Live. Reveal. Share.

We've Moved!

2011-07-06T16:53:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone! We've moved the church blog. You can find it at: http://shilohjasper.wordpress.com/

Ding-Dong [Teri]

2011-02-02T10:16:00.005-05:00

Soon after Wally Wilms, our janitor and Principal of the Preschool (as the children thought), passed away, we received a new doorbell in the office. It is set to ring once when anyone enters the outer office door.

The doorbell had a habit of ringing when the shredder was used. This was the alternate ring, you know, the fancier ring. We got into the routine of remembering Wally when this bell went off. It was a comfort.

Recently, the doorbell was ringing as it wished. Finally, the beginning of January this year, it was going off constantly and we had to have it changed. We jokingly said that Wally was over-excited about all the glitter left in the pews after Christmas. (Anyone who remembers Wally knows his dislike of glitter and loose staples in the rugs!) Well, on January 10th, the anniversary of the fire, we could not get the doorbell to shut off and we had to unplug it.

So now we shred without additional noise or reminders of our friend.

Wally, we miss you!!

Gifts that Give Back:: Day 12

2010-12-16T09:25:00.001-05:00

Quite the morning we are having isn't it? I hope everyone is safe at home - or if they had to travel that they are safe at work . My wonderful boss told me to stay put for awhile, so I am blogging from the living room while watching the weather channel. All I have to say is - I think we were lucky. It looks NASTY in other parts of the country.

I did learn this morning that my doggie Dixie can ice skate. I saw her do it on my driveway this morning! I have been so blessed in my life in the last year and a half to have a great friend in Dixie. She was a gift from my loving husband - best gift I've ever gotten. And that got me thinking about gifts that could give back to a pet - or how about bringing a new friend home with you this Christmas? We have a Humane Society right here in Jasper!

So what do you do to bring a new friend home? You can get on their website here, and see all the friends they have there that need adopting. You can also attend their open adoption hours from 4:30-6:30 on Wednesdays or 11-1 on Saturdays. You can go into the building during these times and look your new friend in the eye!

I did some looking online, and if I were going to bring a new friend home this Christmas it would be one of these two:

Simon, a Shetland Sheepdog Sheltie/Border Collie Mix. Look at that face!

Or Lotus a beautiful short-hair. I would go get this little lady today if my husband would let me.

Three reasons why this is a great gift that gives:

1. You take in a little friend who has no one.

2. Your life will change when you bring a pet home - they love unconditionally. You bring them food, water, a little scratch here and there, and they love you.

3. You make room in our local shelter for another pet that has no family.

Gifts that Give Back:: Day 11

2010-12-15T15:38:00.000-05:00

Are you a gift giver that loves to give plastic? You know, plastic gift cards? I love to give them at weddings - then the couple can just pick out what they need after opening all their gifts.

But this isn't a wedding, it's Christmas, and we are looking for ways to give back. What if I told you there were groups that sold gift cards for charities? What? That's right - you can buy a gift card that is good for over a hundred charities and then the recipient can choose what charity the money goes to. Pretty neat huh?

I found a couple of different groups that do this, but my pick Charity Gift Certificates .org They are a non-profit that sells gift cards on their website, and then you give them to someone. And the person on the receiving end then gets on line, goes to the website and redeems them. Pretty sweet huh? This is for the person who has everything for sure! I was having a great time going through the list to see all the different choices there were - including some that have been featured on this blog before - Samaritans Purse and the USO to name a couple!

Gifts that Give Back:: Day 10

2010-12-14T11:55:00.000-05:00

How about something local you ask? (Actually nobody asked, but I have to start this conversation somehow. You know you can leave comments on these posts or on the post of facebook. Go ahead - I dare you!) Anyway, how about giving back locally? There are few ways, and today we are going to focus on Toys for Tots.

Toys for Tots is a locally run toy drive driven by the local Marines. They collect toys during the months of October, November, and December and the distribute them to needy children in our community. Here's what you do: You go to your favorite retailer (Walmart, KMart, Rural King) and you buy some kids toys. I love to buy games like Candy Land and Shoots and Ladders - it not only is a great gift, but it brings families together. Then you put them in the Toys for Tots boxes.

Where are the boxes you ask? EnStyle; KMart; WalMart; Nonte Chiropractic; Uebelhor & Sons Toyota; Dollar General North and South; Rural King; CVS; The Sun Station; Big Lots; Old National Bank-Main Branch. Whew! That's a lot of boxes that need filling - and this is just in Jasper!

Have you ever watched kids open their Christmas presents? I love the look of joy on their faces when they realize what they got under all that paper. I know I won't get to watch the kids open the Candy Land games I gave this year, but somewhere in my own community someone is feeling that joy. I don't need to see it.

Alright people, get out there and fill those boxes!!!

Gifts that Give Back:: Day 9

2010-12-13T15:42:00.000-05:00

In my quest to find gifts that give back, I found something really cool - there are a lot of ways to give back, and some ways that you would never think of. Today's gift is like that.

Day nine comes to us from Naumes Fruit Gifts. They are pear growers from Oregon who sell high - end fruit. Pears. And they have taken their company and done something special with it - for ever pound of fruit you buy from them, they donate a pound to a food bank.

Think about it: On food bank weekend what do you donate? Canned Goods? Boxed dinners? Maybe even some paper towel? What do people need: a balanced diet. If you were depending on the food bank for meals, wouldn't it be great to be able to get some fruit while you were there? These people have taken something simple - giving the the food bank - and made it extraordinary.

Their fruit is pretty expensive, but like they say, you get what you pay for. I bet these are GREAT Pears. And if you take their challenge to Donate Fruit, feel free to leave some on my desk.

Gifts that Give Back:: Day 8

2010-12-10T10:50:00.001-05:00

Have you ever given a cow for Christmas? No? I'm shocked. I know its something on your list of things to do, so here is your chance!

Today's Gift that Gives back is from Heifer International. This is a charitable group that works with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. They call it a 'hand up' not a 'hand out'.

"With gifts of livestock and training, we help families improve their nutrition and generate income in sustainable ways. We refer to the animals as "living loans" because in exchange for their livestock and training, families agree to give one of its animal's offspring to another family in need. It's called Passing on the Gift – a cornerstone of our mission that creates an ever-expanding network of hope and peace."

So here's how it works: You go to their website here and check out their gift catalog. Its not just cows. Its cows, sheep, chickens, bees, camels, trees.....there are lots of choices. Here are a few for a few different price ranges:

First, a Heifer (They are called Heifer International after all!) Did you know a good dairy cow can produce 4 gallons of milk a day? That's enough for a family to have, to share with neighbors and possibly sell! Here's the really awesome part: When a family accepts a Heifer from Heifer International they agree that its first offspring will be given to another family. And that family agrees to the same deal. And a cow can produce a calf every year! Think about the impact this could have on a village over the years! Now the Cow is not cheap....its runs just at $500, but you can buy a share in a cow for $50.

Second, Chickens. A Flock of Chicken to be exact. Heifer International sets a family up with somewhere between 10 to 50 chicks. And a good hen can lay 200 eggs a year - helping to nourish the family and allow them to sell the eggs to make some money. Like the cow, the offspring of these chickens will be given to a neighbor, and the family will receive training on how to care for the chicks. Other bonuses - they help control insects AND fertilize gardens. Chickens rule! And you can give the gift of a flock of chickens for $20!!

Third, and my favorite, Sheep. (I once took a sheep to the fair....long story, but it ends with me never even eating Lamb until Ronnie Sorgius MADE ME! just kidding, but really, I love sheep). Sheep are a great gift because of the wool. Families can use it to make clothing or sell it for income. Sheep also eat grass, and can graze in very hilly areas where other livestock like cows couldn't. Again, the offspring is shared with neighbors and lots of times sheep give birth to twins! Double the return! The gift of sheep is $120, but you can share one for as little as $10.

Bees! Bees everywhere! Yes, you can give the gift of bees....bet you never thought about that one either! Bees are a great choice because families can use the products - honey, beeswax and pollen for income. Here's the really awesome part about giving bees: They go looking for nectar and subsequently pollinate plants. If they are placed in the right area they can as much as double some fruit and vegetable yields! Wow! That can impact a whole community not just one family! When you give your gift of bees, the family gets bees, the box and hive, plus training in beekeeping. Bees cost $30.

Gifts that Give Back:: Day 7

2010-12-09T09:56:00.000-05:00

Speaking of Coffee.....

Oh wait, we weren't speaking of coffee? Are you sure? Because I was thinking about coffee, so I guess I just thought we were speaking of it too....

OK anyway, speaking of coffee, We have another great opportunity for a gift that gives back! Its coffee! Not just any coffee, but fair trade coffee! (Whats fair trade? Well I had someone explain it to me recently. It means that the farmers who grow the coffee get a fair price for their crop. In a lot of places in the world this is not the normal. So you are insuring that someone has a better life by buying fair trade)

Today's brew comes from Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Company. This coffee is grown on small farming cooperatives and bought directly from the growers. It is then shipped from Rwanda to Georgia where it is artisan roasted, grinded (if you like), and shipped fresh to you!

