Children's Church

Here are some pictures of the theme we are doing in children's church for the next few weeks... fishing. Last week was on Jonah and obedience, and this week was on being fishers of men- witnessing. Here are some picts. (The paintings on the walls went very well with the theme.) Most of these pictures were taken before class began this morning. I had a teenager, Amber, help out this time... She also spent the day with us at our house, and Ron's mom came over and gave me a birthday cake and a gift... Amber also made one... I think I am officially tired of cake!

Have a great Lord's Day!

cakes and car seats

Yesterday I went out to eat with my friend, Vicki, who lives next door, and we also went to Meijer's. When I got home I bagged 25 bags of gummy fish for children's church Sunday. Then I spent much time making a car seat cover for Charity's car seat... The one it had on it had holes and was very tattered...Okay, so it's VERY girly... it has plenty of pink in it! It's very soft too! When you don't have lots of money, you either can whine or you can get creative. She was wanting to sit in it before I was even done. I was pretty proud of myself... I will confess, it certainly is NOT a professional looking job, but, it will work. (The old cover, which is blue, is underneath, and this adds even more cushion.)

Last night, Ron and I went to Aldi's and Walmart... needed groceries pretty badly, and got stuff to make a poster of youth camp for our teen class.

Today, my parents and sister came over and we ate a big meal. (I was so glad it turned out yummy... and, that Ron helped clean the house up before they got here... not that it was all clean, but it was much better.) They brought me birthday presents (bath and body type of stuff), and a yummy, but very rich, cake.

Ron left a little while ago to trim a tree for someone. (He does some of this type of work on the side.) Then, tonight we need to study our lessons for children's church, and get ready for Sunday, the Lord's Day. My nephew is getting dedicated tomorrow, but I will not be able to go... so sad... but, I have to follow-up on my responsibilities at our church.

Just about 16 more days until my ultrasound! So excited!

In the morning

My girls are almost ready for the day...

I bought these dresses at the thrift store. I loved the farm animals on Faith's dress. I actually bought both of them apple dresses (see Charity), but decided that today they did not need to match each other. Charity's dress was only .49, I believe. I love thrift store shopping!

Also: Just thought I would say "thank you" to those in the Radcliffe Bible Mthodist Church (where we've been trying to help out some) that gave a love offering to us last night... It was so sweet. May God bless your kindness.

Time for bed

After my girls have had their baths, teeth brushed, nail trimmed, ears cleaned, been lotioned down, hair combed, etc, etc...

They are so beautiful and so clean... it makes you want to cuddle them.

I do have to confess that they very much dislike getting their toenails cut... but, a mommy's got to do what a mommy's got to do.

For their bedtime story, I told them about these little girls, named Faithy and Charity (imagine that!), whose mommy went to the hospital for a couple of days, then came home with a new baby that the little girls loved and kissed on. Faithy was very much interested in this story!

Good night, my little princesses!

New hobbies and much work

Here is the beginning of a quilt I am making for a special person.






Here is a crocheting project I am doing for my baby to come.





Just a little home update.

Saturday, we spent many, many hours setting up the children's church for a fishing series... it looks like a modern day camping spree... it is cute. (Pictures to come, Lord willing.) Fortunately, Ron's parents came to clean in the church, and were able help with the setup. We also went to their house and visited them. They bought us pizza, and that was really nice.

Sunday, Ron and I taught children's church with the lesson being on obedience. In the evening, I stayed home with my girls, because Faithy had a fever of 100.8 axillary.

Monday, I had tons of work to do on my house... so I power cleaned, I guess you could say. My house smelled strongly like bleach, Pine-sol, and carpet cleaner... I washed lots of laundry, and worked so hard that I needed to go to bed by about 9:30pm, and Ron had to entertain the girls and put them to bed later.

Tuesday, I worked on a quilt I am making for someone for Christmas... I have already broken one sewing machine needle on this because it is so thick and heavy. Then I began crocheting for my baby who is due to be born at Christmas-time. That evening, Ron and I took a really long walk together with the girls in a stroller. We got a snack at Wendy's, and I really think we ought to walk together more often, it was so nice.

Wednesday, I put away much clean laundry, did some housecleaning, and worked some more on my crocheting. Then, of course, we had church in the evening, and we went out to eat at Skyline.

Today, I walked up to the little bakery thrift store and got the girls some breakfast, and then Sandy Perkins came over for a lesson on how to upload pictures, and I enjoyed her company... My girls dumped a bunch of bubbles on the patio carpet! I still have to clean that up somehow.

My house needs another power clean, then I need to call some of the teens to check on them, and then we might be having a Bible study tonight.

Tomorrow, I am supposed to go out to eat with my good neighbor... she is buying my meal as a birthday present for me. My parents are planning to come and visit Saturday, then Sunday, I am supposed to teach children's church again, and I might invite some teens over for the afternoon... Sunday, I will be 26 years old.

