Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Merry Christmas to you all! Speaking of Christmas, here's a funny story for you...
the other day, Rachel came home and told me that "Officer Kellerman ate lunch with us today and he sat by me." (Not to alarm you, but he is a police officer in town that is very involved at our kids' school and eats lunch with them occasionally.) Anyway, I said, "He did...what did you guys talk about?" Rach said, "Officer Kellerman told us that he heard that Christmas was going to be cancelled." I asked her what she said back to him. Ready for this one??? Rachel responded with, "I told him that JESUS is the only one who can cancel Christmas!"

Aren't you thankful that God's plan was NOT to cancel the birth of our Savior Jesus? What a day that was. Thank you God, for that very special day and Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Merry CHRISTmas family and friends...we love you!
The Bycrofts

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:11

Rachel's solo

Out of the whole first grade class, our youngest daughter Rachel was chosen to sing "Silent Night" at this year's school program. She is our "shy" child, so we weren't sure if she was actually going to be able to do it. But she did, and she did it very well! It was one of those proud moments for Matt and me. For those of you that know her well, it might just bring a tear to your eye...

By the way, the whole class "hums" the song first, so hang on...she will get to her solo part!

How much do you love?

Every now and then, I write a little note to the girls and secretly pack it in their lunches. I don't do it every day, simply because I want to surprise them. I always have fun doing it, and the girls usually comment on them when they get home.

There's this one note, though, that has special meaning for me. One day last year when Rachel was in kindergarten, I put a note in her lunch that said, "I Love You". Simple, but it has so much meaning. Later when I was cleaning out her lunchbox, I found the note that I had given to her earlier that day. As I took the note out, it brought tears to my eyes. Well here, let me just show you...



















In case you can't see this clearly, I also had written on the back of the card, "Have a great day, Rachel! I love you! Mommy". Sometime during Rachel's day at school, she had written on the card back to me, "I Love You More". Ok...I'm crying again just even typing this!

How much do you love? I know I love my husband and girls with ALL of my heart. It's humbling to think that when Rachel saw those words, that she would respond back to me with, "I Love You More". But that's how much she loves. She's unashamed about it and when Rachel loves, she loves deeply. Again, I ask you, "How much do you love?" If you were face to face with Jesus right now and he said to you, "I Love You"...would your response be, "I Love You More"?? This has really made me stop and think, because my lips may say it, but my actions don't always show it. I know how much love Jesus has for me. After all, I am His child. And we all know how much we love our children...that's a lot of love. But He loves us more, don't you think? Our love fails at times, but His never does. Here's my prayer..."Jesus, thank you for just how much you love me, and I do love you...but help me to love you MORE!"

"...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ..."
Ephesians 3:18

"What Have I Done?"

I'm sure you've heard of the Christian artist Jeremy Camp. I didn't realize until the other day that his wife, Adie, also sings. She sings the song, "What Have I Done?" I had heard it before, but didn't know she is one who sings it until just this last week. Here's the opening verses of the song...

"What have I done Lord Jesus to deserve your endless love,
What have I done Lord Jesus to be worthy of your grace,
What have I done Lord Jesus to be standing here with you,
What have I done Lord Jesus to be worthy of you..."

As I was driving home one day, this song came on and not that I've never entertained this thought before, but I suddenly realized that I have done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to deserve the endless love and grace that only Jesus offers. It's amazing, isn't it? To think that the God of this universe sent the only child he had...for me, and for you. Wow, if that doesn't drive you to tears, then I don't know what will.

Sometimes, it's easy to want to throw ourselves a party...as my husband calls it, it's called a big "Pity Party". Well, last week, on this particular day, I really wanted to host my own pity party...of course, I would've been the guest of honor. This song came on and it was as if God was saying to me, "C'mon Jenn, snap out of it! Yes, times are tough for you right now, but really, it will all be okay because I am here for YOU. No, you didn't do anything to deserve my love, but I am giving it to you simply because I want to. You are my child and I care for you."

Well, that was like a big spankin' for me! Maybe I deserved it. A little discipline now and then is good, right? I sure haven't done anything to deserve Jesus' endless love and grace, and I definitely have done everything to not deserve it! He provides it anyway. And I am thankful...

