With Empathy

Today I received the news that Kelly Robertson lost her mom. I lift you, Kelly and Garland to the arms of our Father that He comfort and get you through this time. I lost my parents 9 months apart, one expected to go, one unexpected. I was mad at God for the unexpected death and it took longer to heal. I know this was not part of our plan, but I know God was not caught by surprise. Now I pray for healing for Kelly and Garland. I also pray that friends and family come in and become strength for them during this time. One thing I experienced was always being strong for everyone and when it was time for others to be strong for me, I had a hard time finding them. Thank God I had Him, but during this time especially in life, you need God with skin-on. I am so sorry, Kelly! I know how hard it is to lose your mom...

Two to Consider

I am almost done reading a really good book by Bob Franquiz...if you haven't read it, check it out. The book is an easy read about the life of John the Baptist. How one man paved the way for a revolution-led by God. Wouldn't you like to be a part of paving the way for a revolution? a God sized one!!

I am also listening to an audio book by Joel Osteen. There is one great gift that God gave Joel, he is an encourager and he always see the glass half full. When I want to be filled up, I listen to Joel, he speaks positive, godly, wise words into my life and he makes me SMILE :-) I think God gave him that gift also...

I will be done with both of these soon, so if you have any good recommendations, send them this way. I have a few ideas of my own, but love ideas from others!!

Shake it like a Earthquake!!

I thought he was kidding when he texted me that there had been an earthquake last night. I texted him back, "Are you serious, it is a little late for April fools?!". (We usually try and get each other on April 1-best one so far, we stole his car and he thought it was really gone, tell ya about that later.) Anyway,my son was not kidding, last night in southeastern Illinois there was an earthquake that measured 5.2. He said that he felt his bed shake and he thought it was it his roommates fooling around or running and jumping in the bunk. But when he got in class this morning they explained it was an earthquake that he and his college had experienced. I never knew they had earthquakes in the midwest, I learned something today. I checked the weather channel and sure enough they were talking about the earthquake that happened east of St Louis. (Corey is 60 miles east of St Louis) And again, I was reminded that I have no control over most things and I thanked God that He protected my son. I can not worry or fear because God has my life in His hands and I am so glad that my son has decided to put his life in His hand's also. God is in control and I hope your focus is on Him and you are busy about His plans for your life...! We are not promised tomorrow, so do IT today, whatever IT is for U!

Tips to Survive Summer with your Teens

Check out this link: Flamingo Road Church Cooper City Campus Blog

for 10 great tips on surviving the summer with your middle and high school student!

I love teenagers and thank God every day He gives me the opportunity to help them reach their God-potential!!!!!! And I have to remember when my own teenagers are hard to love, he gave them to me first to help reach their God-potential. It's ok mom and dad, you will survive the teenager years and FRC Student Ministry is here to help, I tell myself that all the time :-)~! And my 20 year old son is proving to me that even when he did not want to cooperate, it paid off to stand strong, despite the occasional attitude. Trust me, God has empowered you and I to do this job and He promises that if we do our part, He will do his best to give them hope & a future!

Weekend Whirlwind

This past weekend was jam packed, but very productive, here's a glimpse.

• led my first Memorial service this Friday night; thank you to Janis for being there to sing and hold my hand :-), such a privilege and I don't think you ever forget the first time God stretches you in a new area of serving Him with your gifts...



• helped host a couple as they interview for the Student Pastor position, I am so proud of how we treat guests who visit FRC.



• went to a baby shower for twins in the courtyard, great job hosting, Kelly and Jenn...



• 5 Student services - Matt taught HS, we had one campus team with 27 girls, I taught 2 MS services, students collaborated and thought of how to raise money so others wouldn't have to eat my illustration of dirt, olive oil and salt, the best idea won a prize!



• we had 2 new subwoofers in SM, and this week more to come...thank you, thank you to those that donated to help our sound system.

