Fall Carnival.....

Each year, our church hosts a fall carnival as an outreach to the community (and also to serve our own children).  It has been prayed and fasted over...that MANY...young and old..would be reached by a smile, a kind word, a hot dog served or a hay ride offered.  Many attended and many connections were made.  Bruce got to work at the hay ride...I worked the toilet paper toss..and Abigail wanted to work this year, using her artistic ability to paint faces.  We were so pleased that she was eager to minister to others, even though she is still learning what this means (but aren't we all??)

She decided to dress up though..and wanted to be a Japanese singer..a very specific one.  When she brought me the photo, I knew we would not be finding this costume ready made anywhere.  But, she and I put our heads together and with some thrift store shopping and creativity....we came up with a pretty close likeness :)

A blessing....

God is SO faithful and kind :)  One blessing in my life recently has been the opportunity to work at LLCA, where Abigail attends school.  She is attending 6th grade there and has adjusted so well....that easy adjustment has truly been a "God-thing" in so many ways.  But, for me, I have had the opportunity to work with students in various capacities as a substitute teacher....children as young as 3 and as old as 18. From the time I arrive until the time I leave, I enjoy myself....am filled with joy and laughter and truly enjoy spending time with every age group/class I go into.  It was my desire to work in a part time capacity.....so that I could be more flexible and available to Abigail as she transitioned to a new school situation. But, it is apparent that she is into the routine now...and I know what I need to do to assist her...so I am ready to be more available if the school needs me in a more 'consistent' role.
I am so excited to see what opportunities the Lord will have for me in the future.  This school has truly been a blessing, and I am SO grateful to be able to spend many days a month with such precious students, co-workers, support staff and administrators :)

Great time with some great ladies!!

Two weekends ago, I had a wonderful opportunity to sit under the teaching of Beth Moore via a local simulcast.  Some other ladies from our church hopped in a van and we headed to a nearby church to soak up the Word and join in worship :)  What a great day it was!  I enjoyed getting to know these ladies better and I truly felt that Beth's message was directed right at my heart.

Summer Camp

One of the FUN things that happened this summer, was that Abigail got to go back to Camp Ponderosa with a few friends from church.  This is a wonderful camp in Mentone, Alabama.  The children left on a Sunday afternoon and returned on a Friday afternoon.  Bruce and I were doubly blessed with a date night during her absence AND by being able to pick up all the boys and girls who attended from our church, take them to lunch and return them to Huntsville.  The children get to do crafts, outdoor activities, swimming, and much more all while having many opportunties to experience worship in various styles and formats.    She is pictured (second from the left) with her cabin mates.  With the exception of the third girl from the left, the first six are from our church.  There were also three boys from our church as well.  They are the 2nd and 3rd from the right on the first row and #11 shirt on the back row.