Macayla Dawn

Well tonight at 6:29 p.m., our oldest daughter Macayla, will officially be 9 years old. I remember the day so well. She was born in Olney, Illinois. A long day of laboring, only to learn that she had to be born cesarean. To this new mom, that was totally unexpected! She weighed 8 lbs., 12 oz. and was 20" long with a full...and I mean FULL head of coal black hair! She was beautiful and that is an understatement! She slept all the time and was the best little baby, always smiling at people. She walked at 10 months and was talking in complete sentences way earlier than she should've been! As I reflect back to that day 9 years ago, I think of the saying that is so true..."Where has the time gone?"

I can't believe that she's 9 today...especially when I think that in 9 more years, she will be graduating from high school. YIKES! Before I had kids, I used to hear wise people say that the first five years of a child's life is so important, and to teach them all you can while they are young. I agree with that. However, I have learned that every single day is just as important, not just the days before age five. As a mom, I try to make the most of every day for my girls. I wish I could say I am successful at that each day...I'm not. I do try, though.

Each year, when my girls celebrate a birthday, I can tell that they've grown up a little...getting taller, more or less teeth, using bigger words, different interests, learning new things, the list can go on. I get most excited though, when I see my kids grow spiritually. Yes, part of that comes with age, but a huge part of that comes from us, as parents. We can't just hope that they "catch on"...we have to teach them "on purpose" the things that Jesus wants them to know. My girls will mature and grow and learn spiritually because of the job that Matt and I have in teaching them...every single day.

Happy 9th Birthday, Macayla! We love you and are proud of you! And by the way, you are still beautiful...
Mommy and Daddy

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

This is for you, Matt...

1st date...

So today, October 27, is the anniversary of my 1st date with Matt...way back in 1994! Math was definitely not my major, but my calculations say it's been 14 years. Pretty sweet, huh??

Matt, this isn't news to you...but I love you! "God bless this broken road that led me straight to you"...when I hear that song, I think of you. Thanks for never giving up on me, thanks for choosing me for your life-partner...you're the best and I couldn't imagine my life without you in it. I just knew there was something special about you. That, and you are the only one that can put up with me! :) So to many more years of love, commitment, hard times, good times, friendship, laughter, serving one another, and continuing to raise our girls to love and obey Jesus...

4-ever you and me...
Jenn

P.S. And for the record, YOU held my hand first and YOU kissed me first...not the other way around like you've always told people! :)

Girls Tennis 2008

More tennis pics as promised...(for those of you who actually care! :)


My fan club...

Who knows...maybe one of my girls will play tennis for me someday??

Picture day

GOOBERS!

2008 Team Pic

The J.V. girls...and me

Seniors

League Tennis Day...ALL DAY LONG!

I call them "My Indian Girls"...Kirti and Preeya

My Sub-State team

Coach's Award winners...Preeya and Valeree

All of the award winners

I prefer outdoor pics, so I had to take this one too!

The seniors I'm losing...










We always have some famous quotes that make us all laugh. They won't mean anything at all to you, but to my players, they will know what I'm talkin' about. Never a dull moment on these tennis trips!!!

1. Michelle, what time is it?
2. I'm just gonna hit it over, 'cuz I can't.
3. Can I shoot a U here?
4. I don't know, but he's wearin' spandex.
5. Dang it!
6. Val, did you put that KFC bowl right by the tire? (THUMP, THUMP)
7. Pizza Hut drivers wanted!
8. Just make up your own confessional.
9. I put it in a safe place so I wouldn't lose it.
10. It's only $5.99??
11. Seriously, call 911...seriously!
12. Nice serve Kirti. I'm Preeya.

Hey tennis girls...leave me a comment. I know y'all are committed facebookers, but you could do this one last small favor for your coach! Thanks for a great tennis season. This has been one of the best years yet! Seniors, I will miss you and hope for the best for you. It has been a joy coaching you for 3 years now. I knew this day was coming. Not that my other two years I've coached haven't meant a lot, but this year has been more special from the standpoint that you girls were my youngest kids (just sophomores) when I first started coaching. It's been a blessing for me to get to know each of you. You all have your unique qualities about you. Thanks, too, for my gifts you guys got for me at the banquet. I could tell it was from your heart, so thanks. I appreciate it! See you around...
Coach

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26

Iola Fillies Tennis..."The Only Team"

Front Row: Valeree Winslow, Coach Jenn Bycroft (me!), Amanda Carr
Back Row: Erika Taylor, Kirti Gandhi, Preeya Patel, Maria Baker


So this is my varsity team that went to Regionals. We got 2nd place out of 5 teams. Not bad. There were two regionals that took place that day...one at Parsons (the one we were at) and one at Independence. That makes a total of 10 teams that played in regionals that day. Out of those 10 teams, we are the only team that advanced all of our players to Sub-State. Again...not bad, huh??

