Operation Christmas Child

Today I had the privilege of going Christmas shopping for two very special children. Two children who otherwise would not receive anything for Christmas. Two children who don't get to make Christmas lists or circle the toys they want in the ads. Two children who are as grateful for the bar of soap and toothbrush I bought as they are for the toys I placed in their box as well. Mark couldn't shop with me so I got to buy for a little girl and little boy. I had so much fun picking the exact toys that I thought they would like. It is my prayer that through this gift they can come to know the gift of God... the true meaning of Christmas!

Trunk or Treat

Well Trunk or Treat ended up more like Table or Treat because of rain, rain, and even more rain. We had a very wet night and ended up inside... that didn't ruin our fun though. We had a great turnout and lots of fun. I think the adults had just as much fun decorating as the kids did getting the candy. Here are a few pictures of our 'tables'...

Rachel and Addison at the farm... The sign says "Caution, some animals may bite"

Lydia and her friend down on the farm

Bill and Janice with their Fall Fest theme... and lots and lots of candy!

Ms. Debbie, or the flower child

Snow and Iron Man, our greeters

Burt and Ernie passing out some free Frosty coupons

Dr. Seuss inspired table... The Cat in the Hat, Cindy Lou Who, and Thing One and Two

Uncle Si is happy, happy, happy

Mark and I, the tourists at the beach... Watch out for the shark!

Somewhere over the rainbow this brother and sister actually get along

Operation Christmas Child

I just wanted to take a minute and share a great organization that gives 'Christmas' to children who would not get one otherwise. Its called Operation Christmas Child, also known as the Shoebox Ministry, and my church has been involved in it for many years. There are many locations around the United States to drop your shoeboxes off at, and I even believe most Chick-fil-a's participate also. Please click here to get more information on how to participate. It's so humbling to see how filling a shoebox with simple toys and hygiene items brings such a big smile. I am in tears each time I watch the videos and see how truly excited these children are.

Craft Night

Last night was our first MBC Craft Night... The night was filled with ceramic tiles, scrapbook paper, Mod Podge, an over-worked Cricut and lots and lots of laughter. Our craft for the night was coffee table coasters. Each lady brought their own ideas and inspirations to the table and drafted away. Here are some of my coasters for the night...

Coasters for our nightstands

A special coaster for Mark's milk on those chocolate-chip-cookie kind of nights

A coaster for my desk

Pictures throughout the night...

Julie & Abby planning their coasters

Debbie hard at work

Michele making us all laugh

Jane & Pam working on their coasters

Hannah & Missy smiling for the camera

The youth

Does it look like fun? Join us for the next one. Craft Nights are once a month... October's craft: Thanksgiving Centerpieces

3:23

After writing the date several times today I was constantly reminded of Romans 3:23. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This then, has had me thinking of Youth Group when we studied the Romans Road.

Romans 3:23

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
I have sinned, you have sinned, we all have sinned. So, knowing this, we know we are short of God's glory.

Romans 6:23

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Because of our sins, we will die.

Romans 5:8

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

But God offers us an escape from sin and death through His son's death and resurrection.

Romans 10:9 & 13

"But if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

If you call out to God, admitting you are a sinner and you need Him, eternal life will be yours.

Romans 5:1
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 8:1 & 38-39
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
If we accept Jesus then we will be together forever in Heaven.

Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake quickly became my favorite place to be. I started going in the second grade as a G.A. (girls in action) and am now in my eighth season of chaperoning youth camp. Anyone who has ever been to Seneca Lake knows that you are offically 'there' when you come down the hill and see the 'Dam Bait Store'. As children, we always thought is was so cool to be able to say that we passed the 'Dam Bait Store' on the way to church camp. Still to this day, we give some hearty honks as we pass the store. Seneca Lake has become a place where you meet new friends, play crazy games, lose a lot of sleep, walk more than you wish (although we have become accustomed to golf cart rides), but more importantly; it is a place where you find God. There is something serene and calming when you sit on top of Vesper's Hill and get to look out and see all that God has made. It is a place where you can reconnect to God and feel His presence in your life. It is a place that lights the fire in your heart to go out and spread His Word. It is my favorite place to be.