The Cook family at camp

Strollers and umbrellas... lots of church services and many teenagers... playing outside and bathing in tote boxes... a different bed and different food... don't forget the mud... strange games and following daddy's church bus... that is what camp means to my little girls.

Lots of prayer, praise, pictures, preparing, and packing...

that's what camp meant to me.

This is a bad picture, I took it myself just so I could have one picture to prove I was at camp.

Guard duty and bus driving and lots of praying, and believe it or not, Ron actually got to rest during camp... Ron's camp

Another plus this year was the fact we got a nice room... even had a little refrigerator... I was thrilled that we were very close to the lady's restroom... that is a great blessing when you have little ones.

Praise and worship

Come, now is the time to worship...

Come, now is the time to give your heart...

One day every tongue will confess You are God...

One day every knee will bow...

Come...

God came in a mighty way... A spiritual "tsunami"

This was a week that I know the eight young people we brought to camp should never forget.

They were able to bond together, and make new friends as well. Even those with injuries enjoyed themselves.

They played volleyball, baseball, kickball, wacky sports, dodge ball, memorized scriptures, quiz bowled on the book of Romans, got rained upon, and did tons of screaming, clapping, and laughing.

But, nothing compares to what took place as God moved upon the camp. Wednesday night, God was so very present. One person even called it a tsunami as young people by the dozen swarmed to the altar to pray... many were saved, or responding in some way to God's voice. Weeping of repentance and submission to God kept going until late at night... there wasn't even time for Daren Fourman to preach, no time for the afterglow game... God was there, and that was all that mattered. The young people from our church didn't escape this, as God poured conviction and love upon them and several of them were seen weeping in prayer.

Those who weren't up at the altar dealt with conviction or stood to their feet and raised their arms in praise and adoration for their Lord. You could see the young people rise from the front to the back to their feet as God Almighty swept through the place. I wouldn't want to have missed it for the world... I, too, couldn't keep from crying and praising God... for He is so very worthy. The altar was packed, then young people testified, then more prayed... When I left at almost 10:00pm people were still praying.

Thursday, young people gathered around the altar to indicate that they felt God calling them into some work. One of our young people had prayed to get saved on Tuesday night.

What an incredibly beautiful week, and may God help and strengthen these young people as they go back to their environments... may they find that the Anchor really does hold... Praise God!

I will try to add more pictures through out the week so that you can see more of what took place. Please help me pray for them.

Wrapping things up

Packing and cleaning and receiving tons of phone calls... I am slightly overwhelmed!

What I wouldn't give for a few more hands and bodies! My house still a mess, and the kids are getting to me! They keep dragging stuff out and playing with things they ought not... think I will put them in bed for a while so I can get done. Yes, Faith is really looking forward to "ooth camp."

Here is Faith already dressed for camp... obviously, I haven't done her hair yet, but she has on her conference shirt. Please, pray that God will move in a very special way and the teens will be changed for life. I know they are really looking forward to this week. It is supposed to storm throughout the week.... we really need God to intervene.

I will try to have some pictures to share when we get back.

Have a great week.

Getting ready for camp

Well, tomorrow we are off for youth camp. We have eight young people who are planning to go with us. We are looking forward to what God is going to do this week.
Then, starting this Sunday is a five week series where Ron and I are going to be teaching children's church each Sunday (with the help of the teens). We are planning on a fishing theme. I have most of the stuff planned out, but I still need to find music. A family in our church just did a series on Galilee... it was really neat, with Jewish style music, the kids dressed up in Bible costumes, and the classroom was nicely decorated (even had a synagogue!). This will be tough to follow, just pray for us.
Another thing to help us pray about is the fact that our lease on our house is up this fall, and we still aren't sure what God wants us to be doing then... We want His perfect will.
I have recently started a new project... Hint: It requires alot of sewing! Now, I am also getting on an organization kick, too... last night, I just had to buy this 30 gallon tote box for the children's clothing they've outgrown... and, the other night I was lying in my bed thinking of how I could wallpaper some furniture, and so on.
Yep, maybe its the 2nd trimester energy return... still get pretty tired though.
Well, I had better go, for it's Sunday and I need to be careful not to get into a working mood... need to take advantage of the day of rest. Good night, friends!

Our big week

Here's the girls in their Sunday dresses dancing to Veggie Tales and/or Coy McGinnis music. They love to "dance."

This is a normal activity at the Cook house.

On the Fourth of July, we had a picnic with our friends, Jimmy and Ruthanne Huskins, at our house. After we finished lunch, the rain began to pour. Faith is in the rain in this picture, and Charity is excited. Notice her patriotic skirt.

Ron and I and the girls went to see the fireworks that night at Delco Park. It rained very hard on us there, too.

This is the cake I made for Faithy's birthday. I am not a pro, as you can see, but it was yummy... then I also had cookies and cream ice cream. MMM!





