Monday, April 30, 2007

RECOVERING FROM STAMPMANIA !!

Spent a fabulous day on Saturday STAMPING with about 100 other ladies at Southern California Stampmania. It was organized by my friend Jami Sibley, along with her 2 stamping buddies Joy and Emily. Even though it was at FBCOL (my church/work place) it was definitely a FUN day, not a work day. We each got to make 10 cards, planned by other ladies in attendance, plus we swapped cards that we brought with us ahead of time. There were door prizes, etc... so all in all, I came home with about 40 new cards and ideas. So much fun. I loved meeting stampers from all over the country who's work I have admired for many years. Jenn Balcer, Beth (ShowmeStamper), Lynn from St. Louis, and many more. You'd think I'd be so sick of stamping today, but I couldn't wait to get Stephen off to school this morning so I could play! Organized and cleaned up my mess and then started stamping away, using some of my new stuff. My friend Mike's birthday is this Thursday (51!!!) so that was my goal for today. The inside of the card says "I SHORE DO LOVE YOU!" he he he! (Card is inspired by Cambria Turnbow. Her card can be seen at http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/531244) You Rock Cambria!

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Here is a great picture of our first Sunday in our "new" building. Nine months of hard work, renovation, painting, ordering stuff, waiting for stuff to come, etc. What a blast it is to be in this awesome space. Kids are inviting their friends, and kids who haven't been too excited about coming to church can't wait to get here. The comment we hear the most is from the Jr. Highers and High Schoolers.... "How come you didn't do this for US when we were kids!" Yes, even from my own two, Stephen and Emily. Believe me kids, we tried! But God's timing is perfect, and we look forward to seeing many kids and parents "Connect with our extraordinary God!"
Wow, what a month it's been! Finishing the Children's Ministry Center early March, having our first service in the Clubhouse on March 4; having our appreciation dinner for all the workers (there were over 100 workers altogether) on March 10, then getting ready for April 1st, the official Grand Opening day.

April 1 was insane for me... helping preach the morning message with Pastor John (a huge privilege but glad I don't have to do that every week!) my children's choir singing, planning the barbeque and afternoon celebration for after church, etc. Plus we had invited all the school kids to come to the grand opening, and promised them a free homework pass if they came, so we had over 100 people in KidStuf that day. They even ran out of chairs. The funniest thing that happened on April 1, was that Pastor John and I finished our message a little too early (20 minutes too early!) so we dismissed church, even though we knew KidStuf wasn't over yet. It never occured to me that all those people from "Big Church" would wander right into the KidStuf building and interupt the service! Yikes!

We survived and celebrated with much rejoicing! My favorite part of the day was seeing young and old, "lifers" and new families fellowshipping around the tables, laughing together while kids played in bouncers, etc.