Craft Fair

This weekend I participated in my first craft fair. Jenny Mecher had a table at the sale and let me put out some wallets that I had been making. I only made $18, but it was fun to hang out with Jenny and visit with the people who stopped by!





Tonight is the first boy's home basketball game! It'll be fun to be a wykon fan again and to watch some of the youth group kids play.

Chuck

This week I lost someone very near and dear to me. Thursday evening I was having dinner with some people from church when I received a phone call saying that something had happened to Chuck (Executive Director of Covenant Point Bible Camp) and that it didn't sound good. I didn't want to believe it...and really still do not. I immediately went out to camp and spent the evening grieving with those of us in the area. I was able to take Friday off and just be at camp...a major blessing! I had been asked to share at the Thanksgiving Service at church on Sunday night. I almost backed out, but I am thankful that I decided to share.

What I'm Thankful For...

When I was first asked to share I thought, "oh this will be easy, of course I have something I'm thankful for that I can share." Then I quickly became overwhelmed with all of the ideas-do I really focus in on one thing or do I share the many things that I am thankful for in life? But in light of everything that has happened over the past few days it quickly became VERY clear to me what I needed to talk about.

I'm thankful for Chuck and the life that he lived. He was an excellent example of so many things: servant hood, humility, faithfulness, simplicity, joy, the list goes on and on...

But what I really want to share tonight is how thankful I am for the concrete image of the body of Christ that I have experienced the past few days. I always knew there was something special about the Covenant Point community. I've been drawn to it my entire life. Since Thursday I have constantly been reminded of that blessing. As we have gathered for hours on end just existing together I have seen and felt God's love surrounding us.

It's hard to put into words something so beautiful and something as simple as a love that is overcoming things...big and hard things.

It's togetherness. I've been craving just being with my camp family at this time and God has had a way of bringing the phone calls when I needed them the most. Even though we have had few words o share I'm thankful to be connected. The time that I felt God the most was on Thursday night, just before I left camp, I was able to sit on the phone with two dear friends and just cry. We had no words to share; we just needed to feel each others presence.

I'm thankful for the shared tears and laughter. I'm thankful for the hugs. I'm thankful for the "I love you's." I'm thankful for the meals together. I'm thankful for the beauty of Covenant Point. I'm thankful for my ever-present God. But right now I am most thankful for this family, this body of believers, that God has blessed my life with.


Chuck Fraiser 1951-2010 "Well done good and faithful servant"

Laurel's Dress

I successfully completed the dress that I made for Laurel Johnson!!! I found this fabric around the start of school and just bought it because I didn't want to pass it up. I finally landed on a project and I must say I'm completely thrilled with how it turned out. Laurel wore the dress to church on Sunday, but don't worry she had an accident before I could get a picture of her wearing it...maybe next time!

the big 2-5

This year for Halloween our church did Trunk or Treat. It was awesome. We had around 20 cars parked with their trunks in a circle and kids from the community came and went trick or treating at each car. There was also free chili and hot dogs inside for dinner. It was a major success and we ran out of candy several times-what an outreach to the community. It was fun to hang out all dressed up and I got to see several of my students all dressed up! Here are a few pictures:

As soon as Halloween is over my birthday celebration began...I had an awesome birthday week this year! One of my students also goes to church with me so she let out the secret that it was my birthday therefore about every 5 seconds one of the kids would wish me a happy birthday. I had birthday pizza with Linnea and Laurel and then went out with Colby, Anders, and Paul. Tuesday was my birthday party. Linnea went above and beyond to make me a Chipotle dinner...it was delicious and so fun to be with friends.

I also went home last weekend to celebrate with my family and then to also see friends from North Park. Amanda was in Chicago for the weekend and it was so fun to all be together again...it had been WAY too long! We spent the afternoon at the Botanic Gardens and then went to the NPU vs. Wheaton soccer game.