Needless to say, I am pretty proud of this year's team. I've been coaching girls high school tennis now for 3 years. I would have to say, this has been the most successful year so far. It's encouraging to see improvement over the years.

We didn't have anyone make it to State, which is kind of a bummer. But for now, I'm choosing to focus on the season that we had and be proud that we were "the only team". In my opinion, that's quite an accomplishment!


By the way, more tennis pix from the season to come...

My flowergirls

There's a pretty sunflower field just a few miles down the road from us. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to take the girls pictures there. I thought they turned out pretty good, so I wanted to share them with you. Enjoy!

Survival Kit

I am a coach for the high school girls tennis team. We have been at it now for 5 weeks, with another 3 to go...and hopefully 4 if anyone goes to state. After our first match of the season, I came home to find a "Tennis Survival Kit" on the kitchen table. This special little surprise was from my supportive husband and sweet girls. As you can see in the picture, other than a tennis balloon and cards, this kit is made up of chocolate. I love chocolate!!! I was so impressed with my family's thoughtfulness. I was thinking to myself, "I will definitely need this chocolate for some extra energy to get through the long days and late nights that the tennis season always brings!"

Fast forward just a few days...I go to grab out of my "survival kit" only to find that "someone" or "someones" have been in MY stash! Most of the candy bars were already gone and I began to wonder..."And who was this survival kit really for anyway???" Apparently, not me.

Well, it's a good thing I am fine with sharing. I didn't really figure I would get all of it anyway. That made me stop and think. There's another kit that we need to have ready at all times, not just during a season, and to be able to share it. It's called the "Spiritual Survival Kit". In order to be able to share our faith with someone, we need to be equipped with what we need to carry this through. The obvious things come to mind...our Bibles, our prayer life, fellowship with other believers and solitude (or aloneness with God). These things are essential in being able to grow or survive in this world that we live in...and not just survive, but to have the ability and tools in order to share with others.

Ephesians 6:10-18 says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."

Just like what my "Tennis Survival Kit" was meant to do for me during my tennis season, our "Spiritual Survival Kit" can help protect us from things that our enemy tries to throw our way. It doesn't mean that those things won't ever affect us, in fact, they will and sometimes, it will be very painful. But it's better to be prepared for these things, to have some survival kit in place...so that when those times come, we will be equipped and ready to give an answer for the hope that we have. So in case you haven't done this yet, it's time to go get your survival kit ready...

her first blog...

So this morning, one of my friends (let's call her "Jennie") and I were emailing back and forth. Some things that were talked about are pretty important...some were pretty ridiculous. We got to talking about laundry. I mentioned that I gotta go do laundry. She then gave me a simple suggestion as to how I can get out of that. Here it is..."just don't dry it". You see, my friend "Jennie" just doesn't put the clothes in the dryer...her theory is if you don't dry it, you don't have to get it out of the dryer to actually fold it and put it away. Huh...not a bad idea. (Of course, we all see so many problems with "Jennie's" theory. Shhh, we won't tell her tho'!) I told her that would be a good thing to blog about and that she should start one...after all, my friend "Jennie" is married with 4 kids...yes, 4 (boys in grades 4th and 1st, age 4 and a daughter almost 15 months old)...so if she doesn't ever have anything to write about, somethin's seriously wrong, right? Right! She then emailed me her first blog...I decided to share with you all...and she doesn't know it yet! (Good thing our friendship is a secure one! :) Enjoy...I think the girl's got talent...let me know what you think!

Jennie's BLOG...
"Today I woke up earlier than I wanted...threw on some clothes that didn't match...but who really cares? Put the hair in a ponytail...told the 3 kids who HAVE to get up to get up while ignoring the one who DOESN'T and is up!...walked downstairs, dug around on the couch and floor for some sort of matching socks...because let's face it...I don't fold them either! :) Went back upstairs, pulled off blankets of the 3 who STILL were not out of bed! Changed the one who was and tried to find something not from the tanktop variety..it is a little chilly...HOLLORED at the 3 not out of bed to GET OUT OF BED...made two pb & j's and told the 3 to get dressed, make your lunch, and get in the car..drove ALL over town...back and forth to 3 different locations...thinking yep they are blessings and I DO love them...and why does the person in front of me NOT understand I AM in a HURRY! and I can't WAIT to get them all delivered so I can go home and do laundry!..."

