Crosspoint Church of Christ Friendship Center

Bryan, JT, Luci and I work here every Thursday morning. Bryan made this video, to be shown before our worship service, to show everyone what goes on at The Friendship Center.

Our Thursdays

We have added working in our church's Friendship Center to our schedule.  It's a way to serve in our church, and serve our community.  It's a wonderful place.  All we had to do was step in and help--the incredible work to get it going was started about four years ago, and it is a well-run labor of love.  The ladies and gentlemen there today knew exactly what our kids (and myself) could do to help.  There was no "Hmmm....let me see.  What could a 14 year old boy or a 5 year old girl do here?"  (Bryan was seen as man-sized and therefore he could do heavy lifting. :)  )

Luci was put to work "stomping boxes."  She helped break down empty boxes from the pantry.  She also played with some of the extras.

JT was put to work loading up bags of groceries.  Today he filled half of the 70 bags that were prepared for Friday morning.

Bryan worked measuring men's slacks, sorting bags, unloading donations and foodstuffs, and hanging clothes.

I am so impressed that all three children worked well and did not complain.  We look forward to Thursdays this year, working with this wonderful ministry.

Christmas Parties

We've been to several Christmas parties this month--Families with Children from China (the pictures from that are on my other computer, and I don't have access to them right now), JT's Tang Soo Do party (no photos of that), the boys' teen church party, our church party tonight, and the homeschool party last Friday. Whew! I was just thinking tonight that I sure don't get out much. I don't, but my children do. So that means I do get out quite a bit. Just as a chauffeur.

Here is our church party tonight. The kids (3 year olds through 6th grade) did a little program. Luci's down there on the front row. What? You can't see her?
Is this better? She spotted me and gave me a big grin. But first, she stuck her tongue out at her brothers who were down front taking pictures for me.
What Christmas party would be complete without the crazed mother, trying to get everyone in place on time?? John called halfway through the party, telling me he was just about to leave his compound to start his trip home. So nice to talk to him! Another reason to love cell phones. But it didn't calm me down any--the trip from compound to the airport is the most dangerous part of the trip. Which explains why I am up so late doing the blog...so I can keep checking the news online, like a ghoul, to see if there's any news out of his area. So far, so good. Maybe after Wednesday I won't feel compelled to check the news so often. I sure hope so.
Homeschool party--we went to a place called "Forest Jumps." Luci's in there somewhere.
They have these big climbing things to play on.
Kalyn came, too! It was so nice to visit with Kathy.
JT played some games during the party. . .and Bryan acted like a teenager.
On the way to our house in the country is this home. They have their yard covered with shiny things. It's lots of fun to look at, and this is only about half of what they have! The lights are timed with music, and you can turn your car radio to the right station and listen.

The song that was playing when we were there was "Mary, Did You Know?" One of the lines goes like this:

Mary, did you know
that when you kissed your little baby
You kissed the face of God?

I said, "Wow. Those are some powerful words."

Luci said, "Did she have Power Kisses?"

Cookie Sale for Missions

Tonight was our annual cookie sale at CrossPoint. The proceeds go towards foreign missions--this year, to help out our missionary family in Australia. Imagine about 100 kids selling cookies, milk and water to 300 or more parents and friends. It is lots of fun! And a great bedtime snack, too.
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Luci selling cookies with her class. One dollar per bag. She made sure to touch most of the dollars that were spent at her table. She would not get up until all the cookies were sold. I was impressed with her perseverance. She was hanging on for quite a while. Finally I bought the last three bags and then she got up.

Buying cookies for herself.

Look what I got!

Bryan and JT made a good haul, too.

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I got a haircut and perm today. I told Rita,my hairdresser, to do what she wanted: just don't change the hair color. Luci's reaction was not good. She pointed at my head and said, "What is it?! Can you take off the wiggly parts and make it flat again? How will you sleep? Is that a wig?" It did inspire her to paint my portrait...the real me is on the left.
(It's purple lipstick. Not my usual shade.)

Say It, Tell It, Yell It---Communicating Christ

Vacation Bible School 2009

Luci has had a great time this year. The noise level didn't bother her, and she stayed with a large group without any family in the group, for 2 hours straight! That is a record for her.

If you ask Luci, she'll tell you that "V.B.S. is spelled V-V-S," and she spent the morning at "P.B.S."

The 8th and 9th Day of Christmas

The Secret Santas struck again! This morning on the front porch was a big "Santa's Bag" with more gifts, for days 8 through 12. (I actually saw it at 11:45 Saturday night, after Luci woke me up. It had to wait until morning because turning the alarm off and then back on would've woken the kids up.) The bag had a message attached, saying, "Ho Ho Ho! 5 days to go!" Such fun! But I'm concerned, Secret Santa--I hope you weren't driving out in that bad storm that went through last night.

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You all are just too too kind. Really. I am overwhelmed at your generosity and just wanting us to feel loved during John's deployment. Consider your mission successful!

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The 8th Day of Christmas was a Webkinz Snowman. I've seen the Webkinz animals and really wanted one (I mean Luci has seen them and wanted one...) but never have gotten one. So thank you, Santa--this is such a cute one, perfect for this time of year.

I'm blaming JT on us opening the 9th Day of Christmas...he counted up and read on the tags that the 11th Day was to be opened on the 23rd, and the 12 Day on the 24th. His funny logic said that we need to open the 9th Day, too.

