My how time flies....

Hard to believe that a year ago today I was starting my first day at Maple Springs as the Coordinator of Children and Family Ministries.  I can remember so clearly that morning.  I approached my new office and noticed a a gift waiting for me.  It was a the sweetness of Pat Craver in the form of homemade cinnamon rolls- the best I've ever had.  Later the morning, Bev walked in with beautiful flowers.  The love I experienced that morning has not only continued but it has multiplied in more ways than I could have ever imagined.

I'll be honest- I'm not a person who likes change and I don't do well in times of transition but I embraced the change with so much excitement.  I didn't go in with any expectations but just knew that God was going to blow me away and boy has He.

When I reflect on the past 365 days, my heart flutters and the biggest smile comes across my face.
I have received so many blessings from working with the children of Maple Springs.  You just never know what kids are going to say- and that keeps me on my toes at times.  I love their excitement and their honesty.  I love to see their eyes light up when they understand something for the first time.  They are such sponges and are so teachable.  They are so eager to learn about Jesus and to deepen their faith.  They have hearts of gold and love to serve others.  They've raised enough money to build a well in Burkina ($2,000), they've made lunches for Samaritan Ministries and they've made notes and cookies for our Food Pantry.  They are experiencing at an early the joy that can come from serving others in the name of the Lord.

These children have brought so much joy to my  life over the past year and I look forward to the many years to come.  These kids and their families are such a blessing.

Some memories caught on camera during my first year at Maple Springs- enjoy!

This lady inspires me in so many ways......
she has shaped me
in more ways than she'll ever know...

...Sherry inspired me to let lose in early 2013 at
the Mother/son game day!

Thankful for time with the one and only Abby Carter.

Blessed to be in ministry alongside these folks- there is no better team.

For the beauty of Easter morning!

For the beauty of baptism and a 3rd grader making that decision on her own.

Blessed on the morning when our children and leaders lead worship at all 3 services

Some of the MSUMC 'things' that I'm blessed to serve with

The support of the Children's Council in this first year has been unreal.
Julie Brito and Marci Bruno have answered more emails, text messages and phone calls
than they can count- they're determined to do what it takes to grow the Kingdom.
For that, I'm thankful!

A sweet moment while I was gone to the beach.  Kids were asked to name people
that had planted seeds in their life.  Sweet Stella included me!

For the encouraging words, 'get it girl' smiles and '
you can do it' looks that Bev Coppley has continuously
offered me.  Bev pushes me to do my best- sometimes without
saying a word.  I look forward to all God will continue to
teach me through her. 

I am thankful for the laugher Jeff and I share on a daily basis.    Jeff seems to give me an 'atta girl'
when I need it most.  He offers so much to our staff and Maple Springs- he's a great leader and a teacher to all of us!

For the spirit of generosity!

The body of Maple Springs and the One Faith One Future that we share. 

The much anticipated Pumpkin Patch Palooza...

Maple Springs is known in the Winston-Salem community as the 'pumpkin church'.  We should be considering we've been running a Pumpkin Patch for 35 years :)  For the past few years, they've held 2 events each fall.  This year, we decided to combine all the efforts and host one big event.  As Joe and I discussed the event, the word we first used to describe it was big....that description quickly changed to epic.  Well, I think it is safe to safe that God turned our simple event into an epic event that was used to build His Kingdom here on earth.

Of course we had our pumpkins, we had inflatables, we had games (including an awesome Go Fish game), we had cotton candy, we had live music (thanks to Brittany Bethel) , delicious hot dogs and veggies burgers, and we had Trunk or Treat.  but the best part- every bit of it was free to the community!!  The event officially started at 5pm but people starting arrive shortly after 4:30.  I think it is safe to say that by 5:30 our parking lot was full and people were having to start to park on the road.

The awesome Go Fish sign!  That game was a hit!

Last night was a glance at what the Kingdom looks like.  It was what the Kingdom on earth is supposed to look like.  I loved walking around and seeing smiles on people faces- hearing great conversations and watching people serve.

The crazy group of Thing 3's!

I found it kind of funny that as I got in my car to begin driving around and collecting things from around the church parking lot the song on the radio was none other than "Build Your Kingdom Here". I turned the radio up loud and jumped out of the car and started dancing- a couple of the other "Thing 3s" immediately joined in.  We sang at the top of our lungs.  The chorus of the song goes like this:

Build Your Kingdom here.

Let the darkness fear.

Show your mighty hand.

Heal our streets and land.

Set your church on fire.

Win this nation back.

