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