I have a long weekend this weekend and I'm looking forward to spending it in the UP. We have Monday off for opening day of hunting season and tomorrow is an in-service day for the teachers...so 4 days of freedom! I did not get scheduled for the daycare tomorrow which was making me a little nervous since I had taken the previous Friday off which means a large portion of my monthly income being lost. However, yesterday at church I was given an awesome gift which was just a reminder of all the ways God provides for us. It gives me comfort to know that He is going to take care of me financially...and in all other areas of life. What a God that I serve!

back in business

It took me awhile to get some pictures on my computer, but now I have lots to update with!

Here is an overdue picture from the Women's Retreat.

A couple weeks ago for youth group we did our annual apple cider making event at Phil and Pearl Carlson's (where I lived last year). This was my third year participating and I always look forward to it. The cider is delicious and its just a fun time to hang out with the kids.Some of the boys cutting the apples

Grinding the apples into the press
Pressing out the juice
Ready to enjoy!
And of course a picture of my favorite.


Last weekend I headed to Minnesota for Craig and Sarah's wedding. It was great to see my high school friends and my parents. I can't believe all of these crazy boys are married already!
Things are still going great at work. The children were extra crazy this week because of Halloween. Monday should be interesting after all of their trick or treating!

Go Vikes!

So this whole two pictures a week thing only works when I take pictures...and I've been slacking.

This past week was great, but also a little crazy.

I took last Friday off of work and headed down to North Park for homecoming weekend. It was so great to be back in the city and see so many people that I love. I got down in time to take in a soccer game...I was hoping to get to see my fabulous God brother, Andrew, play, instead I cheered loudly for him as he stood on the sidelines ;) Saturday was spent catching up with people at the homecoming block party. I always forget how tiring big social situations are for me...but it's always worth it. One of the best parts was being able to catch up with two of my youth group boys that have gone on to college. It's so great to hear about their lives...I miss them too much!

I started making a dress for Laurel (Kevin and Linnea's daughter). It's fun to get back into sewing a bit and it is going to be SO cute.

School is still going great. I actually had the opportunity to apply for some other jobs this past week...which would have meant more hours and more money...but I've decided to stay where I am because I love it so much. Today a four year old boy told me he was in love with me and then kissed my hand. What a charmer. I'm not sure what to do about it haha! The kids get more hilarious by the day and today was an early dismissal so I cannot complain! God is taking good care of me!

October is a big month and it is beautiful in the UP-pictures would not do it justice! I'm going to soak up the warm afternoons for as long as I can, because I know that snow and cold are just around the corner.

this past weekend i attended the covenant women retreat at cov. point. it was a beautiful fall weekend and fun to be a camper. i also enjoyed spending quality time with good friends and eating a lot of delicious food. i didn't take many pictures and the few i do have are not yet uploaded.

my week is off to a fun start. i'm still loving my job and loving the kids. they say and do some pretty funny things. my favorite quote "my nose is leaking"



http://www.npumin.com/podcast

shane claiborne has me speechless right now.

Apartment

Pictures from my new apartment!

Firsts

It's been a week of firsts: first home wykon football game of the season, first youth group event, first fall color sightings, and my first day at a new job.



I love football season, but of course I miss cheering on Tanner, Greg, and Davin this year. The weather was perfect and it was fun to enjoy the new fall weather!



For youth group we kicked off with an afternoon at camp. We played games, did low elements, and finished on the Track n Trail high ropes course. It's fun to get to know the new kids and to see new leaders developing!

Yesterday was my first day as an aide in the Pre-K classroom at Stambaugh El. (right here in Iron River). I am loving it so far. The kids are cute and funny and I'm loving working in Iron River. I don't have any pictures, but hey it's only been two days!

Picture Tuesdays

I was recently added to my cousin's weekly email update. Every Tuesday he sends out a brief email with two pictures of what his family has been up to that week. Each week I look forward to these pictures and updates, so I've decided to see if I can start up my own picture Tuesdays. This week I will leave you with two pictures from the end of my summer.
We took the youth group to six flags at the end of August to celebrate the end of summer. It was a great trip with 16 high school students and three leaders! I'm looking forward to another year involved in this ministry!
Yesterday, I went for a hike with the Covenant Point Interns! It's fun to have Paul and Evan here this year. We hiked to a waterfall in Florence, Wi