Cookie Baking Night 05/23/11

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Emily, Ethan, Carissa. Some Cookie Baking Nights are low key and some are filled with fun activities from start to finish, this one was the latter.

For supper, everyone made their own mini pizza on an English muffin. That was a big hit. For our cookie, we made Peanut Butter Blossoms (the one with the Hershey's kiss in the middle).

We read lesson 47 from Leading Little Ones to God by Marian Schoolland. Tonight's lesson was titled "The Holy Spirit Builds God's Church". Emily read Acts 16:13-15 for us.

We also started a project tonight that we'll be completing during our next Cookie Baking Night. We started making fleece blankets (the kind that you tie together). The kids did a great job with it! You'll see pictured below that they cut their own fringes along the outside edges of the material and then started tying them together. Stayed tuned for the unveiling of the finished blankets in a future Cookie Baking Night post.

As usual, a fun time was had by all.

Evangelism Focus 05/21/11

This weekend, my friends Betsy and Jane were visiting from Wisconsin. They came here specifically to go to the Mall of America and share the gospel, which they did on Friday.

Saturday was a very rainy day, so we spent the morning visiting laundromats in the area with the hopes of sharing the gospel with the people we met there.

We visited three laundromats and had three different conversations centered around the gospel. Please pray for Rob, Jenny, and Kemi as the gospel message does its work in there hearts.

Pictured below (left to right): Jane, Betsy, and myself as we enjoyed lunch together before they headed back home. I praise the Lord for these new friends with such a heart to share the gospel! I enjoyed every minute of my time with them and look forward to more time with them in the future.

Cookie Baking Night 05/09/11

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Carissa, Ethan, and Emily. I taught the kids to play Care Bear Dominoes this evening, and they did that while I cleaned up the kitchen from supper. They caught on quick and seemed to have a good time with it. Carrissa dominated the scene with two wins out of four games (she was ready to play several more games if given the chance--I think Care Bear Dominoes is her game).

The cookie this evening was chocolate chocolate chip (a BiG hit with the kids).

We read lesson 46 from Leading Little Ones to Godby Marian Schoolland. It was titled "The Holy Spirit Guided the Disciples". Before we got into the lesson, we had some amazing conversation around the crucifixion of Christ.......a lot of questions from the kids, a lot of thinking going on. Emily read Acts 8:29-39 for us from the Bible.

We ended the evening with several lively rounds of Zingo. And.......as usual......a fun time was had by all.

Evangelism Focus 05/06/11

In this evangelism focus post, I'd like to spend a little time reflecting on the evolution (if I may use that word) of evangelism in my life in the last three years or so.

First, I am grateful that God took this undeserving sinner and regenerated her heart. Upon doing so, He planted a desire for evangelism in me that is nothing short of a miracle (shy, quiet people are not inclined to approach total strangers for any reason and certainly not to tell them something they likely don't want to hear).

Secondly, two years ago God allowed me to attend the Ambassador's Academy in California through Living Waters ministry. It changed me. I'm not sure I would be evangelizing at all today were it not for the kick start this training provided (click here to check out their website for more information---I highly recommend it).

Thirdly, because of the Ambassador's Academy training I became aware that there is a network of street evangelists throughout America and Canada who are faithful heralds of the gospel. I have been greatly encouraged by their blogs, websites, and e-mails. Their creativity and faithfulness in spreading the gospel spurs me on to "fight the good fight". Here are my favorite evangelism blogs/websites. I encourage you to click on the links and check them out: The Word Street Journal, Proclaiming the Truth, Fish With Trish, and His Feet on the Street.

I pray God will continue to grow me in this area and that the gospel message will be known in all the land.