Youth Convention '09: CAUSES

C4 youth members, I know you all have been waiting so here it is. Youth convention '09 information. Check it:



His Cause is My Cause:

A little boy was caught out in the yard digging a hole in the ground and the neighbor seeing asked him, “what are you doing?” “Digging a hole,” the little boy replied.
The neighbor came back with an obvious question, “why are you digging a hole?” “My Dad told me to” was his answer. The neighbor was left with more questions such as why or for what? But for the little boy it was that sim­ple, Dad told me to. His simple faith was displayed in simple obedience. His relationship with his father was such that questions didn’t stop the process. He trusted his Dad and knew he had a good reason for digging a hole. His cause was his Dad’s cause and he was just do­ing what he was told. A few months later the neighbor witnessed a jungle gym in the location of the hole. That hole became the beginnings of an outdoor family hang-out spot. Dad’s cause is my cause and my cause is His.
It just works.

Our prayer and desire is to please the heart of God by making His desires our own and His purposes our goal.
For the CAUSE of Christ– what other cause is there?

We hope to see you at the CAUSE Youth Convention!

Change is HOT!

In reading blogs that I follow, this blog by Chilly Chilton just seemed to follow up my previous blog perfectly. It is not a warm gooey feeling that you get when change comes. We often state we want to change but fight it because of those uncomfortable feelings. Check out what Chilly says, let's hope I keep surrendering when the fire gets HOT!

"So, my quest for TRUTH continues … And as it does, I find that I am continually and often, painfully, being transformed. It is becoming clear to me that anyone who seeks the Truth will discover that they, themselves, cannot avoid being changed in this righteous pursuit. Yes, they must be changed so that they can become the place where the object of their search can reside.

We say, “change is good” and it’s true. But what we don’t consider is that true change often only occurs as a result of fire, pain, trials and tests. Don’t say, “change me Lord” if all you want is another feeling or goosebump - for, IF God is to really change you, transformation through death (to self) is not optional. And it won’t happen as you sleep - there is no spiritual anesthesia available for the one determined to become like Christ.

~ no regrets… Chilly"

If You Seek Him, You Will Find Him!

So a while ago I blogged about some thoughts on my role as a youth leader. This year my goal is to help usher our youth into the presence of our Powerful God!

Too many times I have a tendency to rely on what I can do instead of what He can do. I try to think of things that will interest the youth so they will return. I have come to a great realization though, that in doing this I am doing our youth a great disservice. Instead I need to focus on the most important thing, guiding them into God's presence in order to experience His power! What else can be greater!

My Goal, rely on God instead of myself and partner with our youth in leading them into a meaningful relationship with God, continuing to seek Him to truly experience all He has for us!

Lord, help me to be a leader that truly seeks your face, seeks your presence! Lead me and guide me in your ways. Help me to completely surrender my will for yours. Too many times I get caught up in the little details, if I only let you lead. You alone can work in the hearts of our youth. You alone can change them. I long to see our youth seeking your face, crying out to you, believing that you are all the Almighty God. Help Me!

Tooth Pain

So last week I bite into a sandwich and broke my tooth. I was in pain all week but had to wait until we got money to go to the dentist. So we got paid and I went to the dentist just to find out they couldn't do anything for me then. I was in need of a root canal. Well after much deliberating I have decided I am not going for the root canal, I am just going to get it pulled and have a bridge put in. It is more expensive but it will last in the long run. So Monday I will call to schedule the extraction and go from there. Wish me luck!

Lots of Meds

So I made it to the doctors. I waited over an 1 hour before they even called me into the room then another 15 mins or so before I saw the doctor. I love my doctor but the office is so busy that when you call for a sick visit you can't see the doctor of your choice, you have to see the first available. So I end up seeing someone I don't care for and had to wait FOREVER to see him. As much as I love my doctor I think I might need to look for a new office. An office that has a variety of doctors I like in case I can't see the one I prefer.

Anyway, it is official, I am sick. I have a severe sinus infection. I received 4 prescriptions. It must be bad because I have never received that many prescriptions for one problem, and I have chronic sinus infections but never had that many prescriptions! Crazy!

Still Sick

So today I am still sick, made an appointment for the doctor later today. Kids are still bouncing off the walls, but it is oh so cute. Can't wait for Jeremy to get home though to help, but Tammi is here and she has been a great help to me with the kids.

