113 posts tagged “church”

Today was the first performance of the new kids' choir that I started at our church here.  I was missing 2 kids but thought they did a fantastic job!

They don't have a set age limit for when kids can begin receiving communion here.  It's just up to the parents and the there are 3 weeks of classes that the child and parents go through.  We decided to have Jace go ahead and do it.  Cody didn't get to until the end of 5th grade but it was obvious kids do it younger here.  I must say I don't think Jace got nearly as much out of the classes as Cody did and Jace was one of the oldest ones there.  I sure don't plan to have Lily do it any younger. 

The whole family went to church including my parents and brother.  It's so awesome to have them present at all of these wonderful events.  We got Jace a dog tag cross necklace and he even wore it to school today.

Fumble:

1. I'm having 3 moles removed from my back next Monday.  I had 2 removed in college and my chiropractor suggested I have a few checked out at my last appt. before we moved.  I finally got around to it yesterday.  At first, the Dr. thought there were 2 that just needed watching but then she found one she didn't like under my bra strap.  If they're removing one, we might as well just get rid of all 3. 
2. Jace's flag football team got creamed last night. 
3. The Steelers lost on Sunday because Jeff Reed missed 2 field goals.  I could've understood missing one in the pouring rain but 2?!

Touchdown:

1. We're ordering our kitchen cabinets today or tomorrow.
2. The perfotaper finally arrived last night and began work today.  I'm hoping things will move along now!
3. The start of Fall TV programming.  I enjoyed DWTS and Castle last night. 
4. The kids are acclimating soooo well here.  I'm very happy and excited for them.
5. The 1st practice for my new kids' choir here was last Wednesday and I only had 6 kids (2 were mine).  When I scheduled it, I didn't realize it was an "early out" day for school.  The church program that is before my choir had less than half of the kids that attended the previous week so I'm hoping my attendance will be much better tomorrow.  I'd really like a minimum of 15 kids.
6. I went to my first handbell practice last week.  I've always wanted to learn to play.  It's harder than I thought but the others said I did amazing for my first time.

I met with our pastor yesterday about starting a kids’ choir but finding a good practice time is the hard part.  They already have an after-school program at the church from 3:30-5 on Wed. so I think that day is out of the question.  Every other day is filled up with sports activities so I’m putting some feelers out on Sunday evenings.  They also have a new Activities Coordinator position that he thought I might be interested in.  The job description is rather intimidating and I think impossible to get done in a maximum of 20 hrs / week.  Think I’ve already decided it’s not for me.  Some of it I would enjoy but some of it sounds like you arrange a lot of the confirmation and Sunday School programs which is not my field of expertise.  It also doesn’t make much sense for me to do that for $10-$12 an hour when I could make more working for mom. 

I did get invited to join the music selection committee after commenting on some of what I was doing in Jamestown.  They're moving to one service which I told him concerned me because we like a contemporary service.  His plan is to make it a mix.  Right now, he has two very traditional people and one contemporary person on the music selection committee so he said I could balance things out.  I also found out he has my favorite book for contemporary music so I’m excited about that. 

I also plan to join the Sanctuary Choir and Handbell Choir.  I've always wanted to learn handbells but they practiced on Mondays in Jamestown and I couldn't see spending another night away from home.   

As you know, the kids and I went to Jamestown for a few days to visit before school starts.  We spent 3 nights there and Lily spent all 3 nights with friends and the boys spent 2 of the nights with friends.  Good thing Rascal went with or I would've been completely alone!  We got to see just about everyone that we wanted to see but, of course, it wasn't long enough.  We even went to church on Sunday.  I was hoping AWE would be singing so I could join them but it was their Sunday off.  Directors haven't been found to replace me with AWE or the kids' choirs which really concerns me since time is running short.  Our Pastor tends to procrastinate a bit much and I'd hate to see the programs fail.

A few photos from our trip. 

Bluebird's daughters with Jace & Lily.

Our house didn't sell from any of the 2nd showings last week.  I'm afraid we're going to have to drop the price again because we really need to unload it.

The last night was the best for me.  I had supper with Deb & Cory and then we sat on their deck and visited in the gorgeous weather.  Afterward, Kristi came over and we had a cup of Chai tea and visited before bed.

 

 

Thumbs Down:

1. Facebook not letting me post status updates.  It's obviously not doing it to everyone.  Are my updates just too boring or what?
2. Having to wait a week for my MT drivers license.  There's no sales tax in MT and ND doesn't charge MT residents sales tax on purchases over $50 if you have a MT drivers license.  Ray and I need to run to Menards this weekend and get a bunch of stuff for the new house.  Guess we'll have to make mom come with so we can use hers.

Thumbs Up:

1. Being at the lake!
2. The guys bringing in 16 walleye today.  There's nothing like fresh walleye and rhubarb crunch for supper!
3. Only having to drive 2 hrs to get to the lake.  It sure beats 3 1/2 hrs.
4. Jace & Lily's Vacation Bible Camp finale.  Lily did the opening prayer all by herself.  I'll have to share that video later.
5. Cody taking 3rd at the wrestling camp takedown tournament.

The man in charge of the recreational soccer program here told me that Saturday mornings at 10, whomever wants to gets together and plays soccer.  I'm quite sure he told me it was mostly middle schoolers.  I took Cody yesterday and we got there only to see several h.s. age boys.  Cody's soccer coach was also there and said the high school boys and some adults were practicing but Cody would fit in fine and could stay.  The goalie was out in the net and some of the other kids were trying to score on him so Cody went out to join them.  He was the only one who got the ball in the net and he did it twice.  I was still sticking around and then Cody came over and told me that he wanted to stay and I could leave.  I was soooo impressed!  If it had been me, I would've been outta there.  Way too intimidating of a situation for me!

