Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

This has been a good week so far. God is good!!

The jewelry party we held for Elaine went really well. It was nice to visit with all the guests. We had fun looking at the jewelry and eating the really yummy food! I pray that Elaine's new business does extremely well for her.

Sunday was a very long day. I got to church about 9:00am and left after 6:00pm. After I was through with the Cuerpo Vivo service, I worked more on Mission Rogers and then had meetings with Brian, Landon and Sheree. I was good and tired by the time I got home. I had some quick take out for dinner and then worked more on the details for Mission Rogers until bedtime. I enjoy this kind of work.

Monday morning started early at the church, checking in the kids as they were dropped off for Mission Rogers to begin. After a quick meeting and prayer, the kids took off for their assigned work projects. Overall, we are working at over 20 locations and projects all over the city and our church building. Over 60 kids heading out twice a day for work details, coming back to the church for 3 meals a day, sleeping and showering at the church. Add in a couple of evenings of worship services, a swimming party, bowling night, a couple of mega group games and I think the kids will feel that they have had a full week.

So far we have worked at Helping Hands Thrift Store (gardening/landscaping & working with donations of clothing & household items), Loving Choices Pregnancy Center (power washing parking lot & sidewalks, weeding/mowing, cleaning windows), Benton County Juvenile Detention Center (prepping and painting, sharing testimonies), Samaritan Community Centers in Rogers and Springdale (helping serve free meals, outdoor work, working with donations), working at 3 city parks (cleaning and landscaping), Main Street Rogers warehouse (cleaning & organizing the Christmas decorations for the city streets), Saving Grace (landscape work in a courtyard, sorting donations, cleaning rooms), 3 days of Back Yard Bible Clubs in 2 locations (Bellview school & Double Tree Apartments), Humane Society Animal Shelter (caring for dogs & cats), Northside Elementary school (landscaping & clean up). We have also had teams that have helped at FBCR doing the following: cleaning baseboards, doorframes and windowsills in the whole church, helping to unload a semi at the new building, helping to sort and pack items for the Children's ministry, mulched 2 flower beds, organizing & moving the puppet ministry supplies and other Local Ministry supplies, helping with the Food Pantry, weeding around the building, and helping organize some equipment for the Media ministry.

Still on the schedule for the rest of the week are: returning to Samaritan Community Center in Rogers & Springdale, Northside School, Helping Hands Thrift Store, Humane Society, Benton County Juvenile Detention Center, both Back Yard Bible Clubs, 2 more city parks, FBCR Food Pantry, for continued work. We will also go to the NWA Women's Shelter (organizing donations), Soul's Harbor Homeless Shelter (sorting donations), help distribute brochures for Upward sports, and clean up the areas of the church that we have been using this week, as well as clean up all the church vans. On Friday, we hope to all meet at the new building site to pray for the transition of moving to the new building.

I think I've covered everything... The kids have been great to keep going out to get dirty and sweaty to serve others. It's definitely a full week! And we are thankful for all the prayer cover. The weather has been great. Only in the 80's (not the 90's of last week) and no storms. Thank you Lord!!!

There are lots of adult and college leaders helping out this week. Also, a great team of kitchen helpers have been working in shifts with head cook, Janet, all week long. Lots of good food and I'm eating way too many homemade cookies! Pray for me to have some self-control! The food sure is yummy!!!

I popped in for part of the Youth Worship Service tonight. I enjoy worshiping with them. I left before the huge dodgeball game started, though.

It will be another full day tomorrow, so I'll hit the bed for now. I get to sleep in my own bed and am very thankful!!! I hope the kids get some good sleep on the floor at the church. :)

Friday, June 25, 2010

Friday, June 25, 2010

Friday night and I'm good and tired.
It's been a good couple of days of productivity, rest, fellowship and blessings.

