S.H.I.N.E.

Back from our Team Retreat and are excited about our plans for the upcoming year.  It's all about celebrating together as a church family and encouraging and lifting up the body of Christ.  While the talk of recession consumes the news, we choose to see this as an opportunity to bless one another by sharing what the Lord has given so abundantly.  Remembering that throughout history, in times of feast or famine, when God's people pull together, He will indeed meet all our needs in Christ Jesus. 

May is here and I am so ready for the sunshine.  Our year is coming to a close but we still have a few weeks before the summer schedule kicks in.  Our 2/3 graders are learning about "The Church-built to Last" and building on a firm foundation.  As our own church is going through transition, we are reminded that Jesus is indeed the source of our community.  Staying faithful during troubling times is accomplished by remaining in community, through loving and encouraging one another.  "All the believers had everything in common."  Acts 2:44  Let us continue to come together and pray for each other, because God IS faithful.

Are you ready?  I just realized that I have yet to buy a chocolate bunny, jelly beans or even think about the main dish of Easter Ham.  But I'm ready!  Ready to celebrate with my family.  Ready to celebrate with the children I minister to each week.  Ready to rejoice with those I serve with in ministry.  And ready to praise and worship my King.  As this week unfolds I pray the journey takes you to a place where you too are ready. 

God Bless

Just returned from two outstanding conferences.  The first one in Grapevine, Texas for the MOPS (Mother's of Pre-Schoolers) convention.  What a ministry and imagine being with close to 5,000 women!  Some great worship with Kim Hill (I'm listening to her CD right now...)Avalon and Jaci Velasquez with hubby,  Nic Gonzales. But more importantly was how God revealed His heart and vision for this ministry.  If you are a mom with children Birth-Kindergarten, please join us on Thursdays at Wabash Church and connect with other moms going through life just like you.  Next was a conference at Saddleback Church in Orange County California for Purpose Driven Children's Ministry.  It was all about dreaming the BIG Pipedream. So, I've been challenged!  I am all about dreaming and dreaming BIG...well...Guess that means new things will be happening around here.  And my prayer is for many others to come along and dream with me and see what God will do.

Can't believe that summer is closing in on the last couple weeks and then it's back to school.  Splash Zone was a great success as kids came to Christ and volunteers shared their lives together.  But just like the apostle Paul, I have to forget what lies behind and press on towards the goal.  And right now my goal is to staff our classrooms with great volunteers who will share Jesus with all the children.  And let's talk about those kids.  (If you're one of them, I think you're awesome!)  I've missed being with them each Sunday and Wednesday, so I'm excited to get back in the classroom.  I will once again be teaching the 2nd and 3rd Graders each Sunday in Large Group and also the teacher for our Pre-school/Kindergarteners on Wednesday evenings for BreakZone.  Want to catch my excitement?  Drop me a note and let's get together to talk about where you can serve in the ministry.

In just a few days the kids will all be out of school for the summer.  I remember my summers were filled with books and moving several times across the U.S..Learning to say goodbye to old friends and making new ones was always a challenge.  I guess that's why Vacation Bible School is near to my heart.  Filled with fun and activities made the summer feel welcome and warm.  Now it's my turn to reach out to kids and invite them into our church to experience God's love and never ending friendship.  So whether you are around the Auburn/Enumclaw area and can get to Wabash Church; or you live somewhere else, check out what your local church offers for your kids or for you.  Remember, Jesus says "I will never leave you or forsake you."  

Wow!  Finally seeing some warm weather around here.,..maybe even HOT!  And speaking of things heating up...our kids are getting ready to finish those last few weeks of school and will soon be on vacation.  What a great time to think about Splash Zone Vacation Bible School!  This has got to be one of my favorite things to do each summer.  How about you?  Looking forward to seeing Scoop the Pelican again and some crazy characters hitting the sand for a "Beach Party".  Go to www.wabashpres.com for a downloadable registration form and get signed up today.

Spring is trying to break out.  My daffodils survived the freak snow and look sunny in my yard.  Time for some spring cleaning in the house.  Just how much stuff does a person need!  I'm starting to realize that the more stuff, the more places the dust has to fall upon.  Which makes me wonder how clean is my heart?  Maybe I need to do some spring cleaning for Jesus.  Have I allowed my calendar to fill up my time to the point where my time with Jesus is getting crowded out?  Between school schedules for the kids, swim lessons, ball practice, and numerous other activities, we can sometimes find that even with the longer days, we are spending shorter times with our Creator.  Let's take our pen and be sure to schedule on our calendar some one-on-one time with Jesus.  So when the "freak storms" enter into our lives, we will survive just like the daffodils.