Cars

As I mentioned yesterday, the Aztek wouldn't start.  It still won't start.  This is not okay, since it is our family car--the only one we will all fit in at once.  We can't really try to go without it for very long.  

So, today our Aztek was towed out of our garage and all the way into Bloomington.  (21 miles according to Google Maps.)  We are grateful for good auto insurance through State Farm, and our agent Maggi Pratt...we know at least part of the towing costs will be covered.

It was an unfortunate thing that the car was in the garage, with not much clearance overhead and on one side...a special kind of jack had to be used.  (In fact, Jeremy took off work because the towing service told us it would take 2 strong men to do it, and we saved $50 by Jeremy volunteering to be the second guy.  The towing guy arrived early and ended up not needing Jeremy, as the car moved more easily than he expected though, thankfully.)

I'll admit, it doesn't feel good to see your car going down the road behind a tow truck!

Another benefit from State Farm (Now that I think about it, I'm not sure if this is an employee benefit or a benefit of being insured by them?) is that we get a great discount on car rental!  So, Jeremy rented a car for the next 4 days so we can get around over the holiday weekend.  However, we had to pick it up after the kids were home from school...That meant all 5 of us cramming into the "Sweet ZX2"--a feat we had never before attempted! 

 Jeremy and Annah were in front...

...and the rest of us were quite "cozy" in the back!

We are blessed that both of our cars are paid for, so we have no loan or regular car payment on them.  Jeremy bought his car new in the spring of 1998, right after he graduated and started working for State Farm.  It now has over 200,000 miles, no air conditioning, no cruise control, no functioning parking brake, and is loud!  But, we are glad it's still running, and pray it will last another year.  

The Aztek we bought new in 2002 when we were pregnant with Sylvia, and it is at about 185,000 miles itself.  It has been a great car, with several costly repairs, but we need it to last a lot longer!

So, as we drive our rented Chevy Malibu around this weekend, we will consider the potential it has (or doesn't have) for the next Lopshire family car.  And, we will continue to pray the fix for the Aztek doesn't cost us an arm and a leg that we don't have.

I will be still.

So I have a quiet morning and an entire day to be still today...not exactly how I planned this day would be, but I sense God telling me that's how it needs to be.  So, I will be still and know that He is God and spend extra time studying His word and being in prayer today.  I'm grateful for the opportunity.

Wednesdays are my day to be at the church, meeting with Pastor Todd, preparing for staff meeting, making lists of things that need communicated and completed, etcetera.  Yesterday morning, my car wouldn't start.  The key wouldn't even turn.  It's been doing this thing for, I don't know, at least 6 months or so, where the key won't turn...But after a few minutes of trying it usually seems to unlock and the key turns and the car starts just fine.  Yesterday, I tried for an hour, yanking the steering wheel hard to one side or the other, banging on the gear shift, depressing the brake...all the things I could think to try...but no go.  Pastor Todd came all the way out to our house to pick me up AND brought me back home in the afternoon so I could be here when the kids got off the bus.

I figured the car would probably start just fine when Jeremy got home in the evening and tried it, but it didn't.  Boo.  I don't even know what our plan is...Jeremy was a bit too upset to discuss it much last night.  So, today, I'm not going anywhere.

I was planning to go to the school to play for choir rehearsals today.  I was planning to go grocery shopping, since I haven't in weeks.  I was planning to take the kids to violin lessons, since they have important auditions coming up in less than two weeks.  I was planning, planning, planning to get lots of things done today.  But instead, I'm thankful to have a day at home in the quiet.

Instead, I'm doing laundry...grateful to have our new washer and dryer.  Instead, I will spend some time reading a book--something I haven't done in months.  (I'm reading IdolEyes, by Mandisa, and really enjoying her "new perspective on faith, fat and fame.")  Instead, I will spend time at the piano practicing songs for our Sunday service.  Instead, I will spend time getting caught up on putting photos and stories from this past summer in my Project Life, which is always a great exercise in counting my blessings.  Instead, I will have time to finish the weekly Thursday email to our launch team, which is very full of events and instructions coming up this weekend.  Instead of running around trying to get "everything" done, today I will be still and walk quietly through the day with my Lord.  I'm excited!