Yesterday, I went on my walk early, then got some computer work done. I went to Pea Ridge to pick up something from a pharmacy (and to say hi to Michael!), so while there I checked out some good deals at Fred's Discount Store. (God is putting some really cheap stuff in front of me.) Then I was blessed to have lunch with my dear friend Zandra. We went to a little cafe and had our favorite cobb salad. It is so delicious there. The chicken is marinated in some yummy stuff. We don't even ask for dressing. On the way back in to Rogers, I stopped at the Women's Shelter Thrift Store and found some baseball caps for Nic for only 50 cents each. woohoo.

Last night I get to spend some time with my wonderful friend Becca. It was the first time we have went out with just the two of us. I really enjoy her company. She is an awesome woman and mamma. I admire her very much. We went to one of our favorite restaurants, Taste of Thai. We ended up sitting there for hours just talking. About 9:30 we noticed that they were turning off the 'open' sign, so we asked if they were closing. It turns out that they actually close at 9:00, but were too respectful to us to tell us to leave. They were very sweet to us.

Today, Cora went with me this morning to run some more errands for Mission Rogers. We hit 4 stores in less than 2 hours. We did good!!! She is such a joy to be with. I was telling her how much I enjoyed her company when shopping. She asked what I will do when she is gone back to Las Vegas. I told her I would probably have to go to the stores over and over because I would forget the things that she helps me to remember. And it will be lonely to shop without her.

I got some more computer stuff done for Mission Rogers and then took 3 of the Janes kids to help me post some BYBC flyers at the apartment complex. I can always count on those kids to help me out with work. It's wonderful to have help just a phonecall away.

This evening I made a couscous chicken salad for tomorrow's Jewelry party brunch. Deanna made some muffins and Elaine is going to make some quiche and more muffins. It will be yummy!

The jewelry party will be fun. I don't wear a lot of jewlery, but it will be nice to see pretty things and to visit with friends. I know that Elaine will do a wonderful job of demonstrating. It will be fun to see her using some of the display goodies that we have found on our excursions for bargains.

I can't believe that I leave for Nic just 2 weeks from tomorrow. I've been so busy with Mission Rogers that it hasn't really sunk in my mind how close the date is. I'm excited and have been gathering items to take down there to give away and have been sewing some hot-weather clothing to wear. It's been fun.

Mission Rogers preparation is coming along very well. Landon has been very busy assigning kids to the work projects. I've been working on confirming the details of the locations as well as picking up more supplies and working on little projects to be ready. I'm enjoying it a lot. I think many people will be touched next week. Awesome!

Well, time for bed. I've enjoyed another day of God's blessings and surprises. He is awesome. And I am thankful.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Another busy day and feeling nicely tired. I love going to bed when I feel like I've really accomplished something that day.

Last Saturday I got up early and took a long walk. I was in a very tender mood emotionally and enjoyed a good, cleansing cry on a park bench. Sometimes you just need one of those. I can't even remember what all I did that day, but I know I was spending a lot of time speaking to God about various things.

Sunday was Father's Day and the papa's at Cuerpo Vivo really enjoyed their gifts that Cora helped me put together (flashlight keychains and bookmarks). It was a beautiful, sunny day... just perfect for relaxing.

Monday and Tuesday were great days to get my walk in early before it got too hot. I just love being outside. Monday evening I went with Deanna and the kids to her grandson, Kennon's birthday dinner. He ended up getting his head smashed into the cake. Thankfully, we all got a piece of it before it was destroyed. It was a great cake! Poor Kennon had chocolate icing all over his head. His dad caught it on his iPhone, so it's posted on facebook for posterity.

This week has been busy so far with getting things done for Mission Rogers next week. I get some good computer time accomplished in the den as well as time at the church printing off stuff I've worked on. Some errands and shopping for items for the Missions week round out my days. Tuesday, Elaine and I went shopping for some things that she needed. I ran into some really good deals on a few more dresses to wear in Nic and also some children's hats to take to the kids in Nic. We found some good items for Elaine's new business, too. She says I'm a great bargain finder. I love the challenge!!

Our book study on Crazy Love was really good last night. It's so good to review this book and to get to discuss it with some very insightful ladies. This book really convicts me on so many levels. It makes me want to strive to get closer and closer to God and spend my time totally devoted to Him. I fail at it often, as we all do, but it makes me more aware and I will try to be better about it.

