students?

What if my students knew (I mean really knew!) they were leaders by May because I spoke those kinds of words over them more then anything else?

What if teachers had a time to get together and discuss something other than school?

What if I gave the students so much ownership in their learning that they could lead their own Parent-Teacher conference?

What if...

I knew the Lord was asking me to step out of my comfort zone this year to impact others.  So, after much prayer I have started a bible study on campus for the teachers and decided to call it Worship Wednesdays.  It will be once or twice a month and nothing over the top, but just a chance for us to get together and pray and laugh and encourage one another when the days are long and tiring.  And think of the impact a group of teachers praying together over a school will have!  I mean, we all pray, so why not join forces and watch God rock our school and staff!  I’m so excited!

This year will be filled with trial and error, but one thing is for sure, I bet I find the answers to some of my what ifs!

So come on 2018-2019 school year!  This prayer warrior is ready to take you on!

Junior High Orientation

Tonight we had orientation for our two incoming junior high students. First, the boys had to fill out an “All About Me” page. Then, the parents heard all about the junior high procedures while the kids went on a scavenger hunt throughout the school. At the end they fed us dinner and we were able to walk the school to find the boys’ classes. They don’t have any classes together, but lots with several friends so I’m sure it’s going to be a great year! There is something about being low on the totem pole that helps you learn about yourself...praying they have the courage to ask for help when they need it, make new friends when they don’t see a familiar face and to just be themselves in a culture that will try to conform them!  

Comparing schedules with friends.