Best Ribs in the World

Our friend Dustin and his girlfriend JL moved to Bloomington about a year and a half ago, and we had the privilege of an afternoon meal in their beautiful home today.

The kids were fascinated with "the girls," Callie and Madison, who loved the attention.  Caeden liked seeing them do tricks and eat treat after treat.

Dustin cooked THE MOST AMAZING ribs I've ever had!!!!  Caeden dubbed them the "best in the world!"  He said he had them in the smoker for 6 hours, then slathered them with some BBQ sauce and grilled them for a while.  Oh my goodness...mouthwatering!!!  

There was a little pirating going on...

And, we loved getting to spend some time with our friend Jennifer.  We've known her since our Ohio days, and she is in town for work at SF quite a bit these days.

It stopped raining, and we enjoyed a bit of time on the porch Dustin's rebuilt.

The doggies continued to love the attention too! 

What a lovely, relaxing afternoon with friends we rarely get to see.  Blessed!

Coming Along

I finally made the time this morning to take a few photos of how the design is coming along at church.  

(It was dark and raining this morning, so not a lot of pretty natural light.  I'll take more photos later, as we continue to progress on the designs.)

This is the view when you walk in the foyer at our main entrance.

Looking to the left in the foyer.  

(If you go down that hall way you see towards the right in the photo, you come to the sanctuary.)

Looking to the right as you come into the foyer...

Next Saturday we will have a Community Prayer Canvassing event, where we will pray around the entire community (about a 1-mile radius around PoC) and hang about 2500 of these on front door knobs.

View from the back of the sanctuary, looking at the stage, as Celia leads our pre-service prayer time.

The hospitality table at the back of the sanctuary.

Pastor Jessica preached about the Shield of Faith this morning.

Our current sermon series, about the Armor of God...

The Kids of PoC are excited about the new towers that will be outside the classrooms in their hallway!

Our Director of Children's Ministries, Lisa, and her sister Shelia at the children's check-in station...

Our nursery director, Jana, her husband (Pastor of Servant Evangelism) Brian, and baby MacKenzie, who was the only baby in the nursery this morning.

 another view of the nursery

Toddler/Pre-K classroom

Toddler/Pre-K classroom

Elementary Children's Worship

The kids were acting out the story of Abraham and Isaac.  (Caeden was chosen to be Abraham.)

(Sylvia, a little unsure about playing the part of Isaac. ;)

After the service, I watch the children of workers who tear-down the sanctuary and foyer.  Chill time for these kiddos, and maybe a little snack.

Truthfully, July and August have been full of working hard on the design of the building, and we are down in attendance about 10-15 on average these past several weeks.  It can be a tiny bit discouraging to look among the congregation on Sunday morning, and see only 20 people.  However, we trust God will continue to use us to bring people to Himself.  We know there are many who need Him, and we remain burdened and committed to helping them find Jesus.

We were reminded this morning of the story of Gideon in Judges 7, when God pressed him to decrease the number of men in his army in order to bring glory to God when the battle was won.  God draws all people to Himself.  It will not be our work that brings people to the Lord; God will do it.  And we trust Him!

Friday Night Lights

Tonight was the first home game of the football season, so we were there rooting for our Mustangs.  They played very well, and won!  It was fun to see them play well, to watch the band do a great job (Their marching show this year is Music of the Jackson 5!), to have high school cheerleaders leading the crowd, and to spend a fun evening with our school community.  

Baby Matthew

Today was a difficult but beautiful day.
Our sweet little friend, known his whole life as "Baby Matthew" passed away on Monday, and today we celebrated and remembered his life at his funeral.  (Matthew's very young (early 20's) parents are part of our PoC family.)  He was born with Down Syndrome, a wonderful blessing that gave him the sweetest disposition and outlook on life.  Early in his life he had heart surgery to correct a serious defect.  And, about a year and a half ago, he was diagnosed with leukemia.  Matthew fought it so beautifully, with a smile constantly on his face even during the worst pain.  But his earthly life, which touched so many people in a beautiful way, was only 2 1/2 years.

The service was very sweet.  One of Matthew's favorite friends in life was Elmo.  So, the service started with this sweet video:

During the service, Pastor Brian read verses that have comforted the family through Matthew's illness, including Jeremiah 29:11--
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
 And, now, knowing that Matthew is literally in the presence of the Lord...
"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." - Psalm 16:11

Pastor Todd shared a little about Matthew's similarities to Elmo--both having a constantly joyful personality.  And, he encouraged everyone in attendance that the way to be with Matthew again is to get as close to Jesus as possible.