Why buy coffee for Christmas? Well for one, lots of people like coffee, and this is good stuff. Second, you are helping to provide a life for a family in Rwanda just by buying this coffee. Not just a family, a village. You can impact a whole village by drinking a cup of coffee in the morning.

Here are a couple of gift ideas:

4 Bag Ikawa Sample Box. Each package is pre measured to the right amount to make a 12 cup pot! This is a great way to discover your favorite roast for your next order! $14.95

Drink Coffee. Do Good. Coffee Cup. You have to have a coffee cup if you are planning on drinking coffee. Why not buy one that supports the cause? $8.95

Do Good Blend. This coffee is a blend of two different beans from two different cooperatives, so you are not only supporting a village, you are bring people together! The website says it is a medium roast with a light aftertaste. $10.95

Chocolate Mind Flavored Coffee. This seasonal coffee is roaster with chocolate and mint to give it a great smooth, dark taste. I would really like to know how this is, so if you do buy some, let me know! $11.95

Are you enjoying the series? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Gifts that Give Back:: Day 6

2010-12-08T09:23:00.000-05:00

Man its cold out there this morning! When my chauffeur picked me up i almost froze before he got the door closed on the car! (No really, there is a man who drives me to work! Most times I just call him Joseph....) Lucky I have someone so wonderful to go out and start the car before its time to go.

Today's gift that gives back is support for Mission Guatemala - Tom Heaton's group.

Who is Tom Heaton? Tom is a United Methodist Pastor from the Indiana Conference who as been serving Mission Guatemala since 2008. He and Mission Guatemala are working to improve the quality of life for the indigenous people of Guatemala. Guatemala is one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere ranking fourth in the world for child malnutrition.

Mission Guatemala depends on donations. They are not funded by the government or other agency. You can donate 4 ways:

1. You can donate to Mission Guatemala on their website here. Your donation will go a lot way helping a child receive school supplies or for someone to be able to see a doctor in the free clinic Mission Guatemala just opened. Things that most of us never think twice about, these people can't afford.

2. You can donated to the San Andres Boy's Home here. In Guatemala, if you are an orphan, a boy and the age of 13, you are forced out of your orphanage. So Mission Guatemala set up a boys home for boys 13-18 to give them a fighting chance. They attend school and live day to day in a family setting. It is a hope of Mission Guatemala to set up some vocational training at the Home so they will learn a trade before setting out on their own.

3. You can donate a water filter on their website here. Clean drinking water can be very scarce for Mayan Families, and with your donation you are insuring 10 gallons of safe drinking water in a 24 hour period. That could go a long way for a community! The filter costs $45.

4. You can drink coffee. I'm sure you saw before or after church the coffee sales and Mayan handcrafted gifts being sold in the narthexes. That was Cindy Uhrick's effort to help send herself and her family to Guatemala. And now that they are back, you can still buy coffee (available by contacting her or in the church office) to help send a team back next year.

Recently Pastor Paul, Mike Hadley, and the Uhrick family from church had the opportunity to spend two weeks in Guatemala helping get a clinic ready to see patients. (You can see pictures of their travels on the Church Facebook Page.) If you have any questions on weather this would be a gift that gives back or not, just talk to one of them.

This Christmas, lets help a fellow United Methodist provide some daily needs to people in Guatemala, there fore enabling him to show the love of Christ to these people at the same time.

Gifts that Give Back:: Day 5

2010-12-07T09:19:00.000-05:00

How is your Christmas Shopping going? Here is another idea for someone on your list, that will give back to someone who might not be on your list.

Our very stylish Student Ministries Director Danita shared this one with me after she came across it at Ichthus. Its called Got Your Back Movement, based out of Franklin TN. Its a principle much like Tom's Shoes (Who? See Day 1). You buy a t-shirt from them, they give a school uniform to a kid who needs one.

Why school uniform? Remember why Tom's Shoes gave shoes? To help kids get into school, because a lot of places require shoes to go to school. Same goes for uniforms. There has been a global push for mandatory school uniforms, because it has been found that if all the kids have matching clothes, they are more likely to excell. But the extra cost of buying the uniform keeps some kids out of schools.

Got Your Back Movement has three project areas right now: Kenya, Haiti, and......Kentucky. That's right. Our neighbor Kentucky. Why Kentucky?

Tucked away in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, communities are struggling to make ends meet. This area of the country, where the average annual earnings for a family of 4 is below $12,000, is home to some of the poorest people in the United States. With up to three times the national poverty rate, residents in this region are facing epidemics of depression, cancer, tooth loss, drug abuse and the shortest life spans in the nation. It is in these rural areas that children are facing issues that most of us can only imagine taking place in third world countries, issues including the fight to receive an education.

Think about it. You want your kid to go to school, but its either school uniform or food. What's the logical choice? 23% of children under the age of 18 are living in poverty without the ability to buy a school uniform, and then without the ability to go to school. Everyone deserves an education. I think its easy to think about kids in far off lands of Africa not going to school, or needing a uniform to go to school, but Kentucky? We can be in Kentucky in a little over an hour. This is like our own kids not being able to good to school and get an education so they can go to college someday. Check out their store - the T-Shirts are great!

I'll let them explain it to you:

Gifts that Give Back:: Day 4

2010-12-06T15:17:00.001-05:00

Hello! Jennifer here, back at my desk after a long weekend of putting up trees and resting! I pray you all had blessed weekends! Now its time again for another Gift that Gives Back, today from Samaritans Purse. You know, the shoebox people! Well it turns out they do a lot more than just shoe boxes! Here is their over all mission statement:

Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ.

I went to their website, and they have an interactive catalog that you can look through and it gives you ideas for any price range. They call them gifts of hope:

.....Whatever assistance we provide - schools for children, food and water for families, medical care for communities, Bibles and buildings for churches - we do it in the Name of Jesus Christ. When you give to one of the projects in this catalog, you not only relieve suffering, but you also advance the Gospel.

Here are some ideas of gifts (Editors Note: It won't let me put pictures in today!!!)

A Family Survival Kit: This is a bucket given to people who have experienced a natural disaster and have nothing left. Could you imagine starting over with nothing? For $45 dollars you can provide cooking supplies, hygiene items, blankets, hand tools, and a water bucket. Not enough to fill their whole house, but somethings that will help make their lives a little bit easier.

How about clean drinking water? Could you imagine your life without that? Around the world, over 120,000 families in 24 countries depend water filterers to have clean drinking water. These simple filters, which require no chemicals or power, instead using a natural biological process to remove disease-causing microorganisms and pollutants. You can give the gift of clean water for $100, and also enable Samaritan's Purse to teach a family about living water - Jesus.

And my favorite: A Net. If you have participated in a mission trip in a 3rd world county, you know that even the bugs can bring diseases while you sleep. These nets insure that kids and adults alone can sleep soundly knowing that they will still be healthy in the morning. Here is a quick video about the nets: (PS - you can send one for $10)

Gifts that Give Back:: Day 3

2010-12-03T10:40:00.000-05:00

Well, I am at home on the couch with Bronchitis. Lucky for me, the internet is amazing so I can blog from anywhere! Lucky for you you will get another idea about gifts that give back!

And due to my illness, I thought it would only be fitting to focus on a gift that give back to someone seeking medical treatment. Today we are going to look at ways to give back to St. Jude's.

St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital is in Memphis TN, and will not refuse treatment based on race, religiion or a families ability to pay for treatment. They are working hard to find cures for cancer in kids, and they are just a quick 5 hours from here. THat means you might know someone who has been treated at St. Jude's. You might know one of the 5,700 patients they treat every year! Thats a lot of help for a lot of kids.

And they won't refuse kids based on a kids ability to pay. So they depend on donations from people like you and me. How can you help? You can make a donation here. Or you can shop in their gift shop and buy something nice for someone on your nice list. Here are a couple of suggestions:

First, a Christmas ornament. There are several different ones to chose from, this one below has the 12 days of Christmas depicted on it, all with artwork by a patient at St. Jude's. Runs about $8, and would be a great addition to any tree.

Next, a very snuggly bear with the I Heart St. Jude's logo. Give this little one to your favorite little one and help one you don't know! $10 or three for $27

And then a hat with the St. Jude's logo on it. Show your support as you keep the sun out of your eyes. Maybe wear it while you train for the St. Jude Half or Whole Marathon in 2011! The hat costs $8.

You can find these and other gifts supporting St. Jude's here.

Gifts that Give Back:: Day 2

2010-12-02T14:11:00.001-05:00

Are you enjoying our series? I sure am! It is sure giving me a lot of idea for Christmas as I do my research to write the blog.

Today's Gift is a Care Package through the USO.

This Christmas while you are snuggled up with your family around the piano singing Christmas carols, sipping peppermint hot cocoa, while the tree flickers in the background remember that not all families are so lucky. There are many American families that are oceans apart, while one serves our great nation. And you can do something to help.

Have you ever been to summer camp? College? Then you might know the excitement of receiving a care package - in this case things like sunscreen, a deck of cards, some toiletries. It's little things but it means a lot.

For $25 you can send one care package through the USO. You can then include a personalized message, and they will be distributed through the Department of Defense.

