Dustin just introduced me to this site online called Swagbucks. It's so cool! You can use it as a search engine (powered by Google) and earn "bucks" for free. When you get enough "bucks", you can cash them in for all kinds of things, including iPods, iPhones, XBox 360, and sooo much more! Check out the link below to register. The best part is, its totally free!!
http://swagbucks.com/?cmd=sb-register&rb=296588
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Cherishing Contentment
When I began my blog a couple of years ago, I titled it, "Cherishing Contentment." One of the struggles I have always had is finding contentment in who I am in Christ. As most girls do, I have wrestled over the years with self-esteem issues. I have never felt pretty enough, or popular enough, or even good enough for anything. God has been working in my life with these issues for a long time now and I do feel content in the person that Christ made me to be. I know he is always molding and shaping me, but the purpose that he created me for hasn't changed.
Even though I now feel content with myself in Him (and I'm not perfect, so those lack of self-esteem feelings do creep back in every now and then), there have been other areas of my life lately where I haven't felt content in his plan. Let me share...
At the end of March, God called Dustin and I to a new adventure: ADOPTION! Check out Dustin's blog for the whole story. Anyway... we felt like he was leading us to adopt through Foster Care. I was under the impression that since the process had been so smooth up until we got our license (2 weeks ago), that we would have a baby right when we got it. WRONG was I! And boy have I wrestled with God about it. I just didn't understand why he would call us to this, and then not give us a child ASAP. I was definitley not content in God's plan at that point.
Well, Dustin and I began a Daniel Fast on Monday (8/18) and God has really been speaking to me through it. God has given me a complete peace and contentment that HIS plan is perfect and the precious little one HE has for us to raise will be given to us in HIS time. I'm not going to say that I won't have a set back and begin questioning his plan again, but I know that right now, he is in control and I trust him.
I am truly Cherishing Contentment!
Even though I now feel content with myself in Him (and I'm not perfect, so those lack of self-esteem feelings do creep back in every now and then), there have been other areas of my life lately where I haven't felt content in his plan. Let me share...
At the end of March, God called Dustin and I to a new adventure: ADOPTION! Check out Dustin's blog for the whole story. Anyway... we felt like he was leading us to adopt through Foster Care. I was under the impression that since the process had been so smooth up until we got our license (2 weeks ago), that we would have a baby right when we got it. WRONG was I! And boy have I wrestled with God about it. I just didn't understand why he would call us to this, and then not give us a child ASAP. I was definitley not content in God's plan at that point.
Well, Dustin and I began a Daniel Fast on Monday (8/18) and God has really been speaking to me through it. God has given me a complete peace and contentment that HIS plan is perfect and the precious little one HE has for us to raise will be given to us in HIS time. I'm not going to say that I won't have a set back and begin questioning his plan again, but I know that right now, he is in control and I trust him.
I am truly Cherishing Contentment!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Treasure Island Children's Ministry
Welcome Wesleyan Children's Ministries
invites YOU to:
An Exciting new Sunday School Curriculum from Infants to Adults. Your family will be learning the same great truths in innovative and age appropriate ways ~ What a great way to grow together as a family!
Sunday's @ 9:30am
This worship experience is designed completely with kids in mind! They will experience fun songs and memorable Bible learning. When children worship God, amazing things happen!
Sunday's @ 10:30am
Grow Kid’s Faith through Friendships, Actions, & Outreach. This discipleship program will help your children build kid-to-kid and adult-to-kid relationships through Discovery centers, activities and caring small groups.
Sunday's from 6-7:30pm
It all begins SEPTEMBER 7th!
Each program emphasizes the same lesson each week in different and exciting ways!
For more info, contact Hannah Wilson @ 864.638.3063 or wwc@charterinternet.com
Each program emphasizes the same lesson each week in different and exciting ways!
For more info, contact Hannah Wilson @ 864.638.3063 or wwc@charterinternet.com
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Dream Big...
We serve a really big God. I definitely don't always think about that but we do! The plans he has for us are so much bigger and better and greater than anything we could even imagine.
I just began this Children's Pastor position at Welcome Wesleyan and I absolutely love it. The kids are great, the parents are supportive, and I truly feel like God is calling me to this.
