Kids Club Bible Day Camp

This week has been busy with VBS. We called it Kids Club Bible Day Camp this year so that the kids who came to our Kids Club program throughout the year, would not hesitate to come to another kids club activity. And it worked. I think over the week we got 80 kids, and that is good for our little church. So here are some photos from my group. The theme was Galilee by the Sea and we were the Tribe of Simeon.
For More photos, copy and paste this link.
http://www.flickr.com/gp/8733493@N05/iK1Z2c

Innocence

I can't even believe all God has been teaching me since I got back from Colorado. He is so good. I read today in My Utmost for His Highest. It was about reconciling ourselves to the fact of sin. If you have one of these books, go read on June 24th. It is such a great concept. If we are not reconciled to the fact of sin, the danger is we will be blindsided by it and fall into it. God does not want us to be innocent, but pure and virtuous. The difference is having knowledge of what you are capable of, but not doing it or dwelling on it. Being innocent is never thinking of it at all, and that is far more dangerous. I was closer to the innocent side of things, when I was blindsided by my own human nature. But now I am so glad it happened, because as I ask God to refine me like in this song, now I will really know what I am asking of Him.

"REFINER'S FIRE
Purify my heart Lord,
Let me be as gold and precious silver.
Purify my heart Lord,
Let me be as gold, pure gold.

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord.
I choose to be holy,
Set apart for You my master,
Ready to do Your will.

Purify my heart Lord,
Cleanse me from my sin and make me holy.
Purify my heart Lord,
Cleanse me from my sin, deep within."

I am so thankful for times like this when I can't get enough of God's word or praising Him. I wake up early and want to get out and see Him in nature and spend time with Him. (It has been awhile since I have felt like this... like since before kids...:) So I am thoroughly enjoying it before exhaustion hits and I return to my previous state of a sleep-deprived mom of three.

Falling Down

Taking my sin my cross my shame, rising again I bless your name, You are my All in All. When I fall down you pick me up: When I am dry you fill my cup, you are my All in All. Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is your Name.

Jeff is playing that song on his guitar right now and the words feel so real to me. Going through the week and a half in Littleton Colorado gave me insights into myself and the way I live my life. Some of them were great, others were lacking. I learned that I could make mistakes that I did not like very much. I am so thankful for God's forgiveness and His desire to pick me up. He is so Good! I want Him to be all in my life! How do you stay in that place always and not fall? I am guessing it is a continual battle every day for the rest of the days He gives me on earth.

Roller Coaster Ride

No, I didn't go to Great America or Six Flags. But it has been a week of ups and downs just the same. Being someone who gets mad amounts of butterflies at the top of a roller coaster, this photo reminded me of how I felt going into our interview. We are still in Littleton Colorado with World Venture. We arrived last Saturday. One long week ago. We had our extensive interview and psychological evaluation, and after some deliberating, World Venture accepted us as long term missionaries to Mali. We are excited for sure! The reality is still revealing itself. Since then we have been in training sessions every day. Training in public speaking, training on who the mission is and how we fit into the picture. The best part of being here is getting to know the other six couples and families that are in this process with us. Today is our first day off. We are going to the Denver Zoo and we will meet Wes and Chino and their new little baby. I am hoping for an emotionally refreshing day.

First Grade, Here I Come!!!

Today was Drew's last day of Kindergarten. The rest of his class has three more days, but because we are flying to Colorado tomorrow morning, he is missing the last week. So we wanted to make this day special for him. He will miss the party and hoopla of the real last week of school. So in the midst of packing and chaos, I picked Drew up from school, took him to taco bell and then to Raging Waters with his friend Nikos. Then after our traditional Friday night pizza I gave him this giant cookie to celebrate. He was pleased with the attention and glad to be done with school. It honestly just seems like yesterday that we took a very excited Drew down to Valle Vista for his first day of Kindergarten. He is so precious and growing up so fast. Even though I am with him every day, I still feel like I am going to miss something. It's like I miss him already.

Well on a happier note. Joe was excited about the cookie too. He wanted his name on it so we signed it... love Joe.

Protective Big Brother

IMGP5406_
Originally uploaded by heidibelle

While at the zoo, we rode the little steam train around to see more of the zoo. Drew was so cute with Harley. He didn't want her sitting on the outside or standing up. She sat between him and Joe and and he kept a protective arm around her the whole time. I hope to train all the kids to be on the lookout for each other. What a great blessing of siblings. I know I enjoyed having two brothers and I hope Harley does too!

Sense of Humor

Doesn't God have a sense of humor? Our family went to the San Francisco Zoo last week and these creatures fascinate me, as do many of God's creations. My kids are also a frequent reminder of God's sense of humor. I love to see Him through them. How awesome that we are created in His image, so we can learn about Him through people. So this is my blog. Come with me as I go on life's adventures with my family. I hope it helps keep you in touch with us.