Has it really been a month?

Well, we're headed into fall and the "come back to church" season, so we're busy around here. Which shows, as I haven't blogged in a month.

I'm home alone tonight. And I was last night, too!
Eric blessed me by allowing me to stay home as he took the children up north to "the cabin" Sunday night thru Tue. evening. While I'm missing the fun family relaxing time, I needed some time to shampoo rugs, clean the house, and generally get a break from the constant "mommy" demands. Mind you, I never need a break from their daddy :-) but every now & then it's good for a mom to have some down time. And I've been blessed with it these couple of days.

We just finished our second annual VAMP weekend (Volunteer Appreciation & Ministry Preparation). Friday night was the big volunteer appreciation dinner. It was held at the same hall as Chrissie's wedding, and we even used the same caterer. Plus we did some hilarious entertainment, and then Eric did a "thank you" talk, plus vision casting for the fall, and we showed a video Dave produced which held highlights from interviews with folks whose lives have been impacted by the church. It was really fun--the staff dressed up in suits & gowns, and we welcomed people over the sound system as they entered on the "red carpet" & took their pics & treated them like stars. It's funny how embarrassed people can get when you highlight them in front of people. And then there are folks like me (and Brit and Eric and Dave and Brian and Brad) who THRIVE on being in front of people. :-)

Britney and I (both fair singers who rarely get to sing in public) did our own re-written rendition of "Wind Beneath My Wings", and our new staff guy, Jared, did some backup vocals for us. Such fun.

We welcomed the "starving Jesus" tour to our church on Sunday (www.starvingjesus.com), to co-speak with Eric about serving others, both within the church as well as in the community. We had over 320 people at church Sunday, which is well above expected for summer. God is doing some amazing things at the Movie Theater Church. Sola Deo Gloria!

Braden says he's not thrilled about school starting next week, but I think he'll be glad to have something regular to do after a "boring" summer. Holland is excited...and has her TinkerBell backpack packed & ready to go. Aidan says he doesn't like school, but I think he's getting the idea too, as he'll go back to "preschool" two days/week starting next week also. I'm glad because it will give me defined times again for work, which should help me to keep balance better.

Oh, the cabin they're at is in Remer, MN, about 2 hours away, and we have been blessed with the use of it as the family who owns it would only go on weekends, and we (obviously) could only go on weekdays. It is a lovely little place on a small lake with no one else in sight. There's a fishing boat (yeah for Eric & Braden), and a big sand pile (yeah for Aidan & Holland). I made my peace with the out house, but last time we were there, the only time Holland used the "restroom" was when she was swimming in the lake. I am hoping she has worked something out this trip. :-) She says that behind a tree is preferable to the out house. :-) The cabin does have electricity, though--stove, fridge, TV, etc., and even a microwave (which is more than can be said about our house!)

I talked to Eric this morning, and Holland had caught her first fish. A sunny, off the dock. The cell phones don't work at the cabin, but he called me when they were driving into town for ice cream & bait.

Britney & I went to a movie tonight, and now I'm going to check & see if the basement rug is dry from the shampooing it got today.

Keep in touch!