Tic Tock

Time slips by so fast! My blog post time seems to keep being pushed to the side.

The kids are in standardized testing this week.  They have that in the morning and then regular classes in the afternoon.  I believe Friday is an early release day for them.  Emma had a volleyball tournament last weekend here in Hampton.  The girls have played better, but they were missing a few players, didn't play with a libero, and Emma was fighting a cold. All in all it was an okay showing...could have been better but could have been worse!  Katelyn has got her back hand spring on the beam!  Yep, you read that right...back hand spring on the beam!  All I can say is wow.

Emma's last regular season volleyball practice is tomorrow, and they finish the season with a 2-day tournament in Williamsburg this weekend.  Katelyn has a gymnastics showing this weekend too.

PJs

Emma & Nicholas volleyball club picture

Do You Attend Church?

Do you attend church?  Now before you answer, let me explain.

I've been thinking about this alot this week, this Holy Week of Easter.  Each day of this past week, starting with Palm Sunday, had some unique meaning for those with a Christian faith.  However, I worry this is lost on many people.  Even some of us who attend church I think may be missing something.

Here's a definition of attendance: the action or state of going regularly to or being present at a place or event. "my attendance at church was very irregular" 

Hmm..."being present".  Is that what we're doing when we go to church?  I've found myself being in attendance or being present at times over the past couple years in church and it scares me.  I don't want to be in attendance.  Church shouldn't be something I "attend"; church should be what I am.  The quarterback of a football team doesn't "attend" the game, he's an integral part of the team! So why should I just "attend" church?   A church is supposed to be a body, a group of people, who meet together regularly because they are disciples of Christ.

Now don't get me wrong, church "attendance" is a start. People will find out more by attending occasionally vs. never.  Easter services will have a large % of people who only come a couple times a year.  This is ok, maybe something will stir inside them to bring them again.  

My worry about using the language of "attendance" is that it misrepresents what church is.  Also, "attendance" numbers are a far from accurate indicator of spiritual health:  John 6 tells us Jesus was followed by "a large crowd", but most were tagging along for all sorts of reasons. When Jesus explains his identity in a little more depth, we are told that many "turned back and no longer walked with him," (v66).

So, large attendance #s are one thing.  It's at least a starting point to reach from.  For me, I want to do more than be in attendance. I strive for all-around whole-life discipleship.

I hope you go to an Easter service tomorrow.  I hope a church can count you in their attendance numbers.  I pray that thru your attendance, something inside you will stir, something you can't explain, something you can't push down will lead you to attend again.  I pray thru this attendance you will become more than a #, but a disciple.

Catch Up

Yet again I'm behind on the blog.  Oh well, nobody is screaming for updates.

- The kids enjoyed their spring break from school. Emma had her best friend, Peyton, come down from DC for a sleepover.  They were very happy to catch up!  Angie took Emma, Peyton and Katie to a pottery place and to get their toes done.  Katie had a couple sleepovers at friends house's, and Nicholas even got to go on his very 1st sleepover.
- The attack of the spring pollen is here.  The yellow dust is on everything and Katie & Nicholas are miserable at times with the allergies.
- Emma had band practice last week...1st one in awhile.  One of the kids Dad's stayed and sang with them.  They sounded pretty good for as little practice they've had together.
- Emma & Ang are in Richmond today for a volleyball tournament.  Emma, and the rest of her teammates, are sad as their coach announced at Thursday's practice that he has to step down from coaching.  He accepted a new job in San Diego and has to be there in a few weeks.  So to get his family and things ready, he can't commit to coaching any longer.  There were lots of tears from the girls that night. The club AD and the assistant coach will be coaching today.

- Nicholas & I got his very 1st model rocket yesterday.  Hopefully we'll get it put together today and maybe have a launch!  It's raining right now, so we may be weathered out...
- The end of school is just around the corner...crazy how fast this year has gone

The Dr says...

Emma had her Dr appointment today for her knee and shoulder. Drum roll please....

Patellar Tendonitis and an "overuse" pain of the shoulder.  She'll have X-rays of both later this week to verify nothing else.  She has some Naproxen for her knee along with directions to stretch, ice, and a referral for physical therapy.

Oh, and volleyball practice tomorrow night!

Throwback Tuesday

6 years ago...

April Beginnings

Another lapse in blog updates...oops.  The last couple weeks of March and the beginning of April have been event filled, as always.  Katelyn had her State gymnastics competition, all 3 have had some school activities/programs, we've had some snow and some 80 degree weather, Nicholas's volleyball "season" ended last weekend, Emma jammed/sprained her thumb pretty good at volleyball practice a week ago, some volunteer work at the state park with our church, and all 3 kids are happy for this week because it's Spring Break!