Matchy–Matchy II

June 21, 2021 | Stacy

A few years ago, Madeline provided dresses for Matchy-Matchy (as their family calls it). This year we were able to do so.

I hope they think of the other one whenever they wear their dresses after we’ve gone.

July 2020 – Matchy- Matchy

Egg-stra special

April 3, 2021 | Stacy

Busy = fun, right?

After some fun playdates in the morning, we headed over to church for a special event. The girls decorated eggs for a contest.

Johanna got first place for her age group.

Johanna’s egg had people from the New Testament.

Katriel’s flower was made up of her foot traced. She picked the scripture, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” and she wrote it herself. It was lovely.

Marie and Tab got ribbons, as well.

Marie’s had Pooh and friends flying a kite.

Tab did a lovely Noah’s ark.

There was also chalking and popcorn and church family we hadn’t seen in ForEvEr.

Katriel didn’t get a ribbon – since I had “helped” her a little, her egg was placed in a different “family” category.

Katriel’s Baptism

March 28, 2021 | Stacy

Oh – that I would have seen this joy with my own eyes.

A few weeks ago, while we were finishing up with story time, Katriel turned to me and stated, “Mom, I want to be baptized.” Can you imagine the spirit within me leaping with gratefulness?

Right after the sermon on Sunday, John walked Katriel up to speak with Pastor Tim, and a few nights later he and Miss Polly came by to talk with Katriel about what it meant.

We told Stewart and Noelle, and also William and his family, that the special day was coming. They all joined us at PCC for the morning.

Katriel grabbed a small hug as she came up.

We had a small lunch back at home with our friends.

And Miss Barb brought some special frog cupcakes from her favorite bakery on the west side.

This was super special for a few reasons.

First – Katriel almost drowned a few years ago. We don’t really talk about it. But even getting her face wet is dramatic.

Second – the rest of us were baptized together in 2018. She was really too young to grasp it, but what a joy it is for me to know she arrived at this moment 100% on her own.

Fun with Friends

October 17, 2020 | Stacy

Tabby received an invite to hang out with some girlfriends from church as some of the boys did Airsoft.

Not going to lie, I can’t tell exactly which boy is which.

But I remember when each of these girls were born. They have truly grown up together. Not necessarily call-each-other-every-day thing. But none of them can remember a time they did not know each other. I think that is kind of cool.

Youth Group Retreat

September 26, 2020 | Stacy

Instead of a weekend long retreat for the youth group, we were afforded just one day. Thankfully, it was exceptionally good weather and we were able to pack a lot in.

We had two lessons on Make it Matter.

Marie and Sophia offering song.

February 16, 2020 | Stacy

DL was able to record this from where he was sitting.
I am so blessed by how these two have been able to work together this year.

Psalm 147:1
Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

Praise team

February 2, 2020 | Stacy

DL shared this image from service today. Marie has been participating in the praise team on both guitar and as a vocalist.

Psalm 95:1
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

Youth Leadership Training

September 21, 2019 | Stacy

I know, I know… insert joke here

(1) Don’t you know how to lead youth yet?
(2) Shouldn’t you have done this a decade ago?
(3) Don’t you know you are too old?

Here’s the deal. God has a great sense of humor.

If you spend 10 minutes with me you will quickly get the sense that I am Busy. And while God knows this, He also loves me dearly and knows me intimately.

Last August the youth group congregated at our house for a Wednesday night Swim and Study. And as I was talking with Jen Fisk and asking her lots of questions I suddenly became aware of the fact that I was not just asking with polite interest, but I was actually being called into the group. I flushed the idea immediately because I am Very Busy. And. I am afraid of teenagers.

But the following Sunday there I was again opening my mouth and telling Jen I wanted to come along side her with the ever growing younger age group (at that time Tiffany was ministering to the older girls and Jen to the younger). During that same season, Gabby was also coming into the leadership side as she had graduated high school.

I don’t know who was most surprised by my words. The Youth Pastor, D.L? His wife Tiffany? John? The kids? Me? Yeah. I’m sure we were all wondering, “Are you kidding?”

I went to the first meeting absolutely sure I was going to stand out as a sore thumb. What did I know about being cool? Ok. I don’t know anything about being cool. I figured I’d have to fake it. I mean, I’ve pulled off FCWC the last three years, even though I have no idea what I’m doing…

Somehow I made it through the first week, and actually really looked forward to the next week. Then the next week, I really looked forward to the following week.

•The games time was hysterical (even that header I took on my face was memorable).
•I sincerely enjoyed the teaching. Even though the messages are meant “for the kids” I find myself learning something new every single week.
•Our small group time was precious. Gabby and I enjoyed having small group with the 6th and 7th graders; what they shared was truly special. Answering their questions and encouraging them to share got less scary week after week. (This year I have grades 6 & 7, Gabby has 8th, Jen has 9th and Tiffany has 10th-12th.)

Somewhere along the way – no idea when – I got the feeling that I wasn’t faking it. I wasn’t exactly metamorphosed into a cool person. But I realized that just being a listener who loved Jesus and who wanted them to love Jesus was a great starting place. Meanwhile we’ve had some opportunities to learn more about leadership along the way and I feel more and more like God blessed ME the most of anyone in the group. D.L. equips us with talking points and with the help of the Holy Spirit it’s been rich and wonderful.

So – this photo was taken after a National Youth Leadership simulcast we got to attend. My mind was blown away and I am so grateful for the opportunity to spend this kind of time with the kids and the other leaders.