Pat's Ponderings

VBS...Day 5 and Closing Program

2010-07-24T14:51:00.000-07:00

VBS Day 5 Opening

Closing Program

Children singing Praises to God

Everyone was having a good time

Yes, it was HOT!!!

Aren't they sweet?

Next Group Preparing to sing:

The closing program was great, just like the rest of this VBS Program. If you would like to see more pictures from the week, just contact me at prariden@cfellowshipc.org and ask for a DVD. :)

VBS in action

2010-07-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

VBS Day 2 Opening

Everyone is having so much FUN!

Day 3 (also known as Green Day :)

That is my good friend Michelle...

how did she manage to get up to the stage?

They are so excited to get to games!

GREAT CRAFTS!!!!!

Fun times in Music!!

SNACK TIME!!

VBS Prep

2010-07-20T16:30:00.000-07:00

Like Crafts? How would you like to prepare crafts for 650 kids x 5 days!!!!!

Preparing for 650 children to attend VBS takes many hours of Prep work. Here you can see some of the teens lending a hand!

Making Decorations :)

This is the "craft supply room" everything is in it's place and is counted, ready to go.

more craft supplies

Everything is counted out for each day. Makes craft time during VBS run smoothly.

Ok, now we are ready to begin.................

I have included a few pictures of the preparations taking place.

Passing the Baton

2010-03-25T10:17:00.000-07:00

We just finished a unit on Wednesday nights for the kids called "Torchlighters", and it has been about Heroes of the faith. These were such amazing stories and lessons for the kids to learn about. Last night we finished up the lesson about Eric Liddell. Do you know who he was? Well, he was an Olympic runner in 1924. The thing that really set him apart however, was that he had a very strong faith in God, so strong in fact, that when one of the Olympic races that he was to be in was scheduled to be on a Sunday, he refused to compete in it. Sunday was the Lord's Day, and Eric worshipped God on that day, and did not let other activities interfere with that. He was eventually able to compete in other races on other days, and he won both races!

The thing about Eric Liddell that makes his life stand out is his committment to God. After the Olympics, he went on to be a missionary in China. He had been raised in China, by his missionary parents, and he always knew that he would return there one day. He suffered many hardships during his time there, but God used him in many people's lives.

One thing that really caught my attention was that Eric's parents instilled a committment to God in him from a young age. He had many other committments in life, such as sports, but, his committment to God came first.

I think this is a great example to us as parents. I would think that even though you want your child to excel in many things, such as academics, sports, and social graces, that you would most of all want your child to excel in their love for God. So, how do we accomplish that? How do we pass on your faith to your children?

God obviously has to do the work in their lives and their hearts, but what we can do is to provide an atmosphere where it is easy for a child to develop their relationship and love for
God. We want to make little disciples :). I recently came across the following acrostic that easily defines this for us. It is just little reminders of things we can do to encourage our children to become disciples of God.

Develop loving obedience ( Matt 28:19-20)
Invite other believers into friendships ( Heb 10:24,24)
Study the Bible ( 2Tim 3:16,17)
Consistently make good choices (Esh 4:1)
Impact others with my faith story (Colossians 4:5,6)
Pray regularly-and specifically (Matt 7:7)
Learn to stay strong (Ephesians 6:10)
Experience the adventure of following Jesus-forever! ( Gal 5:25)

I would also add, that as parents, we need to pray consistently for our children, and also, remember that they "catch" alot by watching us. What do your actions say about your love and devotion to God?

If this all seems too hard to apply, then just start with one item on the list, and add another as you feel you can. Parents have a great impact on the spiritual development of their child, and you, just as Eric Liddell's parents, can pass your baton of faith on to your child.

Changing Seasons

2010-03-03T12:39:00.000-08:00

The third chapter of Ecclesiastes has really been running though my mind this week. Part of the chapter reads as follows:

"To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain; and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to throw away; A time to tear, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence; and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate, A time of war, and a time of peace."