Change the atmosphere.

Build Your Kingdom here.

We pray.

Last night, Maple Springs was on fire!  What a blessing!  The Lord truly was using the people of the 'pumpkin church' to build HIS Kingdom here on earth!  Hallelujah!

Setliff Birthday Palooza

My birthday is October 19, 19-- and Drew's is October 20 (a couple years after mine).  For the past 5 years, we have enjoyed celebrating birthdays together.  This year's celebration truly was a Birthday Palooza.

We kicked off birthday celebrations on Friday evening with dinner at Foothills with my brother-in-law and one of my college best friends, Meredith.  We enjoyed dinner and then met up with our friend Jennifer to hear her fiance Jerry play at The District.  It was lovely evening- despite the fact that the bartender dropped Meredith's debit card down the drain- slightly frustrating, but we didn't let that ruin the night.  It was a special way to ring in my first 29th birthday.

Thankful for time to celebrate with these two!

Saturday was a day full of time with family and friends.  Drew and Misha left early that morning for a round of golf.  I had a sweet visit with my friend, Leeann.  We drank coffee (and hot chocolate) and began preparations for the dinner later in the evening.  I always enjoy my time with her- she's a blessing.  My Mom arrived later that morning and immediately started cleaning my house (as well as finishing painting my kitchen cabinets).  Moms are always good for finishing what needs to be done:)

That evening we were joined by family and friends for a simple dinner of chili.  What a sweet evening it was!  So much laughter was shared.  It is a night I will not soon forget. We were joined by most of our siblings, parents, as well as old and new friends.  Drew and I are so blessed by our family, as well as friends that we consider to be family.  

Drew's birthday was spent relaxing and watching football.  After church, we went to one of his favorite places to eat (Chili's).  We came home and watched football- well he watched more football than I did, I also watched the back of my eyelids.

Charlie joined me for my nap.  He was worn out from play time with his cousin, Bo!

That evening we were joined by the Brunos for dinner.  The guys watched football while Marci and I made pizza (at Drew's request).  It was a simple evening but exactly Drew's style.  We finished the evening with a smorgasbord of desserts.  We had leftover cupcakes from the night before, strawberry cake, an Oreo dessert, and a pumpkin magic cake- we were on sugar island!

Sweet Phina helping Mr. Drew with his birthday candles.

As I enjoyed the quiet of Monday evening, I reflected on all of the blessings we had received from friends and and family throughout our birthday weekend.  We are beyond blessed by the sweet friendships God has blessed us with.  

Thankful for cards from loved ones!  What a way to make us feel special. 

Thankful for my husband to share my birthday weekend with.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  Drew, I love you and I look forward to many, many more birthday paloozas together!  

If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day
so I never have to live without you.

Let the celebration begin!

This past week was full of celebrations!  The celebrating started this past Wednesday with Boss' Day at Maple Springs.  Pastor Jeff was out of town at a Conference so we celebrated Pastor Bev.  It was a fun lunch and of course great fellowship among the MSUMC staff.

Some of the sweet folks I serve with!

I am blessed to serve at a place with such awesome leaders.  Jeff and Bev have taught me so much in such a short amount of time.  They inspire me each and everyday.  I am honored to call them my boss and thank God for them each day.

The fearsome duo!

The following day (Thursday, October 17) was Bev's birthday.  We celebrated with lunch at Salem Tavern at Old Salem.  If you haven't been and live in Winston-Salem, you should go!  It is awesome.  I had a grilled gouda pimento cheese with bacon.  Too die for.  It was a little piece of Heaven.  We had 14 people at lunch- including the one and only Abby Carter and Ellen Coppley.  It was a blast.  It was a sweet day to celebrate a wonderful lady.

Miss this wild woman and her sassy self- but thankful she is close enough to come back for surprise visits!

The second load of pumpkins also came the end of this past week.  They were scheduled to arrive Wednesday but because of issues with the truck, they arrived at 4pm Friday afternoon.  We celebrated Pastor "Ber's" birthday with a cupcake cake- delicious!

What a spirit filled few days at Maple Springs.  Sometimes it amazes me how many things can happen in a short amount of time and how many ways the Lord can bless us.

Lessons from Reunion- take 1!

Mid-September, Mom and I were talking on the phone and I mentioned a meeting I had the second Saturday in October.  She informed me that the Hughes reunion was that day and she really would like for me to be there- after some huffing and puffing on my part (shocking, I know), I agreed.  I cannot remember the last time I went to a Hughes reunion- I would say it has been at least 10 years.