• a couple weeks ago, I was privileged to be standing at the end of a service in the main auditorium to pray with those that wanted prayer, my old neighbor was one who came forward in tears, wanting prayer for a circumstance in her life; this weekend I was able to run into her again at FRC and she told me how God did not answer her with what she thought she wanted, but she had such peace about the decision. I am so excited to see her trusting in God's answers for her life.



• was privileged to meet Jeff Mason from England, he was here visiting with Brian Vasil. He is a member at our internet campus and I felt so honored to meet him and to think he came all this way, that is AWESOME!!



• we had our TEAM luncheon for SM, good turnout considering Senior FIT and Passion were also both this weekend. I am so proud of how the SM volunteers have stepped up in a big way to lead the students at FRC! We celebrated their commitment! Did you know Nestor and Eric both wear brown shorts to work?



• A 10th grade student leader was recruiting another leader to help with MS small groups; yes, he gets it!



• SM numbers moved in the right direction, up from last weekend, and we had another 35 first time guests.



• My husband and I finally did our taxes, way to cut it close by 2 days



• Came home after a very long weekend and my daughter was doing major spring cleaning of the home, yes! I love having a 16 year old girl, my son never had that house cleaning gift, I think it is a girl thing to get in cleaning moods!



• Ended the weekend with a fun dinner with friends, thanks for all the laughter Matt and Kathy, you were the life of the par-tay!

Yeahh!!

They sang, "Shout to the Lord" on American Idol - Idol Gives Back! YEAHHHH!! Power and Majesty, Praise to the King!!!!

I didn't hear it from the beginning, did they say

HIS NAME - JESUS!!!???

Add to your "Summer To Do list"!

So if you are planning a summer trip to Disney and you do not know about this...get ready, this will excite you. I learned something new from an elementary age student, (see you can learn from anyone.) Since my kids are older now we haven't gone to Disney in awhile, but I have a new found curiosity to go back just to begin the scavenger hunt. You can get the Hidden Mickeys book for about $10 and it offers clues to help you find where all these icons are located. Karli and her family explained to me that as they were on the hunt, the Disney Cast Members were more than hospitable to allow them into some off limit areas. I also heard that this makes the time fly as you wait in the lines for the attractions and search for them...so creative an idea, leave it to Walt! I am sure Brian Vasil knew this wealth of knowledge, but he keeps it to himself, hmm!

Good and bad, happy and sad!

A lot has happened over the past 10 days, both good and bad, both happy and sad, thank God we get to do life with one another...

Garland lost his father to cancer; the guys went up to the funeral, pray for him and his family, these days after the ceremonies are the hardest, and you never truly understand that, until you lose a family member.
The great thing about FRC is that we LOVE to Celebrate our God-given victories, here are most of the ladies on staff after we freaked out HP. Thanks to Michelle Kahn, I saw her gift of hospitality in action!

Speaking of celebrations, Student Ministry has had 70 first time visitors over the past 2 weeks of Spring Break! We have been strategic to get them there, we have to be very strategic to keep them, and we love THE BED series not only because it is awesome, but it causes some parents to not mind the battle of telling their teenager they WILL go to Student Ministry!

Praying for the Mackey family, they are dealing with some serious family issues, they have been faithful to Student Ministry, praying for God's grace and wisdom at this time.

Jenn and Jonathan got married this past Friday night! Congrats! She was a beautiful bride and I loved how she used part of Pastor Troy's message in her video montage! Very creative!

We are getting some new sound equipment in SM, :-). The students practice hard, they are faithful to serve weekends on end, and now we can celebrate all their hard work as we worship together with loud teenage sound.

Noel and Jimbo got engaged this past Saturday night! The greatest thing about this is that God has allowed a celebration to come into the Robertson home at a time that they still grieve. It helps to re-focus some of the pain. Congratulations, I am so excited!!!

More happy than sad, more good than bad...I try to focus on the positives! I have to remember that HE is FAITHFUL AND GOOD, ALL THE TIME!