I like it because it describes life so accurately, and it is how life is right now...the season's are changing. We are changing from a very white wonderful Winter, to Spring....OH YES!!! Glorious Spring!!!

Can you feel it? I can...Spring is in the air!!!! (well, almost)...it's working on it, and I am certainly cheering it on! I LOVE Spring, I LOVE the warmer weather, and I LOVE the new life that starts popping up all around, I love being able to take walks out side, and just smell the fresh air!! I am always amazed at the beauty of God's creation.

This Spring, will include for me a season of visiting family. I am looking forward to a visit from my younger brother that lives in Washington State, visiting my younger sister, who lives in Houston, visiting Joel's family, that live in Ga, and hopefully a visit from my parents who live in Alaska.

At church, we are heading into one of our busiest seasons. We juggle alot of balls in the spring! There are Easter lessons to prepare. a new Wed night TU program, preparing our new Adventure Zone unit, "How to Sail the C's " as well as our upcoming summer lessons for children's church. Then there's " Running the Amazing Race", our Choir Spring musical, and planning our trip to the "Rainforest" duing Vacation Bible School. We love to plan great lessons with fun ideas for the kids. We get our jollies out of being creative in teaching the Word of God to the children. It is so rewarding when we see that they understand, and we see them growing in their knowledge of the Lord.

In my personal life, for the spring season, my goal is to get and keep balance in my life. So far, it is looking like a real challenge, but, maybe if I keep trying, one of these days, I will actually succeed!

I love that God's word acknowledges life as it is, full of seasons of change for all of us. Let us therefore embrace and enjoy the change around us!!!

Happy (?) New Year

2010-02-03T08:37:00.000-08:00

Well, that is what everyone always wishes you right...Happy New Year!!! Well, what about when it isn't so happy. I am an optimist, and I like to always think everything will be fine and work out, and be good, but, sometimes it just isn't is it.

The first week of the new year a friend of mine died. I was getting phone calls on her progress, she had been in ICU, and I couldn't get in to see her before I left for conference, and when they finally let people in to see her, I was out of town, so I couldn't go, and I so wanted to. She went to be with Jesus the next day. It is great for her to be with the Lord, but I am sad, as I will miss her, and my heart goes out to her 15 year old daughter, and her husband who are left behind. Some things in life are hard to adjust to. I am sure this family doesn't feel like it is a "Happy" New Year.

The next day, after my friend died, my sister-in-law had major surgery for Ovarian Cancer. We found out that she had stage III-C, which is not a great thing. It all happened so suddenly, one hardly has time to adjust to the diagnosis before your whole life has been changed. She is still recouperating from surgery, and started on chemo this week. I feel so bad for her and for my brother. This certainly is not a "Happy" New Year for them.

Then, due to financial constraints, we had a lay off some people at the church, including 2 in my department. I love my people, I think I have a great team, and I think I needed every person that I had...but, things are not always our choice. It was painful. During that same week I got sick, and then I got up that Sat morning and threw my back out. At that point I just felt like "Just shoot me and get it over with!!!!"

These times are when it is so good to have God's word hidden in your heart. God kept bringing Psalm 23 to my mind. I totally know and understand that my life was nothing like what David was going through when he wrote the Psalm, I get that, but it also provides comfort to me when life around me isn't so grand! I love the HE gives me rest (even when I don't want it, when you are sick, and then can't get around b/c of your back, guess what, YOU GET TO REST...no option)...I love the HE restores my soul......I can see him working through all of the above circumstances, even if I would not have chosen those things for myself or my loved ones....I see that He is with me all of the time, even in the hard times, and I LOVE THAT...and I love that in the end, I will DWELL in the house of the Lord Forever....now how GREAT is that!!!!

In the end, I am still an optimist, I am glad that January is over, and am hoping that the rest of this "NEW" year will be much better!!!!

CPC (Children's Pastor's Conference)

2010-01-13T08:25:00.000-08:00

Last week I attended CPC with a couple others from my team. It is a very good conference to attend because it is nice to be around 2,000 other people that work in the same field that you do, and that understand the challenges and blessings of doing what we do. I especially love the time of worship during the General Session time. It is a great thing to be in a room with 2,000 people all worshipping God at the same time. It is a special treat for those of us who work with children every Sunday, because our worship time is done with the children each and every week. Worship time with children consists of singing and doing the motions, while walking around and in between the children encouraging their participation, and or helping others to get settled into the room. So, it is a real treat for us to be able to focus on God without distraction.

General Session:

Conference also offers alot of workshops you can attend to help you improve in an area of ministry, or just to get new ideas. I found several of the workshops very encouraging as they were sharing with us things that we are doing right in the church, or I got confirmation from other workshops that we are on the right track. YEAH!!

One more thing you will find at conference is the Resource Room. (Trust me, this is Kim Hayes' FAVORITE place to be. She loves to be there when the doors open and she likes to be the last one out.) Anyway, the Resource Room does have ALOT of interesting things in there. All of the publishers have booths there, and demonstrations, and free give aways!! We like to talk to them to get more ideas, and we also give them suggestions on what we would like to see as improvements in their products. It is a very noisy, high energy room!!!!

Resource Room:

We are glad to be back at home, now if we could only find time to unpack our bags so we can start using our new resources!!! :)

Happy Holidays

2009-12-29T17:38:00.001-08:00

We had such a good time at Christmas with all of the kids around. I thought I would share a few fun family moments with you.

Hanging with Uncle David:

Time with Aunt Michelle:

A new toy, and a new trick (sitting)

Trying to get a picture :)

Success:

All of the kids :)

Dec 19 Blizzard

2009-12-29T17:26:00.001-08:00

On Dec 19, we enjoyed what is now knows as the Holiday Blizzard. I thought it was SO pretty. I know many people have pictures of this event, and they are all fascinating, but, thought you might like to see my pictures as well.

Views from my backyard:

I'd like to get out and start shoveling, but I can't even get the door open!!!Down the street from my house, it's SO PRETTY!!

Isn't it a problem when the snowman gets buried?

Or what about the sheep?

(hint: that is their heads sticking out)

Or what about the deer?

I thank the Lord for the beauty of his creation.

Pat's Party

2009-12-29T12:24:00.000-08:00

Every year in December I host a party at my house for the KidsZone team...those that work in the offices, or Key Directors. The party has to be the same every year, we have the same menu, (we have clam chowder, cheesy broccoli soup, little ham and cheese sandwiches, veggies, chips and dips, punch, and for dessert, Cherries in the Snow!) Yummo!

We also have the same activities. Everything is the same because they want it that way. I'm not allowed to change it. They love the comfortable, relaxing, FUN atmosphere. The REAL entertainment is the people. They just bring themselves, and they are sure FUNNY!!!!

Party Preparations are Ready

Everyone is having FUN

There are some negotiations going on here over the gift exchange.

Ask Charlene about the NILLA Wafers

What is SO FUNNY?

Testimonies

2009-11-13T01:34:00.000-08:00

This fall, among alot of other things, I have been leading a bible study group that is studying "Believing God", a Beth Moore Study. It has really been a good study (but then again, I don't normally engage in a study that I don't think is good...I always learn so much, and I LOVE it...and sometimes, I wish I could just do bible study all day long).

Anyway, we have had a very interesting assignment over the last couple of weeks. We have been talking about remembering God, and what he has done in our lives. So, we were to take our age, and divide it by 5, and then start writing your tesitmony accordingly...so, if you are 30, then what happened in years 0-6 that was of great impact to you or where you can see that God was there in spite of the circumstances.....and you continue that through each 5th of your life. Then, after you finish all of that, you put it on a timeline.

I found this project much more interesting as I completed it than when I started it. At first I was like, oh, I don't like this, b/c sometimes you don't like to recall things of your past that are not so pleasant...and you are thinking, I have moved past that, so why bring it up?

