Urgent: Please pray!

Doctors have discovered a large tumor in the lower abdomen of a dear family friend, Larry. Please pray for his healing and recovery! Please pray for strength and peace for his very large and loving family. Larry's life has been a testimony of faith . . . may his testimony grow bigger!

A Little Bit Sad Today . . .

Well, I did it. I had to resign as coordinator of MNO - the Single Mom's Night Out program. I feel really sad about my resignation . . . I didn't resign due to lack of vision . . . I didn't resign due to lack of passion . . . I didn't resign because I'm a quitter. I have lots of vision and passion; and I am definitely not a quitter.

You see, I've just decided that it's healthy to say 'no' once in a while. I'm a 'yes' girl. I love to say 'yes.' I love a project, I love coming up with ideas and I love seeing those ideas turn into reality. I have fully loved MNO and the women who attend and I still do.

I've decided that I have to put my family first. My first and most important ministry is to the littles who reside in our home. MNO requires lots of time that ends up coming from my family -- and my weekend job at the sleep clinic does, too.

I'm really going to miss being a part of MNO and even more I'm going to miss the moms. However, I am really excited about what Jesus is doing in our little family and I am so glad to be a part of it.

Olives and Onions

My sweet baby girl is snacking on olives marinated in garlic and baby onions marinated in balsamic vineagr. I think it's safe to say she has her mama's taste buds.

I've been trying to rev myself up for the new season of MNO -- a monthly dinner I coordinate, organize and emcee for single moms from our area. We offer free childcare, a free restaurant-quality dinner, practical living learning sessions, relationship building and more.

I just can't seem to get any get up and go. I love what we do; I know that it's relevant, important to the moms, and it's where Jesus' heart beats. Yet I still feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the tasks that lay ahead . . . all of the planning, the recruiting, the scheduling, the long Fridays of the event (where I head straight to the sleep clinic after to work my 3rd shift weekends.)

As much as I love, even SAVOR this monthly ministry event, I must confess . . . I am feeling like there is a whole lotta stuff to be done and not a whole lotta me.

Well, I meant to post more, but garlic-breath (Vivi) is getting into the pots and pans. More later . . .

A Review of The Read and Share Toddler Bible from Thomas Nelson Publishers

The Read and Share Toddler Bible is a perfect addition to your family library if you have children up to the age of four years. My three and half year old and I have really enjoyed reading it together at bedtime since it arrived in the mail. I've also been including my 9 month old in our bedtime readings and I think she is having fun with it, too.

The stories, retold by Gwen Ellis, are written and designed to hold the *short* attention span of my wiggly littles. At the end of each story, a suggestion is given for a discussion or activity to help further implant the heart of the story on your child's heart. For example, after reading the story of how Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah instead of Rachel, parents are encouraged to talk to their kids about how we eventually get what we give. To tell our little ones about how to be kind to others and to let them know that God is happy when he or she is kind. After the conclusion of several stories (all re-telling the tale of Joseph; his brother's jealousy, being sold into slavery, sent to jail, rise to ruler in Egypt and saving the country and his family from famine) parents are encouraged to help their littles understand that God can make even bad things turn out to be good things - because He loves us.

This book does a good job of pointing the need for and the way to Jesus through the stories chosen to re-tell from the OT and the NT. Each story is simplified for the kids understanding without losing the impact, importance or value. This is an excellent tool for parents to utilize in building up the foundation of their kids' faith through familiarity. It's also great time spent during family reading time.

I also wanted to mention that the DVD that comes along with the book is excellent -- even my 8 year old loved watching it. The DVD version goes a little more in depth and I really enjoy watching it with my kids - that's right, we're going to keep on watching the DVD and reading the book. Well done!

My sweet girl!

Vivian . . . just like her name says; lively . . .so full of life! She is everything we prayed for and dearly loved by every member of our little family.

More summer 2009

T.G.I.S!

Ahhhh, the weekend is almost over!

You read it right. I'm thankful it's finally Sunday morning and I'm almost done with work and I can't wait to walk into my house amongst familiar surroundings and see sweet little chubby cheeks and have little arms wrap around my neck and hear the words, "Mommy, can you get me milk-a-milk?"

Sunday! I'll warm up Cam's 'milk-a-milk' (yep, he likes it warm - even complains if it's not warm enough,) I'll kiss Carter and Vivans' cheeks, I'll promise my husband that I'll only sleep for a couple of hours and then I'll wake up to enjoy our sweet little family.

I'm so grateful to be blessed with a job that I enjoy and that allows me to do my full-time, unpaid, most important jobs . . . wife and mom.

*Yawn* Good night!

What does it look like to follow Jesus?

I used to think it meant smiling a lot, encouraging words, bringing something to a potluck and maybe helping out with the nursery or the worship team.

Thankfully, it's not *just* that at all.

In these past 5 years or so of following Jesus at Vineyard I've learned that attending church has absolutely nothing to do with my comfort level or my being 'fed.' I've learned that it's not about ME at all.

I've learned that Jesus has called me to action. To feed the hungry, visit the sick or imprisoned. To disciple and be discipled. I've learned that I'm not following Jesus if I can walk past someone hurting or hungry and do nothing.

I've learned that being a friend, a good friend, doesn't just mean being nice and giving a shoulder to cry on. It might also mean being 100% truthful *in love,* even if it stings a little. I've learned that while we are supposed to enjoy our relationships we are also supposed to sharpen each other.

I've learned to not be easily offended. I'm learning to be humble and gentle.

Mostly . . . I've learned that's it not about me. I'm not the center of the universe.

Growing in Him,

Amanda