So friends, what do you think? Comment here and let me know if my friend "Jennie" should become a blogger buddy.

P.S. I'm wonderin' why she made the two pb & j's if she then told her 3 older kids to make their own lunch...did you catch that too? :) Also, I wonder if the kids' socks were wet when they put them on?!?!

SonScape

Our comfortable cabin for the week

Seven Falls in Colorado Springs

Matt at ElevenMile Canyon

Our new friends and family in Christ

Last month, Matt and I had the huge blessing of going on a retreat...just the two of us. The last time that we had that much time away together was before kids. And even on our honeymoon, I ended up getting sick, so this made it extra special for us. My in-laws send each of their kids and their spouse on a retreat. It was our turn to go. We were looking for something for quite a while, but couldn't find anything that really suited us. At the last minute, God opened up a spot for us at a place called SonScape in Woodland Park, CO.

SonScape is re-creation ministries..."igniting and restoring Christian leaders worldwide". This is a place to "rest, receive and renew" in the beautiful setting of the Colorado mountains. This was not only good for us for reconnecting in our marriage, but also reconnecting with our amazing God. We got a double blessing that week...it was one of the best weeks in the almost 11 years that we have been married, but also one of the best weeks I have ever experienced in general.

Matt and I learned so many great things that week, too many to type here. Truly things that we needed to hear, or at least be reminded of. God has blessed SonScape ministries with 4 amazing and gifted people...Larry and Barbara Magnuson and Mike and Sandy Schafer. They were our retreat leaders for the week. We spent 7 days with them...we met as strangers and left as treasured friends. "Thank you, Larry and Barb, and Mike and Sandy, for your wisdom, care, leadership, encouragement, compassion and friendship! We learned from you and laughed with you."

The thing that I really loved about SonScape (other than it simply being located in Colorado) is that we had group teaching time (we shared this time with 7 other great people who are now our friends), personal teaching time (with our retreat leaders), but also time to actually reflect on the things that you were learning. They encourage silence and solitude, not just there, but especially in our busy, distracted lives at home. It's so easy to have chaos, isn't it? But Jesus set the example of being alone and spending time with His Father. That's necessary for us too. Our time away allowed for us to have some "free time" as well. Matt and I took full advantage of that being in the great outdoors. One of the best memories I have from that week was when we went to a place called "ElevenMile Canyon". It was absolutely beautiful! It's an eleven mile drive, turn around and drive back out. Except we stopped and spent a while there. We both found 2 huge boulders to sit on with our Bibles and notebooks and spent our day with God...alone.

I don't know how many people from the ministry read my blog...but whoever is reading this, if you have a friend that is in some kind of ministry and needs a time of renewal, refreshment and maybe some restoration in ministry...Sonscape is the place to go. If anyone is interested, you can check them out on the web at www.sonscape.org. It really is an amazing place with amazing people. God is doing a great work there!

"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." So true...God promises that. We were definitely weary and burdened walking in to SonScape and truly needing some rest...not just the tired kind of rest, but rest from the stresses, frustrations and hurts of ministry. We walked out of there, maybe still burdened, but two totally different people from all that we took away from a place called SonScape. Matt and I are better off because of it...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Today was the first day back to school for our girls. They were very excited to go back! Macayla just kept talking about how now she is a 3rd grader. When Rachel started school last year, she was very apprehensive. Macayla has talked about Mrs. Linn (Rachel's 1st grade teacher this year) enough that we think that has helped build the excitement for Rach this year. And even though she was fine with going to school today, I do think that it was starting to hit home that she wasn't going to be with me all day for a while. Last night before bed, Rachel said to me, "Mommy, I love you so so much!" I told her I loved her so much too. Less than 5 minutes after that, Rachel said again, "I love you Mommy". I apparently didn't hear her, because she said, "Mommy, I said I love you!" I told Matt when we went to bed last night that she must be missing me already.