However, as I took the information and then put it on a timeline, I was really impressed as I could so clearly see God's thread in my life, for my whole life, even though as a child I was not raised in church. It is amazing how God places people in your life that know Him. Personally, I think often of the people in my life, neighbors, that took me to church when I was a child, and I think, they will never know here on earth, the impact that made on my life. I think often about my job, over the years, in children's ministries, I know we have touched the lives of thousands of children, and I often wonder what impact has been made, and again, for many of those lives, I will never fully know that until I get to heaven.

Also, it was amazing to see on paper just how active God has been in my life, and He is just as busy now as He was when I was younger.....and that is encouraging, like I guess He is not done with me yet!!!!

Anyway, so, yesterday, we took the time in bible study to have everyone share their testimonies, and I am still quite in awe of the women in my group. Many of them have been through very difficult circumstances during their lives, but they shared how God had been with them during that time, and how their relationship with God grew during those times......it is so amazing. I'll bet if you take the time to go deeper with the people in your circle of friends, you will find some amazing stories, just beneath the surface!

So, I'd like to leave you with 2 thoughts:

First of all, maybe you should try to write out your testimony like this. Divide your life into 5 sections, and write down what impacted you during those years, and where God was in your life during that time....then put it on a timeline....I think you will find it quite interesting.

Secondly, if you think you have been through alot of hard things in life, get to know other people, and have them share their lives with you....you might discover rather quickly that life has thrown alot of hardships on them as well, but that God has always been there for them. It is so often easier to see that God was there for you after the fact than when you are going through the difficulty, but He IS always there, and at work, and I think we would all be so much more encouraged in our Christian walk if we would share our testimonies more often of how God is at work daily in our lives.

Enjoying Fall

2009-11-09T07:10:00.000-08:00

The last week of October, Joel and I went up to PA to OhioPyle State Park. They have this really cool bike path there that is 20+ miles long, we went 17 miles one day and 12 miles the next day. Would have gone farther, but that bike seat was getting pretty hard by then! Below, you can see pictures along the way..........It was so peaceful and quite, OH MY GOSH, I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!

Enjoying Jacob

2009-10-26T04:51:00.000-07:00

So, I have not posted any pictures of little Jacob lately. He is almost 3 months old now, and of course we are enjoying him so much! My house has all sorts of baby equipment around again. (who knew that as soon as the last one moves all of their stuff out, that you start all over again?)

Faith in Action

2009-10-26T04:25:00.000-07:00

I am doing a Beth Moore Study called Believing God, and I really Love the study. We are taking a closer look at the Hall of Famers (Heb 11)......

What I always find amazing when you do bible study, is that you could have read the same story over and over before, and even taught the story, and yet, you miss the little details...(well, maybe you don't but I do sometimes)

So, we were studying about Joshua and Jericho. Now, you probably know that Joshua was a warroir, he was the head of the Israelite military.....and his speciality weapon was the sword...

So, he was heading to Jericho to conquer the city (as we know he had been very successful in doing, so he is heading up the road, and was was close to Jericho, and he looked up, and a man was standing in front of him with a drawn sword. Hummmmm....so, Joshua are you for us or against us? The guy tells him that he is the commander of the Lord's army....

Can you imagine that.....can you imagine being Joshua? What would you do.....would you believe the guy? ( I'd say probably not)...anyway, Joshua did believe him, and fell facedown and asked him what message he had from the Lord.....

Well, we all know the rest of the story....he told him that they were to march around the city for 6 days, and the priests were to carry trumpets. On the 7th day, they were to march around the city 7 times with the priests blowing trumpets.....and of course they did, and the walls collapsed, and the victory over Jericho was easy.

I have been so impressed by so many of the stories of the famed people in the hall of faith, but this one really stands out to me b/c God did not use Joshua's strengths...what he was trained in, BATTLE, instead, he resorted to his FAITH, and the victory was through faith.

Sometimes, I think having faith about something is harder than just fixing the problem with our natural abilities. It's harder sometimes to wait on God for an answer and just trust in him....but the amazing thing is that when you actually do that, the results are SO SO SO much better than what we can come up with. Wouldn't you rather march around and let the walls fall down, than to actually go into battle? I would too....

