MOPS

Tonight, I had the privelege of speaking at our MOPS. (Mothers of Preschoolers) I have been out of that role for a few years, but being the pastor's wife, I was asked. I do not really like public speaking, but when Jenni mentioned the theme, I knew that it was what God would have me speak on.
The theme was "Identity" as mothers, wives, and Christians. I have known about this for a month and have had so many things going through my head. I finally had time this week to sit down and "be still" for God to take my many thoughts and make order with them.
One thing that I appreciate about God is that He uses our strengths to show Himself. I am a visual person. I wanted to try to get a few different senses used to get the point across, so I asked God, and he showed me how to use this. I talked about the world's view of the identity of a wife, mother, and Christian. I held a baby, made dinner, talked on the phone, and carried my briefcase to show the fact that it is impossible to do what the world expects.
I shared how God showed me that my identity was in Him. The only way that I can be a good wife and mother is to seek after His wisdom using Prov. 2:1-7 as my passage. I gave them a list of Who I Am in Christ that Freedom in Christ Ministries put together with many scripture verses. How incredible to be called Christ's friend; joint heirs, beloved....so many.
I spent a good part of the afternoon today working on this. I felt wonderful...up on a mountaintop. I guess that satan wanted me down as he brought up a doozie in this house this evening. How greatful I am that God gives us the strength to work through those times that Satan tells us that we are not capable of doing what we are doing.
Tonight went well. I felt very much that God was using this and had a few of the ladies share with me afterward. I'm excited because this is a ministry that Dan and I have had before, and I wonder where God may lead.

Music Man

My mom was here last week, and we did a little bit of sight seeing while she was here. Of course, that is not to mention that every day she was here, she had to make a trip to Cabin Coffee. (Our sweet little coffee shop that is owned by people in our church.) I don't mind. I don't like coffee, but I do like their Chai tea.
Besides all the coffee stops, we went to Mason City which is 5 miles away to Music Man Square. Merideth Willson was from Mason City and that is the true River City Iowa in the movie and play Music Man.

We walked down the Main Street of River City. This is a replica of the movie set--sort of neat to see.


We are so thankful that grandma could come spend a few days here. We have really missed being able to see her often. We were so glad to have a few days to spend going to games and just hanging out.

A Day at Camp

I am so far behind getting on the blog, but I have some fun things to share, so I'll try to catch you up on the last week and a half over the next few days. Last week my mom was here from Sunday until Thursday; Dan's sister Jane came on Thursday night and we left for WI on Friday afternoon. I have spent the last two days trying to catch up as well as see boys participate in sports.

A week ago Sunday the town was invited to go out to the Baptist Camp to spend the afternoon. Since it is not far from church, and they were providing lunch, we went out after church thinking that we'd stay an hour. We stayed the whole afternoon. There were carnival games, a hay ride, a few different type "dodge-ball"? games as well as the zip line, and rock wall. It was a gorgeous day. The camp is on the lake. 78 degrees with a slight breeze. Does it get better than that for a late September day in northern Iowa?

You can't tell, but this is me. Dan and I both did it.

We just didn't get very good pictures doing so.

This is Kirsten and her friend, Tori ready to take the "Leap of Faith".

Peirce is part monkey. It took his friend, Caitlyn over 15 minutes to make it to the top of the rock wall. It too Peirce 31/2 min. She was not very thrilled, but they had fun.

7th Grade Football

Mitchell had his first football game of the season last night. They run 7th grade on its own. They lost quite badly, but they were playing one of the bigger schools, so we are hoping that there will be some wins in there. We had a good time. The weather was actually warm for football, but we don't complain about that this time of year.
Mitchell is #75. It is so hard to tell with those helmets on!


Mitchell is the one with the dark curly hair facing toward the camera. He is one of the biggest kids on the team. He's working off some weight too as he played most of the game.

Parsonage Party

Sunday afternoon was another parsonage party. This one we actually remembered to take pictures of. For those of you who have not heard, we are dividing up the congregation by stages of life; college, young married, parents of elementary, parents of middle school and high school, empty nesters, new or nearly retired, senior adults. If they don't have children or are not married, they have just fit themselves in one time or another. We have had many people in. I make sloppy joes and lemonade, and they provide the rest. The last few have stretched our house a bit. Last evening was a little chilly, so we even had our basement ready to take people if needed. A few of the men used the porch for quite a while. I believe that we had around 40 there. I move furniture around and put up a few tables in order to make room for everyone. It has been a great way for us to get to know each other. What a blast we have had. One of the single ladies from church has come to a few to help me. She takes care of dishes and getting some of the things out while I get to talk to people.---How hard that is for me!!!!:)

Dan's Birthday

Saturday, Sept. 13th was Dan's birthday. We did not plan a huge day. He wanted to relax a little. Unfortunately he spent some it working on a vehicle. We are both claiming the camera that we are now using as birthday gift, so I didn't buy him anything special. I did make his favorite meal though. He did get a gift from my parents that will be enjoyed. A few years ago we bought him a hammock and stand. Since then it has gotten much use and the rope is starting to fray. (Your bottom will go through the holes in the rope many times.--not enjoyable.) So Dan got a quilted hammock. We love having it right on the porch. We don't have to worry about bugs, and it doesn't get rained on.

Church at the Lake

Sunday we had a beautiful service at the lake. The Lutheran church in town uses the band shell all summer for one of their services, but our church does it one of the Sundays in September. It was a cool morning that was calling for rain, but it held off and was absolutely gorgeous. We are hoping to do this a little more next summer. The park is right in the downtown area with the lake right behind it. I did have a hard time paying attention to the pastor when there were so many sailboats out there.

How beautiful is that?

Isn't he handsome?
I played with the praise band. Many years ago I got into the habit of singing while I play. It seems to keep my head with what I am playing. I worship so much better when I play. Anyway, Rod mikes me when I play since I sing anyway. Other times I am one of the singers on the worship team.