My grandmother's mother's family (the Hughes family) gathered for the 32nd time, October 12 in Henderson, North Carolina at City Street United Methodist Church.  My grandmother's mother (Mary Ella, aka Ma Ayscue) was the oldest of nine children.  The responsibility of planning the reunion each year shifts from one child's family to the next- this year's reunion was planned by Ma Ayscue's family.  Ma Ayscue had 5 children (3 girls, 2 boys) and 2 of her children are still living-my Aunt Dot (who I call The Dot) and my grandmother, GrandBecky.  Their girls, Mary Jo and Mary Linda, took charge of planning the gathering- they did a mighty fine job!

The sweet cousins who planned the 2013 reunion-
Mary Jo and my mom!

I think I should back track a little.  A little review of the past year.  My sweet Grandmother has had a tough road to hoe as far as her health- if it could go wrong, it did go wrong.  But she has pulled through- by the grace of God.  She's had pneumonia more times than I can count since last October- I think 4 maybe 5 times.

The last time that my grandmother saw her sister, the Dot, was in late January at Dot's husband's funeral. As we walked into the reunion, Dot met my grandmother at the door.  Dot put her arms around 'her baby sister' for what seemed like forever.  She kept saying 'oh my baby sister'.  I looked over at 'my baby sister' and we both had tears in our eyes.  This was a moment that earlier in the year, we weren't sure would happen again.  We didn't know if the sisters would have the opportunity to have time together again- but they did.  There was such a sweetness to it.  I wish I had thought to take a picture of their embrace.

the Dot and GrandBecky

How do people make it through life without a sister?

~Sara Corpening

Before the  meal began, there was a short program.  A time to remember family members that have gone to the Church Triumphant since the previous year's gathering.  One of those we honored was sweet Uncle Joe- the Dot's husband.  I know they were married a long time- I think close to 70 years (just a few years shy).  Mary Jo shared that Uncle Joe died a week after their last anniversary.  When Uncle Joe's name was shared and the candle lit, I looked over at the Dot and could see she was visibly upset.  My GrandBecky was sitting next to her- a woman who has outlived two wonderful husbands- and knows the pain of losing a man she loves.  My grandmother, in her true fashion, gracefully placed her hand on her sister's hand and simply held it.  One of those moments- one of those sister moments.  

The two sat side by side throughout the entire reunion.  They spoke few words because they both suffer from extreme hearing loss, but they simply enjoyed being in the others presence.

Sisters don't need words.  They have a perfected language of snarls and smiles and frowns and winks- expressions of shocked surprise and increduilty and disbelief.  Sniffs and snorts and gasps and sighs- that can undermine any tale you're telling.

~Pam Brown

As the time came for us to leave, the Dot came on the porch to bid my grandmother farewell.  She hugged her again and said "I love you my baby sister".  My grandmother's response tickled me- she said "I love you my little older sister".  

I'm thankful for the time that my grandmother had with her sister.  I'm thankful that I was able to witness those moments.

To my baby sister, Annie Hughes, I hope you know how much I love you and treasure you.  I look forward to the journey of growing old with you, my sweetest friend. 

Sisters are different flowers from the same garden.
-Unknown

Family + Fun = Family Fun Day

Sunday morning at church, Pastor Bev spent some time announcing our Family Fun day for that afternoon.  She included in her announcement that "if you didn't have family that you should come and that if you didn't have fun, you too should come".  I kind of giggled at that, but then thought yep, all should come because it will certainly be a good time.

We started the afternoon off right, with homemade ice cream and all the fixings.  Something Courtney Hardman has talked about us doing for a long time.  What a sweet way to start this afternoon of fellowship.

Kids anxiously awaiting their serving of the delicious treat....

In the words of Pastor Bev and Pastor Jeff, these girls are on Sugar Island!

Some of the Hardman family enjoying ice cream to celebrate the end of summer!

Following the ice cream, it was time for the games!  To say there are a few competitive people at Maple Springs, may be an understatement.  We all enjoy a little friendly competition....

The adults preparing for tug-of-war.....led by their fearless leader, Pastor Jeff.....

....and the kids, being led by Thomas (Pastor Jeff's son)....KIDS WON!

The adults were stunned when they went falling to the ground.  The kids were beyond excited to win the tug-of-war competition.  

A few more pictures from the afternoon.

Getting a little practice in before the race- a year of working together makes for a good team!

One of our youngest participants providing a little distraction to the Pastors before the race started...

Collins family getting some time with the youngest Hardman family member.

