A Great Witness

Today the kids and I decided to go to the mountains since Jennifer was working. We met my parents, my sisters and their families in Confluence for their annual Pumpkin Festival. We arrived in Confluence during the height of the festivities! We walked down into town and met people we knew from Belle Vernon and a few other spots! Small world indeed! As we walked through town we stopped to try out the food booths (it was a bad day for the waistline)! We had the best pizza in the world, $2.00 pepperoni rolls that were almost 10 inches long! We tried the pumpkin rolls, funnel cakes, pumpkin ice cream, and the chocolate chip cookies! I did say it was a bad day for the waistline.

One of the best moments of the day was watching Wesley Chapel UMC and Confluence UMC at work witnessing to the crowd. Abby went into the Wesley Chapel booth as they offered free face painting. As she walked in, I slowly positioned myself near the edge of the tent. I listened as the women asked Abby, "Do you go to church Abby?" Abby said, "yes." The woman asked Abby which face painting she wanted. Abby pointed to the heart cross with different colors. The woman then told Abby what each color represented and she explained who Jesus was. This woman just witnessed in such a loving and meaningful way to our 4 year old. So simple that Abby understood everything she told her. Abby was so proud of her heart cross on her cheek.

I found it wonderful to see the United Methodist churches in town witnessing to the community to which they are a part of. Thanks Wesley Chapel and Confluence UMC's for a witness well done!

Happy Birthday Aaron!

10 years ago, this day, our lives changed for the better. God blessed us with a son, Aaron Jeffrey on September 22, 1998. Our son is a blessing to our family. Aaron has such a sweet spirit. Aaron is very shy, but would be willing to do anything for you. Yesterday we went out to eat with Maw-Maw and Pappy. When Aaron saw his grandpap, Aaron hugged him as hard as he could and gave him a big kiss right on the lips! He is full of the love of God and through his faith and witness, this dad is a proud papa! Thank you God for the gift of life, the gift of life in our son, Aaron and the gift of Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen.

The Day Off

Today's my day off. I have finally been able to be home for most of a day off! Tonight I do have a wedding rehearsal, but that's not bad. The last four weeks have been busy times. However, today I get to stay home. Even though I'm home, laundry seems to be a never ending saga. With five people in the house, it can pile up fast. Jennifer and I are clear about our expectations; I wash and fold, she puts all of them away. Even though we still share the responsibility, it's so much work!

I guess I should not complain! We are blessed to have the water to do it, we are blessed to have a washer and a dryer, and we are blessed to have clothes to put into the washer. I've been many places around the world where that's not the case. Millions do not have clean water to drink, let alone wash their clothes. I'm going to go and fold my clothes and thank God that I can.

Family Devotion Time

Family devotion time is a practice we have not consistently practiced...until recently. During a trip to Family Christian Stores, I came across a 365 Family Devotional book. I took a look at it and thought, this looks pretty simple, but yet, impacting at the same time. I bought the book and to our pleasure, the kids love it! (Last night Abby laughed during the entire devotion... why I'm not even sure! Maybe she thought the theme of forgiveness was too funny!) Jennifer and I did not have anywhere to go last night, which was awesome and a rarity. Both of us were present for the devotion.

Each devotion consists of 1) One Bible verse 2) Short meditation that the kids can read 3) A reflection question or a quote from someone that will make you think.

I encourage you to try it. It brings the family together and it gives us all something to focus on and pray for. If you do not have children in your family, I encourage you to read a devotion that may be age/gender specific for you/spouse/fiance', girlfriend/boyfriend. There were multiple devotionals for purchase when I went. I'm sure many will still be there when you go!

A New Perspective

I just got back from visiting my relatives in Ohio. My Aunt Evelyn lives in Hamilton, OH and my Uncle Paul lives in Georgetown, OH. Both live in care facilities. It was wonderful spending time with my loving relatives and I had the opportunity to share this with our three kids (Unfortunately, Jennifer had to work).

Uncle Paul, back in the day, owned his own printing business. Uncle Paul was very successful in what he did and he is one person I admire. He ran a very successful business. Uncle Paul lives now in a Veteran's Home. It's a beautiful place, newly constructed in a farming area on the outskirts of Cincinnati. Uncle Paul and I talked for a few hours before my cousins arrived and we all went to dinner. It was great to see Uncle Paul doing so well.

We also had the opportunity to visit my Aunt Evelyn. Aunt Evelyn is approaching 90 yrs of age. Aunt Evelyn's faith in Jesus Christ has always been a powerful influence in my life. Aunt Evelyn worked in a bank near Dayton for many years until her retirement. Aunt Evelyn is now in the skilled section of the nursing home, rooming with Alzheimer's patients. Our visit with Aunt Evelyn was not too long, as she could not handle much more. During our visit, she made many comments that showed her mind was beginning to fade. This saddened me greatly. I knew a woman, as a child, who was full of life. Now she sat in a wheelchair, watching the days pass by.

I believe our visit will strengthen my ministry to the elderly. So often, I see the elderly in nursing homes as people who have "always been there." After this visit, it struck me that the people who have "always been there" are in fact, people that have not "always been there." People like Uncle Paul and Aunt Evelyn held incredibly prominent jobs, supported families and cared for the community just as people my age do now. One day, I will be their age and I will long for relationships with my family and others around me. This new perspective will allow me to better understand those whom I visit and listen to the stories they share or even just to sit there and hold their hand. May I be attentive to the ever increasing needs that I see around me.

It was great to visit and to love our extended family.

A Very Special Person Turns Eight

This weekend, we are celebrating a birthday! Alayna turns eight on Monday. Tomorrow, we are going to have a party! Alayna has been counting the days for her birthday for two months! With Alayna, parties are a must! I'm looking forward to the day too! She's got a heart of gold and always is willing to share Christ's love to everyone, including all her friends at school! Thank God for Alayna!

Practical Stuff

Jennifer found something this week on the web that has made our life so much easier! If you have multiple people in your house and you can never figure out each other's schedules, this website is for you! Go to http://www.cozi.com/ This online tool is free and can organize your entire family's life! I now get text messages straight from http://www.cozi.com/ that tell me what to pick up at the store on my way home! Check it out! You'll be glad you used it when you're coming back from soccer practice and there is that one thing you need to pick up and you just can't remember what it was!!! Good find Jennifer!