Youth Group Change

Velocity started meeting on Wednesdays tonight, and at Zac and Lyndsey's "new" historic home--New Alvis Manor.

Annah's last Velocity

We came back home today just in time for the kids to go to youth group--Annah's last one!  

Caeden went on the Velocity youth group trip to Chicago yesterday.  They went to the zoo, the beach, Cheesecake Factory, and Chick-fil-a.  He had a blast.

We had a family picnic in the pavilion after church today.

The girls did some music for Velocity Worship Night!

They sang a duet of Give Me Jesus.

Sylvia played her cello during communion.

Annah sang Grace to Grace.

Velocity Loves Our City

Friends Owen and Eliza are in the village the next several days visiting their grandparents and friends in the area.  We were so happy to get to have them with us today!  We picked them up and they went to Super Sunday at church with us.  Then we went out to lunch at Meatheads and Noodles.

Owen and Eliza joined our kids for Velocity Loves Our City this afternoon too!  They pulled weeds around the church grounds.

Then they helped our friends Dave and Nora clean and pack up their awesome art ministry Threshold To Hope, as they're moving to a new location.

After youth group, they all came back to our house for a bit and the boys played Wii.

The girls had fun playing Tenzi.

They played through a lot of the deck of silly versions of Tenzi, and giggled and even danced.

It had been about 3 years since we had seen Eliza and Owen, and it was so wonderful to spend the day with them!!!

Velocity Sleepovers

The youth group had sleepovers last night.  The guys were at Denis' house, and the girls were at Lyndsey's.

There was a lot of Xbox-ing at the guys party, and late night trips to Walmart and Steak 'n' Shake.

Caeden didn't sleep at all, but said he had tons of fun. 

He was so tired, he fell asleep on the way home...

The girls had a lovely time at their sleepover too.  They tried a Bob Ross painting, got to play with babies, had great times of sharing chatting, made ankle bracelets, and were well-fed by Lyndsey, Jessica, and Taihla.

The older the kids get, the busier they get, and the more difficult it is to be able to participate in youth group activities.  So glad they were able to be part of this one.  

PoC

Loving the current sermon series on the Beattitudes.

Today we learned that our friend Tom is moving across the country this week!
We've known Tom since we started attending Bloomington 1st church almost right after we moved to Illinois in 2001...so for almost 18 years he has been a friend to us.
Almost 5 years ago, Tom lost his precious wife and our sweet friend Lorrie. We all miss her so much.    And now we will miss Tom!

Tom and Lorrie were part of the first LifeGroup we were in, many years ago, when the kids were little.  Their 3 kids are now grown and live in the Carolinas, Arizona, and here in Central Illinois.  Tom was recently interviewed in a church service about forgiveness, and explained why he is moving across the country.  It's beautiful to see God working in his life.

Also, today it was announced that Lisa and Mark will be the campus pastors for the Mahomet church.  They were part of our first life group too!  They have both lived in Bloomington all their lives, but will be moving to the parsonage at the Mahomet church and restoring it.  So excited for them!!!

This happened at youth group today...not exactly sure what kind of game this was, but it looks like Sylvia was all in!

Sylvia is making good progress in her occupational therapy!  Her pain is gone, and now she is working on strengthening.  She is even allowed to play her cello a little bit this weekend!!!

My little piano student Juana, is so much fun.  She is working through the My First Piano Adventure books by Faber and Faber.  We like singing and playing along to the silly songs!  

This Friday we got to gobble and run like turkeys!

Last Saturday, Annah spent much of the day writing 5 essays and completing her application for the Illinois Gold Apple Scholars Program.  She was invited to interview, and Jeremy took her to ISU for that part of the process this Saturday morning.  She won't find out if she is selected for the program until mid-May, but it was an honor and a good experience for her regardless of the outcome.

After her interview, I got this text from Jeremy.  (The girl has a serious love for Noodles.  She went there Friday night, and all 5 of us went again after church on Sunday!)

Saturday was SUCH a gorgeous day, even I spent 2 hours outside raking up pine needles in the yard and pulling dead leaves out of the flower beds!  Jacob stayed for lunch after his piano lesson, and he and Sylvia walked down to the park.  They are silly.

I think this is such a cool picture of the youth group kids playing a game this afternoon! 

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

Sylvia finished her driving lessons with her instructor this week, and is working to complete her 50 hours of driving with a parent so she can take her driving test to get her license!  She's getting very close.  It is not good for a momma's nerves.

As always, our worship set was a very fun one today at PoC.

Our sermon series right now is called PolitiGOspel, and it's about why Christians should be involved in politics.  It is very interesting and SO, SO good!!!

Velocity youth group continued the discussion this afternoon.

There was time for silly and fun stuff too...like, this happened...

Jeremy and Caeden played some Mario Kart this afternoon when the kids got home!

Super Dad!

Today was Vision Sunday at church, and we had baptisms!  These guys were watching intently...

Adam was home from Olivet for spring break, and it was so great to see this group of friends hanging out after service today.

All 3 kids were able to attend youth group today!  It was the first time Annah had been since October, due to homework and travel and sickness, and she was extra glad to get to go!  

They started Life Skills Lessons today, and I think that is an awesome idea!!!  

Sylvia's group won the marshmallow spaghetti structure game.

Caeden's and Annah's group did not.  

Today was baby Olivia's first day at church, and her momma asked me to make her a little headband.

She looks so cute in it!