A little demonstration to explain our water game...

The smiles on these faces summarize our afternoon!

There was such a sweet Spirit in the air Sunday afternoon.  God truly blessed us with a perfect afternoon.  The weather was not too hot, not too cold, the ice cream was perfect and the games were on point.  It was a time of true fellowship.  I do believe it will become a yearly tradition at Maple Springs.  Thankful for the people God has placed at Maple Springs- serving at this place is truly one of the greatest gifts He has ever given me.  Thanks be to God!

Be Still

This past Sunday was one of the those WHIRLWIND  Sundays.  One of those Sundays that before you step in the doors you stop and take a deep breath. My schedule for the morning was hectic- filled with leading children's worship at both services, teaching the final Confirmation class, and helping in worship with the children's message.  I had to make every second count between services.

When I stepped into the sanctuary for the 11am service I noticed that we had an acapella group from UNC Greensboro who was going to share with us that day- something I knew about but had forgotten about in the busyness of the morning.  I looked through the order of worship and took note that the group would sing right before the children's sermon.   I thought to myself 'check, check'- I'm good to go.

 Within a few seconds of the group singing, I realized they were singing one of my absolute favorite songs, Beautiful Things.

You make beautiful thingsYou make beautiful things out of the dustYou make beautiful thingsYou make beautiful things out of us

All aroundHope is springing up from this old groundOut of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful thingsYou make beautiful things out of the dustYou make beautiful thingsYou make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me newYou make me new, You are making me newMaking me new

I sat there completely in awe as they sang- in awe of how God works in the details of life.  For you see, I had no clue they were going to sing that song.  That song was my time to 'be still' and to be in worship for the morning and it was a true blessing.

Confession- you see as much as I want to have a Mary heart, I am definitely more of a Martha.  I get so caught up in the details of 'doing' that sometimes I miss the opportunity to simply sit as Jesus' feet (Luke 10:38-42).  But Sunday morning, I had that opportunity through these lyrics.  For you see, He makes me new, He is making me new.  I thank God for His redeeming love and for making 'beautiful things out of the dust'.  Thanks be to God!

PS- If you see me on Sunday mornings getting caught up in the busyness of the morning, keep me in check- feel free to ask me about my heart- ask me if I'm having a Mary heart in a Martha world.

Whirlwind of blessings

I find it hard to believe that I am finishing my fifth month of ministry at Maple Springs UMC.  Seems like only yesterday that I was beginning my transition into the position of Coordinator of Children and Family Ministries in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Advent season.

God blessed me beyond measure by sending me to Maple Springs.  He has been blessed me with wonderful leaders.  Bev and Jeff Coppley have been a true God send.  Serving alongside of them is a true pleasure.  They encourage me daily while also pushing me outside of my comfort zone.

I thank God daily for the blessings He has given me through my Children's Council ministry team.  Holy moly!  I have a team of 12 leaders who help with the organization, vision and implementation of the children's ministries programs.  Their excitement, leadership and support humbles me daily.   

This past Sunday we gathered around a table and 'broke bread together' for the second time this year.  The laughter, smiles and stories that were shared truly warmed my heart and filled my spirit.

During our meeting Sunday, various Children's ministries leaders shared about the relational events they've helped host over the past few months.  Our mothers, fathers, sons and daughters have had a great time getting together.  

In February, our fathers and daughters had a date afternoon with ice cream and pictures.  One of our church photographers provided props for pictures- I'm not sure who enjoyed them more- the dads or the daughters! 

These two had a good time in the prop box....

On St. Patrick's Day, our mothers and sons gathered for a game day and they brought their 'game faces'!  

We spent the afternoon playing tug of war, freeze tag and other silly games.  We finished the afternoon with ice cream sundaes.  Somehow the ice cream sundae treat turned into....

As silly as it seems, it was this moment when I knew Maple Springs was exactly where God intended for me to be!

Just this past Saturday, some of our dads and sons went to a Winston-Salem Dash game.  They had a ball.  Their seats were on the first row and right behind the dug out.  From what I heard, the boys really enjoyed themselves and had a good time dancing and made it on the screen several times.  One of our guys even got the honor of 'fan of the game'.

All this to say that I have been blessed by so many wonderful people over the past 5 months.  Pastor Bev always says Maple Springs has 'good people' and I agree.  We, as a staff, are beyond blessed by the congregation at Maple Springs.  I thank God everyday for the people He has surrounded me with and partnered me in ministry with.  Thanks be to God!  

^3-6 Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

Philippians 1:3-6, the Message