We're off...

We are leaving for our family mission trip tomorrow. Jay took off work today and we spent it packing, washing, shopping for last minute items we need to take...and practicing the VBS music. Our job is to lead the music for our campground ministry time. It worked out great because we spent all week at VBS, so we know all the music by heart!

Jay just got a call a few minutes ago from our Families on Mission leader that a pastor of a local church had a stroke today. They asked Jay to preach in his place on Sunday. Please pray for this pastor, his congregation, and Jay as he puts together a sermon on really short notice!

We will have wireless at the hotel we are staying in...so I will try to post during the week...but I can't promise! Please keep us in your prayers as we minister together this week. We can't wait! The girls have been so excited and have been a big help getting ready today. With VBS all week, we tried to rest some today too.

VBS...what a party!

I tell you...VBS has been an amazing blast! We have been taking several of our friends with us every night and I am learning a little glimpse of what Jon and Kate (plus 8) must feel like! Having 5 children all the same ages...whew it's busy!

Yesterday we went to our pool with some friends and had such a great time! The weather was wonderful and the kids had a great time together. And we moms enjoyed some time to chat and laugh together. Then, Diane helped me to get all 5 kids back, bathed, fed dinner...and then we loaded up my van and turned up the VBS cd just as loud as we could and jammed all the way to church!

It brought tears to my eyes to see 5 little hands in the air and voices screaming about how to be saved! What a blessing to have little ones who are excited to learn about God. What a gift I had last night hearing them sing and see them dance (in car seats of course!) to the music.
Me and my man! Here is my little class being "crabs" to the music. They are getting the adults Chris and Mary..who are the group guides. They just come to me for the story and then they head out for crafts, snacks, and recreation. I'll have to get a photo of the other side of the room where we have our "beach"...you can't get a good picture of it from this angle of how cute it really is!

Today...we are headed off to swim with some more fun friends and then back to VBS tonight! Its a wild and crazy week that is not going to end any time soon...because Saturday we leave for our Families On Mission trip with the North America Mission Board. We are leading the music there...so we should be ready!

Catch a wave...and head to VBS!

VBS kicked off this morning in our worship service! It was completely decorated and the youth led in our worship singing and the motions to the VBS songs. It was a blast having all the kids in there with us and getting everyone fired up for VBS tonight.

We are so excited that we are going and that some our of friends will be going with us too! I love VBS...I am all about dancing, singing, and getting in the Word of God...and VBS is all of those and much more. I am teaching the Kindergarten A with my buddy Mary. Our room is so cute (I'll post photos) and the first day is all about God showing He is real to His people.

Right now as I write, we are listening to the CD and singing A-ya wiki, B-ya wiki, C-ya wiki! If you don't know what I am talking about...get involved in Outrigger Island VBS near you...and you won't be able to get that song out of your mind!!

The message of the song is as simple as the ABC's...

A - Admit to God you are a sinner

B - Believe by faith that Jesus is God's Son sent to save you from your sin

C - Commit you life to Jesus as your Savior and your Lord

So, I if I have to get a song stuck in my mind...one about how to be saved is the one I want in mine and in my kids! So, get signed up for VBS no matter where you live..wiki wiki (quickly quickly)!

DFM Blog is up and running!

The Desert Flower Ministries blog is finally up and running! This will be where you can read daily devotions and share about your own daily journey in God's Word. I pray that you will visit every day...so that I can get to know you and we can sharpen each other!

www.desertflowerministries.blogspot.com

We are working like crazy on our website! We are busy, busy, busy! Please keep us in your prayers as we begin working on our online classes in the next weeks, finish the curriculum for Foundation Bible Series for Women, offering short downloadable Bible studies, working with Atlanta Union Mission, and planning our first International Mission trip to South Asia.

Oh, how we need your prayers. I told my sweet friend tonight on the phone that I feel like I am trying to keep up with an avalanche! We got another email today of something new that God may be leading DFM to partner with...and it goes on! I am so excited...yet overwhelmed at the task. I can't do this. God has continually told me that "this is not about you." I believe Him!

I share this to ask you for prayer, support, and fellowship in the journey each of us are on in this life. Please share yours with me at the DFM blog...I love your fellowship! What a ride...

Conviction...again!

I had been sent this video several days ago...but didn't get a chance to view it. Today it was on my friend Mary's blog, so I took a few minutes to watch it. God is in my business yet again. My heart is broken over my own foolish spending and distracted mind. Watch this and remember how the rest of the world really lives...I have seen it and wrapped my arms around them. It's true...and yet how quickly I melt back into my own self centered world. Lord, forgive me!

I do have another post done last night you can check out below...it's quite ironic I think!

