What about your children?

I think one of the most popular questions people have for us when they hear about our ministry is "What about your children?" The follow-up questions include: "What about their safety?" "Where will they go to school?" "What about the peer influences that will bombard your kids as they grow up?" Believe me, Bryan and I think about these things all the time!
A simple answer that is SO profound is that God the Father did the unimaginable and sent His ONLY SON so that we may live eternally with Him. I have put so much hope in the fact that the Eternal God knows what I am going thru!
As I was having my time with the Lord this morning, I was so encouraged by the story of Abraham and Issac. It's another example of a parent who is asked to sacrifice his son. Now, by no means do I feel the need to "sacrifice" my sons on the altar- but I do believe that when the Lord called BK and I into ministry - He called our whole family, sons included. I believe that my sons will actually reap great benefits as they live with us as we do ministry and actively process with them the things they see and experience.
My favorite verse from the passage is Gen.22:12. The angel of the Lord tells Abraham to lay down his knife, "for I now know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld even your beloved son from me. (v 16) Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your beloved son, I swear by my own self that I will bless you richly." I know that the Lord cares about Bryce, Ethan and Levi and that as I obey Him, even they will reap the benefits. His promises of protection, refuge, growth in righteousness, and blessing apply to my children and yours as they learn to seek the Lord - no matter what neighborhood they live in!

Do not be ANXIOUS!

Isn't it sweet when the bible verses you read for the day are directly related to what you are going thru?
I am getting a little nervous about our upcoming trip to FL - the long car ride, 3 kids on a boat, the money we will have to spend.... And then this morning I picked up my "Read the Bible in a Year" bible and the section for today was Matthew 6 - DO NOT WORRY!!
I am so glad to know that my heavenly Father knows everything I need and promises to supply all that I need - as I seek FIRST HIS KINGDOM. Sometimes I wonder what that is supposed to look like on a day to day basis. I think for me it means being faithful in all that I know He has called me to, today. He wants me to point my children towards doing right and justly to those around them. He wants me to love my husband unconditionally and seek to serve him. He wants me to be patient, kind, sincere, joyful in my circumstances, and persistent in prayer. Each day is so similar ("groundhog day"), yet each day has it's own troubles. There are enough things to think about TODAY than spend time worrying about our upcoming trip - Pray for me!

Ringing in the New Year

How do you ring in the New Year? Firecrackers? Whistles? Champagne glasses? Kisses?

This New Year’s Eve was a bit unconventional for our family in many ways. On a funny note, we spent the first part of our evening at ….Chuck E Cheese’s! The kid’s had anticipated a fun trip to a farm, and so when that was canceled, we had to come up with something. We decided that it could be either fun or a disaster, but thought it was worth a try. I guess I began to realize how different my life really is when we loaded up in the van to pick up a friend from down the street to take with us. Brandon is almost 7 years old and over at our house all the time – he and Bryce have become pretty good friends.
When we pulled up to his house and rolled down the window we could see a group of about 10 kids playing some sort of ball in the street. Just then, we heard a series of gunshots. The kids began running in our direction and Brandon’s mom began shaking her head – “They are just so stupid.” The gunshots were just for “fun” in anticipation of the New Year celebration. I have so much to learn.

Well, Chuck and the gang was a blast – not so many people there and of course I won 66 tickets at the Bonus game again. (Should I take a trip to Vegas? The ministry could really benefit from my skills!)

When we got home Bryan and I watched the Ball drop at 11:00 and then he kissed me goodbye – he was going to meet a local pastor at a Watch night service. I must add in here that the Lord has given me the Peace of Christ that passes all understanding. I am serious when I say that I am perfectly fine with being in my house with my children at night. I have the Lord. And angels. And burglar bars. And an alarm system. And a German Shepherd. You get the idea.

Well, I had just fallen asleep and then I heard them. I thought they were fireworks and some of it may have been. But then I remembered what I heard earlier that evening. Gunshots. Lots of them. Semi-automatic weapons sounding off. Ringing in the New Year. I must admit it was a little scary sounding and strange. Why is that fun? Why aren’t fireworks enough?

The next morning we heard that a 7-year old boy was shot the night before and died from the gun wound. He was not Brandon, but it could have easily happened to any of the kids on our street. The shooting actually occurred in the Housing Project that is next to our neighborhood. We heard at first that it was a stray bullet from a “celebration” round. Then we found out that it was from a drive-by shooting – someone taking advantage of the expected gunfire. Thank you, Lord, that it wasn’t Brandon. Please be with the family of that sweet child.

How do you ring in the new year?

Home for Christmas

We had such a wonderful Christmas! It was the first one spent in our own home, with no traveling. It was very simple and enjoyable. We did some fun things that may turn into traditions - making cookies for santa, eating lots of appetizer type foods (i love rotel, giant pretzels, spinach dip, you get the idea!) reading the story of the birth of Jesus, watching Christmas movies together, and a pancake breakfast. The only thing we did that I hope is NOT a tradition is Christmas dinner at, get this, SHONEY'S!!! Bryan threatened that he could see us there for the next 40 years.... I sure hope not. The only other options were Waffle House (a Catching family favorite i must admit!) or a Korean resturant with Broiled Eel on the menu. SO we did have fun and I am so glad that we had celebrated Christmas with my parents when my sister, Claire, was visiting earlier in the month. I was able to really focus on the true meaning of Christmas since the stress level was WAY down compared to other years. The Christmas Store the week before was a good way to take the focus off of "what I want for Christmas" to making sure kids in our neighborhood actually had few gifts under their tree. I am so thankful for the Lord's hand on our lives and in this neighborhood.

Christmas morning JOY!
Merry Chrismas, Levi!

And to all, a good night!

The Christmas store was PACKED with donated, brand-new toys!
Sorry, guys, I had to post this pic!


Claire's visit was so much fun~ we visited a house with Crazy christmas decor!
Bryce's kindergarden class sang at church one sunday - they were adorable! This pic is missing 2 of the girls.
Christmas cookies! Bryce said "I better not catch either of you (mom and dad) taking a bite out of the ones for Santa"
The Christmas loot - thanks grandparents!
A definate favorite - Power Ranger masks and watches - Ethan has literally worn this costume EVERYDAY for a week.

Levi is 5 months old!

I really can't believe how fast time flies. here are some pics from today just to show how much he is growing.
CGM did a Christmas Store this past week that really blessed many people in the neighborhood. As soon as I get the camera back from Kevin, I will write a blog about it and post pictures.
We are not traveling for the holidays, so maybe i'll actually have time to blog!

PhotoBooth

Two of my favorite things....
an old favorite: my sister, Claire
a new favorite: Photo Booth!!!

Sweet Grandmommy

Please pray for my sweet, godly grandmother as she recovers from a broken shoulder. I love you, Gmommy!