Surprises

Well, I tried to surprise her. Last year on Brooklyn's birthday I told her she better enjoy her party because it was the last one until she turns 13. My mom gave me a surprise party when I was about 10 so I thought I should do the same.

I didn't have a ton of money to spend and neither did her dad so we planned a small bowling party. She spends half the day with both of us on her birthday (I've only had to miss one of her birthday's because of a test at work that I could not miss). So he planned to bring her to the bowling alley at 2:00 pm and we would all already be there.

So I ran around and got the cookie (she didn't want a cake) and we had to get drinks from the bowling alley. I sent emails to all the moms because these girls are such good friends I was so afraid one of them would tell her.

She got to the bowling alley and Mike was standing in the front door watching the Carolina Football game. I was just telling him we needed to move. Well, I backed up - right into a table of golf balls. They went everywhere. I said to Brooklyn, "Surprise!" I was hoping we could all be down there and surprise her. So I ruined it a little.

But she was actually speechless. It was wonderful. So much fun! And she is quite the bowler (she won both games).

I love being a mom!

The Avenue 2007

Today was The Avenue. Each Sunday morning we have an environment (think couches, moon chairs, a fridge) just for 5th & 6th graders and then once a month we head out for a field trip. Well about 18 of them are showing up each week.

We had a blast today. We went to Asheville Pizza for a little lunch and then we headed back to the church for some disc golf.

Thanks to Mike (my wonderful husband) and Josh Ray for volunteering with this group. It was a long day, but it was sooooo much fun.

Colossians 3:24

Bitter Sweet

Tomorrow my princess, Brooklyn, turns 10. For her birthday she is having a surprise bowling party for all her little chickadees that hang out together. She has no idea. In fact, since her last birthday I've been telling her she doesn't get a party. She thinks her dad is giving her a cookout next weekend.

Then, Taylor, her really good friend is going to spend the night, go to church with her on Sunday and then play disc golf with us and the other 5th & 6th graders from church.

Why a surprise? Well, my mom did the same thing for me when I was about her age and it is probably the only surprise my mom ever kept from me. It was very memorable and I want to do the same for Brooklyn. Create memories.

So why bitter sweet. Well, she asked for a shopping spree for her birthday. She wants gift cards. That is all she asked for and she wants them from JC Penny, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Dicks Sporting Goods, Old Navy & Kohls. It's the first time she's really asked for clothes and not a toy. So while it will start to save me some $$$, it is really bittersweet as it means she is going into that next phase.

Happy Birthday Brooklyn!

That call we all dread

Today I was in line at CVS picking up my mom's medicine. The girl behind the window was in a bad mood and she couldn't find all of mom's medicine. About that time the phone rang. It was a number I didn't recognize. I normally don't answer the phone in that situation; however, I felt that I should.

The voice on the other line said, "Ms. Harkey" and I said, "Yes?" He said, "This is Dr. Smith, are you having a good day?" I said, "Yes, but I'm in line at CVS." He said, "I need to talk to you - can I hold or would you like me to call you back?" In the past he has always said, "Your pathology looks fine. I just wanted to let you know. Have a good day."

Now a little background. I'm a tumor registrar by trade. When a dermatologist calls and says he wants to talk to me and about a week ago he just scraped some of my skin away it makes my heart beat faster and my head start spinning.

He promised to call me back in about 10 minutes. He's a doctor and most doctors cannot tell time. So really in about 35 minutes he called back (I'm sure he was busy calling other patients). He told me that neither of the places he removed were malignant or cancer (whew!) but one of them was precancerous and he needed to reexcise it for margins. Now he didn't use that terminology but I knew what he meant. Okay, we got it early. That is a good thing.

What he didn't tell me that I know is that they are going to examine the heck out of the margins and make sure there is no change and that I should not miss my yearly examination anymore no matter how humiliated it makes me feel. So on October 1 I get to go see my rheumatologist about my Lupus at 8:45 and then I get to go see Dr. Smith to get a straight excision (I've never had any of them really get it that straight) with a few stitches. At least he let me wait until I get back from California. Oh, he did remind me to wear sunscreen on my trip (at least 50 SPF and don't forget the hat)!