Tonight I got to share a little with the Youth kids who will be part of Mission Rogers next week. It will be so fun to see God at work through these kids. It really blesses my heart.

I'm running to Pea Ridge tomorrow to pick up something, so I'll have lunch with my friend Zandra. I can't wait to see her. We just don't get together often enough. We all need to slow down and spend time with loved ones.

I have a lot of running around to do to finish getting ready for next week, and I think that Cora will like helping me out with those errands. She is such a wonderful little helper. And she has such a caring heart for people. It's hard to believe that she's only 7 1/2 sometimes. She is going to be a wonderful evangelistic young lady as she grows up. She inspires me.

Time for bed. Another night of sweet sleep. I'm going to bed exceptionally thankful tonight. God has blessed my life so much.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Friday, June 18, 2010

It's been an interesting couple of days. Some stressful stuff, some happy stuff. Right now my mind feels like it's in a vacuum.

I was blessed to be able to walk yesterday and this morning before it got too hot. It's so beautiful outside. While walking, I saw an armadillo squashed beside the road. I took a picture of it today and posted it on facebook with the caption "life without Christ". For some reason that poor flat creature with his innards baking in the sun seemed to resonate with me right now.

I had a very good blessing (in a round-about way). One of the huge things on my plate that needed to be organized before I leave for Nic in 3 weeks was Back To School Bash in August. Due to scheduling conflicts, it has been postponed to later in Sept and we'll just call it something else. This took a lot of pressure off of my overloaded timetable for now. Thank you Lord so much for looking out for me always in every way.

I've been in kind of a funk all day, feeling like I'm letting people down in some way or another. I think it's mostly the enemy trying to steal my joy and distract me from my work. But no matter what I feel emotionally, I know that God is beside me all the time. It's during the uncertain times with life that I learn to trust more in my relationship with God. He's all that matters to me. What He thinks of me and how He feels about me is what counts.

Cora and JD (Deanna's grandkids) helped me with a couple of projects for Nic and Cuerpo Vivo. Cora also helped me grocery shop today. She's a really good helper.

Tomorrow I need to spend a big chunk of time on a project for Mission Rogers and then plan to take a good nap. Perhaps I'll sew up another dress for Nic. I have some chicken breasts marinating in 3 different concoctions in the fridge. One is Mexican spices, one is Oriental and the third is Mediterranean. I'll cook these up and have them ready for some special salads. I picked up some special items like calamatta olives and feta cheese for the Med salad, peppers & cilantro & avocado for the Mex salad, and water chestnuts & bean sprouts & mandarin oranges for the Oriental salad. Special dressings for all. Yum! I can't wait to fill up on them this week! And I can share them with Elaine, too.

Cora and I picked up some special treats for her and JD while they are here. Popcorn, ice cream (including toppings and cones), juice boxes, etc. We got a couple of ball caps for them to decorate as a rainy-day project. Deanna says that I have spoiled her dog and her grandkids. Yep, that's my job!!

Well, time for bed yet again. Sweet rest. I'm going to imagine myself curled up in the palm of God's hand. No better place to be.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Another week has gone by and much has happened. God is so busy all around. I'm glad He allows me to jump on board the train as it passes by me.

I spent Thursday morning checking in on Miss Juanita and then running around town to find deals on stuff of Nic, Cuerpo Vivo, local missions, etc. I ran across some really good bargains. It was a very nice day.

The car only needed a new battery, so I got that taken care of with the help of a friend. Now it happily cruises down the road. (I think it secretly wants a good bath and grooming sometime soon)

I got to spend some time with Mrs. Pauline on Friday while we worked on stuffing the bulletin for church. It was nice to catch up with her. We discussed my being a Missionary in Residence. I think it's hard for some people to understand that you can live and serve as a missionary in your hometown. I actually get to serve here in Rogers for FBCR, serve with Cuerpo Vivo, and also go to Nicaragua on trips to serve with Voice of Hope Ministries. It's a good fit for me.

