Not as young as I used to be....

Last night was Superbowl...or was that this morning???
We had a good time- didn't lose anyone and no one was incredibly injured.
The teens seemed to have a good time- they all interact well with each other.
Four teens came because of sponsored tickets and two of them made decisions for Christ!!
A huge thank-you to Melissa and Rob for joining me and helping out!

A few pictures of the madness....

And they say they aren't anti-social

Some of the gang...

I actually broke 100 in bowling....it was a first!

(I discovered I do better with really light balls)

Two of our boys...showing us how it's done!

I felt like this....

Playing Catch Up

I'm sorry that the days between blog updates are so few and far between- I'm sure you are all sitting by your computers waiting with baited breath.

School is going well. I was looking forward to leaving early yesterday and not taking home any work when I suddenly realized that all my big projects are due next week! Panic set in! So- my long weekend will be full of a HOPE meeting, Superbowl, Bebo's birthday party and then paperwork. But it's all right! I have my first PPT next week- chances are I will prepare for it and the family won't show- so we'll end up rescheduling. That's life I guess.

Teen club is going well. We have Superbowl tonight in Providence. 18 are going plus 3 adults. God help me stay awake. I'm such an old lady these days. 9pm in bed! Thank goodness I don't have to drive. We are really seeing some good things happen in and through our kids. Some are taking good steps in growth. Everyweek we have new visitors - and they keep coming back!! That is always encouraging-especially when that voice of doubt creeps in. We have had some major issues already this year- but God continues to give grace and wisdom. Pray that we continually use it!

We had a HOPE meeting last night with a contact in Wallingford. This is a pastor that also works with a mission in Haiti. It was very encouraging to have him read over our material and say "wow- this looks good. You're on the right track! I wish we had done that!". He offered a lot of good advice regarding projects, fundraising and pitfalls they have found themselves in. So, now I have to also finish up our upcoming newsletter and the non-profit form. Then, I think the next step will be putting together a DVD presentation on Pestel that we can send to churches etc... Plus, a website. Hmmmm- wish I had taken more tech classes. But it is amazing what you can do on your little laptops these days!

The family is well. I feel bad that I hardle see them- just in and out. When I'm home, I'm usually chained to the computer working on something (lately, I'll admit, it has been catching up on LOST episodes- I love that they are free online because I never am able to catch anything on TV anymore). But- they keep busy. I'm really looking forward to the holidays. Things do seem to slow down then. I've already started playing Christmas music.

Well- I should hit the to-do list sometime today before I have to get ready to go.
Wish there was something extremely exciting to share- but I can't think of anything.
I'll leave you with a few pics from Teen Club!

We held a Harvest Party for the Olympians three weeks ago! I overplanned, so we had to come back the following week to do the crafts, face painting and balloon animals. The kids enjoyed the hayride and games the week before! Our teens were awesome- serving the children and their leaders!
This is a picture from STORM- the evangelistic really we had two weeks ago! The kids were getting ready to play a game! We saw a new side to our teens that night! We are seeing God do great things in the boys pictured here. Very exciting!!

Not dead yet....

So, a common question I've been asked lately is....

"Are you alive?- haven't heard from you in ages!"

Yes... I am still alive- just extremely busy- but that is not a good excuse.

So- updates.

School:
Going very well. Moments of tension and overwhelment- but a typical day is quite enjoyable and manageable. I am very pleased with my job. And that makes me happy and content. There is still so much to learn and understand and to overcome (I HATE calling parents..... You would think 2 years of dealing with telemarketing rejection would have prepared me for hostile parents...but it hasn't!). The most trying months are still to come when PPT season gets in full swing with testing and annuals etc.... but "today has enough worry for itself".

HOPE: Haiti ministry I'm involved with
We had a very productive HOPE Advisory Council Meeting Saturday. What a great group of people! Many good suggestions, advice and possibilities of support. Pray that I am able to finish the agenda items I am responsible for (mainly ALL of them...... ) - namely the Tax-Exempt Application. It is daunting at the moment-but my friend Joe says I'm thinking to much about it. We should have a newsletter going out in a month or so- so stay posted (let me know if you'd like to get it and aren't on our mailing list!)

Teen Club:
We had an amazing STORM rally (our teens going out and inviting friends back for a rally). Our teens were great and really showed some fine attributes that evening. We had 8 new teens come and one made a decision for Christ. Three are planning to join us for Superbowl and 2 for sure are coming back this Wednesday night! We had a team of 10 from WOLBI come down and help and they were simply amazing! More than amazing! An incredible blessing and God-send.
Our leaders did a great job and it was so encouraging to hear them say "we should do this again!".

Hmmm- what else? That's about it. My life is so full at the moment..... but it is such a good, content fullness. (though, if I see one more ultrasound picture up on myspace I will puke- sorry, just had to say that! don't take any offense you expecting parents, I am truly happy for you!)

God has opened up a new ministry opportunity for me- I can't share much about it due to its nature- but pray that I have wisdom, understanding and TWO EARS to listen.

Love to you all- you're encouragement means so much!

Making deposits

This was the theme of our recent trip to Haiti....
Everywhere we went, we were making small deposits in the hearts of each person we encountered.

A smile

A wave as we drove by

A cup of cool ice tea

A peanut butter sandwich
A classroom visit

A gift to purchase school books
A tour of a orphanage

A tour of a library
A visit to a grieving widow
A picture taken

Worshipping with fellow believers
A gift of checkers

A gift to a man struggling financially
Late night conversations by lamp light with local pastors

Some big, some small acts. But each one making a deposit.

Lord, take these deposits and cause them to grow in hearts.

May each be redeemed in your perfect time!

Our trip was a great success. We were able to accomplish all on our to-do list and then some. We have hired workers to clear the land (take down the trees/remove the rocks). We formed a partnership with a local Baptist pastor, we visited a local library (20 miles away) and received some great insight/contacts, we began the process of finding/hiring a man to oversee the work in Pestel and we held a Celebration service for the community to thank God for the coming library.

It was a refreshing trip and full of opportunities to see God at work. It is hard to come home and jump back into life. I had the opportunity to share in 4 history classes yesterday about Haiti. It was frustrating due to lack of time- but I hope the students were "impressed" with the great needs in Haiti.