nascar maybe? September 26, 2008
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Today we are planning on taking around 50 preteens to Nascar Speedpark in Sevierville. CRAZY RIGHT? We are really excited about having fun with the kids on the track. But, it is looking like rain so we may have to cancel which would be a bummer. So, we will have to wait and see I guess.
Then we are staying the rest of the weekend in Pigeon Forge for a little time away and will hopefully get to hang out with some friends while we are there. YIPEE!!!
Hope you have a great weekend!!!
~Hello Fall!~ September 22, 2008
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FALL IS FINALLY HERE!!!
We are so excited! Jesse and I both love this season and can’t wait to see all the changes that it will bring!
We had a great weekend…with nothing really planned…It WAS GREAT! We did yardwork, sat on our front porch (something we never take time to do) took long naps and took a long walk around the neighborhood. The weather was so nice. It was a great weekend to enjoy the outdoors.
This Friday we we are headed to Nascar speedpark in Sevierville with around 60+ preteens. Mountain Dew will be in our future I am sure of it 
It should be alot of fun and will be our first outing with all our new 5th graders. We are quickly getting to know one another and wow…this class is a spunky one for sure.
Jess and I are planning to spend the rest of the weekend in Pigeon Forge for a little time away. Is it funny how a couple of days away can make a such a difference? We both are looking forward to the holidays this year and spending time with family. This year has been such a busy one for our family. When you are both in ministry, the weekends are usually not open to traveling and that has made it hard to spend alot of time with Jesse’s parents. The cool thing is that they understand what it’s like and you both cherish the time you do have that much more! Please continue to pray for Richard and Terry as they do have a serious potential buyer for their house in Canton. This would be a huge blessing/relief for them. God is doing such great things at their church in Dalton. It would be great if they could both move there really settle into the community. Yesterday Richard baptized 14 people and two new people made decisions. God is doing a great work and we are hearing awesome stories about it.
Thank you for your prayers as we continue to make tough decisions about fertility treatments. God is closing and opening doors and we rejoice to see His plan continue to unfold. So many of you have encouraged and blessed us during this time. We can’t tell you enough how much you mean to us. We are so blessed to have your support. For those of you looking for great resources to encourage others on this journey you need to go to www.sarahs-laughter.com. What a blessing this site has already been to me. There are real stories and testimonies…daily devotionals and I think they even have a support line if you need to just talk to someone or share a prayer request. Check it out.
Finally…I wanted to share a verse with you that seems to fit so well right now with all that is changing and happening around us. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” No matter who is elected president, if the stock market crashes, what color the leaves on the trees are…my Jesus will remain steadfast and unchanging. May that truth ground you today as you encounter this crazy, constantly changing world. We love you and Happy Harvest/Fall!
P.S. Fireproof comes out in theaters on Friday…this would be a great date night movie! From the makers of Facing the Giants… www.fireproofthemovie.com
Les
indoor trampoline karate August 20, 2008
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This is our latest ITK video for preteen elevate. ONE OF MY FAVS!!! I never knew Jess had moves like that!
here is the video…
New little followers August 11, 2008
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Yesterday we had around 40 new fifth graders in Preteen! As I sat there at the welcome desk I snapped a picture of each of them. Some were very excited, others quiet and many were just plain scared! But I got a smile out of almost all of them and I can’t wait to put them all on CD so I can start learning their names! Every year at this time Jesse and I are both sad and excited to say goodbye to our 6th graders and welcome our new 5th grade class.
In a birthday card yesterday a friend of mine referred to the preteens as the “little followers” and man that really stuck with me. They are small in size, but disciples none the less. I can’t get over the amazing chance to be a part of shaping their spiritual walk in this short little space of time that we have them in preteen ministry. These “little followers” are what God has called me and Jesse to pour our lives into. Though he hasn’t blessed us with biological children, we are certainly blessed to get this chance to love and cherish these precious little people. What a gift!
As I saw my old 6th grade class yesterday in the service and talked with them about how their new class went, I was reminded once again of how short the time we have them is. Many of them I really just started bonding with over the past few months. Now they are in Middle School and facing even greater challenges. I also ran into some girls from our very first preteen class who are now Freshman this year and I just can’t believe it! Some of them will be serving on Wed. nights with us! It has all came full circle. Now they want a chance to serve. We continue to pray that they will live out their faith and that they fall more and more in love with Jesus.
We also had a great time hanging out with our preteen leadership yesterday. We all went to my favorite place to eat, WASABI!!!! We feel so blessed to have such a great team and we all are really excited about this upcoming year. Danielle & TC Chambers will be starting this week as our new worship team leaders and we are praising the Lord for them. Seeing God bring them was a huge answer to our prayers. God has been so faithful.
a summer with preteens July 25, 2008
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Here are some pictures of a few of our summer events in the wacky world of preteen ministry! Also, I am happy to announce that ITK is filming a whole new set of videos that will premiere this fall. Can they get any crazier, cheesier??? We shall see!! Stay tuned!
Family Cookout & Swim Party at the Grauman’s!
Jesse in action
Guy’s Fellowship at ELEVATE
2008 VBX
SOH update July 2, 2008
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Tonight is our big practice for the preteen girl’s event. I can’t believe it is almost here!!! We are all very excited and praying that God will use this night in a big way to minister to these little ladies.
Pray that everything goes smoothly tonight and that our sound and media stuff all gets worked out. Our t-shirts have arrived and they look awesome!!! We also worked on some bookmarks for the girls to take with them. Can you say “pink please?” I love it.
In my preparation for my portion of the night I found so much on these issues from a book called “Sexy Girls” by Haley Dimarco. You can check out her stuff here: www.hungryplanet.net . Just to give you a little sample of the book, check out this quote:
“You are what you wear. We do judge a book by its cover. One of the major ways people figure out who you are and what you’re like is by how you dress. So don’t lie to yourself. You really are what you wear.” pg. 49
ITK t-shirt anyone? May 23, 2008
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I thought I would share a few of the photos that Brian took for plans for the ITK t-shirt. This has grown into something so much bigger than we really thought in the beginning. Jesse and these guys have had a blast and the kids have really enjoyed it to. I thought I would post one of my favorite in the series…Iced Tea King. ENJOY!
sisters of hadassah May 21, 2008
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Tonight at Elevate I get to unveil to our preteen girls our plans for a special night just for them! After the popular response to “The Official League of Practicing Gentleman” we have decided to do something similiar for the girls. We have a night of fashion, etiquette and wisdom all about beauty in the works. I am so excited about how things are coming together! I just got our logo today and wanted to show everyone.
The theme is called “Sisters of Hadassah.” Hadassah was Esther’s Hebrew name and we picked Esther because she was a woman of great integrity, beauty and influence. She posessed inner beauty as well as outer beauty and God used her in awesome ways in her time to fulfill His plans. Our verse comes from 1 Samuel 16:7b which reminds us that man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at our heart. We want preteen girls to know that being beautiful is more than just being physically attractive.
Please pray for us we continue to plan and prepare. Come and join us on Wednesday, July 9 in the Epicenter!
withrow worldwide at elevate May 8, 2008
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We got the awesome privilege of having our good friend, B.J. Withrow, come and speak to our preteen students last night for outreach night. Each month we try and have one service where we have a guest speaker, guest band and do a big giveaway. And don’t forget the food!
We had a great night and B.J. spoke some serious truth to us. Thank you B.J., Emily. Lily & Shauffer for sharing in an awesome night with us! Withrow Worldwide forever!
