Santa is watching November 27, 2012

Each year my children receive a message from Santa. He is still at the North pole, but apparently he has a portable camera and sends them messages that confirm that he knows if they have been naughty or nice. He emailed today. I had each one of them separately watch the message so I could watch each reaction.

   

 

He showed them his library where each child’s book is. He opens the book that has his or her name on it and there is a picture of the child. He mentions how old they are and what grade they are in. He shows them the elves working on their present and he shows them where they live on the map.

The parent can pick lots of options and one of the areas is what the child has been working on that year. You have the option of choosing whether they have been successful at it. I thought I should probably say all of them had been hardworkers and were definitely on the nice list.

And then as I started to load Olivia’s email to show her, I heard World War 3 happening in the bedroom. I immediately changed my mind and decided to change the request on one of the emails to indicate that Santa can tell the child has been working and he knows the child can do even better!

I reloaded that child’s email right before said child got to see it.

It worked like a charm. Said child was amazed and a little humbled. I did get video of lucy watching her message. I wish I had thought to do that with the other ones as well.

I am soooo excited about this Christmas season.

 

 

In Flanders field November 11, 2012

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

by John McCrae

This was read by a student at the Indianola Academy Veteran’s Day program on Friday. What a touching program it was. Students and music groups from the town performed. One of my favorite moments, and one of the most touching, was when the 6th grade performed the songs for each of the branches of the military- Veterans were asked to stand as their branch’s song was sung. What a blessing to have so many who gave so much. I love the line in the poem above that reminds us that those fallen soldiers loved and were loved. These were and are someone’s children, someone’s father or mother, someone’s spouse. Someone is raising her children alone while daddy serves our country-Someone is having her baby while her husband serves overseas- Someone is trying to figure out how to make ends meet while their mother or wife is serving. I don’t have to do that. That is so humbling.

delta missions November 4, 2012

We have had the joy of getting to know Rev. Herron Wilson and a ministry that he started many years ago, Delta Missions. This ministry has made a huge impact in our town. There is a Saturday children’s program, a Wednesday senior citizens’ program, a women’s study,and a men’s study. In the summer they host a huge VBS. Rev. Wilson attended Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson (and graduated first in his class, I might add). He is a single man who has dedicated his life to this ministry and this town. He also has to do dialysis every night and has been waiting for a kidney for over 4 years.  A group of ladies in town, who represent the area churches, has begun to meet to come alongside this ministry and hopefully relieve some of the pressure that has been present. I have been saying,”Delta Missions needs some deacons 🙂 ”

Yesterday, they held their annual fall carnival for the children that they minister to. It was such a beautiful fall day and the kids were precious! We had volunteers from area churches, the junior auxiliary, local high school honor societies, and local youth groups. The typical fun games were all there.

 cake walk  face paint

 egg walk lucky ducks

I have a new friend at the mission- she is Rev. Wilson’s assistant, Sara. Sara made food coupons for all the children and they could turn them in at the food station- hot dogs (donated by sonic), snow cones, nachos, caramel apples, drinks,pop corn and flavored pickles.

The day was a huge success. While we were there, several volunteers asked how you get involved with this ministry. Rev. Wilson had a great idea of having churches volunteer for a Saturday morning. We did ours last month, so now I am better able to explain what that includes. We had around 10 people, plus lots of our own children. A couple of the volunteers prepared lunch (the mission buys the food, we just prepared it). Some greeted and then went to the classrooms for the teaching time ( there is already a curriculum and we were helpers. One of us taught the lesson for 3rd-5th graders). Some helped outside for recreation- they have basketball courts and a playground (if it rains, they have an indoor game room and board games). Some helped with a craft. (we brought the craft and only chose to do it with the lower elementary kids.) Rev. Wilson does a lesson at the beginning and he calls them to order for lunch as well.

It was much easier than I expected it to be. Volunteering is one of those things that seems daunting at first because you can’t figure out how to do it sometimes and what you will be doing. We are hoping that as some systems get into place at the mission, it will be easy to sign up with a group of people and that volunteers will feel comfortable because they know what they will be doing. I have found many to be eager to help, they just need to know how to do it.

I am so thankful for what God is doing in the lives of these children through this ministry and we are praying that God will continue the work and that He will provide Rev. Wilson with a kidney. Please join us in praying for Rev. Wilson’s health and stamina.