Surprise Terrific Tuesday. Ha.

What a day... I woke up at 5am to rumbling, rolling thunder and lightning. Blah. Great morning to stay in bed, but I needed to get going! Grace was heading out on a youth trip and we needed to drop her off at 6am. So according to my plan, I dragged myself, Ruth and George out of bed, and we joined Grace (the Stevens' family morning-person) in getting up and getting ready! Off we went to the church, and although we were a few minutes late, we sent the youth off with Janie and Beth! I was planning on going to Jacks for breakfast with the little ones, and then going back to the church, but Nancy invited us to her house, so I enjoyed drinking (YUM) coffee, and talking with her and fielding questions from all the mamas who had signed their kiddos up for Terrific Tuesday. "Yep. We're still going. I think the weather may blow on through." It rained harder, and there was more lightning and thunder...
When I arrived at the church, some of the kids were already there, and everyone arrived on time. Two of our kids prayed for us before we pulled out, and off we went. Half way to Montgomery, (still raining and lightning) Justin called me from Camp Chandler (our mystery destination) and suggested we reschedule...okay...so we decided we'd run by Lifeway to kill a little time and pick up some CDs, then just go bowling, then have lunch at Chick-fil-A, and go have dessert at Nancy's Italian Ice- all in Montgomery. Seemed like a back-up plan, right?

ha.

Back in March or April, when I planned all the summer events, God knew exactly what we were supposed to be doing today. He sent the rain. He had a plan for us all along. The kids ALL had great attitudes about the change of plans. There was just a sweet spirit among the group today. I randomly picked up a few packs of stickers for Children's Church at Lifeway while we spent 30 minutes or so looking around, listening to music, and watching Veggie Tales until the bowling alley opened.

randomly picked up stickers. ha again.

We arrived at the bowling alley a few minutes before it opened, so I talked to the kids about the rainy day being like a hard time in life. We talked about how we can still have joy even when we're sad or disappointed, because our joy isn't based on our circumstances, but in Christ. Then I gave them each a sunshine sticker that said "Let Love Shine" on it, and told them we were making our own sunshine today.

We went into the bowling alley, got shoes, and started bowling. The folks working there were happy to play our CDs that we'd picked up at Lifeway. There were lots of strikes and spares and smiles and cheers for each other.

 We had a great time! We had three lanes. When the boys and I were finished, because ya know, they're dudes. They get down to business. We bowled fast! The girls were enjoying celebrating every moment, socializing with each other, playing tag around a column, ya know, being girls. I love it. :) Anyway- the boys were waiting on the girls to finish, so I asked them if they wanted to go give a few people a sticker, and tell them Jesus loved them. They were a little hesitant at first, but I guess it was a better idea than sitting at a table waiting on girls to finish their games, so... off they went. George (almost 6), Andrew (8), Wiley (5) and Allen Michael (7). Four stair-step boys, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd graders. Walking around a great big bowling alley, telling people "Jesus loves you! want a sticker?" Yeah. They did it. It was so sweet, watching people's faces as they listened to these guys. It was even sweeter watching them go from hesitant to literally sprinting toward people, eager to tell them the good news, and share a sticker!

When we felt like we'd sufficiently spread stickers and Jesus throughout the bowling alley, we headed back toward the girls, where I found Sarah Gresham helping an older lady pick up her walker. I guess it had fallen or slipped/tipped over. Another sweet moment!

The girls thought it was awesome that they boys had talked to so many people, so a few of them passed out some more stickers. When we got to Chick-fil-A, McCann, Bailey and Margaret (all three going into 2nd grade) passed out 120 stickers- smiling and saying Jesus loves you! - just the three of them!

While I thought I had planned a surprise trip for the kids, God had a surprise trip planned for me, for all of us! I don't know how the people who were touched by our kids today were affected, but I know at least 250 people heard "Jesus loves you!" from children today, and we didn't do one thing to plan on that happening. God never ceases to amaze me! I just had to share with y'all how precious this group of children is, and what a wonderful day we were a part of today!!! I'll leave you with this, from Psalm 77:11-20...

