Sunday, September 30, 2012

#dnowgoesviral

Wow. What a weekend!
Every year, our youth host a big event, DNOW. There are always many ways for the whole church body to get involved. This was the first year we had a chance to help with it and we loved it! Here's the scoop.
 We prayerfully decided to be a "support home" for 7th grade guys. We basically drove them around wherever they needed to be and most of all got to connect with them. We really enjoyed it. Thursday night, I made marshmallow crispy treats and BBQ snack mix for the guys.
The event started on Wednesday night as a kickoff for DNOW.
 We went to Horton Farms and saw Acrodunk. They are a pretty cool group of guys that play basketball but add tricks to it.
 It was amazing to see all the stunts they did on the bball court.
 Acrodunk has been on America's Got Talent and did very well on the show for a while. I think they were one of the finalists. Everyone enjoyed it.
 
Oh, I almost forgot, there are quite a few pictures. :)
 
Friday night we picked up the boys from Aimee's house. Her family was a "host home" for our group and we helped each other out throughout the weekend.
 Aimee and me
I told her she is a multitalented mom. Along with being a wife and mom, she cooks, sews, paints, etc. Ha! I was amazed when I learned this about her. I really enjoyed getting to know her!
 We parked at the high school to tailgate and enjoyed catching up with friends.
I was so glad to see Elizabeth throughout the weekend. She is such a precious and adorable friend!
 All of the DNOW crew went to the BHS football game and cheered on the Bentonville Tigers.
 A group with their t-shirts!
 Of course, we sat in the student section. They all throw baby powder in the air right at kickoff every game. Yep!
 We were all covered with powder. Angie, Shelley, Baylie, and me laughing it up!
 I was so happy to see one of my girls from Sunday school, Annabelle! We got to talk for a little while during the game. Note the powder all over my shirt and also my crazy hair that blows up in humidity. Crazy!
The night wasn't over yet. Hutch, our youth leader put on a huge rave with black lights, loud and crazy music and NEON!
 The youth were overly excited and had tons of energy!
 Yep, this about sums it up. So funny!
Y'all know I am a kid at heart so I did wear neon pink earrings and a glow necklace.
 Carly is the most energetic friend I have!
Her smile is contagious!
After I went to the "rave" for a little bit, I had enough of the booming music and sat in the hall with the other adults! :) I say again on my blog, I can confirm, yet again, I am slowly approaching 30. Maybe that's why I'm getting too old for this stuff. HA!
So it was needless to say a fun but late night.
Saturday morning:
 Let's say it together: COFFEE!!
I don't regularly drink coffee but I did yesterday.
We were ready to worship and learn more about the Lord! We certainly did.

 It was so good to see over 350 teens learning about the Lord and desiring His will for their life. So awesome! The speaker, Chad Poe, was so good!
 Hutch's kids Korbyn, Kampbell, and Kash are adorable! I had to snap a quick pic.
 Russell and I before the big group picture.
 I was tickled to see Raven there this weekend. She was one of the college leaders for a group of girls. She is such a great girl! Love Raven and her sweet family!
 Lunch time!
Love these girls!
 Carly, Jordan and Sarah enjoying our fave for lunch, Chick-fil-a!
 A big part of DNOW every year is a community service project. We participated in a food drive.
Joshua, Jake, Simon and Satchel ready to help our community!
 Having a good time!
 Russell, Holden, Satchel, and Simon
 Our church teamed up with another local church for the food drive. We heard that our friends, Jeremy and Kristie go to that church but it was such a surprise to see Jeremy picking up all the food for it! We have not seen him in years. He is a good friend of ours from college in South Arkansas.
 Every group had college leaders. Here were our group's leaders, Josh and Jesse. We really enjoyed our time with them and getting to know them.
 Our wonderful group!
Simon, Joshua, Andy, Jake, Josh, Holden, Jesse, Russell and Satchel
Between the ten of us, we collected 340 items for our community! Best of all, the DNOW group collected 11,000 items! That is amazing!
We had free time and later that evening, we met back at the church for our last session.
Russell and I before church, our DNOW service.
There were quite a few decisions made throughout this weekend. I don't know an approximate number though. I just know that God was obviously present. We talked a lot about the verses in Philippians 2.
I just adore when the Lord overflows us with His love, grace, and mercy and that is just what He did in my heart this weekend. It was great. It still is. The best news is that His love, grace, and mercy overflow daily. Just go to Him and He will show you.
Viral: spread rapidly from one person to the other around the world!
DNOW: We've gone viral.

Here is a video I wanted to share with you! Enjoy! 
Philipians 2:14-16 Do everything without grumbling or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
 


Thursday, September 27, 2012

Belle's Birthday

Belle turned 4 years old on Saturday! She has grown so much since she was a puppy.
 
 We have enjoyed her so much and love spoiling her, too.
 We got her a collection of treats that she will eat up soon!
 Russell and I were excited to find Joey's Dog Bakery kiosk at the mall. They have all kinds of treats for dogs and dog "boutique" items too. We loved it! Belle has so far enjoyed the "banana nut muffin" and the "cheesy squirrel" treat. She also loved the "bacon pig" treat. HA!
She had a good day.
Here are a few random things about our sweetie"
--Belle loves to sleep in Russell's recliner. She would do it all day if she could.
--Belle adores to eat ice. Every time we open the freezer drawer, she hops up and runs to the kitchen hoping we will give her ice. Sometimes we do, but not always.
--Belle loves it when I sing to her. I know it sounds silly, but every time I do, she always looks at me intently and turns her head.
--Belle loves blankets and sheets. She loves it when we get a blanket and spread it out on the couch just for her. Or she loves sharing blankets too. :)
--More than anything, Belle LOVES us! She loves people and she is the most lovable dog on the planet. We love her back! Lots!
 
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Psalm 42:1

Monday, September 17, 2012

Roast and Toast

We had a great weekend! Friends of ours planned a camping weekend for Friday, but it rained a lot that day and chances of more rain were high. Adrienne and Jonathan had everyone over to their house instead and we had a blast!
 They have a great big porch with a firepit which we loved.
 It stopped raining for a little while, so we decided to roast marshmallows and have s'mores for dessert! Who doesn't love s'mores?
 Nathan and Ana
 Brian and Kelsey
 Jayme and Rob
 Samantha and Jonathan
We love all our friends!
 Nathan and his perfect roasted marshmallow!
 The girls!
Adrienne, Mandy, Ana, Marji, Kelsey, Jayme, me, Samantha
 Jonathan also had a special technique of roasting. It had to be just right! I usually just burn mine or scorch them. Ha!
 Jonathan was proud.
Me and my honey!
We had so much fun on Friday night!
 
Saturday morning, Amy, Debbie and I attended the Beth Moore Living Proof Live simulcast. It was amazing as any Beth Moore event always is. Just great!
It was all about forsaking fear and taking Jesus always! And also sharing the good news of Christ!
 
The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it. Psalm 68:11

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Kids at Heart

Have I mentioned that I am a kid at heart? I know I have before. That is exactly what a couple of my friends and I did the other night for fun. We were kids. HA!
 We love Disney princesses, so we had a little fun and casual princess party.
 Yes, I know. I told you we are kids at heart!
 We had Chinese take-out for dinner. So good!
 Carly and Sarah are the sweetest!
 We watched a couple of classic princess movies, Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. Yes, we sang along with the songs!
Every once in a while, you just gotta have a fun girl's night. That's what we did!
It was also a good reminder that we are God's princesses. I truly believe it!
 
For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them. Matthew 18:20