An awesome night last night!

YOUTH GROUP WAS AWESOME LAST NIGHT!

We have a "rough crowd" for youth group. Most of these kids are brought in on a bus from the projects. They have a hard time understanding what respect is toward those in authority, and worship time is a free pass to talk, laugh and fool around no matter how many times we approach them about it. Usually they look at us, hear what we're saying and then continue on.

But, God is working, and I can see it! I'll just list a couple of things that are amazing to me:

• New worship team with leaders who connect with these kids in a different way than Paul and I can (musically speaking)
• Kids are actually singing along to the music!! I heard it with my own two ears last night!
• Lots of new-comers. A chance to start new relationships!
• A new girl has been coming who has a spirtual maturity and a desire mentor some of the girls in our youth group (who live in her neighborhood). She's actually spoken with them about how respect is necessary during worship, prayer and the message! She'll be leaving for VFCC next year, and I will be sad to see her go.
• Kids getting along!!
• Deeper connections!

We're on our way to some structure and a healthy youth group atmosphere. I just feel like God had to do some pruning, and now we're on our way to growing in a much healthier way. We're starting things over new and fresh, and I just thank God for that opportunity! I am just so excited and amazed to see what God is going to do with our youth group in the coming year. With prayer and discipleship, I really believe that these kids can grow in their walk with God and develop a spiritual maturity and know what it's like to be firmly planted in the Lord!

Just wanted to share my excitement! Praise God!!

Sophie's Middle of the Night Chat

Early this morning, Sophie woke up. It was 3:30AM. She didn't cry, she didn't fuss either! She simply just wanted to talk. She layed there for almost 30 minutes just baby talking. It was adorable! If I wasn't so tired, I would have snuck in there and chatted with her, but I couldn't get myself out of bed! (I would have if she was crying).

I just like to think she was talking to Jesus or an angel. That's such a comforting and beautiful thought. :)

A Prayer by Billy Graham

I received this in an email today, and WOW:

Billy Graham's prayer aired by Paul Harvey

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God.'

Best place to be is in God's presence

I know I've said it before, but I really do work at an awesome company! There are several men here who realize the need for prayer and will take a half hour out of their busy schedules to join together and pray for unity as employees in our company, for the business and its prosperity, for each and every family represented here in the office, for the salvation of others here in our office, and for other prayer needs. I unfortunately don't have the opportunity to join them in the conference room, but I am on the other side of the door, and can agree with them. Besides, I can have my own little prayer time and know that God is listening. :) But, I just wanted to say how blessed I am to work at a place that allows this! I hope what went on in our conference room this morning is the start of something that will happen daily! :)

Not the best blogger

So, I'm not so great at blogging, and I think I want try to work at that. We'll see how it goes. So much has taken place in the past few months! I guess I'll just give an update!

About Sophie:
Well, she's grown 5 inches since she was born. Our tall little sweetie is now 26 inches long, and she is only 3 months old. She's a lot of fun, and she's definitely got some personality! A bit of drama queen, and a whole bunch of sweetie-pie! She's just awesome! I miss her every minute I'm not with her! Now that I'm back to work (full-time), it's been a little hard on me emotionally, but I'm working through it. You'd think it would make sense to go to work because I'd be providing extra income, but when you have to pay a baby-sitter, 5 days a week, things get REALLY tight. Money is spent before it even gets in the bank. We haven't been steady financially since Sophie has been born, and it's tough trying to get back on track. Will we ever? I pray we do! God knows what we need. And even though we never have money in our checking account long enough to even see it, we know that God is providing all of our needs when we need them met. Thank You God! Here are some pics of Sophie:

The Youth Group:
Since Paul and I have taken over, we have had some challenges. We recently lost our only youth helpers and our worship leader - Micah and his fiance Sam. We love them dearly, and are still great friends and understand their need to move on. However, God again, as proven Himself faithful this need as well. The very week after they said their "good-byes," our Sunday morning worship leaders started doing worship for the youth group, and also stay in with us for some extra leadership. We've also gained another youth helper, and he's AWESOME and perfect for the job.

Paul and I don't have much as far as instrumental abilities. I can sing, and that's all, and Paul doesn't play an instrument or sing. So, we had no way to help our youth develop in this area. But since our worship leaders started helping us, we've had about 5 kids say they'd be interested in either learning bass, drums and guitar. Some have had a little bit of experience already, which is aweome. The cool thing is, Denny (worship leader) knows how to play all of these instruments, and has a heart to teach these youth and help them develop these talents. So, before we know it, it looks like we're going to have our very own youth band! God's so great!

So, I guess that's what has been happening on this end. I'm going to try to blog more often. Until then, may God's blessings pour into your life like the falls pour into the Niagra River. :)