cpc 2016

In January I attended the  Children's Pastors Conference for the second time in Chattanooga, TN. It was a great experience, and I got to recharge my batteries and do some planning and thinking for our children's ministry. This time I stayed at The Read House, which was beautiful, and I loved the historic feel of it all. Just wished I had more time to spend exploring Chattanooga. I loved getting to spend time with other children's ministers and those working in children's ministry. I'll be posting more from the sessions later.

I couldn't get away from everything though. I still needed to have class so my students were super nice and met in our classroom and did a video chat over Google.

I did take advantage of being on a vacation of sorts, and had cake for dinner one night at a local diner! It was so delicious!

Each night and morning you attend a general session. My favorite was Bob Goff. Each time I've seen him I've been inspired. If you haven't read his book Love Does you should get on it! 

Thankfully, even though the huge winter storm hit the the east while we were there I was able to get out and head home. I left a little early the last day to make sure I had enough time to get to the airport. These are some pics I took in the plane and airport for the kids.

I also took advantage of the time to catch up on work and some reading. I want to post more about this book later, but the middle paragraph was very appropriate for my trip. I'm so blessed to be involved in children's ministry. It has grown my faith in amazing ways, and I can't say enough about how wonderful this experience has been. It has not escaped me that to be entrusted with other people's gifts, and their well-being is something very special. This has also been a precious experience to work with my own gifts--Elle, Todd, and Reese.

todd february 2016

Todd is sweeter and funnier than ever! He is really into anything Paw Patrol, or construction, but his love of the Rescue Bots still can't be matched. When he was asked at school who his Valentine is this is what he said:

We predict that he will end up being a police officer because he loves to make sure everyone is doing the right thing, and will step in to enforce the rules. One of my favorite things has been teaching in his Bible class on Sunday mornings in the fall and on Wednesday nights. He loves his sisters fiercely, and makes sure to get his hug and goodbye from Elle every morning. He is all boy in that he is always playing trucks, tools, or good guys and goes at everything with full force that he injures himself quite frequently. I'm not sure that I've mentioned his "factory" before, but instead of an imaginary friend, Todd has an imaginary factory. It comes up less often lately, but he still talks about it from time to time. Especially, when there's something that he isn't allowed to do, he makes sure we know he can do that at his factory. Rupert and Herman live at the factory and get into all kinds of things. It's really clever I think, and I'm hoping this is just normal kid stuff. He also is very sweet to listen to during prayer times when you get to hear what's on his heart. He has taken more of an interest in learning to read and write, and his speech has improved so much since attending classes at Chisholm two days a week. He makes our hearts so full!

Reese @ 20 months

Reese is so much more a toddler than a baby these days. The last 5 months have flown by and Reese has changed so quickly. She's moved up into the Toddler Bible class, she talks and repeats a lot of things, and has her own personality. Her current favorites are Elmo and Abby, puppies, "nak" (snacks), and playing with "Elle and Bubba". She loves to read lots of different books. Reese will also be a runner. She never stays with us anymore and wants to run off. Reese has decided she doesn't like sitting in her high chair, and is very opinionated about a lot of things. She still has a close relationship with Mops, and she is a daddy's girl. She has a sweet, sometimes quiet, cautious spirit. She's still petite, and has almost all of her teeth for now. Reese still loves shoes and her hair is usually all over the place. We love her so much!

september:













october:



























november:

december:

january: