Makes My Heart Sing with Joy (or why I have the best job)

Sometimes being a pastor is heartwrenching, sometimes it's exhausting, and in the midst of it, there are glimpses of such grace and wonder that make every exhausting or challenging moment absolutely worth every second. Yesterday was that way. When I came to FPC more than 4 years ago, I began a Sunday called "Children's Sabbath"( a national observance recognizing the needs and the gifts of children). On this day, pre-schoolers through elementary age children lead all aspects of worship, from greeting people at the door to writing prayers and creating skits based on the scripture passages. Yesterday, as I witnessed God's children leading worship, my heart sang with joy. Just look at them. Your heart may sing with joy too...... "And a little child shall lead them...." indeed. When I'm having a bad day, I'm going to take out these pictures and remember why teaching, leading, praying, nudging, and guiding is so important....... .Jesus loves the little children.

Pumpkin Picking!

I love pumpkin picking time! For the third year in a row, we headed to St. John's Methodist Church (Nona's church is what we call it around here) to choose our pumpkin and support their church's mission fund! Pumpkin patch pictures are just so stinkin' cute, and this year, I even got a picture taken :)

First Day of Pre-School!

Today was Zanna's first day at First Pres. Day School! Here she is just before going into the "Yellow Room" with Ms. Mary and Ms. Jackie! She is also in the "Purple Room" with Ms. Marci and Ms. Karen (who she had last year in Children's Morning Out)... Zanna's report of her day " I played with oatmeal and playdough and read books...." Sounds good to me :) And, Mom's report- she didn't cry and after school she slept for 2.5 hours :) Perfect! Looking forward to a GREAT year of learning and discovery!

Labor Day adventures Year 2

Last year, we went to Little Rock for Labor Day weekend to stay with Britton and her family.... Then, there were 4 Varns and 3 Allens. Since then, the Varns have added another bundle of joy, Kira, so there were 5 Varns and 3 Allens in our house this weekend which was the most fun I've had in a long time! We mostly just played..... at the park, in the backyard, at the park again, in every room of the house, etc. etc. The kids had a "who can get dirtier" contest in the backyard one day.... (Vote for your dirtiest child:)) and we even got a date-night in (plus one sweet munchkin!)... The girls got to make ice cream, we ate "dirt and worms" for dessert, and had dinosaur-shaped sandwiches! I am SO thankful we have this tradition and these amazing friends in Britton and Chris. It is such fun to watch our kids play together and love each other.... Already making plans for next Labor Day in Little Rock! :)

A Day in the life....

Who says fairy princesses don't get dirty?

Being a fairy princess just moments before.......


















Basking in the glory of mud and dirt....
Notice the yellow bowl that just seconds before had clean water for Molly.....

But is now "mud-soup"..... what I missed taking a picture of was the hose bath required after the muddiest princess finished her mud-soup adventure....

Girls just Wanna Have fun!

Gracie came to visit! (With her whole family!) More on the entire family in the next post, but here are the highlights of Zanna and Gracie's adventures together :) They even have the very same baby doll (with the very same name, Baby Sarah) :)