I have been reading some lately on the importance of having a creative, fun, and interactive place for our children to worship and learn in. White-washed walls, desks/tables, and lecture podiums just isn't doing it for this generation of children. They are visual, hands-on learners who need to discover and explore the answers to life's questions themselves and they need an environment to do it in.
I was searching on the internet for "Creative Children's Spaces on a Small Budget" and I ran across these two websites. At first, I was totally overwhelmed (I still am) but I believe that God is a big God and he definitley has the power to do what seems impossible. Just check them out and let me know what you think. Let's dream big!!!
www.wackyworld.tv
www.jonathanmartincreative.com
I just began this Children's Pastor position at Welcome Wesleyan and I absolutely love it. The kids are great, the parents are supportive, and I truly feel like God is calling me to this.
I have been reading some lately on the importance of having a creative, fun, and interactive place for our children to worship and learn in. White-washed walls, desks/tables, and lecture podiums just isn't doing it for this generation of children. They are visual, hands-on learners who need to discover and explore the answers to life's questions themselves and they need an environment to do it in.
I was searching on the internet for "Creative Children's Spaces on a Small Budget" and I ran across these two websites. At first, I was totally overwhelmed (I still am) but I believe that God is a big God and he definitley has the power to do what seems impossible. Just check them out and let me know what you think. Let's dream big!!!
www.wackyworld.tv
www.jonathanmartincreative.com
Monday, March 10, 2008
Babies...Babies...Babies...
Children are one of my most favorite things in the entire world! God definitely knew what he was doing when he created all of us as children first. The birth of a new baby brings new life into the world that is so precious and unique. They are clay, ready to be molded into the people that God has designed them to become. They are new, flawless, and fresh without any history or bad choices looming over their heads.
Within our family and friends, we have had 3 very special new additions to our lives this past year.
In March, we welcomed Carson Eric Roach, our nephew (Dustin's sister Tiff's little boy)...
In August, we welcomed Cole Elijah Garwood, our best friend's little boy (Derrick and Shannon)...
In October, we welcomed Carson Lee Coltrane, our cousin (Crandel and Jessica's little boy)...
Sometimes, I think we right children off with no ability to connect with God or truly serve him. We believe that they are not old enough to grasp who Jesus is. We neglect to realize, however, that Jesus wanted the little children to come to him. If they couldn't connect with God, then why did Jesus waste his time.
He also tells us that if we don't become like little children, then we will never enter the kingdom of heaven. We have got to have the trust and faith that children have. In order to become like Christ, we have got to be able to be molded and formed just like new little ones.
Can you become like a child again?
Within our family and friends, we have had 3 very special new additions to our lives this past year.
In March, we welcomed Carson Eric Roach, our nephew (Dustin's sister Tiff's little boy)...
In August, we welcomed Cole Elijah Garwood, our best friend's little boy (Derrick and Shannon)...
In October, we welcomed Carson Lee Coltrane, our cousin (Crandel and Jessica's little boy)...
Sometimes, I think we right children off with no ability to connect with God or truly serve him. We believe that they are not old enough to grasp who Jesus is. We neglect to realize, however, that Jesus wanted the little children to come to him. If they couldn't connect with God, then why did Jesus waste his time.
He also tells us that if we don't become like little children, then we will never enter the kingdom of heaven. We have got to have the trust and faith that children have. In order to become like Christ, we have got to be able to be molded and formed just like new little ones.
Can you become like a child again?
Monday, February 25, 2008
"I Got Snot!"
When you work with children on a regular basis, nothing really phases you after a while. You get used to dealing with the bodily functions of children that must be attended to and to be honest, I really don't mind. I am a Children's Pastor, and I have the opportunity to work with the greatest group of kids week in and week out. They are amazing and I wouldn't trade it for anything!
On occasion, there may be a pre-schooler who does not want to leave their Mommy or Daddy. This just happened to be the case last night. I commend the parents who will leave them crying, because I promise, 9 times out of 10 they stop crying the second you leave and are totally fine the rest of the time. When one of my pre-schoolers who was crying last night (and who stopped about 5 seconds, literally, after his Dad left) said to me, "I got snot," I grabbed a tissue, wiped his nose, and kept going without really thinking about it. However, I got to thinking about it lying in the bed this morning and God spoke to me.