Party Hangover!

No don't worry not that kind of hangover, an exhaustion hangover. I have been fighting being sick for awhile now and between a late night Friday night with decorating and an early rise finishing last minute party planning, then a GREAT party which ended again with a late night, I was exhausted! The sinus infection that I was fighting hit me head on at the end of the night. Sleepless, sick, and up at 4am because Aaron was not feeling well either, I was the mom with a party hangover, too much fun throwing a 3 year old party that I couldn't fight that cold anymore. I woke up sicker then ever, so Jeremy was nice enough to let me stay in bed. I didn't get up until 1pm. Still sick though I will be trying to head to the doctor tomorrow.

Even with being sick today was alot of fun. Jeremy and Nathan had a second party of their own. With all the wonderful toys Nathan got yesterday both the boys had a great time opening new toys every hour or so, playing with them, then opening some more new toys. And in between the opening of each new toy was the excitement of jumping in the trampoline. Yes that's right Nathan got a trampoline for his birthday. It will be really great for him as it is a Therapy item for his left side hemi-paresis! So needless to say yesterday and today were filled with children jumping of the walls with excitement. I am sure that will continue for a little while.

Well for Aaron, we tried new foods today. For dinner we tried peas and that was a no go, with turning of the head and the gage reflex! So we switched to squash to see if that would be better. That was hilarious! The gaging was even worse, but very funny! So we just moved on and let him finish a dinner of formula only.

All in all it was a great day for the children but not so good for me. Hoping tomorrow will be better since Jeremy goes back to work and it is extremely hard to watch children while sick, especially children that are still coming down from a party high!

Here's to tomorrow!

Aaron

Well I haven't really blogged about Aaron much so I figured I would give you an update.

Aaron is doing well. He is now 6 1/2 months old. He seems to be healthy and growing well, although we haven't been to the pediatrician in 2 months and have a well visit coming this week so we will verify that everything is still on course (which I am sure it is).

Well Aaron has started getting teeth, which I might have mentioned in an earlier blog, I can't remember. He has two bottom teeth, seems way early. So cute when he smiles! He has started to wave, although you wouldn't know it's a wave unless we pointed it out to you, but it is clear that he responds with the same movement of his hands every time when you wave, he's waving back! He also is rolling over both ways, all over the floor. Although he seems to be moving ahead on a lot of things, and even early on some things, Aaron is still not sitting up well (doing better this week) and still not wanting to put much weight on his legs, just because he doesn't want to. He is a lazy bones, he must know he is the last child, the baby.

Pushing ahead, we have made a complete leap, we havestared adding food to is diet. He is now eating fruits and veggies along with cereal throughout the day on a regular basis. Also we introduced him to his first sippy cup today. Check it out:

Nathan is 3!

Today is Nathan's Birthday! What a fun day! We had a great Mickey Mouse Clubhouse party, with great friends. Thank you everyone for a great day. Here are some pics:

Nathan's Mickey Cake

singing: "Happy Birthday to You..."

Family Photo (after party)

Don't worry more to come!

Self Examination

So after today lots of thoughts about ministry and my role as a leader. So many thoughts that I couldn't even start to jot them down.

Summary: in a state of self examination!

Just Courage

So tomorrow morning I have a leadership meeting for most of the day. One thing ask from us is to read a couple chapters of a book titled Just Courage.

Jeremy and I came home tonight from C4 youth and finished up our reading. Wow! I realize that I am living VERY safe. Not just in my life with dealing with my family but with my ministry! I am NOT living by example.

At one time in my life I was on fire ready to climb the mountain God placed in front of me. In sharing that with others their response was, "well you can always do something else later, when you change your mind". As if that journey up the mountain was a silly idea or that I would fail. They didn't understand. I was fine with that and didn't care. Now, though, if that was said to me, I would respond with the same i don't care mindset but deep inside I would be saying, "its ok, I have taking care of everything, made it all safe, for the just in case times." How far I have fallen off of my journey! How Safe have I become? Wow I have to live by example not only for my family, but for my youth, and for the world!

"Here is one choice that our Father wants us to understand as Christians – and I believe it is the choice of our age. Do we want to be brave or safe? Gently, lovingly – our heavenly Father wants us to know that we simply can’t be both."
— Gary Haugen

Snow Day