I know it seems obvious to say that weddings are family events. Saturday's wedding of John Todd and Kristina McDougall reminded me of just how big families can be!
It was great to meet members of John's family- Connecticut Yankees who wouldn't miss the opportunity to show John their love and support.
Over the years we have had opportunity to meet several members of Kristina's family- her parents, Ken and Carleen, worship with us while not in Brazil and her sisters have joined us for special events along the way. Most of Kristina's extended family are involved in missions and ministry and many partners in those ministries shared in the celebration.
The "family" grew, though, as I watched our church family in action. John, Kristina, and Alexa are part of us and the Towne View family shared generously in helping make the day special. We could all leave with the sense of love, excitement, and pride for this new family- part of our family!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Camp Wherry by the Numbers
There are a number of ways to "measure" an event- here's Camp Wherry "by the numbers:
48 participants
18 children in Vacation Bible School each afternoon
562 man-hours of work (including painting, cleaning, mowing, weed eating, sidewalk installation,and speed bump removal)
75 guests from the community at the Block Party
1 trip to urgent care
72 craft activities completed
?? hours of sleep (not nearly enough!)
45 children at water day
1-5 degree high temperature (with three days over 100 degrees)
To "fuel this effort" we consumed:
30 pounds of sugar
75 gallons of tea, lemon aid, and kool-aid
14 gallons of milk
10 gallons of orange juice
18 dozen eggs
240 sausage balls
28 pounds of ground beef, chicken, and sausage
18 dozen servings of home-made cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and brownies
Seeds have been planted in the residents of this community and in the lives of our youth... pray as the Spirit brings this work to fruition!
48 participants
18 children in Vacation Bible School each afternoon
562 man-hours of work (including painting, cleaning, mowing, weed eating, sidewalk installation,and speed bump removal)
75 guests from the community at the Block Party
1 trip to urgent care
72 craft activities completed
?? hours of sleep (not nearly enough!)
45 children at water day
1-5 degree high temperature (with three days over 100 degrees)
To "fuel this effort" we consumed:
30 pounds of sugar
75 gallons of tea, lemon aid, and kool-aid
14 gallons of milk
10 gallons of orange juice
18 dozen eggs
240 sausage balls
28 pounds of ground beef, chicken, and sausage
18 dozen servings of home-made cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and brownies
Seeds have been planted in the residents of this community and in the lives of our youth... pray as the Spirit brings this work to fruition!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Our Part In God's Plans
In 1Corinthians 3:5-9 Paul writes about how each of us has a part to play in God's work in our world. I am seeing that concept lived-out this week at Camp Wherry- our annual youth mission trip to the Wherry Housing Cooperative outside Smyrna TN.
As John Key, director of Community Servants, told our folks about how one of the units we are working on would most likely house a refugee family and another would provide affordable housing for a widow I could see eyes opening and wheels turning in the minds of our youth. They would most likely never see the end result of their labor or meet the families that would call these places home. Another group will pick-up next week where we leave the project until someone is handed a set of keys. We are a part of something far bigger than "us" this week. That's kingdom-building!
I am reminded that our work would not be possible without the labor provided by many of you before we even left home. You might not see the red-brick units or receive the gift of a smile from the child but you have played a part by praying for us, baking desserts, browning meats, rolling sausage balls, writing Bible stories, donating materials, supplying scholarships, and giving to our church budget.
There is no difference between the one who plants and the one who waters; God will reward each one according to the work they have done. For we are partners together with God. 1Corinthians 3:8-9a
As John Key, director of Community Servants, told our folks about how one of the units we are working on would most likely house a refugee family and another would provide affordable housing for a widow I could see eyes opening and wheels turning in the minds of our youth. They would most likely never see the end result of their labor or meet the families that would call these places home. Another group will pick-up next week where we leave the project until someone is handed a set of keys. We are a part of something far bigger than "us" this week. That's kingdom-building!
I am reminded that our work would not be possible without the labor provided by many of you before we even left home. You might not see the red-brick units or receive the gift of a smile from the child but you have played a part by praying for us, baking desserts, browning meats, rolling sausage balls, writing Bible stories, donating materials, supplying scholarships, and giving to our church budget.
There is no difference between the one who plants and the one who waters; God will reward each one according to the work they have done. For we are partners together with God. 1Corinthians 3:8-9a
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Lessons to be (re)learned
"Sometimes I sits and thinks... sometimes I just sits."
I'm not certain who to credit for the quote but it is certainly worth sitting and thinking on for a time.
