Hello everyone! Today after church we presented information on our mission trip. I wish everyone could have came to see it. We just absolutely had a fantastic trip. Click the picture link to view a summery slideshow of our time in Patillas Puerto Rico. And again for our friends that sent in money to help support us, THANK YOU! Friends and Family like you are what inspires us to SMILE! PICTURE LINK

We arrived home exhausted but also Blessed

We touched down Sunday night exhausted, but feeling O so blessed to have spent a week in Patillas. We all have so a deep love and respect for the Westerband family. They were fantastic host. They work tirelessly with the people of Patillas. Spreading God's word to the people there, that don't have a saving Knowledge of Christ' love. What Generous, kind loving people.

Well my eyelids are going closed so I will share more pictures later.
And that is what inspires me to SMILE!

We are packed and ready!

We are packed and ready to head to bed for a Good nights sleep before we leave for Puerto Rico. We have been praying and looking forward to this Mission Trip since we first found out we were going to have this opportunity. Thanks again to ALL our friends and family who gave to generously so we could be part of this Trip! We ask you to pray for us each day we are gone and that God will open doors for us to show HIS LOVE to the Children who attend the VBS program in Patillas PR.
And that is why I am inspired to smile!

I.P.O.D.S Serve evening meal at WSRM

Today my small Group Girls the I.P.O.D.S (Incredible Power over Darkness) went to serve the evening meal at Water Street Resscue Mission.

What a blessing it was to serve the Lord by serving others. I really enjoyed the contact we made with the men and women we served. Everyone was very appreciative and some even asked what church we were from and thanked us for coming.

And that is what Inspired me to SMile!

Special people

Sometimes God brings special people into our lives. These girls are a good example.

They worked hard all school year and met all the criteria for the Jr. National Honor Society. I am so proud of both of them. I was glad to be there to see them receive their honor certificates.

YOUTHQUAKE

Dennis and I have the great privilege of working with the teens at Colerain Baptist. I might have mentioned before that the youth group's name is YouthQuake. These are 7-12 grade teens from the southern end of the county. I love these students, and just think each and everyone are awesome teens. Check out this picture from our teen room at church, and see why I am inspired to smile,I know you will be inspired to smile too!

Cinco de Mayo

YouthQuake leaders had the first ever Cinco de Mayo party for the parents of the teens that attend YouthQuake. It was a fun evening with a Mexican theme. We had Taco's, rice, salsa & chips, toppings, corn bread and homemade Mexican Cookies! Who says parents don't like to play games! We played Cinco de Mayo BINGO and Mexican Hat Musical chairs. We even had a Sponge Bob Pinata. We closed the evening by telling the parents how much we love working with the teens, How burdened we are to see them continue to grow in their faith and not let the world snatch them away, and to share our vision for the teen ministry for the coming months. It was encouraging to hear some positive feedback from the parents too.

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Over all it was a great evening. And that is why I am inspired to smile!

IMPACT Youth Retreat

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Friday Dennis and I left on a bus headed to Harrisburg with 28 others from our church for a IMPACT retreat in Harrisburg PA. There were 6 leaders and 24 Teens. This is the third year that Dennis and I have went along on this trip. It is something we as a youth group look forward to every year.
The speaker was Awesome. His name is Bob Lentz. He had a great message at all four of the main sessions. Some of his main points were as follows: We can not get to Heaven by 1) GE being Good Enough, 2)RR religious road or by 3)KIA Know it all (thinking we know it all about the BIBLE) we can only get to Heaven by: BGTF By Grace Through Faith
He really challenged the teens that they can make a difference. If they are CCC Compassionate,Courageous & Committed.
This was the second year for the Aaron Pelsue Band. You can listen to them on the slide show.
Saturday afternoon some of us took a walk across the Susquehanna River on the footbridge. There was a lot of ice floating down the river. It was nice weather and a lot of people were out walking. We went to City Island and then headed back to the retreat.
Some of our group dressed up on Saturday evening and went door to door at our hotel (the Hilton) Trick or Treating. There were several teams and a competition going on to see who could get the most food given to them. It was interesting to see what they brought back, even a piece of pizza!
Well it was a long and blessed weekend and I am heading to bed now. I can't wait to blog tomorrow and tell you what happened at home while we were away!
And that is what inspires me to SMILE!

2nd Annual Family Fun Night

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Tonight our Youth Group hosted it's 2nd annual family fun night. This is a Varity show that the teens in our youth group put on to help raise funds to go to the IMPACT retreat. We did our version of Deal or no Deal, filled with funny commercials and then we did Kirkwood Idol tryouts. It was a very funny night filled with lots of laughter and fun. Thanks to all who did such a great job especially our youth director and her husband for writing and directing the skits.

Youthquake

Tonight like every Wednesday night, we helped with YouthQuake. That is the name of our youth Group at our church. We have over 20 students in 7th - 12th grade in the group. These are all great kids, many of which I had when they were in 3rd grade in my Sunday School class. It is nice to see them grow up, yet I feel there is so much more they need to learn and soak up before they leave high school.

Tonight we talked about Forgiveness. In Ephesians 4:32 the Bible instructs us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. The illustration of the Amish schoolhouse shooting was discussed. This happened a few months ago about 8 miles from our church. The Amish forgave the shooter and his family and in fact reached out to helped the wife and children of the man who did this horrible act. The question is Would any of us be able to do the same. When we don't forgive it creates bitterness, and anger. Those stand between us and God when we hang on to them. Take time this Christmas season to forgive someone if you have been holding on to a wrong someone did against you or a loved one.

Last Saturday I took five of the girls from our small group to see "Oliver!" at the theatre in Lancaster. We all enjoyed it so much and the songs have been stuck in my head ever since. I love musicals.


And that is what inspires me to smile!