Biggest fan

Today was the girls dance recital. We had a blast. There is a lot of work that goes into a 2 minute routine. 

We sit for hours to watch our little darlings perform. This afternoon when Hannah was done, we told her Rae was next and she lit up with excitement. Hannah is Raegans biggest fan and vice versa. 

I love seeing these girls cheer each other on. When Rae took the stage, Hannah was yelling her name to show support. When the dance was over, Hannah asked if she could give Rae the flowers. That made my heart melt. 

Hannah knew how good it felt to receive flowers after the performance and she wanted to bring that joy to her sister. (Of course we let Hannah give Rae the flowers with the disclaimer that daddy bought them - just kidding, chill out). 

My point: we all need someone cheering us on. No matter what we are doing or attempting, it makes us feel a lot better if we have someone believing in us and making sure we know it. 

Who do you believe in & how do you show it. Who believes in you & how do they show it?

Just love em

We are transitioning a lot of amazing people to help in C3 kids. We spent some time writing job descriptions, talking about priorities, how to run more efficiently, making sure the training process is efficient and lookin at our communication. Not to say all that is not important but when it comes right down to it, the best thing we can do to have a lasting impact on these amazing kids - is simply love em. 

Our children's volunteers are the heroes of Sunday morning. Without them, no one would be able to pay attention in the adult service. Every person who makes a decision to change for the better is able to so so because the children are being kept safe and taught biblical principals in an age appropriate environment. If all our children were in the adult service, it would be crazy and impossible to control them let alone pay attention. 

My point: I talk to a lot of people who don't feel "qualified" to work in kids ministry but if all u can do is love em, that's enuf. 

When these kids are grown they probably won't remember all the creative ways we communicated but without a doubt they will remember the ways we communicate love. 

If all u can do is show love - that's enuf. 

Sign of happiness

Few things make me happier than these faces. 

Today @C3 we talked about passing things down to our children. If we don't deal with our insecurities we will no doubt pass them down. 

I have heard it said what we do in moderation, our kids will do in excess. This is very exciting when it comes to things like being generous, praying, helping others and all the good things but there is another side to this statement. What about worry, fear, pride, poor decisions...ouch. 

The greatest thing we can do for our children is to model what we want them to be. They will probably not remember the countless lectures we have spent hours preparing. They will not see all the thought that goes into a decision but what they will see if you. Everyday in every situation and circumstance - they will see you. 

My point: be what you want your children to be. Ask yourself "what do I want my children to be?" - then go be that. 

Today Hannah (7yrs) came to wake mommy up and snuggled up while she was still in bed. Hannah decided to toot (pass gas, break wind, fart...choose ur word). Hannah followed the noise with a statement: "in some cultures that is a sign of happiness". If that's true, this house is HAPPY!!!

What a better way to start the day. Happy Mother's Day! 

ACTS

Today was an opportunity to get a lot of people together to impact our city. 

One person had a vision to have multiple churches come together to serve the community under the name of love instead of a church name. 

Today there were over 450 people scattered all throughout Pickerington doing a number of different tasks. 

I had the privilege of helping a team assemble a playground. It was nothing but a bare spot in the beginning and the end result of a vision, a plan, a team and execution is a new playground that will be there to enjoy for many years to come. 

My point: sacrifice and service is not always easy but it is always a blessing. I will always be able to look at this playground and say I got to be part of an amazing team of people who sacrificed time and energy (not to mention some ruined clothing) to make this city a little better. 

I am grateful to be part of a great city and a great church. 

Last attempt - perfect

Raegan turned 5 this week and I remember the day she was born. I held her and all I could say is "she's perfect."

Since I have 4 daughters, I joke and introduce Rae as my last attempt for a boy. I am serious when I say that because we are definitely not having anymore children and as much as I thought I wanted a boy, I was wrong.

I wouldn't change this precious little princess for NOTHING. She is the littlest princess and she is nothing short of perfect in daddy's eyes.

It is hard to believe how long ago it seems that she was born but it seems like it was just yesterday too. Life is an awesome journey and this little girl makes it more fun, entertaining, exciting and joyful.

My point: We often think we know what we need but most of the time it is more about what we want. I may have prayed for a boy thinking that is what I wanted but God knew this little girl is what I need.

I will be playing with my girls and I will say out loud "daddy didn't need no boys." I guess I said it enough that they started saying it for me. We get to playing and being goofy and one of them will say Daddy don't need no boys...

That is sooooo true. My last attempt for a boy = perfect!

Happy birthday Rae Rae. Daddy loves you little girl.

rEVOLution

Today I am in Michigan with my best friend and my daughter. THEY are speaking at the Michigan youth convention: Love Revolution.

I say THEY because Konan, one of the best speakers I have ever heard is sharing the stage for a few minutes with Shayna.