Matthew's great grandparents in Idaho were able to connect through Skype to watch the service, and his great grandfather led a prayer over the connection.

At the graveside service, a children's version of the 23rd Psalm was read, as well as a beautiful children's book called Tell Me About Heaven.  We learned that in the particularly hard and painful times when Matthew struggled, his mommy, Jessica, told him that everything would be okay, and that God was getting him ready to go to the happiest, most wonderful place ever.  At the end of the interment, a beautiful poem was read, and several beautiful live butterflies were released into the sunshiny day--Matthew's little butterfly friends, spreading their wings and flying together.

Practicing

Annah and Sylvia are preparing to audition for placement in the ISU String Project for the semester.  We'd like to try having them participate year-round, if it fits into our schedule.  Just depends on the groups they are placed in (and which night they rehearse) based on their auditions.  

I caught a little bit of Annah's practice time this afternoon.  After this, we checked her tempo and she practiced (much more slowly) with the metronome. ;)

In Our Yard

While waiting for the bus this morning, Sylvia turned and saw this amazing sight on our front porch, and exclaimed, "Whoa!"  We didn't see the "Charlotte" who created it though...

I don't know if the yellow and falling leaves in our yard this week are an early sign of Fall, or another sign of the drought...  (I want to hope for Fall, myself. ;)

We have our PoC sign in our front yard!

And, today is trash collection day.  We have a new service for garbage and recycling in our village, which includes the big carts that the trucks can pick up without a person having to get out and touch them.

More Moving

When I was a kid, I never had a friend move away--at least not a super close friend, that I can remember.  My kids have had so many friends move away!  I feel unprepared to help them with this, but we are learning as we go.

Our friends, The "G" Family, are moving about 40+ minutes away.  Now, clearly, that's not horribly far, but it means a different school district.  It means I lose two of my precious students.  It means Caeden's best Super Mario Galaxy buddy will not be close at hand.  It means Sylvia's closest school friend won't be at her school.  

*siiiiiighhhhhhh*

Eliza and Koty came for their lessons tonight, and towards the beginning told me it would be their last.  I sat through Eliza's lesson trying not to cry, and then when her mom came between the girls' lessons I told her that and did start crying!  I felt awful.  

Their move will make things better for their family in many ways, and I'm so happy for them.  I've just become rather attached, and am so sad I won't get to be a part of enjoying their lives every week.  I have SO loved teaching the girls, and seeing the relationships my kids and these kids have had.  We will miss them dearly.  Fortunately, they have grandparents down the street from us, so we know they'll be around sometimes!

Friends in Missions Around the World

We are excited to have many friends who are currently preparing to serve as missionaries in various corners of the world!  Would you please join us in praying for them and their ministries?

Staci is part of our PoC family.  She is an amazing Christian prayer warrior and brilliantly shining light for Jesus! She currently works as a nurse, and in about a zillion areas of our church plant launch team.  Every conversation with her is a blessing to my heart!  She first heard God calling her to missions well over a decade ago, and has been obedient to trust the Lord for specific steps in her life since.  She has recently accepted a call to Papua New Guinea for at least a year.  We will miss her being an active part of our church family, but know she will bless many, many lives in Papua New Guinea!

(I was privileged to take these photos of her for her website.)

Amy is a sweet young lady who recently graduated from Olivet Nazarene University her degree in Social Work.  (A year early...Who does that?! )  She is leaving very soon to be part of the World Race, where she will live and minister in 11 countries over 11 months, carrying all her needs (including shelter) in a backpack on her back!  We know she will be grown by the Lord as she travels and ministers around the world, and pray for her as we follow her updates on The World Race.

(This amazing photo is part of a fantastic photo shoot by my friend Lori at Urban Willow Photography.)

Our friends, the Moore family, are heading off to Malawi, Africa very soon.  They will be teaching in a Nazarene university program there, helping bring higher education to people who rarely have that opportunity.  We follow them at their blog, Moore's in Malawi, and pray for them frequently. 

(This photo is also by Urban Willow Photography.)