When I returned to pick him up, he said the coach told him that the teens were asking if Cody could be on there team and that they nicknamed him Little Man.  They were all tall, skinny kids and Cody's not even 5'0" yet (though getting awfully close).

This morning, I went to church with my dad and brother.  The kids were up late so I was letting them have the morning off and Ray was working on the house.  Just before the service began, Cody showed up.  Apparently, he wanted to go and so had Ray drop him off on the way to the house.  He surprised me again!

It's been 4 1/2 months in the making but moving day has quickly arrived.  It's been a crazy week packing and spending time with friends.  On Friday, Cody and I had a golfing excursion with his good friend and his mom.  It was my first time out for the season and it was so nice to be golfing again!  Saturday evening, we played pinochle with Gndsgang.  I'm happy to say that the girls went out on top creaming the guys in all 3 games!  (We were due). 

Sunday was my last time singing with the AWE group at church.  The scheduled accompanist was a no show so we had 20 minutes to practice 8 songs with another accompanist who'd never seen some of the music.  I was so nervous about it that I hardly had time to be sad about it being my last day but things did go well and our family was remembered in the prayers.  We signed with a new realtor so prayers are welcomed on that front.  There were 3 soccer games during the afternoon and we were blessed with temps in the 80's plus a small rain shower.  Lily scored 3 goals. Cody scored one goal on a corner kick but his team lost right at the end 3-4.  Jace has had a fantastic season and finished strong.  His team won 7-3 with Jace making 4 of the goals, 2 of which were from half field!  I believe his team went undefeated.

We went to supper last night at Paradiso with Bluebird and family.  She gave the family a nice card and then one for me.  Of course, it made me cry.  The good news is we're letting the boys play with their competitive soccer teams for one tournament in Bismarck this weekend.  So, we'll see all of our closest friends in just 5 days which makes leaving much easier. 

I wasn't very excited about moving to Jamestown, ND, when we graduated from college.  ND was the state we always made fun of growing up on the MT/ND border.  However, I have grown to love ND and the people who live in it.  Our time here has been filled with memories that we'll cherish forever:  having 3 children, making wonderful friends, growing spiritually, directing 3 musical groups which I never thought I'd do, becoming a SAHM, Ray climbing the corporate ladder faster than anyone thought possible, and having our children attend Catholic school.  It's hard to say what we'll miss most about Jamestown (it won't be the blizzards) but I do know that this is definitely not goodbye.  There is too much here for us not to visit often and we'll be counting on our friends to come visit us, too! 

Montana, we're coming home!

Wednesday was the 6th grade class's family picnic.

They have a fun song they sing for grace to the tune of the Superman Theme Song.

Thursday night was 6th grade graduation for Cody's class.  It was held at the Basilica and was mainly a Mass with the 6th graders leading most of the service.  The prelude consisted of 6th graders singing, playing piano, and instruments.

Cody was part of the Procession of Roses.  The first rose was a bud which represented the kids as they entered preschool.  The 2nd rose which Cody carried was starting to bloom which represented the kids now.  The last rose was in full bloom and represented the kids as adults.

Cody and Nick U. were song leaders for 5 songs.

I really wanted to tell everyone else not to sing so we could just hear them ;)  The Priest did a really nice sermon about the importance of parents and grandparents in the kids' lives.  Then, they presented the class with their graduation certificates and gave out awards. There was a special recognition of our family since we're moving.

At the end of the service, the whole class sang their class song, "Awesome God".

Of course, I got teary numerous times throughout the program.  More than Cody graduating was the fact that Jace & Lily won't get to go through this ceremony and it was so wonderful.

After the ceremony, there was a reception with food and a slideshow of the kids' journies since preschool.

 

 

 

Cody had a fabulous teacher for 6th grade.

After the reception, the parents of one of Cody's classmates had a party for them until 1 am!  They got to hot tub, play Rock Band, karoake, etc.  It was a very special evening for the kids.

Sunday was the last time both my kids' choirs performed in church under my direction.  Between services, there was a teacher recognition breakfast and I was practicing with my AWE group.  A friend came and told me I was needed at the breakfast so I knew something was up.  In front of everyone, she presented me with this beautiful book from the kids.  Each kid made me a page.  Then, our Children's Education Director said some nice words and started choking up.  I probably should've spoken but I was already tearing up and knew I wouldn't be able to get through saying anything.

Out in the hall, I started going through the book which was making me cry more.  Then, the mother of a boy whose in my choir came and told me that she admires me, is inspired by me, and wants to be more like me.  I could hardly speak.  I don't believe anyone has ever told me that I inspired them.  Finally, I just had to go in the bathroom because I couldn't hold the tears back. 

Once I composed myself, I went back into church to prepare for the service.  My accompanist gave me a silver, musical note necklace that says "Praise" and two of my other choir kids gave me a bouquet of flowers.  It was very overwhelming.  I told the kids since it was my last time to direct them, they needed to make it super good.  They delivered.  Luther Choir sang "Abundawunderful Life" and Chorister Choir sang "I Wonder How It Felt".  I had Ray use the real video camera so we'd have it in good quality.  Unfortunately, that means I can't share the videos on here.

I had several other lovely comments after the service.  I will sing with the AWE group one last time on May 31.  That is if I can sing without crying!