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And look at what a lovely statuette Day 9 brought! This is just right for us this year. I have a set of the Nativity scene but haven't put it out in a few years because Luci might break some of the pieces. It's from Japan, from the years when my parents lived there and where I was born, so it's irreplaceable. This statuette is perfect because Luci can handle it without dropping, and it makes a nice addition to our table's centerpiece with our Advent candle wreath. Perfect for focusing our thoughts on our Bible study. Today, besides being showered with gifts, we had lots to do! Worship in the morning, lunch at McDonalds, shopping for a few last minute gifts, then home. This evening we had our church's Christmas party. The kids sang and did a couple of skits. Luci was in the group which tried to sing Jingle Bells. Santa came, and Luci made a visit! Surprise! She knew it was Josh, one of Bryan's best friends. Otherwise, she would not have gotten close.

JT and Luci and the dog.

Cole and Luci, and the dog again. Luci, if you and Cole do eventually get married (as they plan to do!), then this photo will surely make the reception table. Love that finger, sweety.

Phthbhpth!

Is that how you spell a raspberry?
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We went to church to help with the toy and coat giveaway, setting out tons and tons of toys for the expected 300+ families who will come on Saturday. Bryan, JT and even Luci worked hard, and were such *angels* the entire time. I thought we'd work for an hour, then come home for lunch. We stayed for 3 hours! Bryan and JT worked the entire time, and Luci was a helper and "toy-tester." Everyone was impressed with our kids. John--be proud, too! They were great!
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Then comes the lunch, which Mark paid for, from Chik-Fil-A. Yummy, and so nice because we didn't expect any kind of payment--but nothing from Chik-Fil-A is Feingold-diet safe. The potatoes have a form of corn syrup, and probably the buns, too. Then, I was so stupid! I took the kids to Arby's after working to get a Mint Chocolate Swirl shake. So stupid! That thing is loaded with fake colors and corn syrup.
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So now my little angel who must avoid corn syrup is a major devil! I craved that milkshake (gotta admit, it was really good--sorry, Feingold friends!) and now I'm paying for it.

Good Works

For we are God's workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

Bryan and JT have spent the last three days working for others. Our church's youth group spent Tuesday working on lawns of families who can't do it themselves; Wednesday painting at the Children's Home in our county, which is sponsored by local churches, and today they are having a play day and lunch party with the children at the home. So thankful that they have exhibited Christ to those who are in need this week.

Bryan and JT--we are proud of you!

Sweet Words

Today I peeked into Luci's Sunday School class before it began. Luci has a 3 year old friend in there named Piper. Piper's parents were at the same informational meeting we went to the day we started paperchasing for Luci. They decided to go the state-side route to adopt and now have an adorable little girl. We (as you know) went the foreign route for Luci, going to China. I don't ever think about Piper's being adopted because she "matches" her parents--Caucasian. Could be their biological daughter. Luci, however, is in this Irish-looking family! Very obvious.

Piper's daddy was in the room with the girls, waiting for the teacher, and told Piper that Luci was adopted, too. When I peeked in, the two girls were bouncing around the room, singing, "You were adopted, I was adopted!" over and over. So sweet, to know these girls will have this bond throughout their growing up in this church family.

Bryan

Bryan's Lots of Love banquet was quite nice. Our "worship center" is really a big gym that we move chairs into and out of as needed. We use it for all sorts of things, not just as a gym or worship center. It's called the ROC (Recreation Outreach Center). Anyway, it was decorated in a most pretty way for the banquet. Hooray to whomever thought of doing it! The dinner was very good, too--thanks to Laura Hester and her crew.

Here are John, Luci and Bryan...we sent Luci off to her class before the dinner began.
Bryan left Thursday afternoon for Winterfest in Gatlinburg. It's the furthest and longest he's been away from home without at least one parent. I'm sure he's having a ball! (But Mama is kinda concerned.) We hope he comes home with more of a sense of what his Mission is here on earth. Here he is on the bus with Josh.

Getting a last hug from Luci.
Luci praying for the travelers.
103 people were signed up for this trip! That includes at least 23 adults. Here is part of the crowd before they took off on the TWO big buses. You can see what the gym/worship center looks like normally.

What Is Going On Around Here?

Today in worship, we could not find Bryan to work the power point stuff--didn't know where he was until time to go home. Turns out he was in another worship taking place on our campus, but we've asked him to please come to ours in the future. JT decided worship was a good time to get out his Nintendo DS and play some games with his friend--seated in another row, so I went over to take it away from him (MOM! Do you know how embarrassing you are?? Yes. I do.) And Luci was an absolute monkey the whole time. Did you know that 4 of John's 5 children have ADHD? (Note to those children reading: you can think of yourself as that calm one, if you wish.)

We have a surprise for the boys on Tuesday, relating to their schooling. Update on that on Tuesday night. So far, the boys have been wailing and gnashing their teeth in anticipation.

Resolutions You Can Really Commit To

(as seen in First for women magazine)

I will save electricity ... by eating out more often.

I will buy fewer shoes ... on sale.

I will walk more ... when the elevator is broken.

I will organize my desk ... by next year.

I will stop eating dessert ... before dinner.

I will save my money ... from spending too much time in my account.

I will stop making impossible resolutions ... forever!



And seen on a church signboard in Lauderdale County...

May your troubles be as short as your New Year's Resolutions!