Ok, well, back to finding out what the other hall of famers are up to........

Returning to Life in the Fast Lane

2009-09-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

This seems to be my life. Life in the fast lane. I'd like to be in the middle lane, or maybe even the slow lane, but I can't seems to get over there, so, I guess in the fast lane I will remain.

People sometimes are surprised that my job is full time, or that I have a staff to help out with KidsZone. They wonder what in the world we do all day. Some people even think that if you work at the church, that life is easy for you....so, I thought I'd just take a moment of time to let you in on a day in the life of working in KidsZone.

So, I returned to work on a Wednesday (what was I thinking???)...my in box was so full of emails, I thought I'd never get caught up (that was to start with), and each email normally has something for me to do, or follow up on, so that takes time to follow up on things, make sure things are getting done, solve issues that arise, talk to people...sometimes one person, sometimes several people back and forth.

We share the building with the school, and they had just started school for the year. We always have to work things out between us so that we can all function easily during the year...it just takes alot of communication sometimes.

Then, there is Wed nights to think about. We were getting ready to start up for the fall, so that means you need to keep making phone calls to try to get enough help, and then have people come in for training, which, when they all can't come at the same time, that takes extra time, but it is very important.

Then there is Sunday morning coming fast. YOU HAVE to be ready for that. So, that means meeting with the children's church team to make sure we are all on the same page for all of the details for Sunday, and that everyone knows what their piece of the action is, then you divide and conquer. My piece is to make sure we have leaders for all of the small groups, make sure they have curriculum for that week, and make sure they know what they need to do. If people can't make it, then I need to email or call for subs...after all, you can't have kids and no leaders!!!

I also am in contact with the Preschool Director and Nursery Director to make sure that they have enough help for the upcoming Sunday, and that they are all ready to go.

Then choir is beginning on Sunday, so you need to have a choir meeting to make sure that everyone is all on the same page about choir, and work out any last minute details for the upcoming Sunday, so that things will run as smooth as possible.

Then there is AWANA to think about. They also start up on Sunday, so just like with the other groups, I am talking several times with the AWANA commander to make sure that everything is set and ready for them on Sunday.

All of these groups have a few special requests, which need to be taken care of, and each activity that will be running or starting has alot of people and details involved. I just work with the key leaders of each area, but still, it takes time. It is very important to me that all of our leaders feel supported and that we do whatever we can to make sure their needs are taken care of, so that they are equipped to minister to the children when they arrive.

On Wed, my first day back from vacation, I worked 12 hours just trying to get caught up and make sure that everyone was as ready as possible for the upcoming events. So, Welcome back to me!!

Thursday, another long day. I am also leading a ladies bible study, so that means I need to attend a meeting for that, and then of course I need to follow up with all the ladies attending my group. (I do attend bible study during work hours, but I come in way early so I don't lose the time b/c I can't get done if I do).

When I was finished with bible study, the KidsZone team had lunch together. We all brought our own lunches and ate together in Zone 56 and had birthday cake for one of the ladies. It is important to have team time together, and besides, we had a birthday to celebrate! Making each person on the team feel special and cared for is important.

Then it is on the children's church run through, and a race till the end of the day including a few not so good surprises, just more things that needed fixed.

Oh yes, and I forgot to mention that I answer alot of questions each day and make a lot of decisions...sometimes it is little decisions and sometimes it is bigger decisions, but life in my office is busy and buzzing most all of the time. Life in KidsZone is sort of like housework, there is always something else to do. I also didn't mention that I seem to get included in a lot of meetings too. So, if I can't be found, I'm usually in a meeting someplace :(

If we ever do feel like we are getting caught up, then we are normally planning for the future...so I guess the motto is, if you are getting bored with today, think about tomorrow. :)

I hope you can see though that life in KidsZone is full of life and energy, all of the time. I love my team, they are great, and the bottom line is that we are dedicated to ministering to the children, so whatever it takes.....

