Grace Pointe Young Families

From Polly

2008-07-15T13:52:00.000-05:00

A couple of things:

BIGSBY! Check out his website- you may just see yourself!!!
thebigsbyshow.com click on the "news" link and then move to the blog achive for April
My Bigsby DVD is missing and I'm going to reorder on for the church.
Anyone who would like to order a CD or DVD- let me know. We can do a group order and save money on
shipping.
$14 for CD $15 fpr DVD
Checks made to GracePointe.

TRANSITIONS! Seems as if we've made it through the adjustment to our temporary rooms. About the time we get the
kinks worked out, we'll be making our real move to the new building. Be watching for a work party date to get
us all moved in and set up!
Thanks so much for respecting the boundaries regarding the construction areas!
Thanks also for helping to curb the running inside the building! We're doing much better!!!

These are exciting times!!!

CLEAN-UP! Wednesday nights the toys are on the lawn for all to enjoy and there's a lot of fun going on out there.
Please help clean up as you leave, returning the toys to the bucket on the porch, especially if your family is one
of the last to leave. It's just good stewardship and helps to build an attitude of gratitude in our kids.

WEBSITE! Check it out! hiskids.net
Bigsby plus a whole lot more are available for the kids to enjoy!

Summer is fun with lots to do- but don't forget, we're looking for you--------at GracePointe!!!! Polly

Summer Fun

2008-06-19T15:45:00.001-05:00

From Polly:

Summer Activities for GracePointe Kids:
Wed, June 25 Bingo with the Young At Heart
Come join our precious GracePointe Grandmas and Grandpas for a potluck lunch and BINGO!
They bring fried chicken and veggies from their gardens- YUM! Bring a treat of your own to add to the goodies.
Jodi and Allie Dillard will be our Bingo callers and they're lookin for more friends to come join the fun.
Prizes are ready! All we need is you!!

Tues., July 1 GracePointe Girls Fun Day!
We'll have a tea party, make GP Girls T-shirts, and more!
Sign up on the round table, giving your shirt size. We'll need $4 at the door to cover cost of shirts.
If you are a GP Girl and going to be out of town- we'll make a shirt for you so you can match the rest.

The Bigsby Show

2008-04-14T23:16:00.000-05:00

From Polly:

Calling all Families with Children!
Bigsby is coming to town! This is an awesome concert that will be packed full of energy and fun all while teaching Bible stories! Please plan to come and bring neighbors and friends!
The concert will be about an hour and is totally free!

In Promiseland, we talk about how we are all part of God's story and that He has a plan for our lives. Bigsby is a living example of this and here is an opportunity to tell your kids Bigsby's story!
When he was a teenager, he got involved in a puppet ministry. He began to write scripts for puppet shows and soon began to add songs- his true passion and gift!
As time went on, the puppets went to the side and music took center stage. He loves sharing God's word with children of all ages through his music! He has been all over the country and is a regular at Children's Ministry conferences. It's GracePointe's pleasure to bring him here!
His stage presence is magnetic, the kids just begin moving to the edge of the stage without even realizing it. I have never witnessed anything like it- It was a preschool mosh pit!!!!!

Bigsby will stay in the foyer following the show to talk to the kids, sign autographs, sell music and other stuff. He really will be here to touch as many kids as he can and make serving God very COOL! Check it out for yourself- www.thebigsbyshow.com.

We have sent fliers out several places around town and I am currently working on getting an article in the Advertiser. WE NEED OUR FAMILIES to help welcome our guests!!!!
We'll do door prizes and I hope to provide snacks- I hope to have all the 'worker" roles filled by folks who do not have kids so you can totally enjoy an evening as a family and focus on our guest families.

Ask your kids what a FUGGLE is!!!!!
This is going to be GREAT!!!!
See you Friday (and Wednesday, of course!)

For Kids and Kingdom,
Polly

Crib Mattress?

2008-03-25T10:29:00.002-05:00

Hey guys, Brett and April will be here by Thurs. night! Yeah! Does anyone have a crib mattress that we can borrow while they are here? Email me or give me a call if you do- 201-1162!
Thanks! Betsy

Basketball!

2008-03-06T13:44:00.001-06:00

From Chad:

With Betsy and the boys out of town for the next week, I’m bach’ing it.

So, that makes a perfect time to host a guy’s night out this Saturday evening to watch the Duke/Carolina b-ball in Hi Def.

