National Day of Prayer

No ocean can hold it back.
No river can overtake it.
No whirlwind can go faster.
No army can defeat it.
No law can stop it.
No distance can slow it.
No disease can cripple it.
No force on the earth is more powerful or effective than the power of prayer.
~Linn Carlson, DaySpring Writer

Don’t forget the National Day of Prayer.

Sad news (or maybe just for me)

Pastor Eric last night at youth told us that he is leaving. He is being called by God to help a church out. I couldn't believe it when he told us and I don't ant to but its happening again. He says that he does not want to leave and really fought with God about it. But he knows that it is Gods will for him and its always safe to say yes to God. He is leaveing in June. I really don't want him to go. He was the best youth pastor I ever had and one who really connected with the youth. I am really angry at God for taking him away and I wish he could stay with us. Pastor Eric says that the church he is going to is involved in alot of the A/G stuff so we will be able to see him. And he does not want to loose contact with us, which I think is great. Like I said I am angry at God for taking him and I really don't want him to go. This last month with him will be really hard and I don't know how I am going to take it, I can barely stand it now. I just ask that you pray for Pastor Eric, me, and the rest of the youth group that we find comfort in this situation.

Max Lucado

God loves you
with an everlasting love…
You are valuable to Him
not because of what you do
but simply because you are.
His thoughts of you outnumber
the sand on the shore…
He lives to hear your heartbeat.
He loves to hear your prayers.
If something is important to you,
it’s important to Him.
He has never taken His eyes off you-
not for a millisecond.
He’s always near…
So be kind to yourself.
God thinks you’re worth His kindness.
And He’s a good judge of character.
He thinks you’re wonderful.

We got the car back

Yesterday the people who were working on the car called and said the car was done and ready for pick up. So my mom and dad went all the way out to Lebanon (which is about 45 minutes away) to get it. My mom and dad have not taken the retal back yet so we have three car in the driveway and that usally never happens.

New Billboard

We got a billboard for our church and it is right outside our doors. It took a long time but it is up and people are seeing it. It took a lot of pray and God strength to get it to work out. Our Pastor asked the owner how much it was and he said $800. Well that was to much so Pastor asked if he could bring it down, so he brought it down to $400. Well that was still to much so Pastor asked again if he could bring it down but the guy wouldn't. So Pastor prayed and then called him again and he said that we could have it for $100. What a blessing. So now we have the our sign up and everyone coming down Rt. 22 can see it. I have a picture below.

All-Nighter & Bowling

On Friday we went bowling with the youth group. First we had a little service then we all loaded up and headed to the bowling alley. We had lots of fun at our table. We would try to brake out into a dance after every bowl. We also would try to do little pranks on each other, like grab their ball right in the middle of their swing or scream their name as they throw the ball, and a lot more. It was a blast and a whole lot of fun. Then when our time was up we went back to the church, had Sloppy Joe's, and played a few games. Around 3:30 we put in a video and most of the teens fell asleep. Then we the movie was over we started making breakfast and cleaning everything up. It was a blast and a great time to hang out with the youth. I didn't get alot of pictures but I did get a few.

Here's my table with Lindsay, Sara, Robyn, Ashley, and also Kierstin.

Here's one of the guys tables.

Here's one of the young girls tables.

Car Trouble

Tuesday my dad's transmission went in his car on his way home from work. So my mom and dad had to go get a rental so we could still get around. My dad says that the cost is going to be high again. We never get a brake in the car expenses everything happens when we don't have the money or when we need the cars the most. We don't know when the car is going to be finished, but I'm just glad that we are in this state when it happened. When the transmission went in our van we were in Virginia. I thank the Lord that we have cars to get around no matter want shape they are in.

Stomach Virus

This past week we had a stomach virus go through the family. Caleb was the first and he got it on Wednesday. Then Angela got it on Thursday and Josh and I had it Saturday. I was stuck cleaning up after everyone so I am very surprised I didn't get it earlier. I think it came from toxins in a lid that Angela accidentally melted on the stove. When I got home after she had melted the lid I smelt a funny smell in the air. At that time I really didn't think much of it, but I had Angela open all the windows to let the smell out. The stomach virus is over now. Thank the Lord. I think that it was the lid that started it but my mom doesn't and she is usually right.

Women's workout

Our Women's Group is doing a workout every Tuesday. We are watching "Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie Sansone". It's really fun and all the women have fun. We've been doing it for about 4 weeks and everyone was feeling up to doing the 3 mile walk. So last night we did the 3 mile walk and almost everyone made it. My mom bought us one of Leslie's DVDs and I try to do it on Thursdays when I have time. We just started getting some of the High School girls to come and join us. I do suggest that if anyone wants to do a workout that they try Leslie's videos.

HELP!!!!!!!

Angela's Birthday was on Tuesday and she turned 13. Now we got three teenagers in our house. We always joked that Angela would not make it to her teen years but she did. Its A Miracle. She weighs 109 and is 5ft. 3 1/4 in. tall (she's taller than me). Guess who's turning 43 this Sunday? My Dad. He's getting really old. I love them both and I now God is not finished with them yet.

Happy Birthday Angela and Dad

Girls Of Purpose

This past weekend was Girls of Purpose. GOP started out 2 years ago with only 5 girls, and last year only had 10, but this year there were about 30 girls. The weekend starts out on Friday with the girls hanging out with the Women of Purpose for the first service. Immediately after the service we go the hotel (or room in the church) and hang-out. We usually have crafts and games like cup stacking and Dance Dance Praise. We hang out there until 11:30 then go back to our rooms and either go to sleep our stay up all night. Our girls did not stay up all night but we did stay up til 1:00. The next day we are pretty much on our own. We start the morning out with the first session. This year we had Robin Eschbach and Connie Hammer. They were really good and hit some important stuff. After the first session we have lunch, then a little free time. For free time I took the girls from my church and gave them a tour of CLA (the church we were at) because they really wanted to see the kids church. Now CLA or Christian Life Assembly is one of the biggest churches in our district. Its a great church and it has great ministries but its just really big. After the tour it was time for the last session. Robin and Connie really did great and talked about what God has given us to do and how we can really use it to minister to others. Thats pretty much it for the week end. The whole time I was there the two leaders were bugging me about it being my last year and how I am going to miss everything. I really can't believe it is my last year. I can't wait but yet I don't want it to be. I have a few pictures.

Here's Jen, Sara, and Me we are doing the craft.

Me and Jen doing Dance Dance Praise.

Robyn and I in the middle of an icebreaker.

Robyn, Jen, Sara waiting for lunch.

Me and my mom cutting the cheesecake.

Chris (one of the leaders) sneaking a bite.