Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Joys of Decision Making

One of the toughest things to do as a family is to make a decision.  From the very beginning of their existence every family is bombarded with many many decisions they have to make.

Some of those decisions are easy to make.  Others - not so easy at all.  The worst among that difficult kind would be the infamous "life-changing" or "life-altering" decisions... the ones that send you packing... the ones that change your habits... the ones that make you build or break relationships... the ones that go against everyone's wishes... and possibly even against your own culture.

With expecting our first child in just a few months hubby & I are forced into making many decisions that will soon be changing the course of our life and ministry as we know it.  This season is not the easiest for the two of us.

Maybe you are finding yourself in the season of change and decision making too.  Then you know exactly how I feel.  Wanting God to just magically send me down all the correct answers, wishing it were just a bit easier.

In our decision-making struggle I believe I have learned why God leaves us searching for the answers.  I realized that the very pain and struggle of decision making are given to us to help us mature.  

As we are sitting... talking... praying... discussing... thinking...waiting... hoping... during our decision making, we are forced to evaluate our lives, to ask some hard questions, to agree on what is truly important.

Decision making:
- helps you refocus and prioritize
- weeds out those things out of your life that are no longer important to you and your family
- moves you to seek God and His direction (if you're a Christian)
- helps you get to know your family and what's important to them
- teaches you to trust (God, yourself, family)

If you're finding yourself being forced to make a big decision - don't wish you could skip the process - for in that process is where true growth happens.

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Friday, August 19, 2011

Our New Button

Hey y'all - we have a button now!!!  It is very simple but I feel like it is such an accomplishment as I made it by my own little (ok maybe not so little) self.

Feel free to grab the code and share it on your blogs, pages, etc.


Photo courtesy of "A Life To Serve"

Monday, August 15, 2011

Overcoming Fear

I wonder what are you afraid of?  You know, it's not always the obvious things like mice and spiders. 

Real fears hide deep inside, carefully masked by layers of learned behaviors and social expectations.  Real fears are very hard to admit to anyone, even ourselves.

Bryan & I with some of the kids
who came to day camp from our site.
Starting August 8th, we have been bringing children from all over New York to our church for one day of fun that was geared to give kids an unforgettable fun experience while helping them to identify and cope with their fears.


a small group discussion
 Through discussions and Bible lessons, story time, and even water activities - every single part of the day is laced with teaching the kids that they don't have to be afraid for God is with them.

Many children are able to open up and admit their fears - some of them seemingly insignificant (yet real nonetheless) and some of them very very deep and difficult to deal with.
Bible Lesson





team spirit
games

water slide

fun times at the pool

 If you have a spare moment today - please pray for the kids that have already gone through camp - that God will seal in their hearts their decision to trust Him for help... and for those who are yet to attend - that God will move on their hearts and help them overcome their fears...

... and as you're reading this - be reminded that God is with you also... so don't be afraid!!!

Don't be afraid to do what is right.
Don't be afraid to step out in faith.
Don't be afraid to share about Jesus with a non-believer.
Don't be afraid to speak up for those who are struggling.
Don't be afraid to leave the past behind.
Don't be afraid to pursue your dream.
Don't be afraid to trust God in the most impossible of circumstances
(He specializes in those anyway).

"The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid..."  
(Psalm 118:6)


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I am linking this post here and here.


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