This man connects the Word of God with practical everyday life in a way that you can't help but be moved to change. No matter how many times I hear the same stories - they are still funny. That's just a gift.

Konan is giving part of his session to my daughter to share her heart and passion. She is only going to support one of his main points but she will be on stage with a great man of God.

I believe God is giving this young lady a platform to be a change agent for her generation. With that platform comes tremendous responsibility. She has to guard it because it can be gone as fast as it came.

My point: Everyone needs someone to believe in them. As a parent of course I believe in my children but it is a humbling honor when someone else sees in them what God wants to accomplish in them and gives them opportunities to achieve their passion.

Shayna shared what she will communicate and I already cried. That's just the first time today and I am sure many more are on the way.

When the opportunity was given to her, I said: Shayna I want to say this is a once in a lifetime opportunity but I think for you this is just the FIRST of many opportunities.

Where are the tissues...

I heart you

This past weekend we had 35 couples from C3 go on a marriage retreat. It was aweome.

It was a great reminder that a marriage centered on God makes for a much better marriage. The things we most often argue about are issues that come from our fears. Once we are able to identify those fears we can deal with them.

We had a very brave couple sit in front of everyone and work through an issue that has been going on for quite some time. They changed their focus from getting their own way or making sure their opinion was heard to posturing themselves with an open heart to truly understand the other. They changed the goal to understanding the other persons heart.

When you are in a position to understand, you don't have to get all emotional and defensive. When the other person "feels" understood (not when you "think" you understand them), they are more open to trying to understand you.

Watching this couple be that transparent with everyone staring at them was a life changing experience. It took away everyones excuses: If this couple can talk like that in front of everyone, we should be able to do it in private.

My point: marriage is a journey. Are you being a good journey partner. Would you want to journey with someone like you.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, we went to our room and they had personalized cookies - now that is a great retreat! (of course our kids ate them...)

praying in Donatos

We had an advisory board meeting tonight at Donatos pizza. We talked some business, finances, direction and then some "God stuff". That is when it got really interesting. 

We started talking about how we gauge or measure spiritual growth and about spiritual gifts. There was an excitement about what God is doing at C3. 

When all the "business" talk was over, we did something totally crazy. We prayed in a pizza joint. It was awesome. None of us were worried about people seeing us and thinking we are strange or wacked out. We saw an opportunity to practically show God's love and did not hesitate to take it. 

I believe C3 is on the brink of super growth. We have spent about 2 years positively influencing our community. Now we have a great reputation in the community and we can show God's love in our words and actions outside of the church building. We are careful not to shove the bible or religion down people's throats. We simply try to be intentional about living what we believe and teach. We don't always do it perfectly, but we do always try. 

My point: We know that other so-called Christians have done an excellent job of throwing mud on the face of Jesus. We are simply trying to wipe off the mud with each tangible/practical act of kindness. We want people to see a difference in the way we live. We hope when they see the difference, it leads to curiosity - which would then lead to conversations. Those conversations would then give us an opportunity to tell people about the God we serve. 

Do people notice a difference in you? Is it a good difference? Do they want what you have? 

ohana

"Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten."

That was a quote from the movie Lilo and Stitch. Even if you didn't see the movie you can appreciate that quote. "Ohana" is a Hawaiian word that means "family" and of course they say the word family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. It has been years since I have seen this animated movie but I still love that quote.

I am blessed to have an awesome family. I have a great relationship with my parents and two sisters. I even have great in-laws. I really do get along with them and enjoy them being around. This life is too short to not make the best of having our family around.

A few years ago I lost my daughter Megan. She was born with many problems and lived only 4 days. The so-called experts said she wouldn't even live that long. Six months after that I lost my grandmother (Granny) who was one of the most influential women in my life. When we lose someone close to us, they may have "left us behind" but they will never be "forgotten".

To this day there are songs that I cannot hear without uncontrollably sobbing. There are things almost daily that remind me of them. The reminders are brought on by some of the strangest things. It could have nothing to do with either of them but somehow the situation traces back to a memory of a loved one. To me that is not a bad thing. I love having the memories but I just can't stay there too long because I will be a total mess. I just choose to allow myself to have the memory, thank God that I had the time I had with them and smile because I am a better person as a result of having known them. Whether it was 4 days or 86 years, the memories are so deep and real.

I think it is amazing how deep love runs. Love really is an awesome thing. I can say I will NEVER forget them because I love them so much. Love is so strong that even if we wanted to forget we couldn't. We can try to deny but totally forgetting is not an option.

My point: Enjoy your family. Make some great memories because unfortunately this life will end for all of us at some point. When it does you can still have some amazing times with those loved ones in your memory.

Thessalonians 5:11 (message version)
So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.

Can you say "ohana"...