I spent time running back and forth doing errands, having meetings, visiting Miss Juanita, and taking care of the livestock at home. It was fun, but I always worry I will forget to be somewhere.

Saturday was a day of catching up on projects at the house. I sewed some dresses for Nicaragua, sorted some gifts/prizes to take to Nic, prepared the gifts to be given to the dads at Cuerpo Vivo on Father's Day, did laundry, fixed an awesome salad and most importantly took a good nap!

Sunday was a nice time at Cuerpo Vivo. We had a guest speaker from Nicaragua. Many of our congregation are traveling this summer or out of pocket working at Camp War Eagle. Even if we are down in numbers on some Sundays, it's still a sweet time of worship. Wednesday small groups are doing very well and there is spiritual growth and close fellowship. God is really blessing the church.

The plans for Mission Rogers Youth Week are moving along nicely. We have 60+ kids and 15 locations/projects spread throughout the week. I think the kids are really going to get a blessing as they serve others. I'm enjoying working with Brian, Landon, Mary Claire, Misty and Sheree on the plans so far.

I'm very busy trying to finalize the work projects for the Youth week, getting everything done ahead for Cuerpo Vivo, planning the Back To School Bash and the School Supplies project that will happen after I return from Nic, but need to be planned before I leave in 3 weeks. I'm starting to get a little stressed about accomplishing it all. I know if I leave it to God to make the plans and guide me, He will work things out as they should be. I just need to focus on Him to help me know what, when, where and how. If I'm stressed, it means that I'm not focusing on and trusting in Him. A lesson I have to learn every day.

Monday night I got to go to a little fellowship outing with Deanna's ABF class. We went to Dress Barn women's store and shopped and tried on clothes and just hung out being ladies. A few of us went to Mimi's Cafe for a snack and chat. It was a very nice evening. Since I was sitting in for Deanna, I called her in Las Vegas to tell her how much fun 'she' had at the outing.

Our Tuesday night book study on Crazy Love is very insightful and interesting. I'm enjoying re-reading the book. It is very convicting and thought provoking. I love that it makes me seek my God more earnestly. I need to be challenged in that way constantly.

Deanna came home today. It's good to have her home. The animals were glad to see her, too. Elaine and the grandkids came, too. It will be fun to spend time with them.

Time to get off of the computer and start the trek to bed. Much to do tomorrow. Time is flying by. Help me to use my time wisely for You Lord.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

It's been over a week since my last post and I'm trying to remember all that's happened. If it weren't for the calendar on my phone, I'd be lost. I better take good care of that phone!

Last Wednesday was the first night of our Small Groups training for Cuerpo Vivo. We had over 20 kids to incorporate into the regular childcare at the church. That's always a challenge. It went pretty well. Jaime and Oliver are very pleased and encouraged by the turnout of adults for the Small Groups. It's really going to make a difference in the growth (both spiritual as well as numbers) for the church. God is blessing Cuerpo Vivo very much.

Tonight was the second week of Small Groups and I was blessed with the task of caring for a special needs 12 year old while his parents were in the class. David is very pleasant to be around and we did a lot of walking and about a half hour of playing in water (one of his favorite things). I'm glad that his mom and dad both got to participate tonight.

I got to granny-sit with Miss Juanita off and on for 4 days. She's such a sweetie. I enjoy her company. And I like taking Ella for walks. Ella is well known in the neighborhood, as are most pets, I imagine. Jet always looks at me with questioning eyes when I come home smelling of another dog. But he forgives me pretty quickly.

Speaking of Jet, he was trying to keep me from leaving the other day and laid across the threshold of the front door. He's been pretty funny lately. Deanna is in Las Vegas helping her daughter's family of missionaries with the Kid's Club this week. Jet is lonely during the day when I'm gone. The cat is even acting her silly self when Deanna is gone. She slips into the bottom drawer in the kitchen and then climbs from the back into the middle drawer where she sleeps on the dishtowels. She only does this when Deanna is gone. I moved Jet's bed to my den, but the cat sleeps on it instead of him. As I write this, Jet is sleeping at the foot of Deanna's chair. I think he misses her. I try not to spoil him too much while she's gone, but she says that I've ruined him already. ha. At least he's a good spoiled...

