Evangelism Musings (08/30/13)

Do you see, do you see, all the people sinking down,

Don't you care, don't you care, are you gonna let them drown

--Keith Green (Alseep in the Light)

A small team from our church headed out to the Minnesota State Fair today. We stood outside the entrance gates and handed out gospel tracts to the throngs of people heading into the fair. I can't think of an easier way to get the gospel into the hands of thousands of people. So, grab your favorite gospel tract, hit the streets, and give it a try. God will take it from there.

Cookie Baking Night 08/26/13

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Ethan, Carissa, and Alli. Our niece, Alli, is our newest Cookie Baking Night member. She turned 3 years old last week and has now officially joined us. Tonight we made cranberry/white chip/oatmeal cookies.

It has been a long time since we've needed to use some kind of step stool for hand washing, but we brought it out again tonight (as you can see, Carissa was a great helper). 

We also continued reading from "God's Names" by Sally Michael. Tonight we learned about God's name: A Strong Tower. Proverbs 18:10 tells us: "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." We even learned a song that will help us remember that verse. 

We finished the evening by teaching Alli the game "Zingo" (a matching game along the lines of Bingo but with picture shapes). Alli caught onto it quickly and seemed to enjoy it. If you don't have this game in your game closet, I suggest adding it to your collection. It's recommended for ages 4-8 (on the box) but the younger ones can play it without any problem, and the older ones haven't tired of it yet. 

As usual, a fun time was had by all.

Road Trip Musings

Well, it's that time of year again--state fair time. The company Greg works for does the audio visual production for the concerts held at the Iowa State Fair and the Minnesota State Fair each year. Emily and I decided to take a little road trip to Iowa again this year to visit Greg at the Fair. 

The three of us starting our day together at the fair. 

Greg in action

Greg with a wanna be audio visual engineer

A little fair food

A little texting ... with a view

With entertainment at every turn, you still can't beat watching the baby chicks (for free) in the Animal Learning Center (I literally had to lure her away from there after about 30 minutes). 

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We left the fair exhausted. Time to hit the air mattress. 

Side note: If you've been around my blog any length of time, then you probably know I love a good road trip. As I always say, "real life happens on the road trip". Kids talk more on a one-on-one road trip. Hearts are exposed. Conversation is inevitable. Gospel opportunities abound. Now grab your favorite 12 year old (or 9, 10, 11, etc. year old) and hit the road!

Cookie Baking Musings

This week is an off week for Cookie Baking Night, and sometimes on the off weeks, I get reflective.

Last week, we had a couple guest friends at Cookie Baking Night, children who have not been here before (friends of the nieces and nephew). As is expected when someone joins an ongoing activity that has been in place for a long time, there are some adjustments to make and education to be done. I learned a few things from the experience and they are as follows:

• Cookie Baking Night is a ministry full of gospel-sharing opportunities
• Always say yes to gospel-sharing opportunities that knock on your own door
• Children need to be taught how to do things 
• Training produces fruit

I was struck by the reactions of my own nieces and nephew when at times chaos was happening around them due to the others not knowing our routine. This was particularly evident to me during our Bible lesson time. Our guests were not accustomed to this activity, so we had to work through the experience with lovingkindness. My nieces and nephew, however, treated that time with reverence. When we talked about God's names, they became very serious for they knew it was a serious subject. Where I might normally view them as "squirrelly" and unfocused, when contrasted with someone new to the activity, I could see their evident concentration. I could see the fruit of training in them. I was reminded that they didn't come like that to the first Cookie Baking Night. God showed me a glimpse of the value of the "long haul" (endurance, if you will). In essence, He was training the leader that night. May she be the same kind of student as her nieces and nephews have been and may God produce fruit in her. 

Cookie Baking Night 07/29/13

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attedance this evening we had the usual crew plus a couple guests. Emily's friend, Julia, joined us for the evening and Ethan's friend, Jabin, joined us for the evening. Two 12 year old girls, two 10 year old boys, and an 8 year old year old little girl. It was a lively bunch to say the least.

Tonight we made a classic: The chocolate chip cookie. Since we had a big crowd, we had to spread out in the kitchen, but we managed to get all the measuring, mixing, and scooping done and came up with a pretty tasty cookie in the end.

Emily led the crew in a game of "Spot It". It was a new game, so she was teaching it to them. At one point, Emily called out to me from the living room (I was in the dining room) and said, "Look Katrina, I'm a role model."

It was fun to have other children with us this evening. I'm grateful God allowed us the experience. It was an evening filled with Gospel-spreading occasions and sanctifying opportunities.

We continued reading in our book "God's Names" by Sally Michael. Tonight we learned the name Jehovah-Shammah meaning The Lord is there, a lesson I very much needed today, myself. (God teaches us all through Cookie Baking Nights). We continue to learn about God's character and who He is by learning His many names.

We ended the evening with a walk through the neighborhood to the local gas station and 25 cent candy all around (Jabin said, "This night just keeps getting better and better.")

As usual, a fun time was had by all.

Birthday Musings!

Today is my mom's birthday. I spent the weekend at her house in celebration. We had dinner together, hung out on the patio, talked, played a game, prayed together. My niece, Emily, is here too. She made the birthday cake. (Okay, by made the cake, I mean assembled the cake. We made a "strawberry sparkle cake" from The Pioneer Woman blog with a pre-made angel food cake and store-bought whipped topping. She did a good job. It was quite tasty).

Mom, Dad-Larry, and Emily

Happy Birthday, Mama! I love you, and I thank God for you. May He bless you in the year ahead and draw you closer to Him with each passing moment. 

Cookie Baking Night 07/01/13

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Emily, Ethan, and Carissa. Today is Carissa's birthday. She turned 8 years old today. As is the Cookie Baking Night tradition, it was her choice tonight for supper and for the "cookie" we made. For supper, she chose macaroni & cheese, cornbread, and "berries w/ half&half". For her cookie, she chose "dirt cups".

Much work to do with this project. There's making the pudding..

crushing the cookies..

assembling the cups..

And don't forget the gummy worms..

Ahhh..the finished product. 

We also read a lesson from our book God's Names by Sally Michael. This week we studied the name El Roi meaning "The God Who Sees". (again, highly recommend this book--we are learning much about who God is by studying His names). 

The time tonight was lively and the discussion was good. We lingered over supper talking with Uncle Greg about the day. Sometimes conversation is abundant at Cookie Baking Nights, and this was one of those nights. Greg and I learn much about who our nieces and nephews are and how their little lives are shaping through our time with them at Cookie Baking Nights. We wouldn't trade the experience. It's very valuable. 

As usual, a fun time was had by all.