Wrap up July and So Much More!

To say that July slowed down, or that after baseball - summer slowed - would simply be a LIE!  It didn't happen.
In fact, as I looked back over the July calendar today, there were not more than 3 days without something going on.  That's craziness, yet that is our life, I guess!


Not all the things were "busy" kinds of things.  Some were fun things.  Mini Vacations with grandparents, Birthday Parties for Great-Grandma, All Star Baseball Tourney's, Babysitting a 3 month old, lunch with friends, girls day out and many more!  Busyness is just the norm with 6 people in the house, especially when we Pastor 2 churches.

Today not only wraps up July, but it also wraps up 5 years here at Ney.  WOW!  That's seems crazy.  We've been here 5 years!  We thought it would be 2, now here we are beginning our 6th year.  

A lot has happened in 5 years.  We've added a baby girl, who is now 4 years old.  Maddie's reading and loves learning and has hair down to her bottom and is so tall (and getting taller) and just so fun.  Eli has grown from a tumbling toddler to a tumbling big boy!  He has probably shown the most change in his face.  He's lost the baby face and baby fat but still has the most adorable dimples and HUGE eyes and just is so cute!  Then there is Nathaniel who has grown from a little 5 year old into a 9 year old (next month).  His abilities has more than multiplied.  His athletic skills have just become so dominate.  He continues to be rough and tough, but has also kept that sensitive side that loves to hug his Momma!  Then Ronnie, just having turned 6 when we arrive in Ney, he was beginning Kindergarden.  Now in a few weeks he will be a 5th grader.  Is is possible that middle school is only a year away?    Still the little boy and yet growing and changing before our eyes!

 Wow what changes and those are just the kids!  Five years has brought changes in Ron and I too.  Very green when we began this ministry.  Desiring to love the people of this community and really not knowing what we were getting into.  There have been times that we would rather forget, difficult times and struggles.  There have been times of pure joy!  Times we have laughed and cried together.  We have learned so much about ministry and yet sometimes we still feel so new to this.  Ministry is difficult, ministry is fun.  Ministry is challenging and rewarding.  Ministry is something that Ron and I walked into somewhat timidly, not knowing what to expect.  We wanted to love the people of this community and share Jesus with them.  We have hopefully been successful in that and yet there is so much more we can share and do and show!

In five years we have grown to love this community!  We love the people who make up our church family!  We love our ministry to them!  We are so Blessed to be able to serve here in this community and to these people, truly Blessed!

We really don't have a clue how the next 30 days will all play out, let alone the next 5 years!  Jesus knows and we continue to trust in Him, just like we did 5 years ago this week!

Jesus thank you for guiding us, for walking beside us for teaching us and showing us.  Thank you for your love and grace and mercy and kindness.  We pray that, as a family, we would continue to follow YOU and Your leading for our lives and our ministry!  

Puppets

Last Saturday our Ney Church invited several surrounding churches to a Puppet Ministry. A church in Ft. Wayne came and shared the Gospel through their Puppet Ministry!

These guys are friends, but they were really all huddled on the only Buckeye blanket!

sisters

We had 33 kids show up with around 23 adults! We had the kids begin with a coloring sheet (to allow them all to gather)

It was neat to see so many parents there too (including Dads)!

Then we gathered everyone around the Puppets and the show began!

It was very good and entertaining!

I couldn't capture the Good News Band very well as they were moving quite a bit!

After the puppets we offered a free lunch to everyone! It was a fun time and we heard lots of kids (and adults) that enjoyed it!

I honestly wish the puppets had been longer - it was great!

The Kids and Ministry

I was pretty proud of Eli today! Let me tell you why. We dropped off the boys at school this morning and then headed to our Farmer Church. I usually meet on Tuesday mornings with another lady to pray! Eli and Maddie play in the nursery during our prayer time.

Because of the bad weather yesterday, we moved our prayer time to this morning! Everything went well and we said good-bye to Marilyn after praying together, then we headed across the street to visit Ms. Shirley at the Farmer Post Office.

On our way over, Eli said, "Mom we haven't visited Ed and Marion in a long time, can we go see them today?". I hesitated a little because we hadn't called ahead, but decided that after visiting Shirley I would go to Ed and Marion's door and see if they were up for company. They are a part of our Farmer church but have been unable to attend for a couple of years. We have missed them and our family enjoys visiting them! Eli was so excited that they invited us in!

Eli climbed right up on the couch beside Ed and talked away. I'm pretty sure Ed couldn't understand all he was saying, but Eli had stories to tell! Pretty soon Maddie got comfortable enough to join them on the couch!

really they started to get a little too comfortable and I decided we better get going. I wasn't sure how much "chaos" Ed and Marion could handle and I could tell both Maddie and Eli were getting very comfortable!