This morning, they both told me that they hoped that I put a card in their lunchboxes...I had already done those the night before, so at lunch today, they had a nice surprise! They both had a really good day. Macayla came out of school all smiles and talking with her best friend, of course. (I don't even know if she realized I was even there!:) And Rachel came out all smiles too, and ran up and gave me a big hug! (That made this mom feel pretty good...)

The Gift Of Friendship

These following quotes on friendship reminded me of Myca:

"Friendship isn't a big thing-it's a million little things." (Author Unknown)

"I like her because she smiles at me and means it." (Anonymous)

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart." (Elisabeth Foley)

"You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another." (Prov. 27:17, The Message)

Myca and me

Let me introduce you to one of the most important gifts God has blessed my life with...my friend Myca. She is hands down the best friend I have ever had. We have been friends for over 20 years now. That means that I was around 16 when I started hanging around this precious family of 4. And that would have put Myca at the age of ??...(I was told to be nice here! :)

As I would walk by their house or ride my bike in our neighborhood, I would notice this cute little blonde-haired boy. And I would see this family that seemed so nice. I wanted to meet them. So I started coming around more and more. Before I knew it, The Randalls became my friends. It wasn't long after that, this cute little boy had an adorable little sister. Her name is Bethany. I still remember when they brought her home from the hospital. I then became their babysitter. We had a lot of fun together...memories I will cherish forever. Griff and Beth became like a little brother and sister to me.

Even though there are a few years in age between Myca and me, our friendship began to grow. I can't remember there being many days that I wasn't at their house. (At least my parents always knew where I was!) I always knew that someday I wanted to get married and have kids of my own, so having the opportunity to babysit really helped me in my parenting now. "Consistency"...that's what she always told me. And because I spent so much time with Myca, I learned more about Jesus from being with her. Myca is a faithful follower of Christ and modeled that daily. That came in handy in my teenage years! She also demonstated how to love her husband. They have been through a lot as a couple, heartaches that I never want to experience, yet their love and faithfulness remains strong. But I wasn't just a babysitter for her kids, or just a sister in Christ, but I was her friend...and still am to this day.

Let me share just some of the things she has done for me...

• trusted me with her kids (that's funny in itself! :)
• took time to talk to me during her busiest of days raising 2 kids
• fed me (paula deen has nothin' on myca's chicken 'n rice and fried squash!)
• picked me up and cleaned me up after a nasty bike wreck (how embarrassing)
• didn't laugh at me during my lanky legged, braces and glasses years (Seriously Andy, quit laughing!:)
• fed me
• included me in all the family parties (b-days, holidays)...or did I invite myself?
• showed up at Red Lobster on one of my dates to ease my nervousness (you are so sneaky!)
• painted me a tennis room when I left for college
• threw me a bridal shower
• fed me
• was the matron of honor in my wedding...thank you.
• prayed for me
• encouraged me (lots!)
• cried with me
• laughed with me
• and did I mention that she fed me? I wasn't sure...

Needless to say, I have many memories with my friend. It's not too often that you find a friend and remain best of friends for that many years. But even after I moved away for college and got married, our friendship remained strong. I visited them every chance I could when I would go back home. And yes, she even fed me then! Anytime you move away, changes in relationships can be expected. Sure, because of distance, I don't get to talk to Myca everyday like I used to. But to this day, Myca Randall is still my best friend. She is a friend to many...I'm just thankful that I am one of those friends on her list.

So Myca, thanks for over 20 years of friendship. You grow even more special to me every single day. I appreciate your trust and your faithful friendship. Thanks for always keeping in touch with me. I love that when we get together, we can literally pick up just where we left off. Thanks also to you guys for loving my husband and my girls. You guys are family to us. I know you hold us in your prayers. What a blessing to have you in my life. So thanks for smiling at me, because I know behind every smile, you actually mean it. God bless.

Love ya friend!

Jenn (a.k.a. J-flop)

P.S. Oh yeah, and thanks for letting me tell you "blonde jokes" and never getting mad about it. :)

Kids say the funniest things...

"Cornbread"

Last week, I was getting ready to put supper on the table and I asked our 6 year old to help set it for me. She agreed. We were having corn on the cob that night and so I asked her to put the "holders" (is there an official name for these?) for the corn on the cob at each plate. I already had a homemade bread roll on her sister's plate. So when I turned back around to bring more food to the table, this is what I found. I laughed as Rachel said, "Now it's cornbread"! :)

Down to 9 things...

