Youth

Ah!  To be young again!  No, thank you!  While I would love to have the strength and stamina of youth again, I would NOT want to be young and growing up in this wicked and sinful generation!  A generation of people who don't know if they are male or female!  Forgive me, but am I missing something here?  My parents didn't talk about the birds and the bees but at least I did know and understand that much!  I have always known I am female!  And I've always enjoyed my role as a female!  Quite honestly, I don't understand why some women want to be treated as "equal" to their male counterpart!  No, thank you!  And that is just one tiny aspect of why I would NOT want to be young and growing up in this day and age!  However, I do believe parents play a major role in the "gender identity crisis!"  But, don't get me started on that!  Just GROW UP, mom and dad!

Now that I've gotten that off of my chest, let me get back to the oohs and aahs of being young..... especially young and Christian!  Young, Christian, and "in the prime of life" ..... at least from my perspective!

I was in my daughter's church today.  The teens took the roles the adults normally have in the morning worship hour.  Today was recognized as "Youth Sunday."  The teens made up the choir.  The teens lead the congregational singing.  The teens did the ushering to collect the tithes and offerings.  The teens lead in prayer.  The teens sang the specials.  And the youth leader preached the morning sermon.  And they ALL did a wonderful job!  I know their parents were proud!  I know their grandparents were proud!  And they (we) should be!  And the teens should be very thankful for the Lord placing them where they are, and for the great opportunities He gives them to "practice" moving from a passive role in church to beginning an active role in the church.  Some of my kids were afforded this opportunity many years ago in a church that we attended.  As a result of that, I believe they feel comfortable having moved into leadership roles in their own churches now.  Thank You, Lord!  Thank You for great youth leaders in the church!

Speaking of my daughter, on Friday I went to the Christian school where she works as an aide and her kids attend, for a program the elementary students performed for their grandparents.  After the program, the grandparents were invited to eat lunch with their grandchildren in the school cafeteria, or sign the kids out and take them out of school for the rest of the day, which is what I did.  We went to Chick-fil-A for lunch.  Afterwards, we went to the house, changed clothes and went to a nearby park and hiked the walking trail.

After everyone else was home later in the day, Liz and I went grocery shopping for Abby's birthday party that was going to be held at the Rockwell Park on Saturday.  Ryan had soccer practice, so Brad took all of the kids with him.

On Saturday, Abby had soccer practice before her party.  Liz had reserved the shelter from 12-4 with the party lasting from 1-3.  So we went early to decorate and get the party ready.  It was beautiful, but very windy!  The kids had a blast being able to run around and play at the park!  I really think they enjoyed that more than if Liz had planned organized games!

After the party was cleaned up, Liz and I went shopping and Brad took the kids home to get some work done.  I found a couple of dresses at the thrift store and some other items at some of the other places.  We were only out a couple of hours.  On the way back to the house we stopped at Aldi to get some hamburger and corn on the cob for supper.

I treated everyone to Zaxby's for lunch today after church.  Then I packed up and left to, hopefully beat the rain that was looming.  I made it, and it did begin raining not long after I got home.

I took almost 700 pictures/videos this weekend, but I will spare you and only share some of them!  You're welcome!  😃

Friday, April 13th
Grandparents' Day at Rockwell Christian

Abby's 1st grade class getting ready to perform.

Ryan's 5th grade class getting ready to perform.  No smiling allowed!

Granite Quarry Park

Walking around the duck pond to begin the hiking trail.

I've never seen a duck with brown on it like this one.

We saw nothing to fear!

Periwinkle

They planned ahead and brought flip flops for the water.

This was the only nest we saw way up in the trees and I didn't see anything in it.

Fish in the little stream

Abby resting on a seat made from a tree trunk.

Balancing act.

This might be a "high bush cranberry" blossom???

Abby trying to pet the ducks

A dirt nest at water's edge.

Saturday, April 14th
Birthday Party at Rockwell Park

The wind blew pretty strong the whole time we were at the park.  Played havoc with the decorations!

The center cake was yellow.  The cupcakes were chocolate.

Play time

Cake time!

Blowing out the candle

Time to eat!

Reading one of the birthday cards.

One of Abby's birthday gifts.  A black and white puzzle that can be colored

More playing

I'm not sure they were supposed to be sliding off of this roof, but they all did!

Back at home and Ryan doing flips on the trampoline.

Sunday, April 15th
Before leaving for home I wanted to get pictures.  I wish I had thought to get pictures like this at Jessica's house on April 1st!

What Abby gave to me from school on Grandparent's Day:
This poem reads:

A Grandchild's Hand

The promise for tomorrow
And the hopes of dreams come true...
A reminder of the childhood
That's still a part of you...

The wonder of a miracle
From which this love began...
There is so much found in the touch
Of a grandchild's hand.

Happy Grandparents Day!

Abby also colored me a picture and added her own poem and note on the back.
The note reads:

I love you Grama.
I'm sorry that Grampa died.
I love you.
You mean a lot to me!
happy gamparens day gama.

The "poem" on the right reads:
This is a poem for you.
You are good.
You are nice.
You love me.
You are so good!

And the figures at the bottom are from left to right:
Gama, Abby, Hannah, Gampa, Ryan

How sweet is that?! 

Have a great week!