Now, it has been almost two weeks since I returned, and thankfully, all the fall activites are up and running smoothly...I LOVE THAT......now I just have to keep up with all of it week to week, continue to plan ahead, and deal with all the meetings and surprises!!!

Wonderful Vacation Time

2009-09-21T13:44:00.000-07:00

I love vacations....but they never seem quite long enough. At the end I'm always thinking, well, I could just be gone another week or two or three.....and then when I return home and to work, I think, I can't believe I thought I could take a vacation!! But, we do know that rest is good for the soul, and it was SO good!

We went to Hilton Head Island. I love that place. I love it because it is beautiful there, you can rent bikes and ride all over the place, and it's not too crowded.

Here is a picture from our room where we stayed. I LOVE this picture. I think I'd like to enlarge it and put it on a wall in my office. (I'm talking taking up the whole wall here!).

After a very restful, fun week at HHI, we drove to Atlanta to visit Joel's family. While we were there, we went to see the Hindu Temple. It is SO AMAZING. The detail inside is really something. The whole thing is put together without any nails. It is sort of like puzzle pieces that fit together. There are "gods" all over the place, and people come in and pay money so they can take part in a communion ceremony. I was sad as I saw all the different people coming in and laying on the floor to pray to and worship the statues of their "gods". It is very sad to know that these people believe that the statues will answer their prayers, and that they don't know the one true and living God. But, we can all learn from them about reverence and respect for their place of worship.

Following Directions

2009-08-20T06:33:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed when you buy something new, or try something new, there are usually directions to follow if you want to be successful? Well, I hate to stop and read the directions...I mean how boring is that? I'd much rather just sort of figure it out myself, or make up the directions myself....it is so much faster...don't you think?

With that in mind, I have had to laugh at myself several times this summer, as I made up my own directions with my fun habit of gardening. The directions say to plant radishes so many inches apart. (I read the directions, b/c they were SHORT).

Well, if you have seen a radish seed, it is SO SMALL, so, I figured well, why bother to plant them so far apart, I'll do the faster thing, and just you know, sprinkle them in the ground, I mean what is that going to hurt? Well, the result is that you don't get a radish worth eating. It's not good for anything. No good fruit. A wasted effort.

Then, I decided to plant tomatoes. Again, the directions say to plant them so far apart....and again, I decided I had a better idea, so I planted them closer together than that. Someone said I was suppose to prune them, so they would not get too tall, so I'd have better fruit, and well, I hate to cut things back, so I just let them go.

Well, you can see some of my tomato crop, it's good, but, I also have a tomato jungle!, and I really do wonder, if I HAD followed the directions, how many MORE tomatoes I could have had.....hummmmm...

So, of course, it makes me think about God, and what he thinks about us when we take the directions he gives us, and well, shall we say, add our own ideas to it. His word clearly tells us that we should not follow after our ideas....

Prov 3:5,6,7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes.

Ps 119:32-35 I am quick to follow your commands, because you have set my heart free. Lord, teach me to follow your orders. Then I will obey them to the very end. Help me understand your law. Then I will follow it and obey it with all my heart. Teach me to live as you command, because that makes me very happy. Make me want to follow your covenant laws instead of wanting to gain things only for myself. (Pat's paraphrase....instead of making up my own rules).

So, I am thinking that in keeping in line with trying to follow God's directions....and not adding to it or making up my own options, maybe I should try to do the same in other areas of my life.....I wonder how successful I will be at that?

Life's Blessings

2009-08-13T07:56:00.000-07:00

August 4, 2009

Jacob Andrew Stiles entered our lives, and we became grandparents.......

He better get use to me, b/c we are going to have fun together!!

Doesn't get much better than this!!!

Finishing up VBS

2009-08-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know that was a few weeks ago, but I promised some closing program pictures, so, I wanted to be sure to get those in before moving along to other things.

Our closing program was certainly a great time for all, and the Lord blessed us with great weather, great attendance, and great fellowship!!