Here is a video I found on YouTube. It really did bring me to tears. I feel so privileged to live in a Country where I can celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus - thanks to those who serve.

Did you miss yesterdays? At the bottom of this post, there is a label that says Gifts that Give. Click on it and you will find all the posts in this series.

Gifts that Give Back: Day 1

2010-12-01T11:16:00.001-05:00

Why Hello December! I've been looking for you all fall! Mostly because December means cooler weather. Doesn't it feel like we kinda skipped fall this year?

Now that the holiday season is upon us, we are going to start a new blog series called Gifts that Give back. These are all going to be things that you can purchase as gifts to give to others that will also give back, or donations to a cause that will make someones life a little better this year. There are tons of ways to give back, but we are only going to cover a few.

Day One - A cause that is near and dear to my heart - Tom's shoes. Why is this near and dear? Well, I am a Tom's wearer (is that a word? Where is my editor when I need her?) I remember friends in college wearing Tom's, and I was thinking $50 for shoes? I couldn't possibly spend that much money on myself. Then I started working at the Church, and my good friend Danita also wears Tom's. She is very stylish, so I decided to look into them again. And really, while it is $50, you are buying TWO pairs of shoes! Here's how it works:

You get online or find a retailer near you (I don't know where the nearest one is around here, I bought mine while on vacation in WY and I know Danita's come from TN), and you order a pair of shoes. Then Tom's takes another pair and give it to a child in need in a third world country. In a lot of countries, diseases can be spread through the ground, and having shoes help prevent this. The other reason really tugs at my heartstrings: many schools require shoes as part of the uniform, but these kids can't afford them. So they don't get the chance to go to school, because of shoes. So now when I wear my tom's I think about how someone is attending school somewhere in the world wearing a pair of Tom's.

They run about $50 for the canvas shoes.

They also make Wrap boots for $98

And for your Jasper Wildcat Fan, I suggest the Gold Sparkly Tom's!

And that is just the beginning. You can buy Tom's for men, for women for children! You can also get a Tom's T-Shirt if you wish! Now if you are still not sold on this gift giving back, here is a little video. Look at those kids running with their little canvas shoes on!

Are Your Boxes Packed?

2010-11-09T08:57:00.000-05:00

Here is a cute video I found for the Operation Christmas Child Cause. I know it is a little corny at the beginning, but keep watching. I melt everytime I see those smiles! If you would like to put a box together the time is now. The deadline for boxes is Sunday. Need more info? Call the church office - 812.634.9542

Week of Nov. 7 @ Shiloh

2010-11-08T10:36:00.000-05:00

Here's what's happening at Shiloh this week.

Monday morning bible study is happening right now (Started at 9) Tonight is Staff - Parish Meeting at 6.
Tuesday J.O.Y. is in the Lifecenter at 5:30
Wednesday is TGIW! Dinner is Baked Potato Bar with all the Fixin's, combination salad, ambrosia salad, hot dogs and chips, Dessert and Drinks.
Thursday Lunch Bible Study starts at 11:45. They are studying Daniel. And then you can scoot over to Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting. Trustees meet at 6, and the Choir starts its Practices back up at 7!
Saturday is TURKEY DINNER in the Life Center! Come eat and then there is a concert by Chosen at 7 in the Sanctuary.

Whew! Looks like a busy week!

Fall Festival Recap

2010-11-05T10:32:00.000-04:00

Well, we sure had fun at the Fall Festival this year.

We at Chili and hotdogs.

We played with a clown.

We found Waldo.

We got our faces painted.

Even the Queen of England came!

Save the Date - Fall Festival 2011 - October 31st!

Big Day!

2010-11-02T11:22:00.000-04:00

Here we are November. We have arrived on the day we have all been waiting for. November 2nd. No I don't mean Election day. I am talking about Book-a-Lodge-for-Summer-Camp-at-That-Thing-2011!

You aren't excited are you?

Well let me tell you what this day means. This morning Danita Brick, our fearless youth leader arose at the crack of 9am, booted up her computer, and logged on. She then put in her information - name, church, two phone numbers and an email. And then pressed send.

This is what victory looks like people. But it doesn't end there. Then the waiting began. You see the game was, you put in your info and then the camp people call you back within the hour. So to fill our time, we enjoyed a doughnut with our fearless leader Pastor Scott. We talked about years at camp past, our campers, our future campers, etc. I did not get any photos of this part because someone who will not be named had chocolate on her face (it was NOT the lady above). Then, the phone rang.

And it was our good friend from camp Ryan Gern! And he helped Danita the Brave book a lodge at That Thing for 2011. I am so excited.

I wanted to put a video up about That Thing, but our internet here at the church today is spotty. So maybe later when it comes back (currently the only things we can access are twitter and Google, which blogger is a Google product!)

Week of Oct. 3rd

2010-10-05T09:16:00.000-04:00

Here's What’s happening around Shiloh this week:

Evangelism Meeting Monday night.

Sewing to Serve 6pm Tuesday in room 7

TGIW Wednesday - Dinner is Turkey Kielbasa Sausage, cabbage/sauerkraut, green beans, salad or hot dogs, dessert and drinks. Sounds Tasty! Dinner starts at 5:30, classes begin at 6:30

Thursday there is a study of the Book of Daniel starting at 11:45. The prayer shawl ministry meets at 1.

And then of course we worship Saturday at 5:30 in the Life Center and Sunday at 9 in the Sanctuary and 10:30 in the Life Center!

October

2010-10-01T10:59:00.000-04:00

Well here we are. October. My favorite month of the year. A month full of warm pies, leaves, hayrides, chili and of course FALL FESTIVAL! Thats right, this great month ends with our big event.

Do you want to help with Fall festival this year? There's lots of ways you can. You can donate candy, work a booth or make a cake for the cake walk. Call the church office to find out how you can help today!

Seasons

2010-09-16T11:20:00.000-04:00

I am sitting here at my desk trying to check as many things off my list as possible today. It's working out pretty well for me, I just really wanted to write on the blog this week and have been drawing a blank about what to say. So I was sitting here staring out the window when I noticed the tree outside my window looks a lot different. Here it is:

(I wonder who that is driving by?)

Not a great picture, but you get the point. It looks like the tree is changing colors. I wanted to try for a better picture so I walked outside and noticed the tree is NOT changing colors. It is just dropping its leaves so you can see these better:

There are all these little berries on it! I really don't know what kind of tree this is, but I like it :) Then I noticed this:

Aaah Fall! I know it was still in the 90's yesterday, but fall is very welcome with me this year. This was my first true summer in S. Indiana and it was HOT! And I just love it when the world changes colors and all the leaves fall. I love the change in the seasons.

I then set off to see what else had changed around Shiloh. Here is what I found:

The corn is gone! This is the cornfield to the east of Shiloh - over by the baseball field. I am sorry I missed it when the farmer came and harvested it. I grew up around a lot of farmers and love love love when the combine comes out. To this day I still want to pull over and run out into the field and climb inside the combine and go for a ride. Except I don't usually know the farmers around here who are harvesting their corn and that would be weird......

Here is all thats left from this summer. Brings a verse to mind.....

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot....

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Wednesday NoWhere?

2010-09-01T13:25:00.000-04:00

Two weeks ago I put up a Wednesday Where? and no one guessed. I decided it was fun this summer, but now that school has started again, we are going to take some time off. I will continue to update the blog with other fun facts and such, but no more Wednesday Where? for now.

Any suggestion on what our next blog activity should be?

Blessed Assurance

2010-09-01T11:37:00.000-04:00

This morning I was talking about the Hymn Blessed Assurance with some ladies, and I didn't know how it went. I was raised Catholic, so its not one I was raised on. So of course I YouTubed it. I have heard it before - and I love it.

Heres a little video of it I pulled from You Tube (I know Alan Jackson is a country music singer, but he is also a Christian, and one of my favorites.)

Cart, Horse

2010-08-30T09:18:00.000-04:00

I worry about things. I woke up this morning worrying about our upcoming vacation, packing, the plane ride, etc. And then I had to remind myself that I was putting the cart before the horse. Its pretty hard to get anywhere like that.

Driving to work this morning I was thinking about a chapter of Matthew that addresses worrying Here it is:

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Not me for sure. Just a gentle reminder this morning that God is in control.

Strassenfest Recap

2010-08-24T11:00:00.000-04:00

Did you miss the video from a couple of Sundays ago about Shiloh's participation in Strassenfest? Here it is again:

Wednesday Where? Week 10

2010-08-18T08:21:00.000-04:00

I know what your thinking, its so early! Well, I just couldn't wait to get the Wednesday Where? up this week! And we are leaving in 10 for staff retreat :)

Here is the answer to last weeks. Not hard, I know

Here is this weeks. Just remember - this one might not be as clear as you first think.....

Wednesday Where? Week 9

2010-08-11T14:42:00.000-04:00

Boy has it been hot outside! I would have had this up sooner but I was stuck to the parking lot!

Here is last week's answer:

Its the Christian Flag. This one is in the Sanctuary, but there is on in the Life Center also.

Now this weeks.....

Good luck everyone!

