50th Anniversary

August 13th is a special date in my family.  My parents were married on August 13th.  So were my dad's brother and his wife, as well as my dad's sister and her husband.  It is my dad's sister and husband who celebrates 50 years today!  A couple weeks ago, we all headed to Honey Creek State Park Resort in Iowa to help them celebrate their golden anniversary.

We got to stay in cottages equipped with full kitchens, dining area, and living room.  With so many of us, we had 3 cottages for the weekend.  Everyone arrived on Thursday and thus began the golden weekend.

There were many activities to do including a water park, beach, and nature walk.  Friday morning, a few kids went on the nature walk while most of us headed to the water park.  The water park included a little kiddie pool where my young niece could play.  We hung out in the lazy river.  Some of us played some basketball or tried the obstacle of walking across the water on lily-pad type things.  And of course there was a fun twisting water slide!  Everyone made their way to the water park at some point I think.

We all met back at the cottages for lunch. We chatted and told stories and laughed.  The kids were all wanting to hit the beach so we cleaned up and off they went.  The area had been getting so much rain that the beach was 95% under water.  They had to put up a temporary border for swimmers in the lake as the normal border was much too deep.  I opted to stay in the cottage as the morning had worn me out.  I played card games with my sister, Lisa, and my mom.  Then, we headed back to the water park to meet up with the beach goers.

For supper, we grilled hot dogs and hamburgers.  Then, of course, we roasted marshmallows for our traditional s'mores.  We heard they would be shooting fireworks that night....an event that takes place only once every 5 years.  Everyone, which included 16 adults and 11 children ages 2-15, piled in our vehicles and headed to the fireworks show.  The kids got free glow sticks as we watched the display.  Afterwards, we sat and waited for traffic to move so we could get back to the resort.  Our family decided to make the best of it and did the Chinese fire drill, giving the cars behind us a good laugh.  We had to explain to our kids what it was.  At first, they weren't too sure about the idea, but once Seth and I got out and started running, all 3 of them joined us.

Saturday, some of the guys went golfing.  My aunt, June, had some boxes from our childhood she wanted us to go through and look at.  We talked my uncle Bob and honorary uncle Richard to take the kids to the water park.  My mom, my aunt Lou, honorary aunt Joanne, and my aunt June sat and watched my sisters and I walk down memory lane.  We found puzzles, old books, Mad Libs, and many things we used in the "store" we always pretended to run.  We giggled about old celebrity crushes like Mario Lopez, and Toby Mac.  And a note that I had written..."I'm in the restroom, come in!"

By the time we finished, it was time for lunch.  The kids returned from the water park and we enjoyed another picnic.  We discussed afternoon plans.  The nature center opened up this afternoon.  Some wanted to see what was there.  Others wanted to go back to the water park and others to the beach.  I headed to the beach.  The younger kids enjoyed playing in the sand while the bigger kids swam out to the border.  The golfers had returned in the meantime.  As the day went on, some kids wanted to go to the water park.  Others joined us at the beach.  Adults came and went, more kids left to the water park.  (Disclaimer: all kids were with at least one adult at all times...kids weren't running around all free and adultless!)  Eventually, I decided I was done with the beach and headed to the water park, leaving Bob and a few of the older kids in the lake.  As we arrived at the door of the water park, we met my dad, Lisa, and her husband Andy on their way out.  I decided to join them on a trip to town.

We arrived back at the resort ready for the anniversary party.  We picked up the pizza while in town and bought ice cream.  We ate and talked about the fun we had.  The honorary couple, my uncle Ron and aunt June, opened gifts and cards.  Then, as tradition has it, my sisters  and I sang a song.  This year, we parodied Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  Lisa wrote the lyrics and the rest of us gave our input on changes to make.  Even my niece offered a quick line before she walked out the door.  It was perfect.  We ate cake and ice cream and told more stories.  Ron's brother Richard and his wife Joanne had joined us for the weekend.  The "secret" talent of the Cannons had come out: we play our teeth.  First, my dad played The William Tell Overture.  Then my sister, Amanda, and I played Dueling Banjos...er Teeth.  Richard and Joanne were quite impressed.

