The Acting Debut....

One morning in Preschool worship during VBS, the Princess was chosen to help tell the bible story. Ms. Beth, our Minister of Childhood Development, was telling the story of the Good Samaritan. We had to share the pictures and a short video with you! SHE IS JUST SO CUTE! Thanks Ms. Beth! Way to go Princess!

And here is the video!

I had to write about this....

But a friend beat me to it. You must read what our friend Ben wrote about it all. Click his name to read his blog. The man Ben writes about was my youth minister as well. Read almost exactly what the Lord had put on my heart. Way to go Ben!
I must say that I actually like Craig's hair this way. He's had lots of opportunities for ministry with it like this. People just want to talk to him about it. These men did this to raise money for bicycles for church planters in India! The kids involved in VBS brought in the money! The original goal was enough money for 15 bikes...but as more pastors raised the bar and said if they brought more money, more heads would be shaved. They raised enough for more than 50 bikes. Four pastors heads got shaved! GOOD JOB!!!

Pray for Mexico

When we felt the Lord calling us from Mexico, our burden for the lost there did not change. I still pray for them almost daily. Unfortunately, some of the struggles they face there have spilled over into the US. This video is a story put together by FOX news. It is hard to believe that this is occurring in OUR country. I will warn you that they talk about some very hard issues. We must pray for the lost of Mexico. AND most importantly, we must do what we can to reach for Christ those who are in our country so they will go and change their homeland for Christ.

Click here to see the video.

A Day for Dads....

I must confess that I have the two most wonderful men in my life...who are both dads. My husband Craig and my Daddy. I have to share with you some things that make them such wonderful Dads!

Craig:
1. He makes pirate mac-n-cheese. That is a cut up hot dog buried like treasure beneath the mac-n-cheese.
2. He braves the insanity and takes the 3 kids to IHOP all by himself. So far he's survived, and he keeps doing it!
(See the pic, he's actually smiling!)
3. He lets the kids help him wash the cars. The kids love this!
4. He is always looking for new places and things to do with them. I think that is 50% of the reason he reads the newspaper.
5. He loves my kids unconditionally!
6. He shows them everyday what it means to be a missionary follower of Christ!
AND THE MOST SACRIFICIAL FOR ME....
He handles super early morning duty with the kids.

You are a great husband and a great dad! I am so thankful that the Lord put us together with our kiddos. You are leaving an incredible legacy for them. You make a great ringleader for our circus, and I love you!


My Daddy:
1. He used to tell me I was his perfect 10. I knew my daddy thought I was beautiful!
2. He used to put silly notes in my lunch sacks.


3. He caught for me as I threw countless pitches....rain or shine.
4. He let me have lagniappe days to rest when I needed them most.
5. I could understand the concept of God being my Father because I had such a loving example in real life.
Dad, I love you and thank you for the legacy you are for me.


Happy Father's Day!

Why can't I be more like a child?

This past Saturday night was the Artist's and the Jedi's choir program at church. They did so good. We are so thankful for the opportunity our children have at FBC Norfolk. The biggest surprise and most joyful moment came after the performance was over. I was trying to find Lydia among all the people and looked up to find her at the edge of the stage standing with our NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR!!!

The Artist had been begging me for weeks to take her an invitation to the program. Every time she thought about it, our neighbor wasn't home, or we were late heading somewhere, or we were really late getting home. There just never seemed to be just the right time. And honestly, I didn't want the Artist to be disappointed if she wasn't able come. And to be really honest, I wasn't quite sure she would come. Well, Friday afternoon (the day before the performance), the Artist took her an invitation. And you can tell from the picture that she DID come. After the Artist hugged her, she looked at me and said, "This is the best day ever!" Was it because she had finished singing in a great musical? NO! It was truly because our neighbor, who she invited, came to church to see her sing.

Why can't I be more like a child? Why can't I have just a tiny bit of the faith my daughter has? Will I overcome my "assumptions" and continue to pursue those around me? Lord, continue to open my eyes and allow me to see people just like you do.

Wish I was made of rubber....

Yesterday was going so well. We had gotten some stuff done and I was headed down the stairs to change the laundry. I was talking to the older kids and almost to the bottom when my foot slipped. For some reason, it wasn't fun. When I was little, I used to sit at the top of the stairs of my house and slide down. We even used to get in our sleeping bags and "ride" all the way down. The faster and harder we went, the more fun we had. Well, I am not sure the kids would describe all of my wailing as fun. Poor kids had to watch me fall...and then watch me wail as I held my backside. They began to cry as I was wailing. I am actually giggling as I am writing this because it's funny now. The Artist asked if we needed to call the hospital. Jedi asked if I was going to need a wheel chair for the rest of my life. All I could say was "Everybody go to bed." I assured them I was fine, although at the moment I wasn't so sure. I sent everybody to their beds so I could regroup. I literally thought that if I stood up my backside was going to fall off (which might not be so bad, actually). Just so you know, I am fine, and my backside did not fall off. It is bruised though. A massive eggplant colored bruise that will remind me of the fall for MONTHS to come.

So, has this fall changed me in any way (other than being purple and sore?) Well, I can tell you that I walk extremely slow on the stairs and hold the rail all the way down or up. The last thing I need is to fall again! Well, there is a part of me that wishes I would hurt that badly every time I was about to fall into sin. Can you imagine? Here comes a bad thought and OUCH! Or, I am not being loving to my husband or my kids and OUCH! Well, we really do have an accountability as believers. God has given us HIS Holy Spirit to teach and guide us. He is also there to convict us when we sin. When I have sin in my life, it should grieve me. When I catch myself in sin, I should hurt. When I find myself breaking my relationship with Christ, I should mourn. I must admit that when I do find myself in sin, I wouldn't exactly say I grieve or mourn the relationship I've broken. I feel bad and ask for forgiveness, but does it grieve me? We must be ready and willing to hear the Holy Spirit. We must be attentive and listening as He speaks in that still and quiet voice. And if we are, we can hopefully avoid the pain of the fall.

"But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you." John 14:26

The Breath of Life....

THEY'RE ALIVE!!!!!
Jedi's bones are alive! After x-rays today, we now know that Jedi's bones are in the regenerative stage of the disease! He has
had significant bone growth since December. Isn't God good? The pain that he is experiencing is normal at this stage. He will
grow out of this eventually. When he has pain, he can be treated with simple pain medication. We will return to Duke in December for more x-
rays. Thank you for praying for us.



Now, I will share one more request. We have friends, Greg and Missy
Wood, who are sharing Jesus with people in Mexico. A week ago this
past Saturday their 4 year old daughter, Annie, fell into a boiling
pot of liquid. She was burned on over 20% of her body. She was flown
to Shriner's Hospital in Galveston, TX, and God has done incredible
things in this situation. For example, in the beginning, they were
told the burns were over more than 40% of her body. God has also
provided for their family in Galveston in incredible ways. They have
a blog, www.pray4annie.com . Please visit the website to read the
whole story and see daily updates about this precious little girl and
her family. Please pray for healing for Annie. Pray for patience and
wisdom for Greg and Missy as they help clean her wounds and help her
heal psychologically as well. We love this family, and we know that
you, our prayer warriors, would do an incredible job lifting them up.

Thanks again for holding the ropes for us through another tough time!
The Clayton Circus