VBS 2011 is a Rap!

BIG APPLE ADVENTURE I <3 VBS!

This was the theme of this past week at First Baptist Bayfield and a BIG ADVENTURE it was! With 42 kids and 37 adults registered we averaged an attendance of 70 people each night. What a fun week we had!

Beyond the typical things of music, crafts, Bible Study, and snacks we also included a Missions rotation. For our Missions offering - we collected school supplies for the Kits for Kids program through the Global Baptist Response organization. Although different than just bringing change - I think it was good for the kids to do something that they could relate to.

Some other highlights were Seth, a 6' 6" football player, giving piggy back rides and being our parking lot attendant; giving a Bible to a special little girl; funny comments like a preschooler saying "dog water" was their favorite food; and Seth getting a whip cream pie in his face! Yep - these are the things that make VBS so fun!!!!

As much fun as VBS was - I must say we are wiped out! Ha ha ha! It feels so good to put my feet up and know that I don't have to do it again tomorrow! LOL....

Thank you to all the wonderful teachers, helpers and volunteers!!!

Seasons of Change...

I have been thinking a lot about all the different seasons of life we go through, the changes we experience and how they reshape us, develop us and refine us.

Some changes are good and help us grow and yet others are difficult and painful and may change us in ways that we aren't sure we want to go.

No matter the type of change or the season surrounding it - when we are consistently walking hand in hand with the Savior we can know that "he works all things for our good..."

So - why all this talk of change? Primarily because I have sensed a big change of seasons in our life over the past two months...

We have gone from a family of 6 with kids in Elementary and Jr High kids to now a family of 6 with one in HS, 2 in Jr High and only one in Elementary! The idea of HS brings a whole new realm of reality for us - decisions on how late and with whom she can go out, beginning stages of college searching, prom, dating, etc are all events we will cross within this next season.

Personally I have found myself changing seasons in my own purpose and direction in which God is calling me. I still have a HUGE heart for women but it is more specific and refined now - I want to reach out and minister to Moms of young children, special needs children and elementary age children. My heart is to come along side them and encourage them as they journey the path of motherhood whether alone or with a husband. I have also had this sense of embracing and cherishing every moment with my own kids - mostly because of the reality that within four years Hannah will leave home and the others aren't far behind!

In sensing and seeing all these changes, I have found myself at a crossroads. I can worry, stress, be down and depressed about them. I can fight them - deny them- pretend they aren't happening and yet they will still happen and progress. OR I can choose to embrace them, look forward to them, and seek the Lord's guidance and direction through them!

This second choice is where I find myself - at the point of excitement about what lies around the next bend of my life! I have had the BEST conversations with my daughter Hannah the past few weeks - it has been a sweet time for us! I have watched a young mom and dear friend begin her journey as a mom of four and truly see the joy that this brings. I have been able to encourage and lift up another new mom of four in a hard point in her life. Conversations about life in general with my almost 13 yr old boy have simply been amazing and wonderful... these are just a few of the highlights of this new season I find my self in!

I know that there are still some major changes ahead - some sooner rather than later. Yet, because I know in whom I have believed and He is able - I can look forward to this season with anticipation and joy!

I look forward to sharing more about this season in my life as it unfolds throughout the next few months and years!

Wonderful Vacation and Now back to reality!

Whew! We had SOOO much fun in Texas visiting both Joel's sister and family as well as my sister and her family! In addition, we were able to catch up with a few friends from college and go to Six Flags! Such a great time!

After enjoying 90 to 100 degree weather for 8 days, we returned home to our 60-70 degree weather and the reality of a BUSY next few weeks!

This week and next are primarily VBS prep and running for me while Joel will be assisting with VBS as well as working out the details of our Mission Trip to Gallup NM and Youth Camp! We are excited and yet a tad overwhelmed with the craziness of it all!

The kids are enjoying the laid back summer schedule and are also busy helping with VBS - I was told today I had my own little workforce! Ha ha so true!!!

Well, I will hopefully blog more in the next few days or so but just wanted to let you all know about what's happenin!

End of the World or Not?

With all of the media attention, bill boards, website, radio talk etc surrounding Harold Camping's claim that May 21, 2011 is the day of Jesus' return - I must admit many things have gone through my mind...

First, not going to lie, I found my self making sarcastic and comical remarks. Like, hmm wonder what he is going to do on May 22 when he is still here or hello isn't this the same guy who has been wrong before? I even had a "roll my eyes" kind of attitude about it.

Second, I found myself even second guessing what I believe. Granted this didn't last long as God gave me a sense of peace that could only come from Him but still it was a momentary thought.

However, the one thing that hasn't left me is this: Jesus IS returning someday and no one knows the time of that. Mark 13:32-33 tells us that even Jesus doesn't know when He will return BUT we are to be on the alert, ready and waiting. So, as I pondered this I began to evaluate - what does being ready and alert and waiting look like? I mean, I am pretty sure I am not supposed to just stare at the sky all day and wonder - is that Him? I also don't think I am supposed to go on the streets proclaiming "Doom and Gloom" but what exactly should I be doing?

Here is what the conclusion I have come to:

1. Make sure that my heart is right with God each and every day! Develop and invest time in my relationship with Jesus...