I shall remember the deeds of the Lord;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
¹² I will meditate on all Your work
And muse on Your deeds.
¹³ Your way, O God, is holy;
What god is great like our God?
¹⁴ You are the God who works wonders;
You have made known Your strength among the peoples.
¹⁵ You have by Your power redeemed Your people,
The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

¹⁶ The waters saw You, O God;
The waters saw You, they were in anguish;
The deeps also trembled.
¹⁷ The clouds poured out water;
The skies gave forth a sound;
Your arrows ^[k]flashed here and there.
¹⁸ The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind;
The lightnings lit up the world;
The earth trembled and shook.
¹⁹ Your way was in the sea
And Your paths in the mighty waters,
And Your footprints may not be known.
²⁰ You led Your people like a flock
By the hand of Moses and Aaron.

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1. Have you memorized it? I know this verse well, but I don't always remember it when I'm stressing over whatever issue is plaguing me at the moment... Tonight, the kids who come to W.o.W. are going to hear the story of King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, and his impossible command to his wise men: Tell me what I dreamed, and then tell me what the dreams mean. Nobody could answer that, even if their lives depended on it! Turns out, their lives did depend on their answer, and a lot of "wise men" lost their lives because of the king's indignant response to their inability to answer him! Now that I think about it, "wise men" is an oxymoron Dr. Light can add to his list! If I asked you to tell me what I dreamed last night, you'd look at me like I was bonkers...
However, Daniel didn't balk at the command, or whine that it was impossible; he just asked for some time. Put yourself in his spot- you've asked for time before you have to answer an impossible question. What would you do? Run away? Cry? Hide under your bed? I can imagine doing all of those things. But Daniel gathered his friends together, and they prayed earnestly, requesting "compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon." (Dan 2:18)
God revealed the mystery to Daniel, in a "night vision," and Daniel responded by praising God! Sometimes when we pray, we don't even realize God answered our prayers. How often do we accept credit for answered prayers, or just ignore the fact that we even prayed about the situation at all? Do we stop to thank God for answering our prayers? Check out Daniel's praise in Daniel 2:20-23:

Then Daniel praised the God of heaven ²⁰ and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; 
    wisdom and power are his.
²¹ He changes times and seasons; 
    he deposes kings and raises up others. 
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning. 
²² He reveals deep and hidden things; 
    he knows what lies in darkness, 
    and light dwells with him.
²³ I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: 
    You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king. ”

Daniel goes to see the king, and tells him that there is no man on earth who could tell him his dream and then interpret it, but "there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries," and Daniel tells the king what he dreamed and then interprets it. Daniel knew he should seek God before he attempted to do the impossible. Daniel gave credit to God before he answered the king. Then Daniel was given gifts and promoted to "ruler over the whole province of Babylon." Daniel remembered his friends who had been through so much alongside him, including praying with him about this pressing matter, and requested that the king promote them as well, and the king did.

We have to remember that when we face something tough, our hiding place isn't under our beds, but in our relationship with God! He is always, always, always there ready to help us when we face troubles of any kind. When (NOT IF) he answers, we need to remember to thank Him, and give God the glory!

Pray for me tonight as I attempt to share a pretty long chapter of Scripture that is pretty complex, with our kids, preschool - 6th grade. I love the simple structure of summer Wednesday nights, and the community that develops between kids of different ages in the church. It's not always easy to span the wide age range, but I am confident in the truth of Isaiah 55:11, reminding us that God's Word "will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." Whatever purpose God has for Daniel 2 tonight, I know the living word of God will accomplish it! It's a relief to know I don't have to worry about that. :) Grateful for my BIG GOD.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/06/fresh-green-beans-one-way/

Yum. Great, simple way to cook fresh green beans! (a nice deviation from the standard boiling or bundling)

We're having baked marinated chicken (lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, grated lemon rind, fresh rosemary) for supper, with corn on the cob and green beans! I love summertime and all the fresh veggies that Chris works so hard to provide for our family.

Happy 4th of July to you and yours; hope you're enjoying your family as much as we are tonight!