Wednesday Where? Week 8

2010-08-04T14:32:00.000-04:00

Hello Dear Readers! I have to apoligize for not posting anything between Wednesdays last week. Sometimes I forget about the blog - except Wednesday - its my favorite part of the week!

Here is the answer to last weeks:

It was the back of the Van. Great Job with your guesses!

And now Week 8:

Ohh thats a tough one!

Wednesday Where? Week 7

2010-07-28T14:37:00.000-04:00

Last weeks Wednesday Where? wasn't quite as hard. Here the answer:

Its the In-Out board in the office.

Week 7 - here we go:

What is it? If you know leave a comment here on the blog. And please sign your name :)

Wednesday Where? Week 6

2010-07-21T11:13:00.000-04:00

Ohhh I get really excited when I wake up and realize that its Wednesday - and that I get to come up with a Wednesday Where? I look forward to reading your comments from the moment I post it. Just this morning I was laying in bed with a little gameshow jingle in my head and I thought, what if the Wednesday Where? was a gameshow. I could dance around with a giant questionmark and there would be a host with way too tan skin and way too white teeth.......if only dreams came true!

Ok, Ok, on to the Wednesday Where?

Last weeks asnwer:

Yes they were hangers - but where? They hang right by the new elevator in the Life Center just waiting for wet raincoats!

And now.....(do you hear the drumroll?) This weeks Wednesday Where?

Where is it? What is it?

Hello Summer? Where have you gone?

2010-07-19T09:55:00.000-04:00

With the end of VBS, I feel like summer is gone, and now we will just coast back into the school year and TGIW.....

Two things about this:
1). They told me when I started here that churches have busy seasons. I didn't know they meant winter, spring, summer and fall.
2). I really do miss it when there isn't a bunch of kids running through here at least once during the work week. And not cooking on Wednesday is the best!

Wednesday Where? Week 5

2010-07-14T11:41:00.000-04:00

I think last weeks was too hard. Here is the answer:

Its the train set in the toddler room!

I hope this weeks is a little easier:

Wednesday Where? Week 4

2010-07-07T15:12:00.000-04:00

Here we are, week 4 of Wednesday Where? Where do you think this is:

Post your guesses in the comments area!

Camp is Over

2010-07-07T10:01:00.000-04:00

Well, we left the camp bubble. That's what we have been calling it. You know, the bubble that is over the campground so nothing evil or not nice can get in and interfere with our worshiping God. The last night we were there some of the girls in my bunk room were saying how they wanted to stay at camp forever. I told them they had 2 options - stay in the camp bubble and not see their family, or go back and be able to see their families. They all made the right choice.

Its hard living here in the real world - even for us adults. We go to camp and are forever changed, but all our friends/family back at home have not changed. They didn't experience the things we did, and sometimes they don't understand why we have changed. And sometimes they don't like it.

Please take heart in the words of Jesus in John Chapter 15:

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

We don't belong to this world. We belong to God. And as hard as it is to ignore the peer pressure to conform to the ways of this world, your reward will be great if you just remember where God's Kingdom is.

Wednesday Where? Week 3

2010-06-30T16:04:00.000-04:00

Hello from camp! Since I am not in the church, we are not having Wednesday Where? this week. Sorry about not remembering to take a picture before I left!

Last week's answer was The Elevator Button! I can't wait until the day when we can push it and go down stairs! Its coming sooner than you think!

Tune in next week for another edition of Wednesday Where?

CAMP! Day 3 - Tie Dye

2010-06-30T16:02:00.000-04:00

Sorry I'm late today - I just got done tie-dying a t-shirt. It was another first for me, and let me tell you, it looks great!

Last night we went over the Sermon on the Mount using many different types of media - it was AWESOME! Steve Carter said if he had to do a Last Lecture it would be on that, so they did it last night (he's not going anywhere, they were just using his idea.) I can't really express in words the worship last night, you just had to be there (and I'm sorry you all weren't) We also took communion together, which I think always brings a group of people together in a new way that is unexplainable.

We also played a game called frozen t-shirt. In short, Jessica, the campus house leader, froze a bunch of t-shirts and we split the kiddos into groups, and they had to thaw their shirt enough to get it on one of their members. It was hilarious! The most interesting part to us was their first reaction was to chuck it against the ground as hard as they could - like all the ice was just going to break off of it and it would be unfroze. Other methods included the group hug around it, the mother-hen sitting on it, the putting it in your shirt against your body, running up and down the lane to get hot and then holding it against your body. They were very creative. We also played a game called Human Battleship - pretty much what it sounds like - two teams, separated by a tarp, tossing water balloons over it to hit each other. The funniest part was when someone got hit and they yelled, "my battleship has sprung a leak!" Guess you had to be there.....

Now we are getting into the giving back/action part of the week. This morning we talked about hope, and how now that we have it we have to share it. And how we are all loyal to certain things (his example was IU and Purdue) and how sometimes it divides us even among God's Kingdom.

Gern (Ryan, the Epworth Forest Program Director) also told us about the capital campaign to rework the camp that is starting next month with a new cabin. He said they set up a webcam on the side of one of the buildings so we could watch the progress. If you want to follow it, you can online at www.rightfuture.org I was really excited to hear about the plans that the UMC (and God) have for this place because I think they are doing great things in this little patch of woods.

Tonight we are having a campfire for devotional, Worship, dinner, and a game of Mafia (I don't know how it's played, but the campers are super excited about it!) As for now, we are off to the bed races! Camp is so good - our God is so Great!

CAMP! Day 2

2010-06-29T15:20:00.000-04:00

Wow - what a night we had last night! Last night was commitment night during the worship service, and it was incredible! I wish I could have written on here last night, but I had no internet connection. The kids were just flying! One girl said she felt giddy all over. Another said she felt as happy outside as she did inside. That Band (thats the praise band) was rocking last night. I felt the worship instead of just being present at the worship.

Steve Carter told the kids (and us big people or Experienced as I have been called this week) the story of the two sons - the one that takes his inheritance and squanders it and the one that doesn't. He asked us to look deep inside ourselves and figure out which of the brothers we were - the one that needs to accept his fathers love without deserving it, or the one that have his fathers love but shouldn't be arrogant about it. It was a new spin on things in a way I have never really thought about - I have never really paid attention to the other brother in that story, but after last night I always will.

You should have seen the kids pour forward when Steve made an alter call. It was like a stampede!

The other high point of last night was a full nights sleep. It cooled off A LOT yesterday night and so did our house. And the camp staff got us some fans-which was awesome! Today the high is 73 and wonderful. Big puffy clouds in the sky.

I'm again sitting at the beach house. Joe on one side, Danita on the other, and our kids in the water. Looking forward to another great worship tonight - and another great dinner! If there are two things this place does right, its those two things!

Blessings to you back in Jasper - Is it raining there? I need to know for my garden!!

Coming to you live.....

2010-06-28T15:13:00.000-04:00

Hello Readers!

I am coming to you live this week from That Thing Camp in Epworth Forest! That's right, I'm at camp. Yesterday after Life Center Worship we loaded up the church van, 5 girls and a boy, and 3 counselor and headed north. After a very pleasant 5 hour drive, (and a stop at Steak-n-Shake) we arrived! We're staying in two different cabins, one for boys and one for girls, which are really little houses around the camp. Its quite a bit different from being at home - no air conditioning, and bunk beds, but we all did manage to get some sleep last night after a great worship service!

Included in our group are a bunch of kids from all over northern Indiana and Michigan. All together are a group of 18 (19 tomorrow when our 2 boy arrives!) I personally think the kids are getting along really well, and having a great time.

Twice a day we participate in worship which is more like worship on steroids. The band rocks, they have an awesome dance troupe here called Up Rock, and the speaker is Steve Carter. I don't know much about him except today he summed the bible up in 5 parts: Creation, Fall, Israel, Jesus, The Church. And then Up Rock danced out each of those words for us - pretty powerful stuff.

Tonight is commitment night. I know, it seems weird that in the beginning of the week we are going to be asking these kids for a commitment, but this camp is really about going deeper in your faith, so the kids we brought along most likely have already made a commitment. I am really looking forward to tonight and taking the commitment journey if anyone wants to do it. And then we get to go deeper.

Well, I'm sitting on the deck of the beach house watching our kids swim. Danita is sitting next to me working on small groups for the fall, and Joe is off playing some brain games. Please keep us and our kids in your prayers this week as we continue to learn, worship and grow here at camp!

Wednesday Where? Week 2

2010-06-23T11:16:00.000-04:00

Last weeks Wednesday Where? kind of got off to a slow start. We had one guess (from a staff member who may or may not have cheated (just kidding, we know you didn't)), and one comment from a church goer. Lets do better this week friends!

Here is the answer to last weeks Wednesday Where?

The piano in the Choir room! Thanks to Stacey Honaday for her guess! You were right! Hooray!

And now for Today's Wednesday Where?

Please remember if you have a guess make a comment. And become a follower! Can't wait to hear what you think it is!

Manic Monday....

2010-06-22T10:23:00.000-04:00

Mondays around here go one of two ways: Either they are crazy hectic and I never get to sit down at my desk, or they are dull. I usually hope for the first type of day; I think they go faster and are way more exciting. Yesterday morning I was ready for anything, but didn't know what I would get.....Then the phone rang.

