Open Doors - Open Arms

I am so excited about what God is doing at our church with our special needs ministry. We are really starting to see amazing thing happen. Our mission is to "Open the Doors" of ministry to children with special needs, leading them to the "Open Arms" of Jesus. So we have started a buddy system where we offer one on one assistance to those children who need it, our buddies provide direction and can help individualize the lessons for the kids who need additional help learning about Gods love and truth.

One story I just have to tell you is how one Dad came up to me after attending service with his wife, he had tears in his eyes and he told me that he had forgotten that his wife "sang like an angel" and how truly blessed they were to be able to worship together once again. It made me think of how much we take for granted, that we are able to sit in church on Sunday with our families to worship, pray and listen to Gods word together. This is another ministry where you think you can bless others, but where God turns it around and truly blesses you!

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14

Our Sovereign God made ALL children in HIS own image.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139; 13&14

Hands and Feet

While driviing Ally out to camp, we were listening to alot of our favorite music and when Audio Adrenaline's song Hands and Feet came on, I thought how fitting. So after blogging last time about her theme for the summer, I thought I'd throw in a summer song.

I want to be your hands...I want to be your feet...

I'll go where you send me...go where u send me

And I'll try, yeah I'll try to touch the world like You

touched my life, and I'll try to be your hands

Send me where you want me..I'll finally have a mission, I promise

I'll complete I dont need excuses when I am your hands and feet.

Livin the Dream

"LIVIN THE DREAM" is the theme for this summer...per my 15 year old daughter, Ally! God has given my daughter an awesome heart for serving. "Livin the dream" for her is being able to go to Bible Camp and serve. She loves being at camp working as a counselor, in the kitchen, in the dish room, teaching Frisbee golf, taking kids creek stomping, cleaning cabins and bathrooms..you name it and she's happy doing it! So, I am heading out...heading to Iowa, to take her back to camp tomorrow, where she will stay for the next four weeks. I miss her so much when she is gone but I just love watching her grow in her faith....and putting her dreams and beliefs into actions. Her life verse at the moment (which is written across her bedroom mirror) is Philippians 2:14 and 15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God, without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars! She is an awesome young lady who is shining so bright!

What a cutie!

Oh my goodness....does he make me smile! I just love this picture of my grandson Christian. God does something awesome with grandkids...He gives you all the love you had for your kids and multiplies it by so many things. Its multiplied by memories, feelings, love and than increased with wisdom from having been a parent and having more years of wisdom. You truly understand now..that time does fly, that they grow up too fast, and that you can never go back. I think its awesome that grandparents can marvel over every little thing, we can marvel over a smile, a tooth, a new word and we can marvel at how much our precious grandchild reminds us of our precious child! How easy it is to be taken back years with just the tiniest look or action that reminds you and can have your grown adult sitting back in the kitchen cupboard playing with that same tupperware bowl! What a blessing. Kids and grandkids!! Two of God's greatest gifts! Thank You for ALL my blessings.....Chris, Christopher, Loren, Ally and Christian!

Welcome Emily Ann

Today we celebrated the adoption of Emily Ann into our family! After a year and a half its official. She joins my sister Stephanie and Mark's family.....Erica 25, Aaron 23, Parker 20, Joshua 7 and now Emily 1. Have you ever been used by God for what you thought was one reason only to later see things through His bigger picture and get a tiny glimpse at how magnificent His plan is! Emily is proof to that! Chris and I had done foster care for years and my family was always very supportive and somewhat intrigued. My sister and I had many conversation about foster care and the need for more families, etc. After we had been fostering for about 8 years she said I think Mark and I are ready to try foster care. The accepted their first placement and he has never left. They adopted Joshua seven years ago and today they welcomed his sister into their forever family. Sometimes I look back and just wonder, was that Gods plan all along...did we do foster care to help bring Josh and Emily home. God is in control and I truly believe that He orchestrates our every move for His purpose and for His glory. I would feel truly honored to play a part in any plan God has! How awesome that He would use us!

On the Mission Field

I just finished reading an update from our youth pastor who is on a mission trip with 30 of our senior high students. Two of the students on the trip are my son Loren and my daughter Ally. They are in New Orleans for the week working on alot of hurricane relief projects, teaching VBS, and working with the homeless that remain in the area. Reports and updates so far have been filled with many emotions..mainly a sadness at the loss, the despair and the destruction. But the resounding Hope that they bring to share has been uplifting to not only those they are ministering to, but also to those that are ministering! As I sat once again praying for the team. my heart beams when I think of the heart that God gave to my children...the heart for missions!! As much as a mom can be proud of her kids my mind goes to how much more God is pleased with them. Well done, my good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:21)

Christian's 1st Milw. Brewers Game

My beautiful grandson Christian enjoying his first baseball game