From the mind of a 9yr old. . . . .

This week I've had the blessing of serving in VBS at the church where I grew up. It was amazing looking at a T-shirt display from years gone by how many I could remember specific lessons, verses or themes. I worked with 4th grade this year and had 4 very energetic boys in my small group. You might enjoy some of the following conversations.

Day 2. Topic: Good thoughts vs. bad thoughts. We have a cowboy theme so I shared II Cor. 10:5 about taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. I told them it was like taking a lasso around a thought and taking control. Asking yourself, "Is this a good thought or a bad one". If it's a bad one, what do you do?
Boys: (yelling) (nothings quiet when you're 9) "Throw it away"!
Tonya: that's right. Then your mind is blank so what should you do?
Boys: ????
Tonya: The Bible tells us to put good thoughts in like Bible verses.
Andrew: But that's the opposite of what Star Wars teaches because Jedi are supposed to clear their minds.
Tonya: and that's exactly why we need to be careful to base what we believe on the Bible and not on movies or tv.
boys in unison: Oh!
Tonya: We need to listen to God because He is so wise.
Spencer: Yeah, probably even more than Yoda.

Day 3: Topic:Scripture is inspired by God.

Tonya: Why is it important to know that the Bible is inspired by God?
Boys: ??????
Tonya: It's important because we know what's in the Bible is true because it came from God.
Tonya: (writing) what did I write down on this paper?
Boys: (reading) Tonya is 96 years old.
Reid: Really?
Tonya: What do you think? I wrote this down. Am I telling the truth? Could I put this in the Bible just because I say it's true?
Andrew: No way, you're only in your 40's! No wait, 30's.
Tonya: Wait a minute, not till next year, I'm still 29....
Reid: (total shock on his face) You're only 29?!!? My mom's 43 and she looks way younger than you!!

What a blessing it's been to be around young hearts and minds this weeks. They are such eager sponges.

We're Employed!

What a process! During our trip earlier this year around the country we stopped in to see some good friends who live in Nashville. At the time we had considered not making that leg of the trip simply because of gas money but decided it was a good time to see the Howe's. Jon was just in the process of opening up his first Little Ceasar's restaurant and so we got to see and hear about his process of getting involved with this company. At this point Mike and I had been looking for construction jobs but were open to anything God brought our way. After leaving the Howe's house we talked a lot about their endeavor and after talking to Mike's parents it started to look like something we should at least look into. After much paperwork, study, thinking, planning and always prayer we applied to the company and Mike and his parents went to interview at headquarters in Detroit. Last week we were approved into the company and this week we were promised a reserved area in western Montana.

The plan: we will be looking to open several new stores in a three city area. (Great Falls, Helena and Butte). Mikes parents are headed up next week to scout out possible store locations. Then Mike and his parents will go to Detroit for 6 weeks to train at headquarters. This will take us up to the time that baby "Vernadine" (nickname--not real name) is born. Charlize and I will stay in Prescott so that I can make my baby apointments and all four of us will stay in Prescott until baby is here and I can travel. Probably Nov/Dec. The plan then would be to load up the storage unit and move to a rental in Montana. We're not sure yet which town our first store but we will try to rent near our first store. The hope would be that if God blesses with lots of business and good managers that we would open the rest of our stores one at a time over the next few years.

How do I feel about this?? Lets see: we need work; God provided a good job. I'm craving stability; this is definitely a long term adventure. I love new things; Montana is definitely new. I've been living out of suitcases since Dec 12th; I GET TO UNPACK MY STUFF!!!! I am so thankful for God's provision and He has definitely taken us down a path to help me see this as a good thing. I'm not a fan of driving in snowy weather but He has also commanded me not to fear so apparently I still need refining. (I know, a shocker to everyone =) ) I'm excited for a new adventure and excited to Mike tackle a new challenge.

How to Give Yourself a Hickey

So the other night Charlize and I were cleaning out the trailer. (I'm moving into the big kids house!!!) One item we found was her shade for the truck window that has suction cups. I showed her that I could make it stick to things. Namely my forehead. She thought this was hilarious so my addiction to her laughter only drove me to stick it to my head again and again while she squealed, "mo, mo, mo"! It wasn't till the next morning that I looked in the mirror and realized the results were not so temporary. And that is how I came to walk around Prescott as a 5 month pregnant woman whose husband is out of town with a hickey in the middle of my forehead. =) Oh my!