Party Central

It's true, yesterday was my birthday!!! Thank you for the birthday wishes ~ what a blessing!
My birthday is so special that the youth group came out to celebrate it - bahahahahaha! Actually, we just happened to plan the youth Christmas party for Wednesday the 14th. But what a fun bunch to celebrate with.
As for my gifts ~ Kasidi's good news; the most beautiful message a mama could receive (from Kuyler); sweet birthday wishes from my man, my mom and my 10 treasures; the 'official' news that Kuyler is graduating from OU next May ...and there's something brewing among the big kids and their dad. I've begged, threatened and even demanded they tell me, but their lips are sealed. Hmmm, maybe I could get Kooper to tell me...
But anyway, about the party. April and I slaved away all day ...




We tried a new way of exchanging gifts by passing the gifts to the left and right, according to the story.
GAME ON!

GAME OVER!


CREATE-A-REINDEER :) :) :)

Teens in da house

10th Annual Hanging of the Greens. What a privilege to hang out with these amazing kids!

Especially this Krew :)

Thank you for allowing me to pray for you. It's not too late if you'd like to send me your requests. You may leave a comment or email me.

The Cast

David, April, Clayton and I are privileged to lead an amazing youth group of around 15 students.

Every single one of them serves in one or more ways in our church ~ nursery (bless you!); praise team; youth praise band; VBS...

We don't have a drama team, but the group was challenged to put together a performance for our service of praise, and these 10 students stepped up to the plate in commitment and followed through.

We are proud of the whole youth group!

Saints: Ben and Kyle

Lust: Ty

Girl: Kenzie

Jesus: Clayton

Greed: Kooper

Addiction: Loren

Rejection: Kaylee

Fear: Shaylee

Peer Pressure: MacKenzie

Depression: Taylor

Hurt Healer

I'm so excited about what's going on in our youth Sunday School class. We're reading this book:

Tony Nolan brought the message when we were at Falls Creek, and we even had a chance to meet the authentic, outta this world, crazy guy who loves the Lord with all his heart, and wants others to experience the same love he has discovered.

After a suggestion from the youth and time in prayer, we (April and I) decided to study one of his books for Sunday School.

We started today! I warned the students though ... this could get tough! And they were still ready to go. And from what I can tell, all of us are ready to: "....take a good look at our attempts to connect with them (unbelievers), and make some deep life changes for the sake of reaching out to a broken world." Hurt Healers ~ Tony Nolan

May He be glorified!

And We're Off!

FALLS CREEK, here we come!!!

Teen Power!

I know some folks steer clear of the teen crowd.

But I've gotta tell ya, I consider it a privilege to serve as a youth leader and Sunday school teacher.

We don't always know what's on their minds, if anything, and sometimes their words and their actions don't jive.

But they teach me so much!

Okay, some of it I probably don't need to know :)

But they teach me a lot about myself.

How do I really love?

What does freedom in Christ really mean?

Why are we so uptight anyway?

Did I mention, How do I really love?

We have seen the Lord's heart in so many children and teens in the past several months.

Teens have raised funds in a garage sale to give to our adoption.

Children have held fundraisers to give to our adoption.

Teens from other states have sent us funds for our adoption.

Teens within our church are 'babysitting with purpose,' in order to contribute to adoptive families.

Teens are designing and selling hair bows and giving the proceeds to an adoptive family.

Teens are stepping to the front of the line to serve on our Both Hands projects.

Children and teens are sending letters, asking for sponsorship as they serve on our Both Hands team.

And let me tell you about one amazing red-headed gal.

I don't know when the Lord asked her to start giving to our adoption fund.

All I know is on three occasions she's sent funds home with Kenzie with instructions to place them in the adoption fund. So far they have totaled over $150!

Last night I texted her to tell her thanks and "U rock!"

She replied, "That wasn't mine; it was always yours."

TD, you bring me to tears, girl! And you do rock!

It's got me thinking, How do I really love?

Despite What You've Heard...

...it is not a zoo around here!

Okay, on second thought... never mind.

Friday we took our youth group to work at the Food Bank and watch some Thunder hoops.

This leader won a Russell Westbrook t-shirt! (way to go, hon!)
Guess what we did at the food bank?

Packaged...of all things....corn! Like 9,000 meals worth of the yellow stuff.


It was awesome!

P90X What?

This girl is trying to keep up with orders for her duct tape wallets! She's saving for a certain trip to another land, and her friends are stylin' their one-of-a-kind wallets!

Speaking of youth, I've been challenging my Sunday School class to read their Bibles. I shared that I'm on day 14 of reading my Bible through in 90 days...to which Ty replied, "So you're doing P90X of the Bible!"

I love those kids!

See You at the Pole!

This mama and 7 kids will load up at 6:45 this morning and head to the school for the annual See You at the Pole. Since Daddy drives the school bus he doesn't get to join us, but this is our 7th SYATP, and we wouldn't miss it! Each year it becomes a little more challenging, but it's totally worth the effort (even if today is school picture day too).

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chr 7:14

SEE YOU AT THE POLE!

It's That Time Again!

Falls Creek, here we come!

We are looking forward to what God's going to do this year in our youth group! We've got 30 campers, 2 cooks, 8 sponsors ... and no Baby K's for the first time in five years:( Who will I carry, chase, bathe in the kitchen sink or share my twin bunk with?!? Hmmm, I still have three days to rethink my decision...

Doesn't Get Any More Random Than This

A lot has happened and lot more is going to happen! First I want to take my hat off to April and the youth for doing such an awesome job on our youth center! She took some of the kids shopping for paint last Monday, they insisted on getting started the same day and by Tuesday night it was done! Not too many people could take on a project like that and get it finished - you rock! Really looking forward to having 5th Quarters, Falls Creek promos and weekly lessons down there.

Girls rule!

Wall of Fame. These are our collages of past youth events (and they all include a Baby K)

That is so cool!

I said it would be random! A tired girl can fall asleep anywhere after church. (She had clothes on for church, just FYI ;-)

Ode to the blankie. Oh, you've served Kayden well. You were once soft and fluffy. You've comforted her from one side of the world to another. And now you must be put away for safe keeping and reminiscing.

Kolton is our new horticulturist! He is trying his hand at strawberries and sweet peppers. He's also cleaned out my flower beds and has agreed to make them thrive. I haven't grown anything since the goats cleaned them out several summers ago. (The goats are gone!)

April and I are planning a garage sale to raise funds for both our adoptions! We got a call from a family yesterday who donated a load of after-garage-sale items - PTL!

The candle poll is open till Wednesday so vote on your favs. Amy and I have decided we're going to keep a few of the old favorites and add some new ones (yes, Joy will stay!)

Oklahoma Hearts for Adoption has a speaking engagement this Tuesday. Pray that God would use us to encourage others contemplating adoption and/or orphan care.

We got to spend a day with Kuyler after his evangelism event, and we are so blessed by his heart for the Lord! We are so proud of you, son!

We are in the processing of installing our irrigation system for the sweet corn and are looking forward to having the business right here on our yard this summer. Those flowers sure will dress up the place, Kolton Tee!

My little ones haven't had a fever for 24 hours now, praise God!

The kids go back to school tomorrow, and the last nine weeks seem to fly by - yeah!
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Phil 4:8