We said our goodbyes and gave some hugs!

Then we made one other visitation, per Eli's request (I forgot to get a picture). I was just so proud of him to suggest we visit some of our shut-ins. I can't imagine there are too many 5 year old who would enjoy spending time with and sharing stories with the elderly, but Eli loves it. I think the Lord has big things in store for this little guy and I'm so thankful he has a heart for people and a love for bringing cheer!

Weekend of Travel

This past weekend our family traveled to Ligonier, Indiana! On Saturday night Ron and I gave a seminar on Discipleship. The church had been hearing about Discipleship from their Pastor, Troy, but he had asked Ron to go into more detail about how to and what might become issues in a group.

Ron and I have been leading Discipleship groups since Ron began teaching at Circleville Bible College (now Ohio Christian University). We both lead a few groups during our 4 years there and have continued to lead discipleship groups.

We think the seminar went well and we are excited to see what God has in store for Ligonier Evangelical Church.

Then on Sunday morning Ron lead the adult Sunday School class

and preached the morning message.

Additionally, our boys sang, "How Great is Our God" with sign language. They have sang this song several times now in different churches, but this was for sure the biggest church they had sung in and they did a great job!

We had a fun weekend! We were pretty excited to get to stay with our friends, the Diersings (who also Pastor the Ligonier Church). Troy and Gloria were at CBC when we were in school and we were married the same summer and went to Wesley Biblical Seminary together! We enjoy spending time with them.

and now our kids enjoy their kids too!
Here Nathaniel is holding Caleb while he chews on a toy!

Here are our 4 with Charissa and Caleb! (They were all sooo upset when the weather got pretty intense on Sunday afternoon and we had to stay longer than planned - sarcasm intended!)

We had a great time with friends and a great time worshipping together!

Ministry

Last Sunday we, as a family, had an opportunity to minister to 2 new churches. Ron had been invited to speak at Sherwood UMC and Bethel Forder UMC. He wanted to share about our ministry with the Francis Asbury Society in Discipling future Pastors and also brought the morning message at both services.

The 3 boys also ministered. They sang and did the sign language to "How Great is Our God". They have done this a couple of times before in 6 different churches now. It is so amazing to me to think of them being a part of our ministry! They like to be a part and it is really special! I'm so glad they are willing and that the Lord has Blessed them with the abilities!

Of course with all 4 of them all spiffed up and looking so cute, I had to try to get some pictures!

this one might be a little forced

fake smiles and buggy eyes

you can tell they are tired of this!


wait...I think we got one!
Not bad for 4 adorable kids who are ready to share Jesus in Ministry!

I love my kids! and I LOVE that my kids love Jesus!

Pastor Appreciation

The month of October is Pastor Appreciation Month! A couple of weeks ago, the boys brought home an invitation from school that was to be signed and delivered to their Pastor (and spouse) inviting them to a special Luncheon in their Honor!

In spite of our unique situation, the boys signed their invitation then hand delivered it to Daddy in his office. They were so excited to see if he would be excited about coming!

Today was the day for the Luncheon and the boys were still very excited. Most of the kids in their school had Pastor's coming, but they were pretty special to have their Daddy too!

It was such a sweet time. The Luncheon was delicious with nicely decorated tables where each Pastor sat with those students and staff who attended their church. Then there was a brief presentation from some of the students.

The 1st and 2nd graders made a banner for each Pastor that read the following:
P - Pray for Us

A - Always Loves Us

S - Share Things About God

T - Talk About God

O - Obey God

R - Read the Bible to US

Nathaniel is pretty proud that his is hanging in Daddy's office!

Then the 3rd and 4th grade made up their own acronym. Ronnie had the S. He wrote. "My Pastor is silly. He says funny jokes. He tells very funny story's to teach us about God. My Pastor is my Dad." He giggled his way through reading the whole thing.

The time ended with the school principal, a very dear friend of ours, praying for all of the Pastor's and their ministries. It was a very special time that Ron and I both enjoyed being a part of! Ministry is not always easy, but there are times like today when it is so much fun!

Inadequate

I'm feeling rather inadequate tonight.

As we came in the door this evening from picking up the boys from school, the phone rang. It was the daughter of a very sweet 90+ year old lady from one of our congregations. This sweet lady is not doing well. She is in hospice care and things are not going well.

I listened and prayed as this daughter told me of all her mother was going through and what was going on. I knew right away that had Ron been here he would have gone right away to be with this family.

I made a couple of phone calls and then decided to pack up the kids and go. I knew the hospice center and knew that the kids could do their homework or color in the lobby while I talked and prayed with the family.

