New Church...

Gail and I have found a church that we BOTH like and enjoy attending - Mark Baptist Church. We've tried several churches in our area, but none of them felt like "home". I grew up attending church and was baptized at a young age. When I met Gail, we starting attending the Lancaster Baptist Church. Gail was baptized there and we enjoyed going. Over time pastors changed and the people changed and it started to feel more like an obligation to go rather that we really wanted to go. We stopped going for a couple of years. During that time I started to really think about what I wanted in a church. I actually had a check list.
#1 - We could enjoy worship as a family.
#2 - Had a great kids program.
#3 - Felt like home.
#4 - Great pastor.
#5 - Strong Church family.
#6 - Not to far from home. (I know that sounds bad).

I tried out a couple of churches, but they didn't meet every part of my checklist. During this entire time my sitter kept trying to get us to their church. Gail had wanted to go a couple of times, but I really didn't. Finally, one Sunday morning in early August I decided that we were going to her church. Gail couldn't go because he had something to do. I waited in the lobby for Tina and her family and they were surprised to see Lydia and I there. During that service I had so many emotions. The story really touched me. I laughed, I cried, and it was one of the best times that I've ever had. The next week, Gail went with me and he had the same feelings. We LOVE our new church. I love the feelings I have the entire week after going and I notice that my attitude has changed. I really watch the things I say and do. My check list has turned into my list of the things that we love about our church and I have also added another.
#7 - Being a Christian is not just a Sunday activity.

The church family up at our new church lives and breathes being a faithful Christian. I LOVE IT!!! I hope that all of my readers (hopefully I still have readers) have a church that they love and enjoy going to. I can honestly say that it has made a difference in our lives.

Awana Question...

Lydia started Awana this past week. Gail was a little questionable on her ability to remember her verses. However, we've been practicing on 3 verses that were in her handout she brought home. After a few minutes of going over them, all I have to do is say the first word and she gets it. I'm very proud of her. She is excited to go back this week (hopefully she'll still be feeling well by then).

I have a question for you Awana leaders out there - Does perfect attendance count the singing at church on Sunday mornings or just Wednesday nights? My computer at home is messed up so I can't get to facebook or any of my e-mail contacts. So just message me on here - THANKS!!

Back Into the Swing of Things...

It has taken a couple of weeks, but I've finally gotten back into the swing of things. The first week back to school (although it was only 3 days) was very straining. My yard and house work went to pot. The second week was better. That week I basically just got the yard mowed. It took for almost 7 hours and 2 days after school to get it done. This week, my yard still looks good, my house is getting cleaned, the laundry is washed (1 load is still in the dryer), and I've been pretty good at getting the dishes washed. I would complain at this point about not having a dishwasher, but I haven't had a dishwasher since I lived with my parents so I don't really miss it.

Lydia has finally gotten back into her routine also. We've had a few rough mornings, but overall pretty good. She will be starting Awana next week. I'm a little nervous about her starting because this will be her first "thing". She's not big on strangers unless Gail or I are around, and even then she really won't talk. I know that once she gets going she'll be fine and it will be good for her in many ways. She's grow socially and also learn about God. I'm also looking forward to the time when I can get things done around the house (quickly) so that we can enjoy our time together.

Gail had his yearly "August trip to the ER". It happens every August. This year he hit his hand on a table at work just kidding around and it started swelling and turning colors. He had apparently broken his hand a few weeks prior without knowing it. When he hit his hand he rebroke it. It was the 2 year anniversary of his horse accident. Next August 17, he's staying in the house!!

Until next time...