So if you are late for your mammogram, pap smear, colonoscopy, skin screening, prostate exam or DRE I beseech you dear brother or sister to make an appointment tomorrow. Early is always better!

Wow what a great morning

I still don't have a final count. But what an amazing morning. It was awesome to see all the kids, all the excitement, and how much everyone was digging Jesus.

I had a plan that totally got changed about the first week of August. But that's okay, because I know that God had it all under control.

Our fifth and sixth grade parents were so pumped that their kids were excited about church. Grapple, it's a wonderful thing. Group has done a fabulous job putting this curriculum together for this age group.

I was so excited to see several groups of kids run into church this morning. I will say that the 1st - 4th grade group is a little jealous of the 5th & 6th grade. That's okay though. One girl's mom was pushing her into class and she said that she didn't want to go and then she saw a friend and all was well with the world!

Tyler, I doubt you read my blog but if you do, thanks for calling your friends and making sure they were all there this morning. I hope that your expectations were met or exceeded.

Thanks to all the returning leaders and to the ones that served all summer and are still serving. And another huge thanks to the new leaders and to the Student Impact Group. You guys are amazing.

Someone said to me this morning, "I know you are worried about the numbers." And my answer to that is "No, I worry about what those numbers represent. They all represent a soul in the kingdom."

Deuteronomy 6

This scripture tells us to impress on our children that the Lord our God is one. And to love Him. Thank you leaders for loving our children so much that you want to share God with them.

Thankful

I'm so thankful for wonderful people who give of themselves even when it isn't convenient or when it isn't what they were planning for their weekend.

Thank you Sharon, Cynthia, Teresa, Kathy, Mike, Steph and Paula for helping with Children's Ministry Live. Thank you Nick & Tristan for helping clean up. Thank you Dominique & Gianna for letting me borrow your mom for a little while. And thanks to Sharon, Lee, Angela, and Carol for the cookies.

It is such a pleasure to serve along side you!

Romans 12:10-12
10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Heart Matters

Proverbs 4:23Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

One of my dear volunteers shared this scripture with me when I first took the job of Director of Children's Ministry. I had no idea how important this scripture would become to me.

I don't always guard my heart. There are times when I let issues get to me.

I pray if you are reading this that you guard your heart. Keep it soft. Don't let the thorns of the day harden you to God's love and goodness. His mercies are renewed every morning!

So many promises He has promised us. So guard your heart. Keep it soft.

God, thank you for your mercy. Without trial, temptation, and adversity we wouldn't need it. Keep my heart soft to the things of you and let me learn that men will disappoint; however, you will always be there with outstretched arms ready for your child. Let me be open to your conversation. To your path. To your plan for my life. Amen.

Enka Football

Well, the tradition continues. I go to a game and they lose. No, I didn't jinx them it seems to also be their tradition. Enka has an awesome softball team and some of their other sports are very competitive; however, their football team just can't seem to find their groove.

As Stephanie Harris stated in her comment on my last blog the entertainment at the game is the band. I was in the band when I was at Enka. Wow, they have changed. We couldn't wear makeup, have our hair down, we did traditional marching (knees up high) not the shuffling they do today, and we had to paint the soles of those ugly white shoes black. But the band is still playing much of the same music we played; however, they now bring xylophones, bass guitars, keyboards and drum sets on the field. The other similarity is Mr. Lackey did not allow us to use music during the performance. We had to memorize all of it. It appears this band director requires the same.

I was amazed watching the band. I wonder what their formations actually are as we were sitting on the 50 yard line just not far enough to make out the intricacies of their design. It was great to see the camaraderie that I remember from band.

I reminisced. They lost the game. The band was great. Not much different from 20 years ago.