Soon, the party had to end.  Sunday morning, we all packed up our belongings and headed to a picnic area after we checked out of our cottages.  We had a time of worship, singing hymns and other songs as well as reading from the Bible things that God had spoken to us recently.  Then, we had our final meal together before we all headed back to our regularly scheduled summer.

It was a fun weekend.  We are thankful that we were able to celebrate this significant event with everyone.

Happy anniversary to Bob and Lou!

Happy anniversary to Mom and Papa!

Happy 50th anniversary to Ron and June!

We love you all.

Time Adventures: Secure your future with the past

Another Vacation Bible School has come and gone.  It's hard to believe this was my 11th VBS!  This year, I had the privilege of having my older 2 children be in the skit.  I think they both were in for a surprise when they realized how much work goes into it and what I required of my cast.  I also think they enjoyed themselves.

Before we could start, we had to train all of the time leaders and time cadets in order to prepare for the mission.  We learned the routes the teams would be taking, became familiar with each time era, and sung songs.  We also saw the craft, played the games, and taste-tested some food.  All went well and we were ready for time travelers to board the mission.

This year, we centered our theme around time traveling.  Mark Lindsted did chalk talks for the lesson each night.  These along with singing, the skit, and handing out rewards all took place in the time machine.  Mark took our time travelers to different times as he taught them about sin, death, and salvation.

The time travelers first had to register with mission control so we knew who was present for traveling through time that night.  We also made sure each team leader had their necessary information and destination plans.  We had teams of astronauts, cowboys, gladiators, and knights.  We also had the mighty midgets/minions who weren't quite old enough to join the other time travelers.  There was also a new group: time cadets.  They were leaders in training, learning the ropes of the different areas and helping out when needed.

When stepping out of the time machine, the time travelers would then travel through the time warp.  They could end up playing games in the coliseum or making a craft somewhere in the future.  Later, they went to the library of time and learned a Bible verse.  They also got to sit in the Garden of Eden and enjoyed a delicious snack.

1 Corinthians 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Hebrews 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.

After traveling to each time, the time travelers then traveled back through the time warp to the time machine where they could watch the skit.

The skit was called Your Time, My Time, No Time.  Dr. Horace Perrin and his assistant Dr. Macy Saniya invented a time machine.  However, before they could test it out, their childhood friend, Zaman Early stopped by, pushed a couple buttons, and several people from different times appeared in the lab.

Throughout the week, the scientists and Zaman talked to Adam and Eve, Synclair Brede who was a passenger on the Titanic, Ellema Ham who owns the barn in which the Great Chicago Fire started, Dmitri Fonda who was an astronaut from the future on his way to Mars, Serina Norris who was a nurse at Pearl Harbor, Saul the Pharisee who would later become known as Paul the Apostle, Albert Einstein, Rahab, Samantha Simon who was a missionary from the future, the Roman Soldier at the cross of Jesus, Mary the mother of Jesus, John the writer of 5 books of the Bible, and Deirdre Townsend who was a Christian living during the Tribulation period.  Oh, they also saw younger versions of themselves who they tried to avoid as this was a delicate time paradox.

Due to a family emergency, the astronaut could not be here so we found a quick replacement who learned his lines and fit in his costume!  The Lord provides!  From what I heard, people really enjoyed the skit.  We had at least 70 children in total attend, averaging between 55 and 60 kids each night!  There were also a few parents and other family members who came Friday for family night.  Praise the Lord!!!

Even though I'm incredibly busy during VBS season, I love it.  I get to see how God uses various members of the body of Christ to come together and serve Him and bring His good news to others.  We continue to pray that the many seeds that were planted will grow and souls will be saved.

How can he be 14?

