The Weekend

What a weekend! It started for me at noon on Friday, when I arrived at the school to chaperone a first grade field trip. We went to Cook's Farm in Okemos, where we learned about the different crops they grow there and what products are made from those crops. Then we took a hayride out into the pumpkin patch and each child got to choose a pumpkin to take home. It's always fun for me to be with my kids, but I actually learned a lot on this field trip, too!

The bus arrived back at the school at 2:15 and Lukas got to hang out with me until the bell rang at 3:00 and we could pick Stefan up. Then we were on to the fall festival at the school. They had every inflatable you can imagine, Laser Tag and a climbing wall. I was exhausted by the time we left. The boys were not.

Saturday was the Fall Open House at Youth Haven, and it was a gorgeous day! The boys climbed on an ambulance, talked to firefighters, met Safety Pup, got their faces painted (as you can see here), took a hayride, and carried around a little snake they found. I got to chase them around and make sure they weren't trying to run the show. Stefan enjoys telling people his dad is the director.

Sunday morning we got up and headed to church for the 9:15 service. They had a first grade Bible presentation, where they gave each first grader a Bible and a little devotional book to go with it. Our lead pastor spoke to the parents about the importance of encouraging the children to read their Bibles, as well as modeling that in our lives. Then the kids sang "Open the Eyes of My Heart" for us. I am grateful for a church that invests so much into the lives of our children.

And then I was reminded of the Youth Haven children who sang for the people at the Fall Open House on Saturday. These are kids who do not necessarily come from homes where they are provided for or even loved. Most of them have never stepped inside a church and have learned everything they know about Jesus at Youth Haven. Here they were, singing, "I'm trading my sorrows, I'm trading my shame, I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord."

I can't fathom the depths of sorrow and shame some of these children have faced in their lives. What a privilege it is for me to be part of a ministry that shows them the love of Christ and helps them take hold of the joy of the Lord!

I have been blessed. My children are blessed. I am grateful for the things I learned in church when I was growing up, and I am grateful for what I see my children learning as they attend our church and a Christian school. I am also grateful that God has called my family to serve at Youth Haven and share the love of Christ with kids who don't have that privilege. If, someday, He does call one or both of my children to "run the show," I pray they will answer that call wholeheartedly.