I'm in a somewhat reflective state of mind today because it was on June 28 last year that we caught the plane for our study leave in London. I spent almost a year getting me (and the church) getting ready for what turned-out to be an unforgettable month of rest, reflection, and renewal.
It has been exciting to have those "hey, we were there" moments while watching a television show, movie... or royal wedding. I have maintained my interest in Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church through their website and e-mail correspondence with their minister. Priscilla, Elizabeth, and I find ourselves regularly sharing "London memories." I remain incredibly grateful for the opportunity that our church family provided us.
In looking back, I am reminded what a slow learner I am. It is at this point that I ask you to pray for me and possibly even join me in the journey:
I stay too busy. Time away from our routines and responsibilities is important- even God took a day-off! Busy-ness does not always equal productivity. We are in the midst of a complex and busy season in our church (and in my family as well) but I still need to discipline myself to "be still and know (maybe remember) that He is God."
I don't read enough. When we went through orientation at seminary Dr. Ronald Deering, the director of the library, told us "in the class rooms you will learn from some of the brightest scholars of this generation, when you come to this library you will learn from the best minds of the ages." I haven't read as many books in the eleven months since we returned as I did in the month of my study leave. I need to engage with others to reinforce what I know and to challenge what I thought I knew- books are a great way to accomplish this.
I need to take better advantage of what's around me. I don't need to go overseas to find a beautiful park, lovely lake, interesting museum, or experience God in new patterns of worship. Now- all of these were wonderful gifts that I experienced in London- but they are available to me here in north Georgia. Maybe I need to make a new list of "sights to see and places to be."
As I said... I'm a slow learner...
I'm not certain who to credit for the quote but it is certainly worth sitting and thinking on for a time.
I'm in a somewhat reflective state of mind today because it was on June 28 last year that we caught the plane for our study leave in London. I spent almost a year getting me (and the church) getting ready for what turned-out to be an unforgettable month of rest, reflection, and renewal.
It has been exciting to have those "hey, we were there" moments while watching a television show, movie... or royal wedding. I have maintained my interest in Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church through their website and e-mail correspondence with their minister. Priscilla, Elizabeth, and I find ourselves regularly sharing "London memories." I remain incredibly grateful for the opportunity that our church family provided us.
In looking back, I am reminded what a slow learner I am. It is at this point that I ask you to pray for me and possibly even join me in the journey:
I stay too busy. Time away from our routines and responsibilities is important- even God took a day-off! Busy-ness does not always equal productivity. We are in the midst of a complex and busy season in our church (and in my family as well) but I still need to discipline myself to "be still and know (maybe remember) that He is God."
I don't read enough. When we went through orientation at seminary Dr. Ronald Deering, the director of the library, told us "in the class rooms you will learn from some of the brightest scholars of this generation, when you come to this library you will learn from the best minds of the ages." I haven't read as many books in the eleven months since we returned as I did in the month of my study leave. I need to engage with others to reinforce what I know and to challenge what I thought I knew- books are a great way to accomplish this.
I need to take better advantage of what's around me. I don't need to go overseas to find a beautiful park, lovely lake, interesting museum, or experience God in new patterns of worship. Now- all of these were wonderful gifts that I experienced in London- but they are available to me here in north Georgia. Maybe I need to make a new list of "sights to see and places to be."
As I said... I'm a slow learner...
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
A Prayer for Attentive Prayer
Our God and Father, draw us to Thyself by Thy Spirit, and may the few minutes that we spend in prayer be full of the true spirit of supplication. Grant that none of us with closed eyes may yet be looking abroad over the fields of vanity, but may our eyes be really shut to everything else now but that which is spiritual and Divine. May we have communion with God in the secret of our hearts, and find Him to be to us as a little sanctuary.
O, Lord, we do not find it easy to get rid of distracting thoughts, but we pray Thee to help us draw the sword against them and drive them away, and as when the birds cam down upon his sacrifice Abraham drove them away, so may we chase away all cares, all thoughts of pleasure, everything else, whether it be pleasing or painful, that would keep us away from real fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
from C. H. Spurgeon's Prayers
Now, let's pray!
O, Lord, we do not find it easy to get rid of distracting thoughts, but we pray Thee to help us draw the sword against them and drive them away, and as when the birds cam down upon his sacrifice Abraham drove them away, so may we chase away all cares, all thoughts of pleasure, everything else, whether it be pleasing or painful, that would keep us away from real fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
from C. H. Spurgeon's Prayers
Now, let's pray!
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