It was Pastor John from First UMC in Vincennes. And he said it was sort of an emergency. Well that scared us. Pastor Scott spoke to him and came in with a post it note. Here's how the story goes:

They had a van full of 4 kids and 2 adults going to Santa Clause Camp and they blew a tire somewhere between Jasper and Pike Central. Pastor John was wondering if we had a van and could go rescue them.

So I jumped in the van, and headed west. Here’s where I have to make a confession: I have never been west of the Otwell Junction. And I was feeling a little fear of knowing where to go. But I just kept driving. And there they were! On the side of 56, unharmed, under a very kind ladies tree. We packed up their things and were off to camp. Now here is a second confession: I have never been to Santa Clause. Actually, I have never been past the interstate in Huntingburg. So another new experience! Luckily for me, they knew where they were going. And I got to have a nice chat with their youth leader about different church services, blogs, and programming.

The kids were very excited to get to camp and get a "good bunk," something I would know nothing about because I have never been to camp. But I can tell you all about it next week, as we leave for That Thing Camp on Sunday!

And I don't want to hear any complaining about our van ever again. Those kids from Vincennes thought our van was a Cadillac compared to theirs. You should have seen them when they got in it - oohing and aahing over the air conditioning and how nice the seats are, and that we have a radio. I felt like such a snob because I dislike the van.

On the way back from camp, the van and I bonded. And I can't wait to spend 10 hours with her this coming week :)

Wednesday Where? Week 1

2010-06-16T14:48:00.002-04:00

Ok blog readers - both of you - its time for our new weekly trivia called Wednesday Where? I am going to go through the church and take a picture of something and you are going to have to leave a comment on where you think it is. Bonus points if you can tell me WHAT it is. Extra bonus points if you are a follower of the blog.

Here is this weeks Wednesday Where Photo:

Now, hit the comments section with your guesses of what/where this is :)

A Wild Ride!

2010-06-15T14:59:00.000-04:00

Today I did something I have never done before. I rode the elevator at Shiloh Church.

The elevator has been a work in progess for weeks - I think they started construction on it in eary May. And it has taken till now for it to be completed. It has just been sitting there in th Narthex on the way to the Life Center for weeks saying "Jennifer, Come take a little trip downstairs!" But there were no buttons.....

There are now!

So I thought we would just press the button and the elevator would pop open and we could get one. But nooooo....The elevator man who was working on it came upstairs, pryed the doors open and there was the elevator! Or the top of it anyway.

He then pressed some magical button, which I assume turned the elevator on. He let the door close then, and I thought we would get to press the button.....but nooooo. He ran BACK down the STAIRS and came up in the elevator.

Here he is:

THEN we got to ride it. And boy did we have a good time! It lasted maybe 10 seconds?

Here's Teri: Note the Blue down arrow behind her. We were going down.

Dick liked the elevator ride too.

Still going down, but 1 is as low as you can go.

Here I am pressing the button to go up. We made it down safe and sound so we decided to go back up. I am great at pressing the button in the elevator.

All that button pushing made me tired. And thisty. I need to go take a little nap and have a glass of water. For now I will leave you with a video clip of another great elevator button presser:

WWJHO?

2010-06-04T10:38:00.000-04:00

Where Would Jesus Hang out. This is what you picture I bet:

Around a campfire. Cooking a fish. Probably speaking in parables to his friends the disciples. Notice how they all seem relaxed, smiling and reclining on some rocks.

Well, we got this pamphlet in the mail yesterday about BFF (Being a Faithful Friend.) There were actually 3, one for kids, one for teens and one for adults. And the kids one had this picture of Jesus hanging out with his friends. It talked about how Jesus was a great friend to the disciples. It also asked, if Jesus was present today, where would he hang out. Here are its suggestions:

My favorite one is Jesus playing Wii. I also think he must have some mad skills to skateboard in a robe!

So what do you think? WWJHO?

Invocation

2010-06-01T14:14:00.000-04:00

This weekend my little brother-in-law Jonathan graduated from Rose Hulman. We went to the graduation ceremony and had a great time. Here is one observation I noticed:

One of the students gave the Invocation. And she never mentioned God.

The definition of an Invocation is: the act or process of petitioning for help or support; specifically often capitalized: a prayer of entreaty (as at the beginning of a service of worship) b : a calling upon for authority or justification

The act or process of petitioning for help or support. She didn't do this. She didn't ask for anything, she didn't petition anyone. She asked us that we have a moment of reflection on the last 4 years at Rose.

I sat there in the gym feeling sorry for her and the others at Rose. They all walked out of there with Bachelors of Science, much of which is void of God. And we are raising whole generations of scientists that know nothing of God.
Please don't misunderstand me. I understand not all people who have studied the sciences are like this - Jonathan spent 4 years there and holds strong to his faith; I also have one. But there are those who are so influenced by the professors that they forgot all about their Savior.
Please, today pray for those who have been taught too much science to love the Lord.

Empty Nest

2010-05-26T12:19:00.001-04:00

Well our nest is empty. Our bird nest. It had two baby birds in it and now they are gone. I am going to guess they grew up and flew away? I don't even want to consider any other possibilities.

I need to read up more on birds. I am left wondering what this little birdie will do with the rest of her summer. I am thinking about how people attend graduation parties in the summer but don't have to toss their baby birdies out of the nest for a couple of months yet. We still have time to work through the empty nest syndrome. It's a mystery to me.

Then I turned around and found this! It's the new elevator! The grey bricks are going to be painted to match the rest of the walls, but there it is! I knew it was going in this week and have seen all the work trucks coming in and out of the parking lot but I hadn't walked down to see the progress. It amazes me how fast they can put something like this together. They just ripped open the wall and put the elevator in! Now I just can't wait to ride it, but I was told the buttons are backordered so I'm going to have to wait.

As for Me.....

2010-05-18T12:20:00.000-04:00

Last night I took a prayer walk though my house. We have lived there for 8 months, and I can say I have prayed in our house every day we have lived there (at least the ones we have been home for). I have never prayed for the house.

Let me back up. I started reading this new book called "The house that cleans itself" by Mindy Starns Clark. If found it in the Christian Book Distributors sale flyer, and it intrigued me. I would love it if my house would clean itself. My thinking was, its by a fellow believer so it might teach me a new verse that I had never paid attention to or something. So I bought the book.

And Ms. Starns Clark suggested in the first couple of chapters that I take a pray walk though my house. It was a little awkward at first. I was standing in my house praying for my house? I started moving room to room praying that the spaces in my home are welcoming , open for fellowship, and that God will use us and our home to serve him.

Ms. Starns Clark suggests that you also sing or recite verses. The one that kept coming back to me was Joshua 24:15: As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
I hope that when you walk into my kitchen it welcomes you with the peace of Christ. He is alive in there now.
Now that God's in my house, I've got a lot of work left to get a lot of the other clutter out of the house.
I can do all things through Christ who streghthens me. Philippians 4:13

Look what I found!

2010-05-13T08:59:00.000-04:00

Robins Eggs! Actually I didn't find them on my own, Jim Patterson told me where to find them. And as we walked up a bird was sitting on them. She kindly moved so I could snap a photo of her babies. Its on the window sill in the narthex of the life center! I can't wait till the babies are born!

More Thoughts on Plans

2010-05-12T11:37:00.003-04:00

I have been thinking a lot about plans since my last post on plans. I am a planner. I like to plan things, confirm plans with others, check my calendar, write things in my planner. After Faith Action Sunday I have been thinking a lot about if that's the right thing to be doing. Last night I came across this verse:

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3.

He will establish your plans. Not you. Not your spouse. HE will establish your plans. It is helpful to remember this, and not try to go it alone.

Another great verse I found in Proverbs 16 comes in Verse 9:

In their hearts human beings plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

We can't do anything without God. I actually don't understand how people who don't know Jesus get out of bed in the morning. I know the first things I do are thank God for my life, my love (Joseph) and ask him to help me do his will in this new day he has made. I can't remember a time when I didn't do this or what it would be like to not do this.

This verse doesn't say humans plan their courses in their hearts and God makes it so. It says He establishes their steps. These steps could be as far and as fast the other direction. Or it could be straight path to whatever our hearts desire. Only God knows that part.

Let us take up this challenge: Commit our plans to the Lord, the plans of our hearts. And lets wait and see how God establishes our steps.

A Faith Action Photo Blog

2010-05-11T11:46:00.007-04:00

Thanks to a wonderful member of our church, I am now in possesion of photos from Faith Action Sunday. Here's a sampling of them. It brings me great joy to see the smiles on the faces of our people as they served God that weekend. I bet he was smiling too!

All Smiles for God!

Look at all those RED Shirts!

I know who I am calling if I need help digging....

Braving the water to pick up trash along the RiverWalk

Awsome Job Trash Pickers!

We Staked Trees and pulled weeds at the Humane Society

Looking Good in Red!

Yes, we even accept red flannel

Then we took care of our own landscaping around the Church.

There was an awsome group making lunch.

Jim shows expert skills with the rake.