The game starts at 8pm central time so that gives everyone plenty of time to put the kiddies to bed, stop by the store to p/u their favorite b-ball game necessities, and head on over around 7.30pm-ish.

If you can make it, just email me so I can get a count. I’m thinking just snacks and drinks since it will already be after dinner.

Promiseland Praise

2008-03-02T20:59:00.002-06:00

I have volunteered to be the Promiseland Praise leader, and I'm looking for suggestions from you all for any praise songs that you would recommend we use. I have some that I want to try that we used at Woodmont Hills, but I know you all have different experiences that might provide us with some great praise choices for our kids.

I'll be starting the first Sunday in April, and I hope to use some of the tweens as a praise team. The plan is for me to lead praise/worship for about 10 minutes, and then the Promiseland team of the month will pick up after I'm finished. I'll probably start out with mostly songs that the kids are familiar with, and try to introduce a new song every couple of weeks. So, if there's something you've been dying for our kids to learn, send it my way and I'll see what I can do.

Thanks,
Susan

Ladies' Bible Study

2008-02-28T19:41:00.003-06:00

There will be a kick-off meeting for a new Ladies' Bible Study on Wednesday, March 5 at 9:30 AM in the church adult library. It will be a brunch meeting, so bring a brunch item and come join us. I'm planning an icebreaker to help us get to know each other a little better. Feel free to bring your kids; we're going to discuss child care options as well. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Susan

Special Request

2008-02-15T03:03:00.003-06:00

Hello all families! I, April, have a special request. If you haven't been keeping up with our family blog then you might not know that we have been through a round of the sickies here at the Emerson home. As a result, there has been much video watching. Seriously, who wants to do anything else when they are not feeling well....adult or child! I have now watched our one DVD of Curious George about 50 times it seems. So this is where the special request comes in:

Anyone out there own a DVR, DVD recorder, TiVo, or anything of the like? If so, I'd like to ask...maybe plead is better word here...that you record kids' TV shows for us. If it's routine at your house to let you kids watch certain shows in the morning or at another period of the day, just go ahead and record them for us too. We'd love to have a special "sick day" stash on hand. We will be willing to pay for the DVDs (no VHS please, we don't have a VCR). I'm requesting this now so that there is plenty of time to collect the episodes before we are in the States in April. Trust me, you can't recorder too many! We would love to be able to share them with the other families too.

I'm probably not up to speed on the newest cartoons or educational options, but the things Caden seems to like are: Curious George, Little Einsteins, Blues Clues, Backyardigans, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

On a more selfish note...I'd love to have a few talk shows to watch for the next time I'm sick too. ;) (Oprah, Ellen, etc.)

Thanks a bunch!!!! Love you guys and we are looking forward to seeing all of you in a little over a month!

Superbowl Party at the Roberson's

2008-02-02T09:22:00.000-06:00

Everyone is invited to a superbowl party at our house. Kick off is at 5:17, so we'll get started around 4:30. Bring football food and drinks to share. We'll cook a bunch of brats and hot dogs. I know what you're thinking---do they have enough room for everyone?--the answer is no, but we'll have fun anyway. If you're not into children running everywhere, girls talking and laughing loudly, guys yelling at the game, and everyone dancing during the halftime show, then this might not be the party for you! Otherwise, bring it on!

Please help us keep it clean! :)

2008-01-22T09:03:00.000-06:00

I don't know exactly when this happened, but if you are up here with your kids during non church hours please try to keep the kids out of the classrooms or at least make sure the classrooms are picked up after they use them. The Preschool room on the end was a mess this morning. I'm not sure when it was done, but it makes our mornings extra hard and stressful!

Also, if you use a high chair please wipe it off with disinfecting wipes (they are on the counter in the kitchen). The high chairs were also a mess.

Thank you so much, shea lea

Potluck Update

2008-01-19T09:06:00.000-06:00

I think the potluck will be a go. We have 4 families that can and 2 maybes so I think we should have it. I will send an email letting everyone know what is being brought and and still needs to be signed up for. Thank you very much.

Jennifer

Young Families Potluck

2008-01-15T21:10:00.000-06:00

I'm trying to find out who might be interested or be in town for the potluck this Sunday. I know that there is a retreat that some are going to so I'm not sure if there would be enough families to have the potluck this time. If you could please let me know as soon as possible that would be great. Thanks for you time.