I've had a good time meeting with different agencies around town to set up volunteer projects for the kids during Mission Rogers Youth Week. We've got 15 different places to serve that week (June 28-July 2). I think a lot of blessings will be flowing in all directions.

My loaner car decided to succomb to the heat at the grocery parking lot on Monday night. It may be the battery or something else electrical. I had to get to the church to do child care for Cuerpo Vivo, so Isidro came to my rescue. The next day, my friend Bryon got the car home where it refused to start again. I'm borrowing Deanna's van while she is gone to meet all the appointments that I have had this week so far. Tomorrow I don't have to be anywhere at any specific time, so maybe we can get the car checked out. The 'mission mobile' needs lots of prayers. It gets tired sometimes. But I'm so blessed to have it for sure!

Tonight I participated in the youth and parents meeting for the kids coming to Mission Rogers. It's going to be so fun. I can't wait for some of Janet's cooking. She always does a great job cooking for the youth.

I'll be leaving for Nicaragua in about a month. I can't wait! I saw all three girls who are going and they are excited, too. I'll start packing my suitcases with special stuff to take there. I've been picking up clothing from consignments shops and cutting off the pants to make capris and getting shirts and skirts and dresses to wear. I'm ready to get hot and sweaty and dirty!

I'm excited to receive the Audio Bible in Spanish that I ordered last week. I'll download it on my iPod and listen to it to learn more of Spanish. What a perfect thing to be listening to so I can immerse myself in hearing the language. Now I just have to figure out how to download it!!

Time for bed. It's been a long and tiring day. But it has been so good. God is so busy all around us. When we stop to really take a look, it's amazing. Glorify Yourself Sweet Lord.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

The Memorial Day weekend was very nice for me. It started with spending time with Miss Juanita until Saturday evening, then Sunday was very peaceful with worship service for Cuerpo Vivo, lunch with the Martínez family, quiet time in the backyard that evening and a good night's sleep.

I started Monday with a great 4 mile early walk before it got too hot. I worked on cleaning up my den (which still needs some attention!) and then some time with friends at the Jane's house for a cookout. On the way there I stopped to purchase a couple of water guns for self-defense. I didn't need to use them, but the kids had fun testing them out. (Will said I made good choices in picking out the right guns. Although, my criteria was the cheapest ones!!) I always enjoy my time with the Jane's family. I had not seen them in about a month. That's the longest I've went without snuggling my little friend Phillip. He's getting so big. What a cutie! I need to make a date to the kids to lunch again sometime soon. And Becca and I keep promising ourselves that we will have a girl's night out. Maybe after the summer sports season...and my trip to Nic...and whatever else gets in the way...

This morning I didn't need to be anywhere special, so I started the day with an early 2 mile walk. It was very warm and humid even at 8:30am. I watched a highschool kid escape from school and head up the street I was walking. He kept looking over his shoulder, so I knew he was doing something suspicious. He ended up coming back the way I was walking and passed me, then he kept looking over his shoulder again. I think maybe he felt I was stalking him. ha Then he turned down the street I was heading for and kept walking on past the school, all the while looking back. I couldn't help but think how absurd it was that he would run up and down the hot street when he could be in a cool classroom. I guess that's the difference in his youthful yearning for breaking the rules and my 'old' perspective of creature comfort. I'm just glad that he didn't trip and fall down from turning around to see if I was still following him.

I spent all day in the den on my computer and got a ton of work done. I love those uber-productive spells. Tonight was our first meeting for the book study on "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. There are a lot of ladies attending and we meet at Atlanta Bread Co. We broke into 4 groups. It was difficult to hear very well with all the people talking and the crazy machines that were busy making those yummy drinks. But the discussion and sharing was very good. I've already read the book once and am rereading it along with the group. I'm enjoying everyone's comments and thoughts. How awesome to think of a world where everyone was crazy in love with God.

Time for bed. I feel very peaceful and content tonight. I'm truly blessed by my Father and Provider. Thank You Lord.