The Kids cleaned the Sanctuary with socks on their hands.

RED was everywhere that day!

Here's the group from the Humane Society

Our wonderful photographer. Thanks Jennifer!

Lunch! There were so many people we ran out of food. What a good problem to have! So many people together in fellowship.

Plans......

2010-05-06T11:46:00.001-04:00

God laughs when we make plans. And boy was he laughing at me Sunday. I spent weeks preparing, thinking about, gathering supplies and planning Faith Action weekend. And God laughed at me. Like I told someone Monday morning - it didn't go at all like I wanted it to, but it was exactly like it was supposed to be. We worshiped, people went out and put their faith into action, and then we had so many people show up for lunch we ran out. I was a bit distraught, but some of the other ladies told me it was a great problem to have. And next year we will know better.

It's over now. And we are moving on with our regular activities. Monday we had our calendar planning meeting. And next week Pastor Scott is taking off to do his yearly planning retreat. He spends the whole week laying out the preaching schedule for the year. Its a pretty awesome sight when he brings it back to us and we can start planning for the whole next year with music, special presentations, speakers, events and services.

We are doing a lot of planning. But we do not do it alone. We plan with the guidance of God. It would be useless if we did it any other way.

Psalm 33:10-11 says The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

We can do all the planning we want. Unless our plans are in God and with God, we are just wasting our time. This week, please keep Pastor Scott in your prayer as he seeks God's will for this Church as he plans for our next year. Lift him up so that he may hear the voice of God and listen.

Countdown to FAITH ACTION: 2

2010-04-30T09:59:00.000-04:00

Well, they have upgraded Sunday to 90% chance of rain. And I have to admit I am feeling a little down about it. I have spent whole days thinking about/working on FAITH ACTION. And now it might come and go without us. But as a church member told me this morning on the phone - there’s still a 10% chance it won't rain. And God is big enough to clear the sky’s Sunday morning. So I am going to keep preparing. Today I have to do some final shopping and we should be set!

The next verse on the list in the concordance is really something I needed to hear this week:

Ephesians 6:7-8 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one of you for whatever good you do, whether you are slave or free.

It’s really easy to get caught up in the idea that people should be going around thanking you for your hard work. It’s even easier to feel underappreciated. Through this whole week, and with the mounting disappointment of not getting to do FAITH ACTION (maybe) I have been feeling so sad that we won't get to go out and help someone, or spread the name of Jesus. Several times I had to stop myself and think about how I was serving God regardless of whether it rains or not on Sunday. I am serving the Lord, not people.

So what if it rains you ask? Well, we are going to have a service here at Church. Not like a normal service because this weekend is about shaking things up. But a great service all the same. See you here at Shiloh Sunday - rain or shine!

Countdown to FAITH ACTION: 4

2010-04-28T15:20:00.001-04:00

Its quiet around here today. That gives me a lot of time to get things ready for FAITH ACTION. When we first started throwing this idea around about sending our people out into the community and doing good works, we wondered if our people would respond, and show up. A lot of people said we would only have a few people. I personally feel the good people at Shiloh Church have never had a problem stepping up and helping. I pray that Sunday we are overwhelmed by the turnout and response by our people.

But of course, you don't have to come. After all, God gave us free will.

Galatians 5:13-15 - You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

This verse to me sums up the idea behind FAITH ACTION. God gave us freedom. And to those that much is given, much is expected. God EXPECTS us to love our neighbors as ourselves. So this weekend, let's go out and show this community what loving your neighbor looks like!

Countdown to FAITH ACTION: 5

2010-04-27T15:21:00.000-04:00

One day closer. One day less to plan. Still trusting God to pull together all the loose ends.

I can't tell you how excited I am to be planning this event. I love gathering up all the different parts of an event, putting them together, making lists, and then watching them roll out in front of me. I know Sunday is going to be a difficult day - first because I'll be trying to make everything happen smoothly, and then because it will be over. It’s always a little sad for the event to end. And Monday I will try to gather my regular work back up and clean off my desk (you might actually be able to see me at my desk next week, instead of having to push the pile of paper aside to find me!)

Planning is one of my gifts. We all have them. For example: Pastor Scott has a gift for preaching. Pastor Gerald has a gift for comforting you when he shows up at your bedside. Pastor Paul has a gift for counseling and helping you to see things clearly. If I had figured out my gift earlier in life I probably would have been an event planner. But I have an agriculture degree. And God called me to this place to serve him. And he allows me to use my gift here too. Not so much with my degree.....

Back to the bible. Remember yesterday I looked up the word Serve in my concordance. Here's another verse relating to serving:

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8

Serving is something we can all do from time to time, but it is also a spiritual gift. Some people are just born to serve others. One person that comes to mind is my grandma. She never ate with us - someone might need something. And then when we were all stuffed and half passed out somewhere in a food coma, she would sit at the kitchen table, alone, and eat what I can only imagine to be a cold meal. She had a gift from God of knowing what people needed and getting it for them.

Do you know what your gift is? If you would like a little direction in finding it, you can look here.

My prayer is this weekend during Faith Action a few Shiloh members may find a gift for service. I pray they find it and recognize it for what it is, and embrace it.

What’s your gift? Leave a comment :)

Countdown to FAITH ACTION: 6

2010-04-26T11:26:00.001-04:00

FAITH ACTION is creeping up at an alarming rate. Things here in the office are falling together and I have a sense that God is leading my hand through the planning of this fine event.

I personally think it is important to give back, but I am not always the best at getting out there and finding a way to serve. I feel like every day I work here in the Church its community service. I wake up blessed to be able to come to work and serve the Lord. But not everyone gets to work here, so this weekend lets serve the Lord outside our walls.

I went to my bible concordance to look up the word Serve. I found tons of references, but this week we are going to focus on the New Testament verses. Let’s start with the Gospel:

Matthew 6:24: No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Jesus then goes on to tell the people about the birds of the air - they do not sow or reap or store away in barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable then they? (Matthew 6:26)

I have always been the worrying kind. Joseph travels a lot, and I worry about him on the road. I worry too much about what people think of me. I worry about being late. I worry about doing a good job at work and making my boss happy. And I used to worry about money.

I say I used to worry about money because I don't worry about it anymore. When we decided to move to Japer, Joe and his Dad decided to go into business. I was worried it wouldn't work out. I was worried that the economy would not allow our business to grow and we would starve to death. (I know, drastic right?) Joe's Dad said something that has stuck with me. He said "Its simple. If you trust in God, he will provide for us." I let go of my fear and put my trust in God.

I am here to testify to you that since I started to fully serve God and not think about the money, God has provided for my family more than I could have imagined - and not just in money. In protection, in joy, in love, in peacefulness.

So today, as you think about service, please choose to serve God. He will reward you with all the riches of heaven - and I plan on seeing you there!

Tunnels

2010-04-15T14:50:00.001-04:00

Last night I was at Dairy Queen having ice cream (which has become a Wednesday night event for me) and a bunch of high school softball players came in. There they sat, in uniform, all eating ice cream, relishing in a win and I thought, man that was such an easy time. Of course as a senior in high school I thought the world was going to come to an end if I picked the wrong college, or didn't go to prom with the right guy. But it was easy. A lot easier than being an adult.

As we left, we ran into a bunch more girls at the counter that we knew, and were giving high fives. I turned and caught my reflection in the window, and realized something. I'm getting older. Its like it was the first time I saw myself in years. I'm not 18 anymore. I'm not even 21 anymore. And I'm closer to 30 than 20.

To me, age has always been a number. I am not afraid of getting older. I actually can't wait till some little person calls me Grandma Jenni. I just feel that as we get older, life gets a little harder every year. We have new commitments, we work year round, we buy house, get pets that Mom won't feed if we don't because she lives somewhere else. We pay utilities and obsess about lights being left on. We become responsible for other people. We have lawns to mow, and houses to clean. And the never ending Laundry! (Mom - if you are reading this, I just want you to know I love you for always doing the laundry! Can I move back in?)

As we get older, I feel it also gets harder to let God be in control of everything. Its so easy to get caught up in society’s understanding that you take care of yourself. And let everyone else worry about themselves. And its even easier to abandon God when things don't go our way. We blame him for letting bad things happen to good people. Or for not doing anything when we pray for him to do something. So we just give up, thinking God is not listening. I found this quote today on the internet:

When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.

God is our engineer. And every day when we get up, we have to make a decision. We either get on the train, or we don't. Remember this - When you get on the train with God, and the tunnel does get dark, he has a light on the front of the train. You might not be able to see the light, or the end of the tunnel, but God can. And he will drive you out of the dark tunnel. Just sit still and trust the engineer

Make Disciples....

2010-04-08T12:42:00.002-04:00

Well it is finished. Holy Week that is. Easter. And this week is mostly over. And things here have not slowed down. Why? Because we are making disciples this week. And they are being confirmed into membership of Shiloh United Methodist Church. I have been working on putting together the confirmation booklet, Danita has been preparing the final class meeting and all the pictures, and Pastor Scott has been preparing the message for this weekend.

