Youth Conference 2009 Examples In Action

Who says girls can't build a concrete walkway??? Kelsi, Jenna, and Becca just do it a little different...in style...with pink work gloves! This weekend our youth built a quarter of a mile walk way for a retirement home in Haltom City as a service project for Youth Conference. Our theme this year was Examples in Action based on the scripture :
"Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12)



For the last 7 years many attempts have been made by various groups to complete this sidewalk yet each one fell through. The living center didn't want to give us the green light, and especially hesitated when they were told it would be completed by 200+ kids, ages 14-18. That's what made the completion so impressive. Our youth felt a sense of accomplishment and more importantly, the joy that comes from serving others.



As I watched these kids pitch in, I couldn't help but think of our time with Grandma Little before she passed on. When she was at one retirement home, we walked her over to the duck pond and our kids got to push her in the wheelchair and have time serving Grandma. They talked with her, ate watermelon with her and were able to give her a change of scenery. These youth not only built a walkway, but built a place where memories could be made members...a place where family members can walk and talk with their loved ones.



When I was first asked to be the president of our Young Women's organization I was terrified. But each day I spend more time with these girls I am so impressed with their goodness and their courage. Spending time with them this weekend helped me get to know each of them a little better and they are "examples in action" to me, even though I'm older than them.



Here are a few pictures from our adventures this weekend. Morgan , Becca, Kelsi, and Sarah, Jenna, and Amanda.....thanks for making this such a fun and rewarding weekend. Sarah, you might want to find a new way to solve your nasal congestion problems. Becca, get ready to have lots of June bug funerals, because this is the time of year when they come out. Morgan...glad we could introduce you to honeysuckles!

A "Six-cessful" Birthday!

This weekend Wesley celebrated his 6th birthday at Chuck-E-Cheese! We are so glad he has met some "buddies" here, because for him, buddies make life great. In our family we have to change the saying to , "If Wesley ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" So thank you all of Wesley's friends! I think the favorite part of his birthday was the Toaster Strudels we surprised him with for breakfast that morning. We knew he'd wake up before us since he's up at the crack of dawn. We also knew the first thing he'd hunt for would be waffles. So, we put chocolate Toaster Strudels in the freezer with a birthday card! He was so excited. I woke up to a

smothering hug and a BIG thank you that morning!

Wesley-we love you buddy! You have a giving and caring heart and we love the way you share with Micaela and Annika. You are so full of creativity and energy (.....speaking of which...if we could bottle your energy up, we could solve the energy crisis in this nation.) Thanks for being a good son, brother and friend! Happy 6th birthday!