Why do so many people believe that when you decide to become a Christian that fun just goes out the window? Prior to being saved, Buck and I thought having fun always included "substances." But the truth of the matter is, we had no real joy or substance in our life. We were blessed last night with tickets to the Mercy Me/Audio Adrenaline Concert. WE HAD A BLAST!! It was the first real Chrisitan concert that I had ever attended--and let me tell you that there is something awesome about worshiping the Lord with 6,000 other believers! I know the Angels were rocking out in heaven! To top it all off, we went to the soundcheck and were able to have dinner with Mercy Me!! Buck and Bart (the lead singer of Mercy Me) were even sharing sob stories about how awful the Cowboys played Monday night!! Hahaha... Seriously though, it was so cool to sit and talk to those guys about each of our testimonies--they were really down to earth guys who love the Lord. Here are some pics we took with the the guys from Audio Adrenaline and Mercy Me. OK, So now I am hooked--I am looking to see when the next band comes into town!

We make it through the weekend! Elise had a blast at her party. Her Strawberry Shortcake pinata was bigger than Avery~ it was a hoot. They also went to a costume party (the same day as her party) and needless to say all three--well actually, all five of us crashed out hard when we got home! Thank goodness birthdays only come once a year--it was a lots of fun but Elise is already planning for next year!

This past weekend was Elise's 5th birday! Wow, she is growing so fast. She shares my mother's birthday--so we all went to dinner to celebrate the bithday girl's. Elise will have her birthday party this Saturday--pray that we live through the chaos of about 20 five year olds and Bob'O Fun Center... Anyhow, Buck and I just so blessed to have three great children. I think above all else my call is to raise these three beautiful gifts from God to come to know christ and then serve him with all their hearts~ If I can do that (through God) then I have accomplished much more and anything else... As parents we must pray for our children daily, because if we don't then who will? Psalms 127 ...Children are a reward from him (The Lord).

Well we have had a pretty busy week! Buck taught a Connections 101 class at the church on Wednesday night, then he spoke at the Men's Ministry Friday night. He asked if I would sing that evening and I agreed (although I was pretty nervous--I have never sang solo, much less acapella... But I did it!!) Finally, we dedicated Isaiah at church on Sunday morning. Buck's brother and parents were in town, and a bunch of my family members were there. Pastor Kurt did an amazing job tying in my Jewish heratige into the ceremony, in fact he anoited Isaiah with oil. My father and grandmother were pleased with the ceremony--both of whom are still Jewish. Seeing both sides of our family from such different backgrounds come together to witness Isaiah's dedication made me stop and praise God for his goodness and mercy... That Jew and Gentile could come together and worship him and glorify his name. "O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods . . . 0 come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker" (Psalms 95:1-3, 6).

We finally had our first small group bible study this weekend! After having to reschedule several times, we got together this past Sunday. It was worth the wait. We did a small study on The Five Love Languages and I really feel that we connected as a group. We look forward to spending more time together, strengthening our marriages--and oh yeah... The desserts were awesome--hope not to grow the midsection while we are at it!!

I just got back from a small group conference at Willow Creek Community Church. It was incredible! We learned a great deal about small groups and neighborhood community. The original church in Acts was, in large part, centered in people’s homes around a meal. So the focus was on building a community in your home where you could fellowship with each other and learn about Christ and our Father. We found some time to go to downtown Chicago for some authentic deep dish pizza…my mouth is watering again so I’d better stop! We truly enjoyed our time of fellowship, learning, and worship with the small group leaders of our church. Acts 2: 46-47 “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”