Comfortable seating

Lots of great voices

Everyone got to sing :)

A good time was had by all

POST VBS

2009-07-29T13:26:00.000-07:00

What a great VBS week we had! We had over 600 children registered for VBS, and we had about 98% attendance every day. Everyone had such a good time!!

Over 70 children wanted to pray to have a personal relationship with Jesus! I LOVE THAT!!!

We had a great closing program with about 1,000 people out at the pavillion....what fun!

Everyone was in great spirits, a good time was had by all, and the Lord provided fantastic weather for us, even though it was raining around the area....but not on us!!!

Orange Day Opening Ceremonies

Green Day Opening Ceremonies

HOT DOG DAY!!

Check my next update for more fun VBS pictures!

VBS Prep

2009-07-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

VBS Crafts ready to go

So, everyone around here in KidsZone is in full swing today as we wrap up details for VBS Preparation. The craft room is piled high in anticipation of 600 eager children, we have boxes of cups lined up for snacks, nametags everywhere, we are building a forest and a cool cave for the bible room, and, all that has to be left sitting, while we do our run through for Sunday morning, because as we always know, no matter what else to you do during the week, Sunday comes around every week, ready or not....and well, we choose to be as ready as we can be!

Anyway, back to VBS PREP, I keep thinking today about the feeding of the 5,000 in the bible. I keep thinking of how simple it was for Jesus. He just prayed over the loaves of bread, and the fish, and boom, there was enough food to feed 5,000 people....can you just imagine what that looked like??? We just read over the story and think wow, that was a pretty cool thing....but, on the other hand, have you ever tried to prepare to feed 5,000 people?

Now, we are NOT feeding 5,000 next week, but, all in all, we WILL serve over 3,500 snacks during the week, and we have prepared over 3,000 crafts for the week...and I can see how many hands that takes, and how much time that takes....so, it just makes me appreciate the miracle of that story so much more, and really makes me focus again on how big God is......

It is awesome to look around and just watch God at work. I think He is always busy doing things, but sometimes we fail to take notice of what He has done that day. It is a blessing to be where God is at work, and be a part of that. We are looking forward the children next week, and sharing God and God's love with them, during bible school. It is a great and crazy time all at once.

Getting Started

2009-07-09T07:35:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is hard to get started on something new, don't you think? I have been pondering for several days now, just where to start on my blog. Anyone that knows me knows that my mind is normally in a whirl, thinking of a million things at one time, even if I am just sitting still, my mind is thinking of things...normally several things at once, maybe not even things that relate to each other, so with that in mind, you can see why it might be hard to figure out exactly where to start:)

So, I have decided to start with a very brief overview of my time here at CFC. I started this job in August of 1991....yes, that is NOT a TYPO, 1991....oh geesh....so, that now makes me the staff member that has been around the longest, and seen the most changes I guess. When I started this job, I was part time, and my staff was me. On a personal note, I had 3 children at home, a 5th grader, a 3rd grader, and a 5 year old. So, I was pretty busy trying to figure out how to juggle it all...and juggle I have done for years.

Today, I have a great team around me helping, both paid and unpaid staff....and many great volunteers. The church has changed so much over the years, and we understand that we must change with the times, in order to reach kids for the Lord, so we strive to stay current. Personally, all of my children have grown into great adults, and I still find myself juggling my life, so I can serve God in this capacity, and be there for my family all at the same time.

I feel strongly that we should bloom where we are planted, and since we are planted here in this very busy metropolian area, how can we reach the kids right here for the Lord? My sense is that so many kids here are so busy with life activities, I don't think they have alot of time for God in their life...and that makes me sad. So, what can we do to come along side of families and help them to teach their children about how important God should be in their lives? I want kids to know that God being in your life is not a once or twice a week activity, I want them to know how to walk with God every day.

Well, I think this is plenty of ponderings for one day.....stay tuned for more ponderings from Pat.

Turning Over A New Techno Leaf

2009-07-02T10:20:00.000-07:00

Crystal is helping me to set up my blog and Twitter's. So stay tuned for the ever changing Pat's Perspective.