Counting the days...

I haven't posted in quite a while, because I have been totally immersed in Summer Spectacular (VBS)! Working in Children's Ministry is such a blessing, and I love being involved with "Outreach". Each time we have a Worship time, we have guests and I just love getting to meet the kids and visit with them. Summer Spectacular, however, isn't your normal "event". Our Children's Minister, Patty Weaver, is amazing. Her brain never stops working and her heart never stops giving. Each night, Monday through Wednesday, we were over 2,000! Wednesday night was close to 2,500! Our featured character this year was DANIEL...GOD'S MANE MAN. The decorations, the classes, the volunteers, the "Broadway-style" musical, the "Lion Dancers" (think of the Chinese dragon dancers, but lions!), the cast who stayed late each night so that the kids could get their shirts signed...all of these things, and more, made this year's event UNFORGETTABLE! Literally thousands of manhours are put into this special event and we work alongside each other to reach out to our members and to our community. Some of my favorite times were as I sat at the "Throne Room" while the kids stood in line to get the King's autograph (different king each night!). We give out little trinkets to the kids as they come through and visit with them as they are waiting. At my station, however, they got Ring Pops. I was very popular!!! On the 2nd night, a little boy asked me if I would sign his shirt. I told him I wasn't in the musical, and he said he wanted me to sign his shirt so he could remember me. Be still my heart! My job is a gift from God and I am so blessed.

Now, for the title of this post...Monday, June 18th is the day sweet Samuel will come into this world. He and his mommy have had a tough journey together and I believe he already possesses a strength that is incomprehensible, because of all the bumps along the way. Christine and I have talked about what a difficult time this has been, but what a sweet time she has had with Samuel already. Matt has continued to work at his job, get a house ready, make endless runs to and from the hospital, and through it all, he has remained faithful to his vow, "in sickness and in health". There aren't a lot of Matt's in the world, so count your blessings if you have one! Giggy has taken care of Jack and Christine for the past few weeks because of my work schedule. I am thankful for her, so thankful.

On Monday, we'll all be together waiting for Sam to arrive. Jack is ready for his little brother, but we'll revisit that when he realizes that Sam will take alot of mommy's time! He is going to be one terrific big brother. We ask that you join us as we pray without ceasing in the next couple of days. A few things we will be specifically praying about...that Samuel will be delivered safely and in good health, that Christine will continue to endure and that God will heal her body completely in the days to come, that God will guide her doctor and those who will participate in her care. We also are lifting up Matt, who is a constant strength to Christine, that God will give him rest over the weekend, so that he, too, will be healthy on Monday. We are praying for Jack that the day will be a sweet one, and that when the time is right, he can come up and join us. And, we lift up our precious Samuel Ray, who is already loved so very much and who, we know, will bring much joy to his parents and all his family. Matt and Christine have prayed Hannah's prayer thoughout this entire pregnancy, and what a precious prayer it is...
1 Samuel 1:27-28 (New International Version)
27 I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.

Of course, we'll let everyone know when he arrives...but until he does, keep all of this family in your prayers...you remain in ours.