Jennifer

Grace Pointe Info

2008-01-08T16:27:00.000-06:00

Heads up Young Families (and the like). Polly has sent me some information.

Please read the following:

Construction has begun! While exciting, the construction process brings with it potential dangers! The area is just too large to totally fence in so the barrier fences are up and the exit from the children's hall is blocked BUT we must all be aware of where the children are while we are at church! There will come a point, I'm told, when there will be holes 25' deep and 2' wide! Most of our kids would fit in an opening that size were they to fall in! I'm telling them to play only in the front and don't go anywhere that is muddy.
I need all parents to help us be diligent in keeping all of our children safe!

Health reminders- please keep sick kids home until fever free or stomach episode free for 24 hours. Also, green noses need to stay home!!

Nursery/ Toddler notes- If you plan to leave your child in the nursery, please be sure to bring a sippy cup (with the child's name on it) and a pacifier if your child uses one. These items are the best helps for nursery workers to comfort your child.

These classes have lessons and its fun to see the children learn the lessons. Come and peek through the window sometime and see them in action!

Parents as Teachers! It's naturally your role to teach your kids and you do it whether you are aware of it or not! I would like to encourage more of the younger parents to get involved in a teaching capacity whether its a quarter in a classroom or on a Promiseland team. It's the best way I know for parents to communicate that what we do at church is important- important enough to get involved in a way that your children can observe! It's easy to feel like church is the time to "take a break" and granted that's true. But if everyone did that, there would be no classes and your kids would stay with you! YIKES!!!!
The truth is that at GracePointe we have quite a few grandma's who've been loving and caring for our kids for many years. Some of them are beginning to have aging parent issues, health issues, etc. and hate to pull out but need to. Wednesday nights are especially tough to keep staffed. By the way, check out how many of our elder's and their wives are in the classrooms- it's more than any other church I've ever worked with!

Our immediate needs-

Nursery on Wed. nights. We owe our thanks to Jane Lee (resigned to spend more time and energy on Bobby), Linda Herzog (resigned to care for her mom, who recently had a fall), Myrtle Langford (resigned when her husband had a heart attack). Clara Price is still involved but also has an aging mother at home. Karla Boling fills in often but is somewhat limited by her own health issues.

Tweens- 4th & 5th graders on Wed. nights. We owe our thanks to Rick Simonton for working with this age group over a year. He turned in an emotional resignation last week to attend the men's class with his nephew who was baptised over the holidays. This group could be divided into a girls' class and a boys' class if teachers answer the call that direction.

Couple of ideas I'm batting around and need to know the interest level:
Going to see the new Veggie Tales movie together.
Pajama party game night at the building.

Thank you all so much for what you mean to GracePointe! It's an honor to work with your kids to help them learn and grow towards God.

For Kids & Kingdom,
Polly

Paint Party Postponed

2008-01-05T09:20:00.000-06:00

Robyn called this morning to say they have some unfinished business at the house that must be handled before painting can take place. So, we'll postpone our painting party for another day. Thanks to all who carved out time today to lend a hand. Stay tuned for a make-up date.

Welcome Joshua

2008-01-04T14:09:00.001-06:00

In case you haven't heard...Burt and Melissa welcomed their second son, Joshua, yesterday around 6 pm. They are both doing well. They are in Jackson hosptial. Joshua was 6lbs 12oz. I have not spoken with them personally, this is all I know! (:

Paint Party Details

2008-01-04T11:49:00.000-06:00

Here are the important little details you've been waiting on...
We'll get started at 9am Saturday.
The address for the house is 6028 Arbor Glen Dr.
It's located back behind Shakespeare park.
Google it for directions or call me and I'll get you there.
I'll have my cell with me... 324-2125

Hope to see you all there as you can make it.
Vernon and Robyn would appreciate any time you can offer.
Lunch will be provided, so come and join us.
Many hands make light work.
See you Saturday.

Paint Party Saturday

2007-12-31T13:18:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone. I know many of you have been praying for Vernon and Robyn.
I know they appreciate the prayer. Several of you have asked if there was anything you could do to help.
I'm posting to let you know your opportunity has arrived.
Vernon and Robyn need help applying fresh paint to the home Vernon's mom and dad will be moving into soon.
This Saturday is the day. Any time you can offer in support would be a great help.
More details on the way regarding the location and the exact time we'll be meeting to get started.
Until then, work on clearing your Saturday of other obligations so you can lend a hand.

