Getting ready to serve the Lord

This week I begin preparations to serve the Lord. I am going on a mission trip to Chicago, IL. I will be with a team of 17 lead by Frank Germia. We will be serving the Family Empowerment Center in the Nothern part of Chicago (Rogers Park area).
We will be trained in areas of the Holy Spirit/Spiritual Battles, the Culture-Urban Dynamics, Loving Our Neighbors-Servant Evangelism, visiting with Hindus and Muslims. We are a church on mission going to serve others and come back change. I am excited to see what God has planned for me and to let him have complete control. In the evenings we will be working with AWANA soccer camp. The mission is is to glorify God, love my neighbors and stregthen urban familes through the power of Jesus Christ.
For more information on where I will be here is the link:

http://www.familyempower.org/index
I am asking for prayer of our team of 19. Pray for our safety, pray for God to great things in our lives, that we come back changed, continuing to serve the Lord.

Bible verses to keep me strong during this week of preparation:
John 4:34-38 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”
Acts 6:4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Romans 12:4-8 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
2 Corinthians 3:8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?
2 Corinthians 6:3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
1 Timothy 4:12Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Matthew 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

How we celebrated America's Birthday

At The Fireworks

Me, Nicci, and Jules

In the Pool

Ladder Golf

Cassidy, Alli, and Peyton-best friends

The day started with us hanging around the house. I was able to go for a very relaxing 5 mile run. A new route today and during my run I focused on how lucky we are to live in America where I can go for a run and the freedom I have here in this country. After showers and a light lunch we packed the bags with swim suits, towels, and a dry change of clothes for the long day ahead. We went to Nicci and Jamie's for their annual 4th of July BBQ. The kids got to play with their friends, swim in the pool and eat lots of yummy food. I got to play ladder golf with my girls and me and my partner Amy won the first game. Peyton and Carson swam so much. Peyton has learned to dive in off of the diving board and swim across the pool to the shallow end. She has also learned to do a forward flip in the water. Carson is learning as well. He likes to swim with his bubble and jump off the board doing cannon balls. He also is learning to swim without the bubble. He was jumping in and bouncing off the bottom today. It was hard to get them out of the pool, but eventually we did and into dry clothes. As it started to get darker we packed up our things and headed towards Williamstown to watch the fireworks. As we waited we were able to watch some parachute jumpers. The fireworks were great and the kids enjoyed playing with their glow in the dark necklaces.

Happy Fourth of July!!!!

Happy Fourth of JULY

Wishing all of our friends and family a happy and safe Fourth of July.

I'm Proud To Be An American
Written By Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, '
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A.
, There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, '
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

One Step at A Time

Today I was able to go for a nice 5 mile run. I take it one step at a time know that each step is closer to the goal of 13 miles. I believe I can achieve it. This past weekend I ran 8 with my sister and I couldn't of done it without her. I am so glad that I am training and running the PDR with her. I think about the times we get to share together and during that run wouldn't of wanted to be with anyone else. It is a moment in our life that we are sharing together. We share our stories with our kids and we share the stories of our families and friends, but this story of our journey to complete a half-marathon is a story we share and experience together. I am so excited that I am going to do this with her and to have her next to me when we cross that finish line.

So as I go through the rest of this week and go for my runs I need to remember that during the run the pain is temporary because in a moment this part of my life will be gone and I don't want to blink, and I want to remember each step, breath and second that I have to experience all the life that God has given me.

Ocean City

This past week our family went to Ocean City for a few days. We stayed at Aunt Chele and Uncle Frank's condo in Sommers Point. It was beautiful. The kids were so excited. We arrived Wednesday evening and went to The Anchorage for dinner. The food was delicious and afterwards we went back to the condo and looked over the balacony to the Marina. The sound of the ropes hitting the masts brought back so many childhood memories. The cool night air and smell of the shore reminded me of when I was little staying with my grandparents.

On Thursday we went to the beach. Peyton got her first boogy board and Carson had his little surf board. Daddy built a huge sand castle with a friend named Parker. The day started out overcast, but by 2:00 the shine was shining and it was clear. We stayed on the beach until 4 and then went back to the condo to relax, shower, and get ready for the boardwalk. Peyton finally got to ride the big ferris wheel. Carson went on the merry-go-round and a rocket ship ride that he enjoyed very much. Peyton also went on a ride called the Fan-it went up and around and down and forward and backwards and reminded me that I am not as young as I used to be.

It was a late night, but it paid off the kids went right to sleep.

Friday we got up and went to the beach again. This time we dug a big hole. The kids had fun with their friends Alli and Juliana. It was a great trip and a fantastic way to begin the summer.

Time to Dance

Peyton had her dance recital last night at Williamstown High School. Her class this year was musical theatre. She was the youngest in the class by 2 years, but that didn't seem to matter. She had a great teacher who worked with her. I am hoping to get the video on the blog, but for now, pictures will hopefully say a thousand words.

Father's Day 2009

Happy Father's Day to my dad, my husband and my father-in-law. All these men created by God in his holiness to be a part of my life and my kids lives. I love you all and wish you a Happy Father's Day.

What Makes a DadGod took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree,The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea,The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night,The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle's flight,The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed,The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need,Then God combined these qualities,When there was nothing more to add,He knew His masterpiece was complete,And so, He called it ... Dad~~Author Unknown.~~