Circus and Canada photos

Season for all things

From the February newsletter

“Two are better than one, because they hav e a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can
help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Though one may be
overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

The above verse lets us know that we are a much stronger team when we work
together and support one another. I believe this philosophy also applies to parents
and church leaders working together. Can you imagine the results of the church
and family working together with the same goal in mind – to see our
children passionately love Jesus and serve Him with grace and mercy? When you think of it, all other goals
we might have for our children pale in comparison.
In the past six years while I’ve been at Parkway, I have always held the belief that Children’s Ministries is
not about a certain pastor or a group of pastors. I believe that the church has hundreds of children’s
pastors including parents, grandparents, fosters parents, aunts, uncles, etc.! Each and every one of you is
God’s appointed person to be your child’s pastor.
So, with this said, I need to convey to you, the parents I have partnered with, that God has called me and
my family to another ministry. It is with sadness and excitement that we make this change. While at
Parkway, it has been my desire to see the church and parents work better together and to raise up leaders
among our volunteers. I believe we’re living in an extraordinary time where God is using church leaders to
equip parents so that together we can prepare the next generation to take a stand for Christ.
In the coming months, I will take the time to express my gratitude for your support, volunteerism and love.
But this month, I would like to remind you that as I step out and as a new person steps in, that you, the
parents, are the bedrock of strength and excellence for Children’s Ministries at Parkway. As you partner
with the church and other parents, you make a difference in the future of our children, and you create a
place where kids meet God and have authentic Christian adults pouring into their lives! This is my prayer
for each of you.
As we walk through this time of transition, if you have any questions about our future, please do not hesitate
to call me.
God bless,
Pastor Marty

Who belongs in the MLB Hall of Fame?

The Baseball Writer's Association yesterday announced that Rickey Hendersen and Jim Rice were voted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. For another $5 Starbucks card can you guess my number 1 player who I think belongs in the hall of fame? (the players have to be eligible, and this is for players only, no umpires, managers or owners).

10. Shoeless Joe Jackson, Chicago Black Sox (see number 3)
9. Gil Hodges, 1st baseman for the Dodgers
8. Jim Kaat- lot of wins for a pitcher not in the hall of fame, more than Jim Palmer, Bob Feller and Robin Roberts
7. Mark McGwire - yes he took the juice but at some point so many of the players of this era did and the voters is going to have the hitters on steroids were hitting against pitchers on steroids.
6. Dale Murphy - pre steroid slugger was a multiple MVP winner that put fear in hearts of opposing teams
5.Bobby Mathews - pre-1900 pitcher who won 297 wins. Has most wins of any pitcher not in hall of fame
4. Bert Blyleven - pre-steroids pitcher who racked up a ton of wins and strikeouts on very bad teams
3. Pete Rose - Cincinnati Reds Charlie Hustle all time hits leader! I say the guy should be banned from baseball for life - but that doesn't mean he isn't a hall of famer (same argument for Jackson)
2. Ron Santo - there are only 13 third basemen in the hall of fame - the lowest of any position. Santo is one of the best 3rd basemen of all time period!
1. Andre Dawson - the former Cub could change a game. Other teams feared him and if he palyed for your team you knew he was the difference maker on the field.

Sorry no correct guesses!

New books reviewed

This past fall I read two different books with the older boys that I thought would be fun to review with them. First we read the classic Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

Tanner - 3 1/2 stars - it was a little exciting

Blake - 2 1/2 stars you kept wondering what was going to happen next but then it went on and on

Marty - 2 1/2 stars - this book was written quite along while ago and lags in action. Girls who love horses may enjoy it more than boys. It does have a fair amount of moral teaching in the story.

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien was the second book we read. This was the fourth time for me to read it.

Patsy - 5 stars - for boys are age it is a great book. Lots of action, great characters, interesting plot. It is a commitment of time to read through.

Blake - 4 stars - its got action, adventure, mystery and comedy. Everything a good book requires.

Tanner - 4 1/2 - everything Blake said!

Marty - 5 stars - what can I say? I loved this book as a junior high student and I loved reading it to my oldest sons.

Christmas books our family recomends

We have lots of Christmas family traditions and one of them, is reading Christmas books. We have tons of them, and not everyone gets read every year. So besides Twas the Night before Christmas and the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, what Christmas book can our family recommend to yours? Here is a list of our favorites:

1. The Very First Christmas by Paul Maier






2. Huggly's Christmas






3. The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Haggis






4. Noel's Almost Just About wonderful Christmas by Mary Manz Simon






5. I Can't Wait for Christmas (Little Golden Book)






6. Donald's Christmas Tree (Little Golden Book)






7. Mickey's Christmas Carol (Little Golden Book)






8. Frosty the Snowman (Little Golden Book)






9. Elmo's Christmas Eve (Little Golden Book)






10. Mouskin's Christmas Eve by Edna Miller






11. Red Boots for Christmas






12. Andro the Christmas Star (Little Golden Book)






13. The Wild Christmas Reindeer






14. Froggy's Best Christmas






15. A Stable in Bethlehem






16. A Carol for Christmas






17. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg






18. The Christmas Journey by Ron Willoby






19. 12 Days of Christmas by Anne Geddes






20. Tale of three Trees by Angela Ewell Hunt






21. A Churchmouse Christmas by Barbara Devoy






22. The Innkeeper's Daughter (Arch Book)






23. Ben's Blanket and Baby Jesus (Arch Book)






24. Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry






25. The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas by Rick Reina






26. What Does Christmas Sound Like?






27. The Birth of Jesus by Catherine Starr






28. The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen






29. The Christmas Visitor by Anneliese Lussert






30. Jacob's Gift by Max Lucado






31. The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado






32. Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg






33. The Very Best Christmas Present by Jim Razzi






34. A Special Place for Santa by Jeanne Pieper






35. Merry Christmas with Love by Sandi Patty

Let me know of any books your family recomends! Hope you had a great Christmas!