Last week, my son turned 14!  I remember when I couldn't wait to turn 14, and now my son is that age.  Time really does fly!  His birthday landed on a Wednesday.  He chose our meals and activities for the day.  Originally, he just wanted to stay home and play video games all day, but he changed his mind and decided he wanted to go swimming instead.  I called up some friends who own a pool, and they invited a couple other kids we knew, and we enjoyed an afternoon at their pool!

He joined us a couple weeks earlier than we expected, but there were no complaints!  After many many hours of labor, he made his appearance.  And since this was a very small town in which he was born, he was the only baby there.  Although, I think there was another woman in labor at some point.  Only 2 baby beds were in the nursery.  Very. Small. Town.

He is the typical oldest child.  He has always been very well behaved (enter teenage years...haha).  He is a perfectionist and works hard at everything he does.  When little sister came along, he discovered his rebellious side and went along with her schemes on occasion.  Then, other times, he knew not to join her because he is very obedient and hates being in trouble.  He has been an amazing big brother to both of his little sisters.  They might not agree with me on that.  But, I don't think they could ask for a better big brother.

Even though he was obedient and lived to please his parents, he was still a sinner headed to hell.  He realized his need for a Savior at a very young age and decided to follow Christ.  He often prays for the salvation of those who have not yet come to Christ as Savior.  He continues to grow in his faith and be a light in his school.

He has excelled in school, getting almost straight A's for the last 2 years of public schooling.  He was voted to be the JV commander of the JROTC drill team.  He led his team to top places throughout the season.  He also competed on the varsity team which qualified to compete in the National middle school JROTC competition, but they were unable to attend this year.  He also ran cross country and plans to continue next fall.

Seth was able to come home at lunch so we could open presents while he was home.  We had fun swimming, then we ate out at HuHot for supper.  Afterwards, we went to prayer meeting, as we do every Wednesday.  And since it is VBS season, we practiced the skit.  J and K are both in the cast this year!

When we came home, we had cake and ice cream to finish the day of celebrating.  We all enjoyed the day with him.

He is growing into an amazing young man.  He is kind, a hard worker, a bit goofy, and loves Jesus.  I couldn't be more proud of him!  Happy 14th birthday!!!

12 just sounds so big!

My daughter is 12 years old now.  It's hard to wrap my brain around that.  We celebrated her birthday on Saturday, even though her birthday was Sunday.  Sunday, we went to church in the morning, ate at Panda Express per her request, then headed to Kansas Bible Camp.  Both K and J are at junior high camp this week, thus the early celebration.

From a life that started out as a miracle to this beautiful girl.  After we had a miscarriage in 2002, we became pregnant a few months later.  Had we not miscarried, K would not have been conceived.  Then, due to her foot trying to come through the birthing canal first, she was born via c-section.  She was not breathing and needed resuscitation.  This is why she is our miracle.  Conceived only after a miscarriage and  she was not breathing when she was born.

She proved that she is a fighter and became a little fire cracker.  She always had the crazy ideas and pulled her big brother into her schemes....even if they weren't a good idea.  She's very creative.  Spreading lotion on our bed, painting the kitchen with ketchup, and feeding the fish Cheeze-its were among her crazy ideas.  Since she could talk in full sentences around 1 year old, she could easily convince big brother to join in her fun.  lol  But to give some credit to J, he didn't always go along with her.

She gave her life to Christ at about age 3 and was baptized a few years later.  She continues to live on for the Lord.  She enjoys going to BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) and sharing the love of Jesus with others.

The Lord blessed her with musical talent and we have really seen that grow this year.  She plays the violin at school and has joined a harp class which she plans to continue next fall.  She also loves to sing and had the opportunity to perform in front of her school after auditioning for the spot.

To celebrate her birthday, we went to a park with sprinklers.  We also ate one of her favorite meals: chicken Ranch wrap.  We enjoyed cake and ice cream before calling it a night.

Sunday, we had to say goodbye for a week.  I'm sure she enjoyed her birthday at camp and will have a lot to say when I pick them up.

She is growing into a beautiful, kind, and smart young woman.  I am so proud!  Happy 12th birthday!!!