Weekly Update - June 1
Branchees
I hope that you're doing well this morning and prayerfully enjoyed some time off yesterday. I want to share a story with you real quick:
This past Sunday night, we had a pool party at my place (it was awesome, btw - thanks to all who helped). It was a summer kickoff party. But more importantly, it was a going away party for Kevin and Devin Anderson - Mike Nutter's nephews. They all moved to Austin on Monday. It was an awesome night. At one point during the night, we put Kevin and Devin in the hot seat, where students got an opportunity to tell them how much they were loved. We also laid hands on them and prayed for them. And - perhaps the best part - we got to present them with their very first Bibles, names engraved. It was incredible.
During the next night, I texted Devin. We were texting back and forth and he said, "Thanks for where you marked the Bible." I didn't know what he was talking about. I said, "What?" He said, "you know, where you marked it with the marker." After being confused for a while, I surmised that he was talking about the bookmark string thing (after he texted me a picture...lol). Then, I said, "I didn't mark it anywhere - must be a coincidence. What did it say?". He said it was Psalm 106:40-42, which reads, "Therefore the LORD was angry with his people and abhorred his inheritance. He handed them over to the nations, and their foes ruled over them. Their enemies oppressed them and subjected them to their power." After reading this, I had no idea of how this passage could have been relevant or inspiration to his walk with Christ. I said, "Kind of violent and depressing, isn't it?". He responded by texting to me what was in one of those little boxes in the text (this is a study Bible, mind you): "God allowed trouble to come to the Israelites to help them. Some of our troubles can be helpful because they (1) help us, (2) allow us to experience more of God's faithfulness, (3) make us more dependent upon God, (4) encourage us to submit to God's purpose for our lives, (5) make us more compassionate to others in trouble. Of course believing that hard times can be helpful doesn't come naturally. But as Romans 8:28 states, God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." I was floored! I said, "Wow, Devin. That's amazing!" He said, "Yeah, I know. But you didn't put the marker there?" I said, "No, but I think I know who did." He said, "Who? Oh, God!!!" I concurred. And if you know anything about the story of Kevin and Devin and the things they've had to overcome, then you understand well how marvelous it is that God spoke to them through this way. Wow, God! Wow.
Now - onto the prayers/praises from May 30, 2010.
Katie Adell - "someone stole my IPod Touch"
Camdyn Brocail - "I have bronchitis, Maddie (her sister) got rear-ended, safe traveling for Dad (Doug)"
Ian Wilson - "graduation today"
Avery Davidson - unspoken
Austin Foss - "chapel choir tour; job hunt"
Amy Davidson - "I just found out my friend is an atheist, and his parents force him to go to church"
Crystal Valentin - "My friend's birthday is on the 13th of June and safe travels for Chapel Choir"
Kayleigh Berger - "I feel sick. I hope summer won't be boring. Allergies."
Lovie Valentin - "Hope mom finds a job that she will like."
Devin Anderson - "Let the pool party go good and Kevin and my move go good. And let us come back down here to see everybody."
Alfredo Mojica - "That my parents have good times when I'm in baseball and school."
Kevin Anderson - "Moving goes good"
Joshua Quimby - "Demo goes good. Devin and Kevin move goes good, birthday on 6.24.10"
Chenda Chab - "For graduation to run smoothly and for Kevin and Devin's moving to go smoothly."
Victor Sanchez - "To lose weight and for Chenda's graduation to go good and for the time to go by fast."
Chase - "Summer goes well. Money for car insurance."
Isaiah Venzant - "I hurt my throwing arm."
Matt Harding - "food"
Oyoma Anigboro - "SAT"
Nathan Kazibwe - "summer plans and college stud and a means of making money"
Parent Reminders
1.) TODAY IS THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR IMPACT YOUTH CAMP! If you haven't signed up your child, please contact me immediately so that I know to make a space for them.
2.) Wednesday Night Live switches to new schedule this Wednesday. 6pm - Middle School; 6:45 - Everyone; 7:15pm - High School; 8pm - The Spot @ Fioza's til 9:30pm
3.) TNT Paintball this Thursday! $30. 4:30pm @ FLC; Two forms required (see website)
4.) Carwash: 9am - 5pm Saturday - Students can work in 4-hour shifts (either 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm). CAN I GET ONE PARENT TO VOLUNTEER TO CHAPERONE THE AFTERNOON SHIFT?