2. Show love for God through my love and service to others. The day IS approaching when I will see my Savior face to face and I will be held accountable. I want to live EVERY day as though it is my last and I want to serve Him faithfully with all my being/

3. Spread the Good News. It occurred to me - what if the people who spent all that money predicting the end for 5/21/11 had actually invested that in reaching the lost - what a difference that would make! There are so many lost people that simply DO NOT KNOW JESUS! I need to be open and bold in proclaiming the truth of who Jesus is and why He came. I need to have a sense of urgency concerning those who are lost and going to hell.

4. No one DOES know the day or the hour - not only do we not know when Jesus will return ( I hope soon) but we also do not know if or when Jesus may call us home. In actuality, every day could be my last, every moment could be my last - am I living it for Jesus? Nothing matters more than living a life serving my Savior.

So - do I believe that Jesus is coming? ABSOLUTELY! Will it be today - 5/21/11? I have no idea but this is a reminder to me that it could be ANY day and I need to be ready each and every day for His coming.

My Challenge to You: Do you know Jesus? If not, get to know Him today! If you know Jesus - are you living your life sold out to Him and serving Him knowing that today could be the day you come face to face with your Savior?

Praying you each have a wonderful day and know that you are loved by Jesus and by me!

End of the Year Highlights!

WOW! Another school year has come and gone - and so has the hectic end of the year schedule! Here are just a few of the highlights:

First was Kestra's end of the school year Choir concert. The Elemenatary Choir has worked so hard all year and it was such a joy to see how far they have come since the beginning of the year!

Next came Kestra's 5th Grade Celebration Program. This was a culmination of all the work the 5th Graders had done in music, spanish, and art throughout the year! I love that they took the time to recognize these special students as they exit Elementary and then move on the Jr. High - it is so hard to believe that my little girl is moving on to Middle School

Then it was to the Graduation of these three special young ladies - Bethany, Katie, and Aerial Murga! They have all been homeschooled their entire school career and were able to finish all together. They have overcome so much the past year with the seperation of their parents, mom returning to work full-time and the diagnosis of their dad having cancer. So hard - and yet they have done FANTASTIC!

The following night, we had our End of the School Year Party which involved a Video/Picture Scavenger Hunt. This was a great way for the kids to wind down and just have a lot of fun!

Sunday afternoon brought the BHS Graduation and celebration parties! This year was especially hard in that those that graduated were Freshman the year we moved to Bayfield and we have grown especially close to them the past few years. Specifically for me - was the graduating of Tab Karp. She was the one that went to Zimbabwe with me and we are really close to each other! I will miss her SO much when she goes to college. She is so much fun and I love her to pieces!!!

On Monday, the Elementary School had their end of the year awards. This was a special tim for us because Kestra got not only an award for Perfect Attendence for that quarter but also the Citizen of the Year Award. To get this Award they have to demonstrate characteristics of a good citizen for an entire school year. We are very proud of her!

The final end of the school year celebration was for Hannah's 8th Grade Continuation. The middle school in Bayfield does a formal ceremony for the 8th Graders going on to HS. They are recognized for their Academic Performance, their character, and they get to show their art work. In this picture Hannah is holding a TV tray that she painted a Claude Monet replica on. So beautiful! I can hardly believe that she is 14 and will be a FRESHMAN in the fall!

So, as you can see it has been a REALLY busy last two weeks and this didn't even count the two days of Field Day for Kestra and Tyler or the numerous field trips! However, I am so incredibly proud of them and all the work that they have put into this past school year.

A little of this and that

Well - with spring comes LOTS of end of the year programs, ceremonies, field trips, projects, etc and that is what the Arrington Family is in the midst of these past few weeks! I will post about all of them at once sometime later this week.

God has really been revealing Himself to me in new and different ways the past few weeks. First of all - He is showing me that when He moves, He wants his people to be ready to join Him and serve Him. God is moving in the community of Bayfield and we are joining Him! Our youth here are growing by leaps and bounds in their faith! We will have 7 graduating this year and I can honestly say I am SO proud of every one of them...they're amazing! Some have over come big opsticals that have been dragging them down, others are moving on to a world of service to our country through the military, others are exploring the fine arts and using their talents to praise the Father and another is dedicating her life to the mission field - how can we not be proud of that? One of them - is saying the prayer at graduation and I LOVE her e-mail to Joel where she expressed that she had wanted all her life to speak at Graduation as Valedvictorian but now - she gets to share her faith and her Lord and that is a MUCH better way to speak at Graduation!!!

Another thing I am learning - to truly seek God and ask for discernment in relationships. This is a hard one but a good lesson. God has shown me that the only motive I need to have in ANYTHING is to bring glory and honor to HIM and to Him alone! For this reason - I have backed off a lot of the "things" I have been involved in because they were for me and not for HIM!

Finally - God has brought me back to a very real passion and first calling - serving my family! I have sensed that God has asked me to make my 4 kids and husband my number one priority in serving Him. In theory and in words this has always been the case - however, this hasn't always been evident in my actions. So - I am working really hard at being home and available to serve them!

So - a random post but just an insight to where we are! Look for highlights of my kiddos activities SOON!

AWANA

We love working with all the children in our community and AWANA is just one way that we get to see them grow and learn about the Lord and to memorize the Word of God. Here are some highlights of this year's Awards!

The kids all work so hard all year long to memorize and understand the verses. We are very proud of all of them!