New classrooms

This Sunday, our children and youth will have their Sunday School classes in the new Youth Center! I have posted pictures here for you to see the one of the new classrooms. Thank you to the Life Tabernacle Sunday School Department, Wichita Falls, for the great decorations and literature that you donated to New Life!  You may recognize some of your handiwork and it has really helped get things going in a great way.

The youth will have their class in another children's Sunday School classroom this week and should be able to move into their space next weekend - after I get the floor painted this week!  These classes will free up the nursery and foyer in our Sanctuary suite.  The guests who come late will not have to look into the eyes of all the young people when they walk in and the Sunday School teacher will not have to hurry and change the room around to make it a nursery!!  Progress.  It is a great thing!

My How Time FLIES!!

Today on my way home from work I was hit square in the face with a case of reality (we won't call it sadness - LOL).  We have 5 days of school left.  This year marks the end of 10th grade for Cameron and 7th grade for Chad.

Here's where the reality comes in - Cameron will be a JUNIOR next year and Chad will be in 8th grade!!  When I say it seems like yesterday that Cameron was going to Kindergarten at West Foundation it is not an overstatement.  Realistically we could have a child move out of our home in TWO years!!!  And both of them could be gone in FIVE!!  I use the word "could" because I am strongly encouraging them both to live at home while going to college - but we'll see.

Lest anyone take any of these comments wrong, let me set the record straight.  I have completely and thoroughly enjoyed every part of their lives.  My Mother taught me well to enjoy each phase of life that comes your way.  

Our boys have been a joy - even through sleepless nights, sick times, teenage attitudes - all of it.  They have been an example to many on how to follow the will of God with your parents - even when it didn't seem like the "fun" thing to do.  They have both made the best out of situations when I might would have seen it otherwise.  They have been such a blessing to me and to our church through their musical abilities.

Sometimes I catch myself thinking of the regrets - we didn't do this or that while they were young, I wish we could have done...  But I have to remind myself that we have made MANY memories as a family - Branson, Disneyworld (Florida), Disneyland (California), San Diego Zoo, San Antonio, SeaDoo's, countless Youth Camps & Camp Meetings - the list could go on and on.  

If Cameron and Chad didn't have any of these memories, one thing I KNOW they can hold on to is the memory of laughter.  Not a day goes by that we don't break out in a fit of laughter.  This generally happens at the dinner table, but sometimes it's in church, driving down the street or just sitting around the house and something funny will come up.  The boys and I enjoy debating sports and Gene enjoys interjecting totally off-the-wall statements during these debates.  These comments often bring laughter.  Gene also enjoys making crazy faces while we are eating.  These faces always bring on the laughter.  These are times that can never be taken away from us as a family.  Chad can make all of us laugh at his crazy antics and can make Cameron laugh more than anyone.  This is another lasting memory.

I don't exactly know why my mind drifted to these thoughts today - maybe I'm getting old.  LOL!!  I just know that we have to enjoy every minute.  Take time to enjoy your life and your family today - especially if you have little ones - because tomorrow they will be walking across the stage in a cap & gown.  

What are they saying?

I always enjoy reading the marquees on church signs.  I came across a few examples.  They can be a source of inspiration for those who pass by daily with sayings like this (although they need to get the lights fixed!)...

Or they could tell about what to expect when you attend there...

They can also say something in the wrong way  :-)  ...

Road Trip...

to church!

It always seems that Chad falls asleep in the car within minutes.  We had only been in the car for about 5 minutes on our way to church tonight in this picture and he was already out!  There were many times when he was a baby that we would just put him in his car seat and take a drive to get him to go to sleep.  His driving days are not too far away, so it makes me wonder if he will be able to stay awake if the trip takes more than 3 or 4 minutes?!  If you were able to take a trip this holiday weekend... stay awake and have a great Memorial Day!

This way to New Life...

Each Saturday we put out signs around our church to direct people to our location. Today, as I inserted them into the ground, I began to think about those who will see them and not even consider attending. If they only knew what kind of new life they would really find! I believe that there are many who would love to change, but have been so turned off by religion that they do not even consider that God could be the real answer for them.