Prayers Please

2007-12-17T22:58:00.000-06:00

Please be praying for Vernon's mom Millie and the rest of our family. Millie was taken by ambulance into the ER on Saturday morning for what we thought was a heart attack. After a couple of days in the hospital, we have discovered that she has suffered 2 strokes. She is doing well and is in very good spirits, but we are going to have to make some very major changes in the way our family functions before the year is over. Vernon's dad has Alzheimer's and now that his mom is not going to be able to care for him the way she would like to, that leaves us with big decisions and major change. All we really know to do right now is ask for prayers. We need the Lord's hand with us more than anything else.

We love you all!
Robyn

Potluck

2007-12-14T21:03:00.000-06:00

Ok, I think everyone is in agreement. No potluck this month. We will try again next month.

Young Families Potluck

2007-12-12T11:05:00.000-06:00

Well, it is time for the potluck again. I know that Melissa's baby shower is that day also, so, I was wondering if everyone was still interested in having the potluck? It would work out fine for me to have the potluck but I would like to do what works for everyone. If you could comment or e-mail me as soon as possible that would be great. Once I hear from a few people I will let everyone know what the plan is. Thanks.

Jennifer

Kids Ornament Party

2007-12-10T06:40:00.000-06:00

Thanks to everyone who came to the ornament party. It was great to have everyone at our house. We love a crowd---and it was definitly that!

More on Cullen

2007-12-04T14:09:00.001-06:00

One more little bit to add about Cullen . . .

Cullen is on contact isolation. This means that you will need to scrub in before you enter the room. When I was there just a little bit ago, there is a big sign on the door that will give you instructions as to what to do. Mostly, just remember that you need to wash your hands very well and very frequently when you are with them, and then not touch Cullen. Also, children are not allowed to visit. Just thought y'all might like a little heads up while you're deciding whether or not to visit Betsy and Cullen.

Cullen's leg looks substantially better than it did last night and he's still hanging in there like a great little trooper. Things are going well and prayers are being answered!

Update on Cullen

2007-12-04T10:30:00.000-06:00

Just in case you haven't heard, Cullen is at Jackson Hospital receiving IV antibiotics for an infection in his leg. He was admitted yesterday afternoon and is doing well. It took a while to get the IV in, but once they did, Cullen did very well. It amazes me how children just take everything in stride and bounce back so quickly. Things continue to go well this morning health wise, but as you know, it's almost impossible to sleep at the hospital so Betsy and Cullen are both exhausted and trying to rest. Chad's mom is here helping with Owen, Dawson as well as Chad who is sick with strep throat right now. As far as I know, Betsy is still gladly welcoming visitors, but it never hurts to call before you go . . . especially since they didn't sleep too well last night. Please be praying for this family that we love so much!

Kids Ornament Party

2007-11-30T20:44:00.000-06:00

Braeden, Brooklynn and Barrett are hosting an ornament exchange for the all the kids--and any adults that would like to come!

Saturday, December 8th at 5:30

I sent an e-mail to all the addresses I have--if you were not on the list please know we want you to come I just don't have your address. Please use this link to get the evite.

http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?event=XFKSVNRYHYFGCGXJFWWD&inviteId=VSOMHBMBCRWTCGPJMIWS&showPreview=false&x=617324337

I would love to get a complete e-mail list of all the young families at GracePointe.

Young Families Christmas Party!

2007-11-29T13:21:00.000-06:00

Alright, here are the details:
WHEN: Saturday, December 15th, 7-9pm
WHERE: 1201 Kirkwood Drive (Eddie and Kathy Welch's home)

Babysitting at the church fell through, so this will be a BYOB event. (Buy Your Own Babysitter)
Get back to me with your final intentions. I'll get you directions later next week.

Meals for Brett and April

2007-11-28T20:40:00.000-06:00

If you would like to send a "meal" for Brett and April please bring it to church on Sunday morning or evening. I will be packing one suitcase full of convenience foods to prepare for them while I am there. All items must be of course non-perishable and should not require extra ingredients that they may not have access to. Be creative! If you would like, enclose a small note or your name with your meal, then I can pull it out and go, tonight's meal is from the ..... I think that would be a nice personal touch. Remember, the suitcase can't be too heavy, so stay away from too many canned goods. If you would like to send a small gift I will be glad to take that as well. Remember, it is always warm. You may tie a bow around it or attach a card, but do not wrap it please, it would take up too much room. I will set a suitcase up in the lobby for you to place your items in.
Thanks!
Betsy

A Christmas Party!!!!!