Cooking Class

Today, the girls went to the Kroger School of Cooking for a class on sweet breads. It was a fun 2 hours for them as they cooked...and a fun 2 hours for me as I visited with my friend Paula. It was the strangest thing as I got in the car without the girls. Since I homeschool, it is VERY rare that I go anywhere at any time without the girls. I almost didn't know what to do with the time...but spending time with a friend was really nice.





There were 5 girls in the class on sweet breads. They got to learn how to make dough...then they turned that into sticky buns, bear claws, and cream cheese danish. We got to try them at the end and they were SUPER yummy!Both of the girls made friends and enjoyed time to cook! They had a blast!
Here is a sample of their creations...though the sticky bun didn't last long...it was yummy! On Wednesday, my sweet hubby came home with a dozen red roses for me...for no reason...which is always the BEST reason! He brings me flowers once a week, but roses is a special treat...sigh...what a mighty good man!

Memorial Day Memories!

Monday we headed to my spend Memorial Day with my family in Alabama. It was such a wonderful time! My dad grilled hamburgers and hot dogs along with lots of potato salad, slaw, beans, and key lime pie...yummy! My nephew was there along with my little cousin Sam. They had so much fun together!
My parents live on 11 acres and have horses, a donkey, a miniature horse, goat and lots of dogs. They also have a wonderful swimming pool in their yard that the kids couldn't wait to get into. They have this huge screened in porch with wonderful couches and ceiling fans that overlooks the pool...which is where the adults always spend their time...watching the kids swim and play. What a way to spend the day!
Did I mention my parents have lots of dogs? They love the girls and wanted to take a dive with the girls too! Buddy is the lab that wanted to take a plunge... and he did! You should have seen the adults rushing to jump in...have you ever been swimming near a dog? He was trying to paw the kids and it was a little scary since he's such a big dog that we were afraid he would pull a kid under. He kept going towards the kids as they tried desperately to swim to the side. But, all was well in the end my uncle got him out!
What is swimming without a good chicken fight? This is my mom and Anli against my uncle Sam and his son...Sam! And my grandfather was named Sam too! It was hysterical watching them try to push each other off!
Then, they decided to stack kids! It didn't last long...but pretty impressive! I was sitting by the pool watching the kids and enjoying the wonderful weather, when Sophie brought me this Frisbee. Well, I made the mistake of throwing that Frisbee for her. So, for the next 20 minutes this was my view...complete with drool! I had to sit with my legs up in the chair to keep from getting run over by her...she doesn't have a grasp of body language! She never did get the hint!
Cousin time! What a fake smile Julian!
Later on in the afternoon, my mom kindly took the girls out to feed the horses. We didn't have time to saddle them up and ride...but we'll be going back in just a few weeks for "Sassy Camp" to ride and swim for the week.Virginia feeds Gabby the donkey and Skipper...they are sharing how sweet!
Cowboy wants his share too. Virginia is such an animal lover! How cute is my mom? I love this picture of her...she's the best! Thanks Sassy and Pal for a wonderful Memorial Day! We had such a great time and can't wait for Sassy Camp.

Thanks to all who have fought and given up so much for our freedom. Thanks most of all to Jesus Christ who paid the ultimate price for our freedom to join Him in heaven forever!

The Birthday Continues...

Friday night Jay's parents came for the weekend to enjoy Anli's birthday and then to see Virginia's ballet recital. Just take a look at the cupcake...9 candles!
Saturday morning we took the girls and we all went to All Fired Up to paint pottery. We love this place and the girls got to choose whatever they wanted to paint and we stayed there about 2 hours enjoying the quiet and painting together. Everyone joined in to make this a family effort.
Anli and Granpa work on the horse...we can't wait to see how it turns out.
We were so excited to have Grammy and Granpa to spend the weekend with us! It was a blast and we had the place to ourselves!
We went to eat lunch at our favorite restaurant Nirvana and then hurried home to get Virginia ready for her ballet recital. She looked gorgeous and did a great job!
Aren't these the more precious girls you have every seen? Love them!!The group...we got to all sit together and we got to watch the show until it was time for Virginia to go backstage for her dance. It was a great show! Good friends! Too cute!


Here is her class...aren't they beautiful? There costumes were some of the most gorgeous in the show...though I'm a bit biased! They danced to the song from Enchanted.Mary and Lily came to watch...they were so sweet! Lily brought Virginia a precious flower she planted herself. They are such sweet friends...the show was 2 hours and Virginia was the 5th song from the END...talk about love!Here's the group! Great job Virginia!
What a blessing to have such a great family!


What a great weekend...but it's not over yet!