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Thursday, January 31, 2008

Twice adopted


I just finished reading a great book by Michael Reagan called Twice Adopted. Michael is the adopted son of President Reagan and actress Jane Wyman. I read this book for three reasons. 1. We will soon be adoptive parents and I wanted to know more forma first hand perspective the child's view on adoption, 2. I love and work with kids and I love to know more about the challenges all kids face and 3. I am a fan of President Reagan and I was interested in this personal side of his life as well as hearing Michael's faith journey Christ brought him on.
So what did I get from this incredible book? A few highlights:


  • I think its better to be honest with adoptive children and celebrate their adoption and try to answer questions they have. Keep the open communciation lines flowing. It's about them and not the parent so don't be threatened by the birth family or the child's interest.

  • God can use all our circumstances to bring glory to Him and healing for us if we let Him.

  • That too many times great men don't know how to be great men to those they need to be the greatest to!

  • Michael was sexually abused and exploited as an eight year child by a after school care worker, and never told anyone for over 30 years. He gives us as churches, schools and youth organizations some great ideas in protecting our children agaisnt predators. Many we have in place. You know what though, the people who give me the hardest times about these - some parents. Parents when I have a numbered check-in system, when I do background checks on all volunteers, when I send the 13 year old away and don't let them pick-up your child and when I ask you to pick your children up at certain doors and to keep the outside doors closed - it's because I care about your kids. This is a much more common problem than any of us want to know. As one children's pastor I know tells his parents - don't make me care more about your kids than you! It may not take a village to raise a child but it takes us all to keep them safe. (Sorry for the soap box but I am passionate about this!).

  • That God can use an adult child to bring healing in a family. Sometimes as adult children we have to be the ones to reach out the hand of love to a parent.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

As promised













Our new set is in and we had our first service with it installed in the Cove. The boat and cave are on the stage. The bamboo shack is our store. The sign is on the wall across from the main entrance. You can also see some games in the worship center and we have a room adjoining the main worship area. Right now I am so tired I can't write anymore so I'll just so the pics!

Friday, January 18, 2008

The wet stuff






We had our first real snow of the season yesterday and the boys dived right in and had a blast. All the boys! We are supposed to get some more tomorrow too. Thanks to Don and Samantha for the great snowman kit they gave us for Christmas. It made him look authentic. We named him Flakes. I did go into work for awhile. There were only about four of us there so I got my work done fast and came to play! And no I never shovel living in the "south" now it's always gone in a day!

Snowball fight

Enjoying our fist real snow!

Monday, January 14, 2008

The Cove









We had our first service in The Cove Sunday. This is why I haven't posted lately. I've been a bit busy and tired when I'm not busy. The set will arrive Friday and we can't wait! I'll post some pics when it's done. Anyway we had 301 in kids ministry Sunday! It was the first "normal" Sunday we had over 300. I took a photo of The Cove a little before it was at the attendance height. The great thing was the kids had more room and really were able to focus more! We are in the midst of our mythbusters series and the two big screens really helped bring it alive. Many thanks to the guys and ladies who came over on the 6th and helped set up all the lights, projectors, screens, games, sound and computer stuff and misc. Enjoy the photos!

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Happy 2008








Happy New Year to everyone in blogdom. We had a wild party with six crazy people. We have pictures to prove it!