Saturday, May 31, 2008

Dedicated to my mom...

and all preacher's wives.
Perhaps the next one will be about PKs.

Friday, May 30, 2008

sobering thought.

I must confess, my anxiety level is quite high right now.
My mind is continually racing thinking about ways to improve children's ministry at River Hills. That's not necessarily bad. But, combined with my desire to be a good wife, mom and now grandma... well you get the idea.

The most important part of my job is recruitment.
It's also the most challenging. It's kinda like trying to put hair and a beard on the face of this magnet toy... just when you get close to what you want... it gets messed up.

or
steering a huge ship with a tiny rudder.
or
pushing one of those big shopping carts with the blue double kid seat extension - seriously - it's like driving a school bus down through the grocery.

Well considering my options on creative ways to help people develop a passion for children's ministry, I had a very sobering thought. With the exception of Clark who faithfully serves each week, I am currently the OLDEST person working in children's ministry at our church. It would be my dream to have more mature volunteers to be examples for the younger people to look up to - to say, "I would like to be like _______________. They have been teaching kids their whole life." BTW - we can say that about Clark :) I know we all have role models from our childhood of tireless volunteers who made our church family special.
I'll be 45 very soon. Is that old? Feeling old today.
I hope that I can be one of those role models that people look up to and say, "I want to teach kids, just like her."

Friday, May 23, 2008

Saying Good Bye





It's been a few days since our little friends got back on the road, but they are still on our minds.
Meeting the kids from the African Children's was such a great experience for my family. We will never forget them.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

JOY

Kids R Kids

My favorite thing about being a host family for the African Children's Choir was not the fact the that Rose, Lynate and Barbara were wonderfully polite and respectful. Indeed, that was refreshing. The many, "Thank you Auntie." and "Yes, please Auntie." were delightful - especially with their accent. However, what really had the greatest impact on me was seeing with my own eyes that children really are the same no matter what country is their home.

Heading off to Hope's bus stop.

After school playing with foam letters.
The girls loved spelling their names. We didn't plan this activity - the girls found the letters in our storage bench.

After dinner (3 servings of pot roast, rice, gravy and green beans) we got out the paint pens and glitter glue. Uncle Ray had a great time as the "Creative Assistant."

Bedtime! But not not without singing Auntie Robin's favorite song Salt and Light (in honor of the many dashes of salt the girls added to their dinner) and a story about Too Many Frogs."

Monday, May 19, 2008

African Children's Choir

Sunday was a great night!
We were blessed with a wonderful concert by the African Children's Choir.
After the concert we brought 3 beautiful little girls home to spend two nights with us. Rose, Barbara and Lynate were lots of fun to spend time with. I have lots more to say about them in the next post.



Saturday, May 10, 2008

Already Laughing?



Brad & Hilary



Malachi Christian Estep

May 10, 2008
8 lbs. 6.oz.
turn down volume ~ the background noise is a bit chaotic.

Monday, May 5, 2008

My Handsome Men



Our family got to go to a wedding Saturday night.
As you can see Hope and I were escorted by two very good looking men.

Shopping Spree


What could be better than a shopping spree with your cousin?
It was a girlie afternoon last Saturday. Spending too much money at Justice for Girls with Jane and Darci - We justified our purchases by using our 20% our entire purchase and GUESS WHAT! It was Webkins Day. Every girl got a free Webkins!! Of course we had to pick on out for Micah too.
Then a late lunch at Bob Evans.
Good Time :D

Friday, May 2, 2008

Our Pet



Now that the kids are getting older, they are being asked more and more often if they have a pet. I can only imagine that they get tired of telling people, "No, daddy and Micah are allergic to furry animals." Truth be told... I'm a little allergic to animals too. Hope and Micah have been asking for a fish for a long time. I finally caved. It does seem a little nicer when asked, "Do you have any pets?" to say, "Why yes! We have a fish."

His name is Goldie. To be honest, he really is quite cute. He has the funniest lips! Almost looks like he has on orange lipstick. If we are really getting honest here... the kids could really care less at this point. But, I've grown quite fond of him. I swear he gets excited when I get close to his bowl! He comes to the the side of the bowl and looks right at me. Of course, then I feed him ~ too much I'm sure. I also think I traumatized him during our photo shoot.

My question is...
What is the value of a little fish life? Surely at least $2.95.
Poor little Goldie. We only paid 15 cents for him. What a deal!