Texas Bluebonnets

Spring has definitely sprung here in South Texas! The first bluebonnets in my neighborhood appeared late last week. I'll be on the lookout for the large fields of them in the very near future! In the mean time here are the ones blooming just outside the church:

I ♥ Faces: Water

One of the best parts about summer for most kids is CAMP! My husband and I recently took the teens from our church to Highland Lakes for Journey Youth Camp. Of course their favorite part of that camp is the BANANA BOAT!

I had a hard time deciding which photo to use for the I ♥ Faces: Water Challenge. They are preparing for take off!

This week over at I ♥ Faces the theme/challenge is "water." Head over there to check it out.

PhotoStory Friday--Mason

It has been VBS all. week. long. As tiring as VBS can be, it is also very rewarding. It is very rewarding due to stories like that of my pal Mason.




If you've been reading here long, or know me personally, you know I worked in the church nursery for several years. Mason was one of the kids I kept in the nursery. I've known Mason for 8 years now. I have also taught his brothers in Sunday School, went to camp with one of his brothers last year, consider his grandparents to be good friends of mine, and love him and his family dearly. Mason and his brothers have always held a special place in my heart. Those boys have had a rough time with their parents, have been abandoned by their mother and are being raised by grandparents who love them very much. While their story could certainly be a tragic one, it is not. Yes, it's a sad one at times, but they are overcoming the things that sadden them thanks to a loving family.


Mason brought me to tears today. His grandma, my friend Linda, asked Mason to let me take his photo with a sign he had. I approached Mason and watched as he unfolded a piece of paper in his pocket. I snapped his photo and read the paper. What I read brought instant tears. This my friends is why I, and everyone else who works in VBS, do what we do: so kids like Mason can learn about Jesus and learn what it means to accept Jesus as their Savior. When I turned around after reading Mason's sign and giving him a big hug, I saw that my friend Angela (my pastor's daughter) also had tear-filled eyes. THIS is why people continue year after year to volunteer to work in VBS.















Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Boomerang Express VBS

All Aboard!!! It has been a busy busy week here! We are in the midst of Vacation Bible School every morning. I am exhausted every year after working in VBS, but can't imagine NOT taking part. It is such a blessing watching so many children so excited about coming to church and learning about Jesus. For some children, VBS is the only time they come to church.


I am so thankful to be part of a church where so many people get involved and volunteer to work during VBS. We attend a small country church, yet there have been as many as 41 adults and youth working in VBS this week!!!!

Gotta love to see the VBS teachers laughing and having a great time! I think Reva has on Mason's hat!

Yesterday our pastor presented the ABC's of becoming a Christian to the 1st-6th graders.

Mr. Richard's class in their goofy pose!

The director's (or engineers?) of this year's "Boomerang Express"

myself and Bill

Just a few of our volunteers:

Mr. Rodney, Mr. Jess, and Mr. Morris

Thanks guys!!!

Even the littlest ones love learning the motions to the VBS songs!

Worship Rally

Worship Rally

My daughter Heather and my nephew Logan

The crafts crew: Mari, Shannon and Jim

Janice does an awesome job leading the music every year!

The Pre-K class in the Worship Rally

Leading the Worship Rally, Bill and Janice

Our awesome Kitchen Crew! Mr. Morris, Mrs. Lorelei, Mrs. Edith, Mrs. Wanda and Mrs. Doris

To see all the VBS photos as they are uploaded check here.

Candlelight Christmas

Yesterday was our church's annual Candlelight Christmas Service. This was the first year I've been able to attend one of these services. Last year we went to Missouri for Christmas so I missed it, and in the years prior to that, I was in the nursery during church services. I was excited about being able to see and hear this service firsthand. It was a beautiful service with the church auditorim lit mostly by candlelight.

At the beginning of the service as the pastor spoke of blessings of Christmas such as hope, peace, love, faithfulness, etc. As he mentioned each one, someone in the congregation lit a candle at the front of the room to represent each blessing of Christmas. Afterward, every person in the congregation formed a line to light their own candle from the large center candle up front and formed a large circle around the whole auditorium and sang "Silent Night" together. It really was a beautiuful service.

Because of the low light I had to keep the shutter of the camera open longer to capture any photos. In doing so, any movement at all caused bluriness so the photos of people aren't crisp at all...but I decided to post anyway so you could see for yourself the beauty of such a service. What a feeling to be able to worship together with my church family, especially at Christmas!

My friends Denise and Nancy playing the piano and keyboard during the service. What beautiful music!







I couldn't even get half the congregation in the photo.






Heather. I guess she just couldn't hear me saying "hold still and don't move a muscle for about 6 seconds...." lol







Our friends Larry, Pat, Lisa and Billy.








Denise at the piano.

I just love the Christmas tree in this room!







Merry Christmas!

Family Christmas

Each year a Sunday close to Christmas is set aside for "Family Christmas." It is a time for individuals or groups of the church, or even relatives of members of our congregation to sing or play special music. As the pastor puts it, they present special music to God and we get to listen in while they do.

Heather participated by playing her French Horn with the ensemble in an instrumental rendition of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." She played the horn, our music minister Rodney played his trumpet, our friend Richard played his saxophone, our friend (Richard's wife) Nancy played the keyboard, and our pianist Janice played the piano. It was beautiful!

Heather with her horn.






Rodney on his trumpet, Richard on his sax, and Heather on her horn.

Immediately following that Heather sang a solo, "O Holy Night." She did a wonderful job and after church many people were stopping to compliment her and I heard several who were amazed at the high notes she was able to hit. I tell them she certainly doesn't get her musical ability from me!

When I arrived home late this afternoon it was to find a surprise email in my inbox from my friend Erica, containing a video of Heather singing her solo. Thank you Erica!

Christmas Carols

Tonight was our church's annual trip to go Christmas caroling at area nursing homes. I love to see the kids all enjoy this activity. They look adorable singing their little hearts out and they are so warm and loving to the residents of the nursing homes.

A total of 42 of us went caroling.

Kids Klub sang some songs from their recent musical.

Ashley looked so precious singing carols.





So did Dillon.





Heather singing with our pianist Janice.







My friends Paula and Jimmy.






Erica and Lana as the group walked around halls singing to residents.







Ashley was so sweet saying Merry Christmas to the residents.






Lisa and Chandler




Dawn and Mitch. This is a realatively new couple at our church that we are all enjoying getting to know. They are a fun/funny couple!





Lisa helping Cheney find his page.






Holly looking so sweet.

Cheney was so cute following along in his song book.







I think everyone got a kick ouf of seeing the littlest ones wanting song books to sing with like the big kids and adults. Katie had a song book too.






Heather sang along, and helped Janice turn pages at the piano.






Katie wishing Merry Christmas to a resident.

Signs of Christmas

God only gave me one child of my own, but after many years of praying for more children he answered in an unexpected way. He sent me to Texas, to a church filled with friends whose children I've grown to love.

Riley, Maggie, Katie, Dillon, Cameron, Cheney, Bethany, Anna, Holly, Bryanna, Garrett

Kids Klub presented their Christmas Musical "Signs of Christmas" Sunday night and they did a fabulous job! I'm always so impressed with their ability and how even ones so small let God's love shine through them. Kids you did a marvelous job and I'm so proud of each of you!






Holly, Bryanna, and Garrett singing out.





Bethany reading a Christmas story to all the kids.






Cheney never ceases to amaze me with how well he says so many lines and he's only in first grade!!!






Holly sang with the sweetest expression on her face.