Let's just say I won't be having another slumber party with 5th and 6th grade girls until my own girl is in 5th grade, and even then Travis noted that we better have big house before another slumber party takes place! Actually our HeartBeat Preteen slumber party was a GREAT success and I'm so glad I got to spend some extra time with these girls before our move in 3 weeks. It was your typical slumber party with pizza, movies, painting nails, a TON of junk food, "never have I ever" (which took me back to my high school days), and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way--I guess a little more sleep would have been nice but who actually sleeps at slumber parties? I know in middle school my friends and I would try to see how long we could stay up usually crashing around 5 or 6 in the morning and absolutely incoherent the following day. We did better at this past slumber party, but not by far--we were asleep by 4 am with church the following morning! Who slept for most of Sunday afternoon?...I'll tell you what, this girl did!
Ok, so many of you know that once Travis and I get settled in Charlotte and begin receiving health benefits we'd like to begin a family. I haven't had a stronger feeling about having a baby more than I did yesterday when I saw my man rocking (rather bouncing) a complete stranger's baby to sleep. This baby was completely inconsolable when I was holding him-we even paged his mom. But when she didn't come rushing in, Travis said, "let me have him". Within minutes he was out. I just stood there in complete awe while Travis bounced this baby holding him like he would a football. I just couldn't help but think how blessed I am to have this wonderful man in my life, someone who I can partner with not just in ministry but in baby duty! Now let's just pray that the bouncing trick works for our baby!
Surreal--how I felt about this being our last Sunday to teach in HeartBeat. I can't believe it's been over a year since we were given the honor of being the HeartBeat Preteen Directors. We wanted to end this fantastic year with a bang so we brought a hammer to class! Actually we did an activity that would hopefully help our kids remember that wherever we go whether it's 5 miles or 500 miles away we'll always be united in Christ. In HeartBeat we've become a community and just because Travis and I are leaving does not mean our community comes undone, there's just has a really big backyard between us! We took a terracotta pot, broke it into pieces (enough pieces for each kid to have one), and had each kid draw a picture or write words that represented who they are in our community. They were pretty disappointed that they wouldn't get to keep their piece but after we told them what it was going to be used for their faces lit up. I told them that when the project is complete (I will be trying to glue the pieces back together to make a pot! Mission:
Now, who knows where I can find really strong glue?
Such a good post Jess! Those preteens are going to miss you guys! I can't wait to see what God does in your ministry in the years to come!
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