Lakeview 2010

"God's Word is TRUE!" What a first day of VBS in Lakeview, OR last Monday! That was our slogan for Day 1- and the adults and kids alike could use the reminder! Most of our memory verses for the week were from Psalm 119, and Monday was one of my favorites. "But You are near, Lord, and all your commands are true." Psalm 119:151 As we loaded up and prayed for God's protection and growth, I couldn't help but think about the command of the Lord to go forth and share His Word- and it brought such joy to know we were teaching our young people exactly how to do that in America! So cool!

We took 13 of our youth group teens, with 4 adults, to the town of Lakeview- the tallest town in Oregon with an elevation of 4800 feet and a population around 2000. Our mission- to give them assistance in putting on a fantastic Vacation Bible School as well as offering some summer night activities for the middle and high school students. And boy, did we!

The minute we got there I saw our kids jump up and get to work. The ones who had been there last year took time to orient the newbies, we got beds made on floors, food packed away, lessons reviewed for the next day and even some time for fun and games that night!
Lakeview Baptist Church, our partner in this adventure, has a house for the girls- the MAD house (Making A Difference) and the boys got to stay in the church. Lots of good places to play Sardines! We got to see the nearness of God as we adventured through a rigorous VBS schedule unlike the one we used, dealt with large crew groups and often times unruly boys. We felt His presence that Monday as we adjusted to life as a family, and 17 people using one shower. :) Oh, good times! And God poured out His grace and mercy for each of us, as we practice compassion and patience to each person we came in contact with.

I had the joy of teaching the Bible Story on Day 1, and it is the story of Peter's miraculous release from prison in Acts 12. Check it out, and I so hope it blesses you as much as it did me. I played Rhoda, the servant who answered the door for Peter. I think my acting skills have improved over the years, because I must have scared more than half of the kids to death as I pretended to be afraid of the Roman soldiers looking for Peter. The preschoolers cried, and one of the 1st graders told me "I was so scared I almost peed my pants!" Nice, right? Needless to say, I am still praying that I didn't permanently damage any of those wee ones, and they walked away seeing that God is powerful and His Word is TRUE! "Let's Go!"
One of my favorite things about these trips, as much as I miss my husband and my daughter, is that I get to spend time with my TAG girls. They crack me up every day, and I get to see a little piece of their hearts as they share their week with me. It is wonderful, and helps me to know how to pray for them in a different and more specific way. Oh, Lord- may we all see how true your stories are, and that we would all have a joyful moment like Peter- as the chains fall off our hands and feet and we run for the pure pleasure of tasting the freedom you give!
All in all, a fantastic mission trip. I will try to post more each day this week so you can enjoy the moments with me, and maybe God will give us both new insight into what ways we can serve the rest of the year. Jesus be close to you tonight!

AMAZING love! What a sermon that little girl preached to me!

Pleasantly surprised and astounded. What a great Easter weekend we have had, and what an amazingly awesome God we serve. Just one instance after another, He keeps reminding me "Grace, love. My grace is for you..."
I try not to post every thought that crosses my mind- as I post enough already- but I had to share my God Stop today. It was just TOOOOO good.

Easter Service...pretty much the same in Protestant churches everywhere. Could be mundane, but only if you aren't looking. :) Today I sat in my church, with my dear friends, and watched the children be called up to the front to sing with the worship leaders. They did a song they've worked on during their "Praise Parties" each Sunday School hour, called "Every Move I Make". I have been singing this song for nearly a decade, but today was really special. I stood next to a young lady, more woman than little girl anymore, and remembered when she was little and we use to sing this song during chapel at the Christian school she and my son attended. It has been a long time since I have had the chance to worship alongside this sweet thing, and as I sang I pictured her back then- her little 9 year old face, shining in a smile, doing hand motions she once knew by heart.
Then I looked up on stage and I saw her baby sister- now 9 years old. Life has kept these girls busy for a lot of years and unable to get to church, and I have prayed for God to keep them close. This little Bebo that I use to babysit as a newborn hasn't had the chance to learn these old songs or hear a whole lot about the God who loves her so much. I have been so blessed over the last few months to see her learning and growing in her understanding of who Jesus is, and as I watched her sing "Waves of mercy, waves of grace, every where I look- I see your face. Your love has captured me..." and do the sign language for face, and love- I about died. I tell you right now, had I died at that moment- I could not have been happier. God must have been busting a gut right then watching me struggle to maintain composure and yet absolutely, totally in love with Him like I never have been! That little girl preached about God's amazing love and grace in such a way to me right then, I could barely stand it. :)The goodness of my God- to answer my prayers so clearly, and show His love for His little people so gently. WOOT WOOT! Those who know me- just picture it. Thank God I didn't blow my cover at my little Baptist church and turn full out Pentecostal right there. I much prefer decorum during church and head stands in private worship. But today was a tough one to keep from being a total distraction!

Oh- I wish you could have seen it the way I did. Seeing these girls, come full circle in a sense- what a treasure. To see their family WHOLE- with Jesus in the center! I know life is going to rough them up a lot, and I don't know how the future is going to be for any of us. But it doesn't even matter! We are GROWING. Every day we look to Him. God stopped me in my tracks and gave me a picture of what He is like...and I know He was grinning like crazy! You would think I would learn some day to stop having my jaw hit the floor when He works, but He really is...amazing. I have no doubt in my mind that my children, and every single child I love- is right in the middle of God's hands. I have no doubt that the women I love dearly, and the families I cherish and pray for every night are going to see God work in their lives...no matter what. I love that no matter how many times we fall or forget- He will remind us and forgive.

Oh, Lord- thank you for this day. Thank you for my Bebo, my teens, my life. Thank you for my church and for my Pastors- who never hesitate to preach Your Word just the way You said it. Thank you that you have a plan and a purpose for each one of us. That nothing...absolutely nothing can separate us from the love You have for us. For every single one who believes. And thank you for the little picture of what heaven will be like.

On a side note- our teens did this powerful skit today too- yeah, I know, I wish you had been there today too! I didn't think I should post our own since this is not a private blog and their are close ups of other people's kids that don't know I blog. But I do want you to see it- so here is the original done by a church in Tennessee. I have posted it before, but it is so good- you won't mind seeing it again I think. :)

"Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails." Psalm 111:1-3