2007-11-26T12:48:00.001-06:00

Eddie and Kathy Welch are eager to host all of the young families at Grace Pointe for a Christmas Party.
The party would be for adults only.
Babysitting will be provided.
Kathy is working on the details now, but would really like some feedback from us.

Which night would be better for you, Friday the 14th or Saturday the 15th?

Are you interested in attending?

Post your thoughts or e-mail me at keith@grace-pointe.com
Hope you're excited about the possibility of getting together to celebrate the Christmas season.
Let me know what you think.
Stay tuned for details.

Blogs and Links

2007-11-26T08:30:00.000-06:00

I have added some of the blogs that some of the Young Families at GP keep. I know there are a few that are restricted and some I don't know about. If you want, or don't want your blog/link listed on this site, please email me at jduckbaker at gmail dot com. (I spelled it out so I won't get spam.)

Thanks!

He's here!

2007-11-23T19:48:00.000-06:00

Corban Stewart Emerson was born at approximately 5:00 am this morning (11:00 am Ghana time).He is 7 lbs 4 oz. Mom and baby are doing great and should go back to the guest house tommorow. April went in around 8:00pm, started meds to induce labor around midnight, slept for 6 hours, labored for 5 hours. April had a drug free labor, I have not spoken with her yet, but Brett said it was "intense". I bet it was! (: Praise God for healthy baby Corban and a gold star for April!

Baby Corban is coming

2007-11-21T19:41:00.000-06:00

April saw her doctor today. They decided to induce her labor on Friday. She goes in at midnight Thurs. night to start the medicine. Please pray that everything goes smoothly and as routinely as possible and that the baby is healthy. I will keep you updated.

Addition for Calendar

2007-11-21T16:28:00.000-06:00

Believe it or not, this will be my first post EVER to a blog!!! Pretty exciting stuff, huh?

How does one add to the calendar, or is Jenn (the blogmaster) the only one who can do it? We need to add the Christmas program at Grace Pointe on December 2 from 5-7. I know none of us want our kids to miss out on being sheep, angels, stars, etc.

Prayers for April

2007-11-18T22:37:00.000-06:00

Hey! Great idea Shea, thanks for setting this up Jen!
Would everyone Please remember Brett and APRIL this week and for the next several weeks. She is 38 weeks now, which is when Caden arrived. Everything is progressing wonderfully with the preganancy but April is feeling emotional about the reality of what is about to happen and worried about Caden (they have someone to care for him, but it is not family or even close friends). I can remember having very similar feelings and concerns with the birth of my last 2, and I was in a much more comfortable situation than where she currently sits. Many of you can say the same. Please pray for April to have peace and for the timing of baby Corban to work out perfectly so that the transition for Caden is as smooth as possible. Please take a few minutes this week and drop them an email or give them a call to let April know that we are thinking and praying for her. It is a local call, just rember that they are 5 hours ahead of us. Leave a message if they do not answer, sometimes they just don't get to it in time. I will keep everyone posted if anything happens!
334-239-3109

Posting and Blessings on travels

2007-11-16T16:00:00.001-06:00

Yay! More posts! Remember to post any prayers, needs, and activities that are going on!

-----------------------

God bless you in this Thanksgiving week. May our Lord be glorified.

Potluck Update

2007-11-15T21:59:00.000-06:00

We won't have the young families potluck this month. The next potluck should be December 16th so keep that in mind and maybe we all can meet up for that. Thanks.

Potluck? Sunday, Nov 18th

2007-11-15T09:56:00.000-06:00

~~Jennifer Mathis sent out an email about our monthly potluck. Anyone available for a meal after church this Sunday? Comment here or email her.~~

Wednesday, November 28th

2007-11-13T16:05:00.000-06:00

This is a joint Landmark/Grace Pointe venture:

Women:
You are invited (with or without children) to Jenn Baker's home on Wednesday, November 28th from 9:30 until just after lunch. It will be a time to just get together and hang out. I'll try to have some coupons available to give away (and/or swap if you will bring yours). Bring a lunch and a friend.

Let Jenn know if you need directions.

Young Families Blog

2007-11-13T16:02:00.000-06:00

Hey all! Shea Lea had a great idea to start up a young families blog. This way we can post information about prayers, needs, activities and the like.

It could give us one location to check for information.

Everyone can be a contributor.