Today I was looking for some inspiration for a blog post (last night a wonderful lady told me she loves the blog - so I feel its my duty to give her something to check out today.) So I picked up my bible and it was marked at Matthew, probably because I was reading about the death and resurrection of Jesus last week. So I read the end of Matthew, which is about the Great Commission.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

The footnotes in my bible note that Christ's mission program involves 3 steps:
1. Go.
2. Baptizing them.
3. Teaching them to obey everything Christ has commended.

This weekend we will gather together a group of youth, some of which are going to be baptized. And after having built a strong foundation for them to stand on with knowledge from Confirmation, we will continue to help them grow in their faith through Stir and Hebrews Cafe. I pray all the blessings of heaven upon these 18 little darlings. It has been a pleasure to spend Sunday afternoons reading the Gospel with them and learning more about faith hope and love.

Mid-Week

2010-03-31T13:23:00.000-04:00

Wednesday. Usually a busy day around here - everyone getting ready for TGIW. Very busy day at least here on my end of the hallway. Pastor Scott figured it out, and from Palm Sunday till Easter, he prepares and unleashes 9 services on the good people of Shiloh Church. That’s a lot of work! They say a Pastor spends between 10-30 hours on a sermon. I'll let you do the math.

Now lets look at some other math. 30 pieces of silver. 30 pieces of silver is the equivalent of 120 denarii according to the footnotes in my bible. Laborers customarily received one denarius for a days work. I asked Pastor Scott to put this in perspective for me, and we decided that if a person can live off 1 denarii for a day’s work, this would be like me getting a third of my yearly salary. So its really not something Judas could have lived off for long.

Judas gave up the Son of God for 30 pieces of silver as it says in Matthew 26:14-16 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

And he was the one who went to the chief priests as it says. Do you think he knew it was time? Do you think he saw his moment to make the scriptures true and took it?

I find myself talking about Jesus a lot this week - with the church staff, with my husband, with my Momma. And I find myself thinking about Judas a lot today. How could he? But then I remind myself that he was important to my salvation. If he hadn't stepped up God would have found some other way to make it happen, but he didn't need to look any farther. And because of Judus' greed and 30 pieces of silver, my Savior died on the cross so that my sins would be forgiven.

Holy Week Part 1

2010-03-29T09:13:00.053-04:00

The week is just beginning for us, but for Jesus the time is nearing for the end. I've been thinking about Jesus a lot this week. At this point he knew what was going to happen. How old do you think he was when he first realized he was going to go to the cross? Do you think he was 5 playing with the other kids, thinking, 'I'm going to die for your sins one day?' I don't know about that, but I do know there are several instances in the Gospels where he tells the disciples about his death.

Matthew 26: 1-5 says: When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, "As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."

I wonder if this became part of casual conversation. I know he says it before this, and Peter rebukes him. '"Never Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"' (Matthew 16:22) And then again in 17:22 when they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered over to human hands. He will be killed, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief.

I don't think grief even begins to cover it. What do you think Jesus was feeling? Fear? Apprehension? Dread? or Peace?

I don't know what all of you are feeling this week, but I do know as the week goes on, the feeling here in the church office will become somber. Like we are preparing for a funeral. And like Jesus, we will gather together to celebrate The Last Supper on Thursday. Last year was my first experience with Holy Week at Shiloh, and it opened my eyes to how the week builds for not only us in 2010, but for Jesus so many years ago.

Lets please lift each other up this week, so that we can remember what this week is about. And please be lifting up the Pastors here at Shiloh. It’s a difficult week for them - so many services, reaching up to the moment the earth shook. But remember this - Easter will always come on the 3rd day. And he will be risen!

Renewal

2010-03-25T09:50:00.001-04:00

I really wish I could say that I have been fasting from blogging. But I haven't. In reality, I have been feeling the winter blues too much to find anything positive to write about. But now as the grass starts to green up, and lent is coming to an end, I see the sun on the horizon.

The greening of the grass did seem to happen overnight. I was sitting at my desk one day and everything just looked brighter. And it reminded me how God renews the earth each year. As he does this, I feel like he is renewing me also. While flowers and trees come back to life, I feel like I'm coming back to life too.

Nowhere is this more present to me right now than at Wally's house. Wally lived between my house and the Walmart, so I see his house often, and remember how we lost him so suddenly this year. But right now if you drive by, there is a beautiful patch of daffodils on the front corner of his house. And now when I drive by I remember that the world is renewing itself. And life goes on even when those that we love are not here anymore.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ~Psalm 51:10

Ashes, Ashes, We all fall down!

2010-02-17T14:29:00.000-05:00

Ash Wednesday! Here it is again, the beginning of lent. 40 days (actually 47 if you count the Sundays) waiting for Jesus to give up his life for us and then rise from the dead. And the wonderful part is we don't have to wonder if he's going to do it again this year. We know.

We know that Jesus did lay down his life for us and for our sins. We also know on the third day he rose again. How do we know this? We have the Bible.

I recently got a new Bible. It's a TNIV study bible, and its awesome! The notes are never ending!! With this new bible I realized how much I was missing by not having a study bible. Now I look forward to looking up a verse I was thinking about or that I hear someone else mention. And I hope everyone can have a good bible they are excited about.

If you do not have a bible, and would like one, please contact us. Pastor Scott always says, if we can't give bibles out, what are we doing here?

Anyway, it is lent. Any giving up/taking things on for you? Let us know in the comments.

*Side note on the title: I know this is a kids song that came from some plague, but I woke up singing it this morning and can't get it out of my head!

Food and Football

2010-02-09T14:50:00.000-05:00

Sunday we had a little get together for that big game they were showing on TV here at church. We had about 75 people attend. Kids played in the bounce house, there was a ping pong tournament, bean bags flying, wii, and a lot of food! We held a silver spatula contest - which just meant that we let everyone eat and vote for their favorite dish. This year's winner - Pat Bradley. Here he is with his trophy. Congrats Pat!

Walmart has gone to far.....

2010-02-05T11:34:00.000-05:00

Walmart is now selling caskets. Online. Thats right, you can order your casket online at walmart.com and they will ship it to you.

How creepy is that?

I can't really explain the feeling I had when I read this somewhere, but I can tell you when I opened the walmart page with the caskets on it I felt discusted and sad. What started as a 5&dime is now so big and in need of being the store for everything that they are selling caskets online.

Check it out here: http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&ic=48_0&search_query=casket&Find.x=0&Find.y=0&Find=Find

Stars

2010-02-03T09:34:00.001-05:00

I was raised catholic so the idea of singing a praise song was foreign to me. I can remember the first time Joseph took me to church we sang and sang and sang!! And my soul felt alive (there we go with that soul again). I was wondering if the preacher was ever going to say anything - we just kept singing! Now that I have had the chance to attend contemporary and traditional worship, I like them both, but I love the praise songs!

This morning I was sitting at my vanity curling my hair, and I had Pandora running off my IPhone. (For those of you who don't know, Pandora is an online radio station. You put in a song or artist you like and it will create a station with songs like that one. You don't always get what you want right away, but sooner or later it will show up. You can find it at www.pandora.com.) My station is Chris Tomlin, and I usually get a lot of him and Third Day, Hillsong, Jeremy Camp, etc. The first song up this morning was Indescribable by Chris Tomlin.

There’s one line in it that says 'you placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name.' Imagine trying to place the stars in the sky, and then naming them. AND remembering their names. What an Amazing God! And that’s just the stars. He also knows each person on earth by name. I just sat there, curling iron in hand, in awe of our Great God! Thanks to Chris for the great visual this morning.

Here's the YouTube video:

Things that put my soul at peace....

2010-02-02T09:25:00.001-05:00

I have been thinking a lot about my soul and its state for awhile now - if you are wondering why, please see my previous posts. Last night I way laying in bed feeling that stillness in my soul I have been searching for. Here's some things that were helping last night:

~A quietly snoring husband, whoes sleep sounds so content next to me.
~Clean sheets
~A good book that ends with some quiet time for me and God
~A song in my heart (Last night's selection: I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin)
~Knowing there are things to do in the morning, but also knowing they can wait till the morning
~Another go at Small Groups

I think I have been going about finding some peace in my soul backwards. I have been looking inward to see what was wrong. I think I got it last night by looking at what is right. Lets try that again tonight, shall we?

It is well....

2010-01-27T09:38:00.000-05:00

I just posted about 15 minutes ago, but for some reason I wasn't finding any peace about being finished. I had been thinking about my soul, which led to to that old hymn, It is Well, so I went to YouTube to find a video of it. And I found this:

Here is the story of Horatio Spafford and his Wife Anna. Sounds a little bit like the story of Job if you ask me. A man losing everything but still finding God in it. Amazing!

Good ol' hymns always help make it well with my soul.

How Goes it With Your Soul?

2010-01-27T09:16:00.002-05:00

Joe and I have been trying to start a small group on Tuesday nights. It's a slow business. People are so busy it's difficult to convince someone to slow down and spend an hour a week with other Christians in fellowship and prayer. I am one of these people.

When Joe said he wanted to start a small group in our home my first thoughts were selfish. I thought great, we're going to have strangers here so my house has to be spotless. And on Tuesday? But Idol's starting soon and I love Idol. And how much prep time does he expect me to put in to get this thing off the ground?

