Flower City Work Camp ~ 2018

April 6, 2018 | Stacy

Last week one of my kids asked me, “Mom, why are you always so busy?”
I replied, “Because you are, honey.”

You being plural, of course.

I firmly believe in being engaged in what they do. The last few years the boys have done FCWC. I was part of a Sidewalk Club last year and resumed my role this year.

John had his first year as a Worksite Leader.

Stewart’s college classes interfered with him taking part in the traditional way, but he was able to plug in to helping with some of the A/V needs and getting to hear some sermons.

Nigel was eager to do another year on a worksite, and we twisted Marie’s arm to participate this year.

It was ridiculously cold. And we endured one nasty, NASTY windstorm Wednesday.

Marie ended up coming home early because she was not feeling well. She even fell asleep at her worksite…

I don’t have a good photo of Nigel, but every time I saw him he was grinning ear-to-ear.

It was pretty wonderful.

A mountain top weekend.

March 26, 2018 | Stacy

Some seasons, we find ourselves in the valleys of life; we walk through hard places and experience painful refining.

Other times we are wholly on top of the mountain, just basking in all that is good and joy-filled and life-giving.

On Friday afternoon, it suddenly dawned on me as I dropped off my boys at the Charles Finney School that I was having a mountain-top weekend.

For starters, Marie, Tabitha and Johanna were performing in the church’s production, “Who Can He Be?” This is the same production our church did in 2012 and 2013. I was able to participate in 2012, and John participated in 2013. Marie and Tabitha were also in both of those shows, albeit as markedly younger performers. This time around, both are part of the adult ensemble and had much larger roles.

The boys and I were able to go to the dress rehearsal on Wednesday, March 21st, and I was able to watch a second time on Thursday, March 22nd.

I was blown away by the musical. Though I had been in it in 2012, I had never watched the entire production from start to finish. My sister, Kelly, also played the woman at the well.

My joy would have been complete if that was where it ended.

Oh boy – that’s only half the story.

Since December, Stewart and Nigel have been practicing at the Charles Finney School to be part of their production, “Acts – A City Rising,” a modern retelling of the book of Acts.

Stewart was cast as Saul of Tarsus/Paul, and Nigel was cast as Isaac, a zealous defender of God and persecutor of Christians.

As I dropped them off for their cast call on Friday and hurried home to get the girls ready for their performance and over to the church it dawned on me how this is the kind of joy-filled weekend I had to hang on to. Remembering just how abundantly we were blessed for this weekend should constantly remind me of how God loves us. My kids – my HOMESCHOOLED kids – get to be part of fabulous, Godly stage productions. How cool is that?

I could blow up the internet with images of the boys’ production. They put in almost 100 hours of rehearsal. Stewart met with Mr. Carl Wager many, many times as Mr. Wager helped him advance his singing abilities. I had no idea the treat I was in for as my son sang triumphantly as he conveyed Saul/Paul’s life.

As the boys and I left the production Friday evening, they asked if I had cried at the end. I confessed I had not and they were disappointed. Truth-be-told, I think I was in shock. I believe it wasn’t until after the third production that I truly grasped the full story; until that point I think I was just absorbing, “Those are my handsome boys! There are my handsome boys!”

I feel like I know the apostles so much better after this show. And I am in awe even more of how much God loves us and how He grew the church. I can barely express how moved I was by this musical. What is more, I can barely express how generous God is.

Soccer Smiles and Winning Miles

March 9, 2018 | Stacy

(Corny… I know.)

Mrs. Marshall organized some indoor mixed soccer for the varsity kids to get them some winter/spring play time.

Meanwhile, Johanna and Tab had cars racing in the Pinewood Derby at church.

I can’t find the photos of their cars anywhere!!!

But I think Johanna was happy with her trophy…

Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Making music move

December 22, 2017 | Stacy

The oldest three sang with the adult choir for Christmas, and Tab and Johanna sang with the Children’s Choir. Both groups went to a local Senior Living facility tonight to share some musical Christmas joy.

Though you can’t see him… Nigel is there too.

You’re a mean one…

December 3, 2017 | Stacy

Blanca, Newsboys, and God hugs

November 18, 2017 | Stacy

When we heard that one of Marie’s favorite recording artists, Blanca, was going to be an opening act for The Newsboys on the Big Church Night Out tour, we got tickets for her and John to attend (Mama had to work & Tab was sleeping over at Nan’s).

They had great seats and seriously enjoyed all the artists.

That would have been enough for a memorable evening with Daddy.

But then on the way out they bumped into our friend Mrs. Crandall. Mrs. C had two backstage passes to meet the Newsboys, but had a family group of more than two, so she offered the passes to John and Marie.

Pretty snazzy, huh?

Psalm 135:3
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!

Happy Help

November 18, 2017 | Stacy

It’s amazing how much a busy mom can accomplish on a busy Saturday morning when she has two joy-filled teenagers working to help her.

Nigel brought his Johnny Cash CD and they both provided elbow grease and happy hearts.

I Thess 4:11 – And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,

Championship Game

October 26, 2017 | Stacy

Marie’s modified soccer team made it to the championship game. Unfortunately, it was on the WORST field ever. One corner of the field is on a hill… I’m not making that up. So if the ball goes out in that corner, they have to move the ball to another corner for a corner kick. The field is also on a slight hill.

These awesome kids played so well. They didn’t even buckle when the ref made multiple questionable calls. Their wonderful coach sets such a great example of humility and nobility.

My sweet SK girl cried on the way home.

She’s not sad because they lost. She’s sad because it is over.

Goal!

October 16, 2017 | Stacy

SK games are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, except when they are on Mondays.
Mommy works on Fridays and Saturdays, except when she works on Mondays.

Marie got a goal on Monday, October 16 while Mommy was at work.
Really.

But – this is where I love our fabulous God’s care for us.
Marie recently started attending youth group. Her youth pastor, D.L. had sent out an informative email a few weeks back and mentioned if our kids had games, or concerts, or meets, etc., to let him know as he enjoys supporting the kids in their endeavors. Well – it had dawned on me when I read that email to let him know about Marie’s games. But I let it go, because the youth group is HUGE this year and I thought it was better not to add to his load when he could maybe concentrate on the oldest kids who would be leaving youth group sooner; Marie has years of soccer in front of her.

However, this morning I felt a huge ~~nudge~~ push of the Holy Spirit to let D.L. know Marie had two upcoming home games. I argued with the Holy Spirit for a while and finally decided I would just let D.L. know, but also let him know we had zero expectation he needed to attend at all, much less these two upcoming games.

Hours later, after the text was forgotten, I was in the med room at work. Nan had taken Marie to the game and was texting me play-by-plays. Then there it was – the text, “Marie got a goal!” Tears of both joy and regret sprung to my eyes. How had I missed that? I struggled and talked to God about my anger, disappointment, and also about how weary I am in general with my aggressive October work schedule. My good God comforted me, and I pushed through my responsibilities.

About an hour later I was having dinner and I got this image on my phone from D.L.