This little boy who said to me, "I got snot," didn't question the fact that I would wipe his nose and take care of it. We have a heavenly Father who is willing to wipe our snot EVERY time. Sometimes though, I think I'm afraid to ask. So many times I tend to try and solve my problems by myself but God's desire is to be there to help me every time. He has the biggest box of tissues and he's waiting for us to say, "I Got Snot!" so he can come and wipe our nose. Will you let him?
On occasion, there may be a pre-schooler who does not want to leave their Mommy or Daddy. This just happened to be the case last night. I commend the parents who will leave them crying, because I promise, 9 times out of 10 they stop crying the second you leave and are totally fine the rest of the time. When one of my pre-schoolers who was crying last night (and who stopped about 5 seconds, literally, after his Dad left) said to me, "I got snot," I grabbed a tissue, wiped his nose, and kept going without really thinking about it. However, I got to thinking about it lying in the bed this morning and God spoke to me.
This little boy who said to me, "I got snot," didn't question the fact that I would wipe his nose and take care of it. We have a heavenly Father who is willing to wipe our snot EVERY time. Sometimes though, I think I'm afraid to ask. So many times I tend to try and solve my problems by myself but God's desire is to be there to help me every time. He has the biggest box of tissues and he's waiting for us to say, "I Got Snot!" so he can come and wipe our nose. Will you let him?
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Milestones....
There are certain milestones in every persons life that shape who you become. These are the things that you look forward to so much sometimes it hurts! Things like turning 13 and becoming a teenager... getting your drivers license (which was huge for me, but apparently for kids now, it is no big deal - I just don't get it!)... gradutating from high school... going to college... etc. etc. etc.
This year has been quite a year for me. I have already passed 2 MAJOR milestones, and am about to pass a 3rd on December 16th (19 days!!). 2007 is a year that I will definitley never forget!
First, on May 25, I turned 21. Now, this milestone, (the one that makes you a true adult, because they fool you with thinking that you are an adult at 18, but you are still restricted) is one that is very huge for some people. It was big for me I guess, but it wasn't as big as the next 2.
The second milestone is probably the most important. This summer, on July 7, 2007, I GOT MARRIED! I was so blessed to find the absolute love of my life very early in my life and we got married (after being engaged for a year and 8 months) in our home town. It was the most beautiful wedding ever and everything went absolutely perfectly! We have moved to SC and live in the parsonage next to the church that my husband (I'm still getting used to that) is the youth pastor at.
The third and final milestone for the year (I hope) is my graduation from college. I thought this day would NEVER come! I have been waiting to be done with school ever since I had to go to school and it's so close I can almost taste it, except for the fact that I still have a couple of papers, reports, and tests to take before it can actually happen :(
Since 2007 has been so eventful, I can't wait to see what 2008 is going to be like!! Check the blog to find out....
This year has been quite a year for me. I have already passed 2 MAJOR milestones, and am about to pass a 3rd on December 16th (19 days!!). 2007 is a year that I will definitley never forget!
First, on May 25, I turned 21. Now, this milestone, (the one that makes you a true adult, because they fool you with thinking that you are an adult at 18, but you are still restricted) is one that is very huge for some people. It was big for me I guess, but it wasn't as big as the next 2.
The second milestone is probably the most important. This summer, on July 7, 2007, I GOT MARRIED! I was so blessed to find the absolute love of my life very early in my life and we got married (after being engaged for a year and 8 months) in our home town. It was the most beautiful wedding ever and everything went absolutely perfectly! We have moved to SC and live in the parsonage next to the church that my husband (I'm still getting used to that) is the youth pastor at.
The third and final milestone for the year (I hope) is my graduation from college. I thought this day would NEVER come! I have been waiting to be done with school ever since I had to go to school and it's so close I can almost taste it, except for the fact that I still have a couple of papers, reports, and tests to take before it can actually happen :(
Since 2007 has been so eventful, I can't wait to see what 2008 is going to be like!! Check the blog to find out....
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