Proud to share a part in...

Customize a picture slideshow My church is halfway through our annual fall campaign and we have seen the Lord's hand of blessing. I am so very proud to share a small part in the big work God is doing through my church. Come see some of my photography over at Serendipity-Images.

Busy-ness

This week just ended one of the busiest weeks of the entire year, but also one of the most productive.

It started off with Easter...

And also the beginning of my church's annual Preaching Conference, an event

that takes place every last week in April.

We had services starting Sunday that led into Thursday with special speakers

from all over the world...quite literally! (This year we had Dr. Cloud from Nepal)

On Monday, I was able to attend my second Sustainer's Banquet for Fairhaven Baptist College. 

(I attended my first one as a senior in college)

The food was absolutely delicious and although I did not bring my camera along, I can

distinctively remember how delicious and moist the Parmesan chicken was (that might I add

was prepped for cooking by Chef Mi Papa) and how I ate the best wildfire chicken salad ever.

And the desert...wow!  A piece of strawberry heaven!  :)

I was excited to be attending with my parents but then a little disappointed to find out I had 

not been seated at their table.  However I got to sit with a bunch of older, mature, and

so much fun ladies!  I enjoyed their company thoroughly and was so glad that

I was able to fellowship with people I normally do not get to!

The rest of the week was a whirlwind of special services, amazing messages,

nursery chaos, an alumni breakfast and reuniting of old college friends!

After staying up late and getting up early, Friday served as a great day to have off!

Brooke and I used the day to drive over to Orland Park, where we did some shopping

(mainly for my littlest sister's b-day) and had a great time just hanging out! 

Potbelly's + Starbuck's Vanilla Bean Frapp + Charming Charlies + Archivers = GREAT day! :)

{PS:  Be sure to head over here to enter a great giveaway and a chance 

to win something from my etsy!}

...the best is mine

Yesterday my church celebrated their 40th anniversary, and I am proud to say that my family has been here for 27 of those. Fairhaven Baptist Church has impacted lives, salvaged families, and reached out to the community for all of its 40 years. We celebrated this special day by having an 'Old Fashioned Service'!

My church runs several buses all throughout the areas surrounding us. The children we picked up were able to participate in a giant helicopter candy scramble. It was so much fun to watch all the children anxiously watch as the copter dropped candy and the flag was waved for them to go and get it!

Our evening service was completed with cake and ice cream and a special gift given to our Pastor. After my Preacher was presented with his gift from his church he said something that made me proud...

"Many Pastors say they have the best church...but, I KNOW I do."

And..., I feel the exact some way about the church. It has made a difference in my life and I am so very proud to have been raised in this independent-Old Fashioned-Bible-believing Baptist church. Truly, I can say as well, "the best is mine."

Linking up over at Mary's to participate in Mosaic Monday!

He is Risen!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for Resurrection Sunday. My sisters and I enjoyed dyeing some eggs, which I think I always will enjoy no matter how old I get! We had a great Easter program in church and a superb dinner with friends.

I was very glad that I had taken my camera along with me to church. When the evening service was dismissed, I noticed how amazing the sky looked. It was if an artist had painted strokes with a fine brush. It literally gave me goosebumps and I couldn't help but wonder if that's how it looked the morning Jesus came forth from the grave!

Happy Resurrection Sunday to all!

{This is my personal favorite...so us!}

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

I Peter 1: 3-5

The Love of God

The pianist in church today played a beautiful

special, entitled, The Love of God.

What a fitting song for the Valentine holiday...

1. The love of God is greater far
   Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
   It goes beyond the highest star,
   And reaches to the lowest hell;
   The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
   God gave His Son to win;
   His erring child He reconciled,
   And pardoned from his sin.
   • Refrain:
     Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
     How measureless and strong!
     It shall forevermore endure—
     The saints’ and angels’ song.
2. When hoary time shall pass away,
   And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
   When men who here refuse to pray,
   On rocks and hills and mountains call,
   God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
   All measureless and strong;
   Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
   The saints’ and angels’ song.
3. Could we with ink the ocean fill,
   And were the skies of parchment made,
   Were every stalk on earth a quill,
   And every man a scribe by trade;
   To write the love of God above
   Would drain the ocean dry;
   Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
   Though stretched from sky to sky.