Remember my post on "10 things you may not know about me" list? Well, it's down to only 9 now. Last Friday, I finally got a Starbucks. It was okay...I really wanted a french vanilla cappuccino, but had to settle for hazelnut. Bummer. Hey, at least I tried one, right? (So Nicki, you are off the hook. You don't have to buy one for me now.)

Random Stuff...

Just thought I'd post some more random pix from Indiana...

Cousins

My nephew Trey with his baseball trophies
(1st place for league and tournament champs!)

My nephew Michael and his girlfriend Katie

Hangin' out with Uncle Jon

At D.J.'s cabin ridin' 4-wheelers...the girls loved it!

DID YOU KNOW??

I thought this would be a fun post. The following are some things you just might not know about me. Here goes:

10 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT ME:

1. My birthmark is on my face.
2. I've never had a Starbucks...seriously.
3. I have a left shoulder injury from a car accident.
4. I hate math. Yes, I can do the simple math...you know, like 2 + 2 = 5, but that harder stuff...forget it!
5. I have been spelunking...with bats!
6. I was on a trip to Indianapolis to hang out with college friends and ended up in New Castle. Even saw signs for Richmond. After turning around, made my way home via Spencer. (check out Indiana map sometime)
7. I have seen Pete Sampras play tennis...in person.
8. Back in the day, I thought Scott Baio was "all that"! (those were some "Happy Days")
9. I was at the I.U. basketball game when Bob Knight threw the chair across the floor.
10. I am in a college tennis team picture that is on display in the Assembly Hall in Bloomington. (I've been told that there's also one in a Steak 'n Shake restaurant in B-town as well...have never seen it, just have heard about it.)

I know for those of you that are regulars at Starbucks are probably shocked that I've never had one. I always have good intentions. And someday, yes, I will get my french vanilla cappuccino. As far as #6 goes, let's just say that by the time the evening was over, my dad had called every cop and state trooper to send them out looking for me. Amazingly, as lost as I was, I found my way home. I still get teased about that to this day.

P.S. Matt, YOU are "all that"! Forget Scott Baio...(I'm glad you don't wear cross necklaces or red bandanas!)

"Cornhole...WHAT??"

THIS IS CORNHOLE!!!

My brothers Jeff and Jon

Matt and my dad

My sister-in-law Jamie (what you can't see is, she is playing in heels!)

Yeah, it's fun now, but not for long!!!

(As you can see, Jon's set of cornhole games is a basketball court. Michael's set is green with a duckhead on it...the little kids were playing on that one!)

My teammate Katie (and Michael's girlfriend)...I'm tellin' you, this game is serious!

Yes, I know...I step with the wrong foot, but it works!

Cornhole Champs...Dad and Michael

(yes, that is a can of corn on dad's head...that was the trophy!)

Yep, you read that right...CORNHOLE! Have you ever heard of it? If so, have you ever played it? Oh my goodness, it's my new favorite game...besides tennis of course and shootin' baskets.

The first time I ever heard of the game was last summer. The girls and I went to visit my parents in Indiana and while we are there, my mom always has a cookout to get all of the family together. My brothers announced that we were going to have a "cornhole tournament". "A what?" I asked. "Cornhole", they said. I was starting to get offended...I mean they've always had some "nicknames" for me, but never "cornhole". ("Mallory" sounded so much nicer!)

So we played...and I found that even though it was my first time playing, I wasn't too bad at it (which irritates my brothers...especially Jon!) I can't remember who was on my nephew Michael's team last year...probably my other nephew Matt...they are undefeated when they are on the same team together. Anyway, they won the tourney last year.

As soon as I got home last summer from my visit to Brazil, I told Matt, "I want you to build me a cornhole game." "A what?" he asked. "Cornhole", I said. He asked, "What did you just call me?" "No, it's a game...I want you to make me one." Well, he got to experience this fun just last week. I think he kinda likes it too. We're already talking about the design on our cornhole boxes that we want...one camoflauge one and one tennis court one. Pretty cool, huh?

Teams were randomly paired up this way:

Dad and Michael
Jeff and Matt
Jon and Jamie
Katie and me

(My mom chose not to play; Michelle and Kristen were busy working on college registration; and my nephew Matt couldn't make it...good thing, 'cuz he's pretty good! So it was just the 4 teams.)

