Random things you probably didn't know about me

1. My favorite show on T.V. is Lost-I haven't missed one episode yet!

2. I like to play video games-especially racing games!

3. My favorite Christmas movie is Family Man with Nicolas Cage.

4. I like to eat Hot Tamalie candies over my popcorn. It's soooooo very good.

5. When I need time to myself to de-stress I cook or bake sweets.

6. My favorite sport to play is basketball.

7. I prefer Cherry Pepsi to Cherry Coke and yes James knows!

8. I worked at Silver Dollar City, an amusement park, as a scarecrow doll maker.

9. I'm related to Isaac Newton. I know what your thinking, "That's why she is so intelligent!"

10. I lived in the same house as Pastor Kris in Riverton, Kansas where our dad's were pastors. (No, we didn't live there at the same time!)

Stay tuned for more random things about me! I know your excited!

Diary of a Children's Pastor Entry #2

As Christmas approaches soon, I am reminded of just how blessed we are this year. If anyone listens to 98.9 Joy FM you know what I'm talking about. Every day they have a story about a family in need and people call in to say they will buy whatever they need. My heart is touched over and over again as I hear the radio announcer say that all the families needs have been met becuase someone decided to call in. It's so easy to get caught up in the Christmas season of getting, getting, getting, and getting more. I have found myself wanting all kinds of things as I walk through the stores. I'm so thankful that my God reminds me at these times that my family has EVERYTHING we need. We are in want of nothing. My son and daughter are healthy, they have clothes, shoes, coats, food to eat, and a bed to sleep in. My husband is healthy and he has a wonderful job. I am healthy and I have a wonderful job. God prompted me to call in on Monday to provide two pairs of pants and snowboots for a little seven-year-old boy. The radio announcer was talking about this family of five and how their twelve-year-old daughter has cancer in her legs. The doctors took out 9 inches of her femur and put in a metal plate. She was doing good and just a couple weeks ago they found out that the cancer has spread to her lungs. The family is struggling becuase the mom can't work and the kids need winter clothes. Such a heart breaking story but the story is not over, the family is reaching out to God for strength and hope. God has provided for them through different people in the community. What a comfort to know that our Heavenly Father is taking care of this family. This is what Christmas is all about: giving, sacrificing, and loving others. Please reach out to someone this year and give, no matter how big or small. Your heart will overflow with thankfullness. I know mine did!

Diary of a Children's Pastor: Entry #1

I'm starting a new series of blogs that tells about my wonderful, surprising, and sometimes overwhelming job of being a Children's Pastor. Here goes nothing!

I just love getting to know the kids in my ministry. I love seeing them in the halls at school, at the mall, or at Wal-mart and they come up to me and say hi! That's my favorite part! I enjoy being a part of their lives not just at church. I'm finally getting to the point in my ministry where I can look over at what I am doing and I can correct what needs to be corrected or improve what needs to be improved. I'm also, surprisingly, learning most of their names. The key word being most. This last Sunday I was blown away by the eagerness of my 5th and 6th graders to help me out wherever I need it. I had person after person come up and say, "What can I do to help?" I just feel so blessed to have kids who are so willing to serve, and I want that attitude to stick with them as they grow up. I'm learning so much about what my role is in these kids' lives. I'm not just supposed to tell them how to live, I need to develop a relationship with them and support them in the lessons they go through in life. Kids need to experience a life lesson to truely understand what lesson is to be learned. In my own life I need to set the example to them of how to be a light in a dark world. How can I tell them to read their bible every day if I don't? How can I tell them to make the right choices in life if I don't?This is what God has been saying to me lately, so I think I'm probably learning a lot more than my kids are on Sunday mornings! Well, that's it for today. Stay tuned for entry #2. I know you are all on the edge of your seat!Hey, check out my link to KidMo, the program I'm using in KidZone!
http://www.kidmo.com/shop/clip.aspx?series=kidmo&productid=10122