Hymns

Lately, the words to hymns have really made an impact on me. So many times I'm like everyone else in church just singing the words and not really paying attention to them. God has been doing a work in my heart in the last few months and I can't help but wonder if this is why the words to hymns are so much more powerful to me right now. When I sing them at church, the meanings just burst forth.

Here is one in particular that has meant a lot recently.

Since Jesus Came into My Heart
Verse 1:
What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

Chorus:
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o'er my soul like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

Verse 2:
I have ceased from my wand'ring and going astray,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins, which were many, are all washed away,
Since Jesus came into my heart

Verse 3:
I shall go there to dwell in that City, I know,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And I'm happy, so happy, as onward I go,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

So this prompts the question...Is Jesus in your heart? If He is, do you have floods of joy? If you don't maybe some examination is in order. It was for me.

Happy Father's Day

I just wanted to take a moment to wish my dad a Happy Father's Day. I gave him a Hoops & YoYo card that said he is the ultimate bug squasher and the griller of all sorts of meat. He is those things, but so much more!!!

I'm thankful for a father that pointed me to Christ. His advice come from the heart, but more importantly it come from God's Word. Thanks for being such a loving, caring father. I am blessed!

Leave of Absence

Since summer is here, my blogging will become even more sporadic than normal. So I want to announce my Leave of Absence. I will probably only blog every few weeks during the summer.

Please pray for the ministry of IRBC this summer. The focus for our staff this summer is Others. We are looking at the passages from the new testament with the phrase "one another" and using them to direct our focus outward instead of inward. It has already been convicting to me a time or two. Okay maybe even three times.

Both of my secretaries for the summer have arrived and are working very hard. I'm very thankful for God's sovereignty in placing them in the office this summer. They are great girls and I'm really going to enjoy working with them.

Well, I need to sign off. Thanks for your prayers and check back in a couple weeks for an update.

Jeremy, The Hero

I invited my friend, Stacey, and her family over for supper tonight. I told them they could come if Jeremy grilled. My only grilling experience was trying to get the fire started and then giving up and cooking in the oven.

When they got here, Jeremy brought in his tools because, being the wonderful friend he is, he fixed my refrigerator doors!!! If you want to know about that see this post referring back to April Fool's Day.

So while he was doing that, he gave me grilling instructions and I grilled the meat with Stacey's help. The brats and hot dogs turned out great and I'm no longer afraid to grill. Thanks, Jeremy!!

Mr. Fix-it hard at work. He and JP went fishing after supper and both caught fish!

The new grilling professional hard at work.

Famous Dad

I just have to take a few moments to brag about my father. He is now a published author! He has written a Bible Study for RBP. I'm very proud of all the work he did. If you want to read the introduction and first chapter, you can download a PDF here.

I guess this might also be a good time to announce that my parents are moving to a new ministry in Illinois. Although I am sad that the distance will be a hindrance to my seeing them often, I'm excited for them as they obey the Lord's leading.

I'm very thankful for my parents and the foundation of Christ they laid in my life.

My Potted Garden

Since I have no yard, I have a potted garden. I have behind and finally purchased my plants yesterday. Judy, the camp's bookkeeper and my friend, helped me pick them out and plant them. I didn't decide to this until I was on my way home from church. I gave her a call and she was game. Thanks Judy!

I can't wait until they grow and fill out. Isn't God's creation marvelous! The cast of characters are as follows: Begonia, Impatiens, Dusty Miller, Fuchsia, Sedge, and Coleus.

Annie's Wedding

This last weekend, one of my dear friends got married. I had the honor of being her personal attendant. I got to spend the entire day with her and help with whatever she needed. It was truly an honor.

After the rehersal dinner, several of us spent the night together in a couple hotel rooms. Here we are playing hand and foot waiting for the other girls to arrive.

Here we are ready to watch Annie's new favorite movie. That was her one wish for the night...that we could all watch this together. She fell asleep after about 20 minutes.

This is the first picture of Annie on her wedding day. She's totally faking. She hardly slept a wink all night long. I think we all got about three hours.

Since we couldn't sleep anymore, we decided to go down to the lobby for breakfast in our P.J.'s and with messy hair. I would only do this for you, Annie!

Time to get her hair done!

How do you like those ringlets?

What a beautiful bride (even in a sweatshirt)!

I loved this picture of Lynn, so had to put it in. She was one of the beautiful bridesmaids.

This is Annie's twin, Sylvia. With her hair all combed out, I told her she looked like Buckwheat on The Little Rascals. We had so much fun!

Here they are all decked out! Aren't they beautiful???

Finished product. Wow! I don't know how she wore that dress all day. It was heavy! And I should know since I put her in it!


And here I am with my dear friend just before she walked down the aisle to her prince charming! Congratulations Chris and Annie!!!!!

Another Mmmm Good Recipe

The camp hosted the area pastors' fellowship today. We always invite them out for a picnic in the spring. I made a really good salad that I thought some of you would enjoy. Sorry there won't be any pictures. I left my camera in a friend's car.

Pretzel Salad
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
8 oz. cool whip
1 cup crushed pretzels
1 stick butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup sugar
20 oz. can crushed pineapple

Soften cream cheese. Mix in 1/3 cup of sugar. Add drained pineapple. Fold in cool whip. Melt butter. Add 1/2 cup sugar. Mix in crushed pretzels. Spread out on cookie sheet. Bake at 250° for 5 minutes. Let cool - break up. Add pretzels just before serving.

I'm telling you...you have to go out and buy the ingredients right now and make this. You will thank me later.

Happy Mother's Day

I just want to say Happy Mother's Day to the best mom!!! She is amazing! I'm so blessed that God gave her to me as my mom and as my friend. I love you, Mom!

Jr. Girls' Program

Wednesday night was our Living Lights Program. We always like to write a fun skit for the girls to perform. This year we did a news cast of Elijah on Mt. Carmel and the prophets of Baal. The girls did a fantastic job. And yes, Elijah was played by a girl.

This is a picture of our entire class before the program began.

Here are our two news anchors, Hillary and Jamie.

Then we move over to reporter, Samantha interviewing Elijah with his servants in the background. (Check out the stuffed cow on the altar.)


Now it's on to reporter, Abby, and the prophets of Baal. Aren't those prophets cute all wearing black and pink!

I am so proud of these girls!!! Praise the Lord for two girls that were saved this year and one that has decided to be baptized. It is such a blessing to teach them and try to instill in them a desire for the Word of God. Stacey will be their VBS teacher and we pray that they will continue to grow and have a desire to please God. Thanks for all your prayers!

Check out Stacey's blog for our group silly picture! I think she's going to try to post a video of the skit as well.