I couldn't tell you what the scores were to all of the games...I just tried to put the corn bag in the hole. Well, and beat my brother Jon...which I did (with help from my teammate...thanks Katie!) Needless to say, I have a very competitive family. Anyway, Katie and I ended up in the final with my dad and Michael. Sadly, they won. But it was so much fun! Seriously, if you've never played "Cornhole", you really need to. I'm thinkin' that could be the next Wii game they come out with!!!

Down Memory Lane...

Carmen and me


Our girls with Cana and Harmony Bear (Cord and Carmen also have 2 sons...weren't home for the picture!)


Last week, my family and I headed back home to my hometown of Brazil, Indiana. On our way there, we made a pit stop in Wheeler, Illinois. This was the place of our first ministry. We wanted to show Macayla her first house she used to live in. Of course, she doesn't remember any of this because she was only 6 months old when we moved away from there. But going down memory lane can be fun sometimes, so we drove by our first church and our first house...actually, this was our 2nd parsonage, but the first for Macayla.

From there, we went to our friends' house, Cord and Carmen Bear. We had developed a very close bond with them during our time in Wheeler. They became some of our closest friends. In fact, they were both there when our daughter Macayla was born. Carmen is an o.b. nurse and it was her day off, but they spent the long emotional day with us anyway. We have kept in touch some over the years, but "life" gets in the way of that sometimes. It was refreshing to sit down and be able to talk with them and catch up. They remain very dear to our hearts.

We visited some other friends of ours too. It's so encouraging to go back years later and find that all of these people are still actively serving God and growing as families.

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints." Philemon 7

Do you remember your church camp days?

Macayla and Kate became good friends...


Macayla and her cousin, Josiah


Macayla, Kate, and Terra

This past week, I took our oldest daughter Macayla to church camp. It was her first time going. I wasn't sure if we would be able to work it in this summer, because our June has been pretty full. So far this summer, she had already participated in a cooking class camp and a basketball camp. She had fun with both of those, but as busy as she has been, I wanted to take her to the camp that would benefit her the most...church camp.

I grew up in Indiana, so I had never been to camp cyokamo before. Matt printed off a map for me before I left. Getting to Pittsburg...no problem. Getting to camp cyokamo...big problem. Let's just say I made a "couple" wrong turns and had to call Matt a "couple" of times. As we were driving, Macayla says to me, "Oh great, we are lost!" I come back with, "I am NOT lost...I just don't know where I am going!" HUH? Does that even make sense? I kinda shook my head after I said that, knowing full well that when you don't know where you are going, yeah, you're kinda lost. And the more "lost" I got, the more frustrated I became as I chomped away on as many twizzlers as I could. It all turned out ok tho'...we made it just in time for supper.

I hadn't pre-registered Macayla so I had to do that first thing. I had told her that our friends Allie and Lauren would be at camp, and maybe Britain and Hannah would as well, so as we got out of the suv, that's who she was looking for. No success. I put Macayla in the line for supper with her cousin, Josiah and went on to register. I just figured she would be alright.

I got all the paperwork done and as soon as I walked into the mess hall, out of 190 or so campers, the first person I see is Macayla. I could tell she had been crying. I asked her what was wrong and she tearfully said, "I don't know what to do and I don't know where to go." She clung to me and at that moment I thought to myself, "What have I gotten her into?" And on top of that, I had to break the news to her that her friend Lauren had just left that morning to go home...she had already been to camp.

So, after hugging Macayla and telling her, "It will be okay", she came back in with me so I could eat supper. I told her that after she gets plugged into a team, she would meet other kids and make friends. The more we talked, the better she seemed. And I knew that would happen for her. Macayla is very outgoing and has a great personality, and is not shy about meeting new people. It wasn't very long at all before she met some friends. In fact, she ended up enjoying camp so much that she didn't want to leave and she told me she wants to go back next year.

Do you remember your church camp days? I went some as a kid, but I went as a sponsor as a college student more than I did as a camper. And I loved it! There was just something about it. That's why I was so excited to be able to share this first time camp experience with my daughter. I think it is something she will remember for a very long time.

We both kinda felt "lost" at first. And I may not have a great sense of direction on the road sometimes, but I'm sure glad to know "where I am going".


P.S. Allie and Regina, I was bummed that your kids weren't there! :(