AWANA and stuff

Last night was our kids last night in Awana - Alana is in Cubbies, Logan in Sparkies, Monica helps with the T & T's, and Zach is part of middle school youth group. The program continues for another 3 weeks but we are leaving so they were kind enough to wrap things up for our family. Alana was given a little 'Cubby Bear Award' for finishing her first book (or, as she adamantly calls it, her reward).

Nice job, little sweetie!Logan was also given an Award, the highest one a Sparky can receive, which is given to the clubber who completes all three of the Sparky books. The cool thing is that the kids are usually is Sparkies for kindergarten, first, and second grade - or three years. Logan, however, was only in it for two since he skipped kindergarten. Early on in the first year of Sparkies he saw another boy in our church receive the Timothy Award, which is WAY up there in Awana world, and he asked how he could get that. I explained how he could work his way up to it, starting with the Sparkies Plaque...ever since then it's been his goal and I'm so glad that he was able to complete it. BUT MOST OF ALL, I'm sooo thankful for the many, many verses that are now etched into his mind - and as his parents we can only pray that they will also remain in his heart, bringing about a change in his life and a love for his Saviour.

Good Job, Logan! You did it!

In line with the other Sparkies

Being given the award by his leader, Mrs. Lim.The happy little clubber!And here it is, already on the wall, with the first book award and the second book award, hanging with it.

And now for the 'stuff' part of the post....several times I've mentioned our trip to Maine without ever doing a good job of explaining it. I'll do that now - since I have nothing better to do on the day before our 5 week, 2,400 mile one way, trip across the country with a family of seven....! Anyway - we are headed back to Maine on a multi-purpose trip. One main reason being, we moved out here almost 6 years ago and haven't been back since. Much of our family back in Maine have never met Alana and Jesse, who were both born out here in SD. The first weekend we are there will be a family reunion with the whole Rozelle family, which is my side, the third weekend we are there is the Chamberland family reunion - so, needless to say, we are SUPER excited about those two things!

The other purpose of the trip is to speak in 8 different churches over the course of the 5 Sundays that we're on the road. Our desire is multi-faceted in this as well; we want to spread awareness of Nehemiah Teams International, we want to be able to make more contacts among people who could be potential team members on future trips, and we also would like to be able to raise some prayer and financial support for our family. This is also an exciting part of the trip, but one which we are a little bit more apprehensive about. Pray with us, please=) We want to be a good representation of NTI, but most of all, a good representation of our LORD. Along these lines, we really want to thank our home church of Calvary Baptist for their love, prayers, and support. It's so nice to know they are behind us and will keep us covered in prayer during the many days ahead. Thank you!