However, I am not use to this type of thing. I spent a short time with the daughter and this lady who I had visited many times in her home. A lady who has loved my children and loved visits from our famliy. A lady who is so classy and so loving! I prayed with and for them both!

As I got the kids back into the van and started around to the drivers side the tears began. I don't know how to minister in these situations. I don't feel that I was prepared or even helpful. I called Ron as I left and told him how I thought it went. He tried to assure me that I did well.

I was not looking for compliments. I am feeling so inadequate. I know that this type of situation is so difficult and so hard. I find peace in my heart that this sweet lady lying in bed knows Jesus and loves Him with her whole heart. It's just so hard!

I'm so thankful that even in our humanness Jesus can mininster and speak. I pray that tonight Jesus ministered to this family and that He continues to do so!

Family Visitation

Last week we took dinner to some friends from our Farmer Church. The Maugels have been unable to attend church for a little over a year now, due to health issues, but they love to see the kids! Our kids love them too!

We enjoy taking part in ministry together. We had a nice visit and love for the kids to be able to minster right along side us! Ok - maybe Maddie didn't let on that she enjoyed it, but I think she did, she just didn't want her picture taken! If we had been able to stay a little longer, she would have been up on Marion's lap - she was slowing warming up!

I'm glad we can minister together as a family!

Growing Up

I've told you recently how Eli just keep growing. Here he is lighting the advent candles at our Farmer church with the help of Ms. Heather.
Yesterday he went to the doctor for his 4 year check-up. The kid is huge! He is 41 lbs and 42 1/4 inches - the doctor said that is the size and weight of a 5 year old. She was pretty impressed by what he knew and could do too. Basically he's a genius!

He has had some big ministry responsibilities lately. This past month he was one of the acolytes at Ney. One Sunday in December he had the candles and a special (with another 4 year old) and Ney, then we went to Farmer where there was a kids presentation that he took part in and he also collected the offering. When we got home, he looked at Daddy and said, "I worked hard today!"

Right now he is helping Daddy at the boys school. Ron was asked to do the chapel for the elementary today and Eli is going as his assistant! He is so excited!

So our Eli continues to grow!

Teachable Moments

We had planned on being with Ron's parents in Northeastern Ohio until today, but we got a phone call about an hour after we arrived there on Sunday that Ron would have to come back early for a funeral. The boys were disappointed and I was not thrilled either, but there are sacrifices that come with being a Pastoral family.

So we are back and today Ron had the funeral and the kids (all 4) and I made a quick trip to town to run some errands (or as Eli put is we made a run to Miss Erin's). As we were coming home, right before the light in Ney, I pulled off to the side of the road and turned Psalty off.

The boys immediately asked what was wrong. As I pointed out the approaching row of cars with little flags on them, I had the opportunity to explain what a funeral is. What daddy was doing today and even where Mrs. Bernice was today. They had questions and the line was pretty long, so I answered as best I could. We had just passed the cemetery where they were headed, so they knew where they were going. Daddy was in the hearse, but I didn't realize until they were all passed that the boys didn't even see him. They wanted to know if Mrs. Bernice was in the car with daddy, and if she was in Heaven with Jesus - what was going in the ground. Why did some of the people in the cars look sad? Did Mrs. Bernice have any kids? As the questions slowed and the line got passed us, I pull back onto the road and continued up to the post office.

I went in to check the mail and got back to the van, wondering if any of the 3 of them had understood anything we had just talked about. To my great surprise, while I was getting the mail, they had prayed, not for Mrs. Bernice, but for her daughter, because she lost her mommy. Wow, they got it.

What a teachable moment. What an awesome opportunity Jesus gave me to share with my boys about eternity. They knew that Mrs. Bernice was OK now. She has no more pain, but her daughter who is not in Heaven, yet - she still needs our prayers because she misses her mommy.

Thank you Jesus, for allowing us to come back a day early so that I could show the boys more of you!

"Cation"

For several weeks now Eli has been telling people, "brothers going to school and I going cation". He kept telling people at church one Sunday and several were asking if we had a vacation planned. It took us a couple of times listening before we realized he was excited to go on Visitation with Daddy. Ron has on several occasions taken Ronnie or Nathaniel to the nursing home with him while he does visitation. He has tried to make this a fun daddy time and Eli picked up on that. So about a month ago Ron promised he would take Eli when the boys went to school.

Eli was so excited this morning to find out today was the day. He got dressed and was ready to go long before Ron.

When he returned, Eli was constant jabber. He had so much fun and had to tell me everything about it. Ron was praising him because he had been such a big boy. He just kept hugging me and telling me everything he had done. I think part of the fun came from a stop at Tim Horton's on the way home! They had a great time together.