CALEB SUMMER 2006

My little man is growing up so fast. I want to remeber every one of his little boy smiles! Here's some I'd like to share with you.

Back In Junior High Again

Can I just tell you that I had my first serious boyfriend in the sixth grade? Little did I know that one relationship that lasted into my eighth grade year would define my life as an adult. Today I am the junior high ministry coordinator and just to clear things up I never thought I'd work with Jr. High students. First of all I am and Early Childhood Education major, so I specialize in the learning and development of infant through five year olds. Second of all I was not a Christian when I was in junior high so many times I find it hard to think about what I would do if I were them because I was not being taught truth in the way that many of my students are. Funny the places God brings you along life's road.....

Anyways, you'd think this post would be to complain about my position in life and try to hurry on out of it. On the contrary, I have been so stretched in the last month-being pulled out of my comfort zone and into the Lord's comfort and I am loving every minute of it! All the kids have just been so awesome! I am so thankful God has let me be used to have an influence in their lives and that the kids welcome me in and make me feel at home. They are in a rather awkward in between stage in life and yet they have fun, love God and build relationships with people in a way that the rest of us should do. At first I thought they would be dealing with issues in their lives that were rather petty and unimportant in the big scheme of the adult work of marriage, bills, and careers, but rather they are making choices (just like I did at that age) that are defining themselves now! How scary to think that so many people do not want to work with junior high students but in fact it's these students that we could help find a saving knowledge of Christ and help them grow in the Lord before they become bitter adults with their own busy schedules and harsh perceptions of the Gospel.

The point of the matter is that I was an awful junior higher! I was dating and experimenting and putting my mom through Hades and yet God saw fit to show my His grace so that I could love and serve Him, and if I could help one student going into the seventh grade make a decision to follow Christ and save them (and their parents) the heartache and pain of sin and the from the emptiness inside that comes from a need for the Holy Spirit then why on earth would I want to miss that opportunity! Praise God that He takes out of places that are comfortable and into a life of excitement and power!

http://www.ninjapirate.com/battle.html
Okay here they are finally! The pirate and ninja picsc from the midnight premire of Pirates of the Carribean!

Well I keep forgetting to bring those pirate and ninja pictures to work so that I can post them! Oh well....Brian has great news, he got a job recently with a reality company to do three t.v. commercials. We are really excited about this opportunity for Brian and also for the added income this month.
Last night our small group met at our house and we ate pizza, share a great lesson on hurriedness and joy and then enjoyed fellowship during girls and guys prayer time. I thank God for the awesome church family that he's given us! We are so blessed.
Yesterday, I finished my closet remodeling project by cleaning up the mess I made when I took everything out of the closet to take down the wall paper, paint, and install shelving and also by cleaning the rest of the house from neglecting it while I was working on the closet. The closet and the house are in great shape now.
In other news all my friends are far away doing amazing things here are some of them I am missing:

• Claire Adams-Liberia, Africa with Samaritan's Purse until October.
• Brittany McGehee-Pine Cove in Texas working until sometime in August.
• Ashley Binns-Leaving TODAY for Malawi Africa until mid August.
• Allyson McAbee-wherever the wind seems to blow her-currently in Jackson, Mississippi but soon to be in Seattle, Washington.
• Derek Davenport-Los Angeles, Cali with the Traveling Team training to reach the nations.
  

I miss you all and prat that God is working in your lives and using you to do great things!

Last night I went to go see Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest at 12:01am. Autumn, Julie, Carlie, and I dressed up as pirates (Rrrrr) and Brian dressed up like a ninja. (http://www.ninjapirate.com/battle.html)
The movie was great but really left you hanging. Pictures of the Pirate/Ninja duo to follow.

Seems like a hard time for friendships. All my best friends are either gone or leaving soon, Brittany to Pine Cove to work, Claire to Liberia to serve, Allyson to wherever the wind seems to blow her, and Ashley to Malawi for the rest of the summer. New friendships seem hard and tainted by fabrications and selfish ambitions. Lord today hear my heart cry out for those whom I love that are far away from me. Bless their hands to do Your work, bless their hearts to know you and keep them safe Lord. And Lord, while they are gone make me affective right here where I am, help me to honor you by leading junior high students into a life that is souly seeking after you. Help me come more and more out of my comfort zone and into your presence. And Lord, forgive me for all my selfish way, for you are Holy and I am not. Amen.
P.S. And Lord, move me.........

Yesterday my little sister Nicole let me take her on a photo shoot so that I could practice using my new camera! Here are some of the pictures. Thank you Nicole- You are a beautiful model!