Hot Days of Summer

Hot Days of Summer are synonymous with swimming!  Our little blue inflatable pool is not only a great way to cool off, but the kiddos have such fun!  It's the perfect size to fit on the patio - the ideal location so Momma can keep a constant watchful eye.  I can even capture some of the fun through the lens of a camera.  Enjoy!!!!

SSMT Verse 13

Still hangin' in with my Siestas memorizing scripture!  I love the verse I've chosen to focus on the next couple weeks.  It reminds me how accessible God is... Yes, He's the Almighty Creator of the Universe, yet even still, if I call out to Him, He will answer.  I repeatedly find myself praying for peace, clarity, and discernment - often for myself and for others.  Keeping the relational lines of communication open with God is how I receive those very things.

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.   ~ Jeremiah 33:3 

Master Books Summer Reading Link-Up #1

While at the CHEK Conference, I picked up three new Master Books titles.

The Day the World Went Wacky by Janine Suter
Noah’s Floating Animal Park by Janine Suter
The Not So Super Skyscraper by Janine Suter

Each of these books shares about characters and events from the Bible through rhyme.  The illustrations and verse are humorous and engaging for kids.  Most importantly, the books all provide spiritual applications relevant today.  My three littles chuckled through each of these and have even been quoting a few of the one liners.

By reading these titles, my kids completed their reading for June in the Master Books Summer Reading Program.  They are excited to know there is a prize coming their way. Until then, we opted for some family craft time.  Online, I found Adam and Eve finger puppets.  After reading The Day the World Went Wacky, the kids colored, cut, and then had a great time playing.  Yes, there were some interesting color choices, but I wasn't in the Garden of Eden... so who knows what the shrubbery really looked like?  Possibly, my kiddos wild imagination is spot on :-)

We had a great time with these books.  Join us as we continue reading in July.  Check out Master Books suggested reading list. 

First of the Lasts

While we are looking forward to new ministry opportunities and are really eager to finally adjust to our new normal next Monday morning, we anticipate this Sunday - our last at GCC - to be an emotional day.  It's hard to say goodbye to those who have been such a HUGE part of our lives the past 9 years of Jon's ministry.  They have loved and supported us first as a couple and now as a family of 5.  We've all grown and changed over the years, and we count it a blessing that God has allowed us to serve alongside the GCC family for so long.  They will be forever in our hearts.  We love these wonderful people!

So... obviously, this week is a week of lasts.  Due to next week's God and Country service, this past  weekend marked Jon's LAST Sunday night preaching in the pulpit.  It was followed by our last Sunday night trip to Frisch's - the after evening service hang-out spot. Jon had to head home in order to keep his early bedtime... the alarm clock goes off way, way too early each morning, but the kids and I enjoyed our meal with great friends.  Here they are cheesing with 3 of their best buddies...  Ben, Beth, and John Darrell will be missed for sure!

B90X - TAKE TWO

B90X - TAKE TWO!!!!  Yes, you will remember in January I first posted about participating in MomsToolbox 90-Day Challenge to Read the Bible.  I was off to a great start, and then, life happened.  I got behind in my reading.  I got to a point where I was floundering far beyond the rest of the group.  In the last two weeks of the session I had grand delusions of an epic, colossal comeback.  However, that just wasn't possible.

Despite the fact that I am not a spring B90X graduate proudly displaying an "I Did It!" button on my blog or sporting the T-shirt, I do believe the experience was valuable.  I did walk away with a clearer picture of the Old Testament as a whole.  Some of the information I read helped me to better participate in Sunday School and Wednesday Night Bible Study discussions.  I enjoyed my time reading some of the more difficult sections of text to get through...  I made it through 2 Chronicles.

Now that I'm trying this program again, I'm already analyzing how this time will be different.  I've come up with a plan of action to set myself up for success and better ensure that I will complete the program this time around.

1. Community - I will be placed in a group of fellow readers with a mentor.  The last session I did not utilize this group.  I checked in when I was successful, and I was on track.  However, as I got behind rather than reaching out for encouragement and tips from others, I simply reported, "I'm behind!" or "Still behind!"  This time I'm going to lean on others and utilize community.
2. Devotions - Amy @ MomsToolbox provides some additional devotional thoughts to go along with our reading plans.  I will take time to read and digest these posts. 
3. Twitter - Each week B90X participants had the opportunity to have a Twitter party and chat about the reading.  Now that I finally established a Twitter account, I can join in.  By the way... Are you following me yet?  @Wellspring_Life
4. Blog - I'm actually going to try to blog weekly about my B90X experience:  What God is teaching me?  What He reveals in His Word?  Especially meaningful Scriptures, etc.
5. Join me???

Yes, read #5.  I'd love for you to join me in this 90 Day Challenge to read the entire Bible.  On estimate it is about 12 pages a day...  roughly an hour of reading.  Just think... we can encourage each other along the journey.  Come on - you know you want too!  Sign up HERE!

Tweet, Tweet, Tweet!

Tweet, tweet, tweet...  look who is finally on Twitter.  Yes, it seems with some of the new opportunities and directions the blog will be going on a Twitter account would be very beneficial.  So... The Wellspring of Life is tweeting.  Don't you want to follow???  Of course you do.

@Wellspring_Life 

Music & Dance

Many public libraries are hosting the "One World, Many Stories" 2011 Summer Reading Program.  My kiddos have already completed their first reading logs and were able to choose their prizes... a free book to keep for each :-)  In keeping with the summer theme, our local library is also offering some special programs for kids. 

We got to the gym early... waiting for the program to start.

We attended "Chinese Celebration" presented by CMDAP.  The kids got to watch both Chinese teachers and students perform various cultural dances.  They most enjoyed the dances that included swords and fans.  Friends of ours were even chosen to learn how to use the fans.

A woman also demonstrated and played a traditional Chinese instrument known as the pipa.  My children, mature 4, 5, and 6 year-olds that they are, found this quite comical.... especially since it is pronounces "pee-pah."  Pee... such a funny word when you are little!

Considering that the acoustics in the gymnasium were atrocious, the fact that the teachers English was oftentimes hard to understand, and that the program was fairly long, my kids did great!  I realize that it didn't hold their interest completely and they were hot, but exposure and appreciation for different cultures is very important.  I hope to instill a great love for ALL people in my children.  God loves us all!

While the Chinese Celebration wasn't the most entertaining experience, the kids definitely got excited about the music and dance they saw in the evening.  We headed to Southland Christian Church to see the Children's Ministry perform "Off The Hook."  Complete with large group dance numbers, praise and worship music, acting, great scenery and lighting, and a teaching segment, the kids had a blast.  We even ended up sitting near some of our adoption pals!  The kiddos learned a lot about forgiveness and are now card carrying members of "The Lucky Mugs Who've Been Let Off the Hook Club."  I love seeing my babies get so excited in worship!  Thanks SCC - great job :-)