If people really knew what God had for them, they would be filling our churches to overflowing tomorrow! Some of them would not even want to wait until the scheduled service time! How do we reach them with this good news? One hungry soul at a time. Unless they are hungry, they will not even consider it.

We must always have the "new life signs" out in our lives - just in case. The searching soul will then have direction to get to Jesus at the time of their need. You never know when someone is looking and just maybe they WILL consider it...

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

For some reason some people have found it totally amusing that I have a job (Bro. Kenny)!  LOL!  I have been working for Keller Williams Realty a little over a year now in the accounting department.

Recently we had a staff lunch, and I snapped a few pictures, so I just thought I'd share these with you.  Now no one will have to wonder if these people are real.  I have pictures to prove it.

BELOW: Linda T. (my superviser), Wayne (Gene's "coach"), 

Michelle & Alice (asst. Team Leaders)

BELOW: Linda B. (Team Leader - aka "the-big-boss"), 

Laura (agent services), Wendy (office manager)

BELOW: Kyle (technical guru), Kristie (receptionist)

Sad

Some terrible news...

Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday evening after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.

Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver’s name.

The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.

His popular song, Cinderella, was written about his two youngest daughters.

High School Letter Jacket

Cameron came home today with his letter jacket. The school actually purchased it for him because of his academic achievements!  We had to add a little bit to it to get his name on the back, but it looks really cool!  Class of 2010 - Yikes! - it is coming too fast!!!!  A few years ago, that sounded like a science fiction year and seemed too far into the future to ever get here.  We are proud of his accomplishments and his commitment to God.  Congratulations Cameron!

Here's an important one...

I have gone several times to the Apple Store to get a cover for my iPhone, but I would always leave without one! They were so expensive, ugly and BULKY! Why would I want a slimline phone that fits in a pocket and feels good in the hand and then go get a cover that makes it twice the size and weight?! I really needed something to protect the edges of my phone, though.

A friend at Keller Williams came across one that I finally said, "YES! This is what I am looking for." It is from Cozip. You can purchase it through Amazon.com for $12.99! They come in 6 colors: White, Silver, Pink, Red, Black and Blue. It doesn't cover the front of the phone, but it does provide a padding for the sides and back. I picked Silver because you really can't tell there is a cover on it and my wife chose Pink because she likes excitement! LOL! You can see them here.  It doesn't fit into the desktop docking station with the cover on, but you can plug the cord directly into the phone for syncing or charging without taking the cover off.

I know this is not so important, but maybe someone has been looking for the same thing as me!

P.S. We had a wonderful weekend!  Today is back to the grindstone.  The boys to school, me to finishing the Youth Center and my wife has jury duty in downtown Austin.  (You'll probably be hearing about that one.)  Go ahead and enjoy the good life today!

Lift Me Up...

...Above the Shadows.

A shadow is a region of darkness where light is blocked by an object. 

There are many things in life that can get between us and the Light - Jesus Christ.  In prayer tonight this old song came to mind and I remembered the picture above that I took several weeks ago outside our church.  Maybe this will help someone:

Lift me up above the shadows,

Plant my feet on higher ground,

Lift me up above the clouds, Lord,

Where the pure sunshine is found;

Lift me up above my weakness,

Lift me up into Thy strength,

Lift me up above the shadows,

Till I stand with Thee at length.

Chorus:

Lift me up above the shadows,

Lift me up and let me stand

On the mountaintops of glory,

Let me dwell in Beulah land.

Lift me up above the shadows,

For the storms are raging high,

Lift me up, my blessed Savior,

Let me to Thy bosom fly;

There no evil thing can touch me,

Over on the shining side,

Lift me up above the shadows,

Let me evermore abide.

I feel that way too often, we let things in our life block our view of God and His light.  It could be another person, a career, happenings, sickness, financial need - and the list could go on and on.  I prefer to live in the Light!  That is where true joy is found.  The shadows of life are caused by nothing but an obstruction that has come between me and God.  If I find myself living in those shadows, I have allowed things that are not of God to rule my life!  We choose where we live - sunshine or shadows.  Why not choose the beautiful sunshine of God's presence?  Then, no matter what happens in life, no matter what comes along, I can have joy!  

Come on y'all - let's get in the sunshine!!!