Pray with us, for these friends and all the lives they will touch for Jesus, won't you?

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." 

- Mathew 28:19

Aunt Wanda's Book

My wonderful Aunt Wanda has written and published a darling children's book!  

It is now for sale at Amazon.com!

It really is a sweet story, and the pictures are so nicely done!  

The Red Oak

Ahhh, I LOVE having my husband off work this week!  

This morning, Jeremy worked on getting the new washer and dryer hooked up.  

I spent a little time sewing (I know, so unlike me!) on the stage skirting for church.  I'm almost done.  I like sewing, but I am definitely not good at it (because I so rarely do it).  So, if I get this completed, I will be very glad if it looks nice!

Jeremy needed a couple plumbing elbows to get the washer competely hooked up, so we headed over to ACE Hardware in LeRoy.  The sky was looking quite ominous!

Fortunately, ACE didn't have what he needed, so we had to go into Bloomington--and right at lunchtime.  Jeremy took me to a tiny little restaurant downtown that he'd been to for a coworker's going-away a few weeks ago--The Red Oak.  I was immediately in love with this place.

Ah, man!  He does this every time I point a camera at him!!!!

Haha, isn't he funny?!

The Red Oak serves "old fashioned comfort food."  

I had a frikadeller!  I would have loved anything on the menu, but frikadeller is just fun to say!  And it's very unique!  

Here's the menu description: 

A Frikadeller is a Hot SMÖRGÅS Sandwich of Scandinavian meatloaf topped with  dill sauce, mayo-mustard, pickled beets and cucumber.  I liked it!

We also had to have pie, according to Jeremy.  I order the sour cream apple, which was served warm and was very yummy.  Jeremy had the quad berry, which was absolutely amazing.  

It is the cutest little place...

It started raining as we arrived, and by the time we left it was a heavy downpour with lightning.  We stood outside and enjoyed watching the rain and admired the art and architecture of this section of downtown Bloomington before we finally made a break for the car. 

We stopped at Lowe's on the way out of town and Jeremy picked up the supplies he needed.  Then we went home and took naps until the kids came home...Rainy days are perfect for that, and we haven't had one in a long while!

Back to School 2012-2013

Here goes!!  2nd, 4th, and 6th grade!!

Our wonderful bus driver, Vickie, shouted out her window to us, "SHE'S IN JUNIOR HIGH NOW!?!" and said she couldn't believe it when she looked at her list this morning!  She said, "What happened!?!?"  At least I'm not the only one in shock!  ;)

Jeremy and I went to town to look at a dryer we'd seen at Home Depot the other day.  They were having a big appliance clearance sale, and had some really great deals.  We found 2 dryers we liked, and also a washer that was great deal we couldn't pass up.  But, we needed to measure the space they were going to have to fit through at the top of our basement stairs, so we went back home to do that.  Then we went back to town and purchased the washer and dryer.  We loaded the dryer into the back of the Aztek, along with some concrete and a new dryer vent hose.  Then we decided we had to have an appliance dolly, so drove across the way to Menard's to get one of those.  We arrived back home just as it was time for the bus...

They all came home happy!  We're so glad our kids love school!!!

The kids were happy to answer all kinds of detail questions about their half day.  Annah said that everyone was really quite and listened well in class, and that if it was going to be that quiet all the time, junior high is "going to be Awesome!!"  ;)  We can only hope...

Jeremy carried our two dead dryers and two dead washers up from the basement, through the kitchen and living room, down the front porch stairs, around the house and down the driveway into the garage! He asked for my help getting them up the basement stairs with the appliance dolly, but I'm not sure it really made a bit of difference that I was there--and not too terribly much that we had the dolly, honestly!  He is so strong!!  It was really quite an impressive thing to see him lifting those machines (especially the one washing machine that has a heavy porcelain tub!) and carrying them!  Whew!  It was a bit easier to take the new ones in, but doors still had to come off the house, and I'm sure he will sleep well tonight after all that lifting and sweating!

While Jeremy went back to town for a third time today, the kids and I had a picnic in the front yard.  The basement door was leaning up against the kitchen door to the back porch, and I didn't want the kids knocking it over...hence eating outside.  

This is about 10 seconds of Caeden, during our supper...normal dinner activity for him--inside or out.  The boy just can never be still.

Ah, life!  We love living it.