No Compromise Youth Conference 2009

So far the conference has been amazing. The only glitch was when the guy who was going to provide the rock climbing wall and the mechanical bull called early Tuesday morning to tell us that he forgot to look at his schedule and thought he was supposed to be at our conference another day!!! Aaron was NOT happy. The bull and the wall have been our big promotional draw. And it's not like he could just drive on over early and drop it off. He was driving it in from South Carolina! Aaron quickly jumped into high gear to find another option. He eventually found someone locally who had a wall and the bull arrived at 10:30 that night instead of 4:00 that afternoon. The opening performance was a blast! We had a hip-hop dancer followed by a Christian Rap Artist who threw it down. And of course the main event - my husband! In my opinion, he preached the best I've ever heard. He had so much control, but most importantly the Holy Ghost showed up. Before it even ended people were weeping in their seats, repenting for living a compromising lifestyle. I'm so proud of my husband and our team who really pulled this whole thing off. Without a loyal, faithful, committed team around you, I don't know how'd accomplish anything bigger than yourself. Thank you Jesus; it was your vision in the first place. Today has been incredible as well, but I'm gonna have to leave you hangin till tomorrow!!

Today is the day!!!!

It's here! Our first ever No Compromise Youth Conference! To me, it feels like planning a wedding. You do all the planning you can to ensure your vision comes to pass. The day of , you do everything last minute possible, then you sit back to let the massive ball that everyone created roll on it's own. It's almost smooth sailing from here. Hopefully! The bad news is that the forecast says thunderstorms for the entire conference and I have a large pimple forming directly under my left nostril. I'm in my kitchen, sitting in a quiet house, begging God to make my kids sleep till 8:00 so I can finish preparing my message for the YPW's (Youth Pastor's Wives). It's already storming and I'm writing on my brand new Mac Pro!!! I got it a couple of days ago from my wonderful step-dad. He's one of the most giving people I know. I think one of the interns is going to watch my kids while both Aaron and I finalize our messages. Beth, a friend from Indiana, has been staying here. She came in for the conference. We are expecting around 200 people. Later this afternoon, I'm dropping my boys off at my in-laws and going to get a fresh hair cut. I'm sure I won't see my husband until tonight. He's been working so hard with everyone. So that's it! Pray for us and maybe we'll see you there!

Gabe's sleepover

So I said I'd update you about Gabe's first ever sleepover and here goes. It was a scene to behold. Six boys running around the house like wild Indians while still staying sweet at the same time. They all arrived just before dinner. One boy wanted to stay so bad, but had major doubts about letting his dad leave him. They all proudly and boldly announced "I'm sleeping over" as each new boy arrived. They played with Gabe's new soccer net and ball, swam in the kiddie pool, enjoyed cake and ice cream, and anticipated Gabe opening up his new presents. I thought, "How sweet. They are proud of what they brought and want Gabe to have it," as if they were showing such giving and selfless hearts. On the contrary. I soon found out they wanted Gabe to open his new presents so THEY could play with them! It was the funniest thing ever to watch. As Gabe opened each present, they hooted and hollared as if they had just received their own new toys. To ensure we got rid of every bit of their energy, the air mattress suddenly became a wrestling ring. They fought, dragged, sat on, and pushed each other off of the mattress over and over. It was a battle of survival. It is amazing that this male dominance thing shows itself in a tiny little 5-year old body. By 9:00 they were in their p.j.'s, and safely and warmly tucked in their spot on the living room floor watching "The Good Night Show." I was sure they were all going to make it. By 10:30 I was beginning to wonder if we were ever going to get any sleep. Soon after that, as one boy began crying for his mommy, they all began crying. Aaron called all of their moms and by 11pm they were gone. I'd say it was successful. Gabe woke up the next morning with a sad little face saying, "I'm never going to have a sleepover again." I had to remind him that it wasn't about the boys sleeping over that made it a good party. What made it a celebration was that he was born and that God had given him a great family and friends who loved him. I don't think he was convinced.

What's your fruit?

This summer has been our busiest ever as a family! I have very mixed feelings about being busy. When I am, I'm stressed, and stressed for me is not a pretty sight! When I'm not, I feel lonely and purposeless. Of course I recognize these are just emotions and I am in the process of chilling out. I realize I don't have to live life so seriously, but it's my personality, so to go against this is going against what's natural for me. I've really had to focus more than ever on the Fruits of the Spirit. I know them by heart, but are they really a part of my character? I once heard a little saying in Bible College that goes, "Just like when an orange is squeezed and orange juice comes out, when you are squeezed, the fruit you really are will come out." With three boys and a busy life I get squeezed all the time and I wish more sweetness came out! Thank God I have a low maintenance husband!!! I am on a mission to learn and display the Fruits of the Holy Spirit instead of my ugly old flesh. So since our vacation, this is what we've been up to: We had a youth retreat called ONE Day (our youth name is ONE), I joined two lifegroups (a playgroup and a Bible Study on women in the Bible), our last teeball game, Father's Day, a tubing trip, both Gabe and Judah's birthdays and their parties (a boys sleepover that I will HAVE to tell you about another time, and a family fun day at Chuck E Cheese), an awesome girls' conference and an awesome youth conference at other churches, an MRI, almost got lasik, and biggest of all - preparing for our very own, first ever youth conference (which I will tell you about soon). Tomorrow, we are picking up a precious girl from Indiana to stay with us before and during the conference. Lord help me!