Of course being my guiding light, Joe showed me the way. He said (and I agreed, grudgingly) that this was a great excuse to get the housework done, and have a nice tidy home all week - I like to clean on Fridays and by Sunday it looks like a tornado has blown through parts of our house. Now it gets cleaned Friday and Monday, and I will say its a good feeling. Joe also reminded me that we have a DVR so I can record idol and watch it later. If we hadn't had a DVR, this probably wouldn't have stopped me from agreeing to the group - sometimes I think we look for excuses to not do new things because we don't know what they are going to be like.

Joe made all the calls, and last Tuesday we had our first small group - we had one lady show up. I was discouraged, but Joe was thrilled. And I had a great time fellowshipping with this lady and getting to know her better. Joe gave us a quick history of small groups in the Methodist Church and things they did back with they first began - sing hymns, read scriptures, recite prayers. He then told us he would like our small group to fellowship, study the bible, and hold each other accountable to attending church and reading the bible daily. Sounds good to me! Then he asks us a questions:

How Goes it With Your Soul?

Its really something I don't think much about. How's my soul? Last week I told him I felt my soul was weary. We were just coming off that week of losing Wally, and I was tired. My body was tired, my soul was weary.

This week was much of the same. Our one guest couldn't make it this week, so we were just a pair. My soul again felt a bit weary - weary over the excitement of seeing if someone else might join us this week, and then the let down that they didn't. Joe said we would try again next week, and be more intentional about inviting people to join us, and pray that they will.

How goes it with your soul?

Haiti

2010-01-21T11:53:00.006-05:00

I have to make a confession - Last week when I heard about the earthquake in Haiti I didn't really pay it much attention/prayers. I was grieving the loss of Wally and his wife Barbara and my weary body couldn't take it.

Then Sunday Pastor Scott mentioned that the head of UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) was killed in Haiti in the Hotel Montana. His name was Rev. Sam Dixon and he was in Haiti working improving medical conditions and sustainable agriculture in Haiti. Here's a picture of Rev. Dixon:

Teri forwarded me an email about the Hotel Montana collapse, and it said there were several other people with Rev. Dixon in the collapse. All of them survived except Rev. Dixon and another - Rev. Clint Rabb also of UMCOR. One of them who came out alive said they spent their 55 hours together talking about their faith, praying and sing 'Peace Like a River.' What an image this song places in my mind. Peace like a river makes me think of an early morning, on a calm river in the mountains, mist bearing down on us, fishing with my husband in the silence. I can only hope in my final hours to feel such a peace.

This week I've been reading/seeing images more and more about Haiti and I can't help but feel a sadness for those people who have to try to start over with nothing. For those who don't know if their family members survived, and for those who don't have faith in our great God to get them through this difficult time. Please continue to pray for the families of Rev. Dixon and Rev. Rabb as they are mourning the loss of their loved ones, and all the people of Haiti - Let them all have peace like a river.

Name That Verse

2010-01-20T14:18:00.000-05:00

So I'm getting desperate trying to coax people to the blog - so here is a little bible challenge. Everyone needs one of those now and again right?

Find this Verse, and be the first one to post the correct book, chapter and verse in the comments section and we'll give you a shout out on facebook!

Here's the Verse:

The precepts of the LORD are right,

giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

Go ahead - Google it. And while you're at it, make yourself a follower of our blog! It will make my day!

Family.

2010-01-04T15:48:00.003-05:00

For the last nine days I have been in Wisconsin with the family that God gave me. These are the people who read me bedtime stories, and taught me to ride a bike (and more importantly in Wisconsin, a sled.) The ones who dropped me off at college, and walked me down the aisle. And I loved every minute that we spent together. But I couldn't help thinking about the other family God has recently given me. My Church Family.

These are the people who laughed as I attempted to bash in a van at the fall festival, and those who broke bread with me on so many first Sundays. Who I shared Turkey and Christmas dinner with. Who drop by in the mornings with doughnuts, and answer the call so willingly when someone else is in need.
Its something that my family may never understand. My longing for a group of people who I'm with every week and who I miss when I am absent for one. This week I thought about what I was missing. I wanted to call the office to see how Stacey and Teri were, and wondered who was dropping by, throwing my office door open and finding it empty.
I can't promise I won't every go away again, but I will always come back.

checking in

2009-12-15T14:29:00.000-05:00

Hi all --

I hope you are enjoying the blogs -- send something back if you are reading and appreciating them!

Thanks,

Scott

Gone Fishing....

2009-12-15T14:23:00.002-05:00

We as a staff have been working hard on answering the question of how do we as a church live, reveal and share our belief that Jesus Christ is for all people. We have been doing oblivious things like having church on Sundays but that is not bringing new people into our pews. Pastor Scott does the Faith Breaks every day around 12:30, which is great, but it still doesn't get people in the door. And if we can't get them in, we can't make them part of our family and truly show them Christ's love. So this year we are trying something different. We are going fishing.

Yep. Fishing.

Pastor Scott is starting a new sermon series in January titled "7 Things the Church Gets Wrong." And we are going above and beyond on advertising it. We've got magnets for your fridge, post cards, yard signs, TV commercials, newspaper ads, radio spots, and walking talking advertisements known as the church staff (you might have seen us walking the halls with black shirts on with various words in white on the front - that’s what this is for.) Our hope for this series is that people will be so curious about a church wanting to spell out the things they themselves get wrong that the house will be packed.

Yes, you heard me - packed.

Why you ask? Hmm...Could it be for the funding? Sure, if there are a lot more people in here, there could be more in the collection. Could it be for more volunteers? Sure, more people mean a larger pool to draw out of. But here’s what it's really for - to share our belief that Jesus Christ is for all people. We are confident if we can get them into this place, you all can show them Christ's love, and keep them coming back. Our church family is so warm and inviting, loving, and caring about one another we think this is the best place to show people what a church home can look like.

So can you help? Sure. Spread the word. Tell a friend about this exciting new sermon series your church is kicking off on Jan 2&3. Put a sign in your yard. A magnet on your fridge. A prayer in your heart.

Towers

2009-12-09T09:33:00.000-05:00

This year I was given the great privilege and responsibility to teach the second grade. It is challenging - teaching is not in my gift set. But each week I walk away from those little people feeling exhausted and filled with joy. I know they are not all listening all the time, and probably there are some of them who walk away and don't have a clue what we just talked about (but they do know what the snack was!) but I am just going to keep trying. And each week I bet there is at least one who walks away with a little more knowledge about our Savior.

This morning I woke up a bit early (let’s be honest - my husband drug me up early) so that I could re-read the lesson for tonight. It makes me feel more prepared if I read it a couple of times. This week’s lesson is the Tower of Babel. Isn't it amazing what God can do? I mean, here were all these people all over the world speaking the same language and banding together trying to be great. And just like that God changes it so they all speak differently, reminding them that He is the great one.

I can't even imagine what it would be like to speak all the same language. Accents would be out. And instructions for electronics would use half the paper. Translators would be useless. You could go to China, Mexico, France and the Congo and never worry about knowing the language. Foreign language requirements in college would be out.

Our Great God never ceases to amaze me. And this morning was no different.

Heavenly Father, please help us to use our words in this community to grow disciples for you. May it be in our Church Family or in the greater community of Jasper we ask this in your Son's name for he is the universal language, Amen.

2009-11-23T16:26:00.002-05:00

According to the Bible do we have to still live by the 10 Commandments? In the new testament did Jesus only mention 9 of them??

Turkey Success!

2009-11-16T09:45:00.000-05:00

Well I survived my first Turkey Dinner. And it was wonderful! I love those church events where the whole church family comes out in full force to get things ready. I don't know about the rest of ya'll, but I had a great time. Who knew our Life Center could be transformed into a restaurant and back so quickly!
This weekend we had our friends Aaron and Katey visiting from Muncie. They attending the second service with us yesterday. Here is the conversation that happened afterwards:

Me: What did you think of the service?
Aaron: It was ok, a little wacky.
Me: Wacky? In what way?
Aaron: Well, I have never been in a Church where they sang about being Undignified. And your band leader was pretty psyched about it.

This started a LONG conversation about David dancing back into the city and his wife scolding him for being undignified. I think Aaron got it in the end :)

Its always a successful lunch if there is a bible study included :)

T is for

2009-11-10T09:10:00.001-05:00

Tuesday. T is also for Turkey Dinner. And its coming up in 4 days - I just cant wait :)

Its beginning to look a lot like...

2009-11-05T10:06:00.000-05:00

Christmas. Yes thats right, Christmas. Today we are sitting down and having a Christmas advertising meeting. And I understand that we need to get started now, but I don't even have my Halloween candy ate. And I am just starting now to get my pants ready for Turkey Dinner.

As I get older Christmas seems to sneak up on me. It used to be my sisters and I would count the days till Christmas from about the time School started. Now I cringe when I hear Christmas music before Thanksgiving. When did this happen?

I guess that’s a part of growing up. And the good thing is I now am equally excited about putting my Nativity as I am about trimming the tree.

Test

2009-10-20T15:54:00.000-04:00

I'm making a test post.