Friday was Faithy's birthday. She played outside and had a little birthday party. She seemed to have alot of fun. The birthday partywas in the evening... Mimi, Papaw, Aunt Shenna, cousins Kyle, Sierra, and Larissa, neighbors Sister Hoke and Vicki Norman came. Then, the next day we went to Youngs Jersey Dairy Farm with our friends, the Sowers. Faith wouldn't feed the goats and was afraid of the train ride, but enjoyed the food, ice cream, and put-put.

Sisters riding on Faithy's little four-wheeler. This was so adorable. A little scary, though, when Faith decided to drive up and down the wheelchair ramp.

Away they go! Charity would usually get on first, then Faith would squeeze in front on her. Got it on video!

Ni-night!

Thursday, we went to a dear elderly lady's birthday celebration. Typically, this time at her house is a Bible study for a church we've been temporarily filling in at, but it was a special occasion for this elderly saint.

The devil had been fighting Ron and me, and we were grouchy toward each other this weekend, but we made up... yep, we still are in love... Yes, I do tell all, don't I?

Sunday morning we were at our regular church, Wesleyan Evangelistic Church, where we work with young people. We have youth camp in a couple of weeks, so I had to go through the rules, etc. to prepare them for their big event. My baby was horribly cranky, and woke up my pastor's baby, and she screemed so much Sunday morning, I felt like hiding.

Sunday evening, Ron got to preach to a very nice congregation in the country... I thought I would be ill on the curvy roads, but I survived. It took us nearly 3 hours to get there for the evening service. The people served us a nice meal afterward.

My hubby

Just thought I would say a kind word about one of the best men in the whole world... my husband.

You know, sometimes I feel sorry for women who don't have it as good as I have it. My husband is good at so many things... He is a very hard worker, great with loving souls and doing outreach, an awesome daddy, terrific preacher, and still takes out so much time for his family. My children adore him and are very excited when daddy comes home from work.

Now, before you think our marriage is all roses or that I am lying... I will confess we are human... we think differently, and obviously have our "I just don't understand you" days. It would be too boring otherwise.

Three years ago tonight, I remember being in the hospital in labor with our first little girl. My husband was so brave, supportive, and in awe of the whole miracle of life, I just felt like it brought us so much closer together (although he did get light-headed with the epideral moment). I was thankful to have him near.

We recently celebrated our forth anniversary (June 14). And, I know that God has put us together, and helped us through some very trying days as we had to learn to really put each other first, then when we lost our first pregnancy, and as we went through several family deaths, ministry disappointments, financial struggles, family issues, and number of other things... I found that truly all things do work together for our good. We are stronger today than ever... I know tough days are ahead, but with Jesus we can make it. Thank You, God, for Ron and our beautiful children. And thank You for the verse you reminded me of so long ago to seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added. I love You most of all.

Youth garage sale

About four interesting things happened Saturday at the youth garage sale we had for missions. One you already know about, and that was Faith's car accident.

Second, was another type of accident by one of my children, displayed for the teens to see in the church's parking lot... Not appropriate for discription on this page. Let's just say the teens thought it was hilarious, but I was very thankful that there were no customers at that time.

Third, was the fact I sold a lady's cane... Yes, I REALLY SOLD AN ELDERLY LADY'S CANE! Many people had donated to this garage sale, so when a lady brought the cane up to me to purchase it, I thought that maybe I had just overlooked pricing it. Some wise person, Candy Davis, from our church told me that she suspected that it was a customer's cane, but did I listen? We waited a little while, and when noone claimed it, I, like a serious saleswoman, proceeded to sell the cane for $1, I believe. Could have died, when a car drove up later to inquire about the cane that they had accidently left behind... how do you tell someone, "Oh, so sorry, just sold your cane"? Tried to give them money, but they declined... I hope they'll think it as funny as the young people did. I am still recovering from that embarrassment... do I laugh or cry?

Fourth, while we were putting away the left over sale items, there were a couple of customers there, and I told them that everything there was now half price. Some guy hugged me (not a pat on the back type of hug), and said that he would take me... "yuck!" I felt so gross... here I am happily married, a momma, and PG... I felt like saying "Get your hands off" but I kindly stated that I didn't think so, that I thought my husband might throw a fit. I actually didn't tell Ron until the guy left because I wasn't sure how he would react (my hubby is a strong man, and if I were a guy, I wouldn't want to mess with him). I AM RON'S and he is mine, and I am proud of it! I am certainly not up for sale! No way, not ever! Jesus gave me to Ron, and He gave Ron to me... He is the best gift, besides salvation and sanctification, that I have ever received! So for any of those bored guys who go around checking out women's blogs in hopes of a date... you are on the wrong blog!!!
Hope you all had a great Independence Day... Mine was busy but nice.
May God help our country to serve Him... IN GOD WE TRUST.

Faithy's first car accident

Faithy had a "car wreck" Saturday while her cousin, Kyle, was "helping her go fast." Here is the car.

Here is her head injuries. I think she will be alright. :-)

Here's an old picture of Faithy... chocolate milk lips!