The New Benson

To Liv and Jer; I've found the new little Benson. My favorite little friend is a sweet, chunky chocolate pup. Every night before bed I cuddle him and nibble on his little tummy. SOOO adorable. I think he'll end up being a stud of a pup, like your gorgeous Benson that you once had.

Brenton, rather than cuddling the pups, finds ways to entertain. Poking them while sleeping, to make them squeal, is his current favorite. It is amazing, but he's able to get the little pups suckling his finger and hang in mid air, with their strong grips. The video I got is not most impressive, but you get the idea of how strong the pups are getting!

We seem to have finally found friends. Every night we've had people stop by to see the pups, sometime days multiple times. We're starting to feel special but, then again, the pups are the main attraction.

Just Had To...

Highland, our church, takes communion weekly, a decision the leadership made at the foundation of the church. Each week they also explain why we, as christians, practice this tradition as there are many new and non-believers attending. Today, one of the younger staff members had taken a few minutes to prepare the congregation for communion. He is very eloquent and effective with his words. Yet, as he was coming to a close with a very moving message, he left himself stunned and the congregation smiling.

"And when you take this crapper...wow...cracker, not crapper...know it symbolizes the body of Christ broken for you."

The recovery was graceful, but Brenton and I were like to junior highers who couldn't quit giggling. It wasn't just a mix match of words; it was a not so ideal switch of words! Way to go crapper.

Birthdays All Around!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Brenton
...and to the pups too!

Cheers to the birthday bunch. I started out with B-dizzle 29 years ago and now we have 9 lab pups, all born sometime the morning of the 25th. Brenton even quoted it as, "The best birthday gift he could get!" We hardly slept last night as Lexi was restless and preparing for labor. Once we got her settled and went back to bed, we crashed and woke up to squeals of the new-borns! If you've ever had a flying monkey, they sound just the same.

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Brenton and the pups!

Godspell Rewind

Our small group leaders had to back out of small group this past week due to a last minute Godspell meeting. Instead of the norm, we headed to an Asheville Tourist game with about three other couples in the group. Aside from the question, "Who would name a team the Tourists?" it was a good time. The Tourists started out their season with a big win, though they are not always know to do so well.

Rewinding back to Godspell, the production brought in about 1600 attendees from a church of 400. The goal initially seemed lofty, but was successful! The four performances of the 70's broadway musical only left Asheville thirsty. The church, individuals in the community and calls to the Orange Peel, requesting more performances, have spurred on discussion. Highland is hoping to put on another show this summer after having to turn people away from the last performance; we'll see what God is going to do!

RANDOM SIDE NOTES:
Flipping between the endings of Extreme Home Makeover and The Miss America Pageant, has left me thinking it is ridiculous that I seem to cry every time I hear a story from Extreme Home Makeover (seeing that I use to rarely cry at shows) and that it is ironic Oklahoma won Miss America while we were living there and that North Carolina just won Miss America...what are the chances?!

To Make You Feel My Love

by: Adele



If you like this, Chasing Pavements is even better!

Godspell

SHERRI: Lady on the far left, pastor's wife

JASON (Jesus): Middle, Associate Pastor

JAZZ: Bottom Left, small group leader

MAGGIE: Right of Jesus & leaning on wood, Jazz's wife

DEREK: Far right, also in our small group

Happy Easter! That is thanks to our Lord who has risen and given us reason to live. He is alive. Our church, Highland, is a young church plant that had planned to settle a little ways outside the downtown area of our city. However, the target area proved unsuccessful in light of finding a church home. The Lord directed Highland to the heart of the city, in it's most prominent venue..."The Orange Peel" bar.

Not knowing Asheville, this may not seem much of a big deal. Yet, the longer I'm here the more I realize the importance of this leading. I, and many others, have referred to Asheville as a mini San Francisco. Not only is it ecclectic and artsy, but it is also very lost. Asheville seems pretty liberal in its thinking as a whole and has a true need for a Savior.

Thus, the importance of the Musical, Godspell. Our pastor's wife, Sherri, has a huge heart for the arts. Her dream has been born in the form of this musical and was a huge success, as the church is bursting forth with talent. Another amazing gift for the church, I've never been in a church with such artsy talent...sooo many gifted singers, artists, so on and so forth. Just the Lord knowing what ministry the city of Asheville needs, as the church and its leadership have a HUGE heart for the city.

The bar was very generous in allowing the church to rent out its facilities for the production of Godspell and the new act "Ressurectio" this Easter weekend. So far the shows have been pretty full and hopefully a testimony to many, knowing the weekend and the main venue for shows will pull in those who may not hear the gospel otherwise. It was a wonderful and blessed production!

Puppies & Maternity Clothes

To clarify right off, we are NOT pregnant (as in Brenton and I)...Lexi is. As you probably recall, about a month back, a certain black lab came into our yard and stalked our little girl. Yes, we did find them together and we are now expecting puppies in less than three weeks. It is amazing that little critters can be created in two months or less.

And while we are not expecting, I have found that I truly enjoy shopping in the maternity section of Target. Why, who knows. I'm still trying to figure it out. Actually, last Christmas I found a top on clearance, realizing after the fact that it was a maternity item. This week, I was on my way to the dressing room in Target and saw some of the cutest items again in...you got it...THE MATERNITY SECTION. I guess it's one of my new favorites. Lastly, I hope I didn't send anyone on an emotional rollercoaster. Hence the non-pregnant declaration right off!

Reasons Today Was the Best Birthday...

* Balloons all over the living room (Didn't realize how much I absolutely love them!)
* More greetings than I can count on Facebook
* All the wonderful calls and letters from family
* Creative gifts and my thoughtful husband
* Sunshine and Spring
* The weekend

...And then it happened, while talking to my sister-in-law, Genevieve. Brenton and I were out on our green lawn, playing a little Bocce Ball, when Lexi was all of a sudden in the way. Brenton says she never moved; I say she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Either I have terrible throwing skills or our poor dog is just plain ignorant.

Unfortunately, if I'm being honest, I should admit the sad happening was due to my limp arm and a distracted female on the phone...never a good thing. Before I knew it, a heavy red ball was slamming our little lab in the head. Sorry, Gen, if you heard me yelling Lexi's name! The Bocce Ball game fizzled out of excitement pretty quick. Lexi was still running around as much as ever, though avoiding me at all costs.

Brenton decided to attribute our early evening Walmart run to get Lexi a helmet, or so he told my brother. I'm just praying I don't wake up with a dog that never does...please, no brain damage due to my stupidity!

An Oxymoron of Life

How does it seem to be that kids always prove us to be wiser and smarter, while adults can't help but show how little we really know? Well, I tell you that we went to small group this week and our small group leader brought a nine-year old boy he teaches. Anthony seemed quiet enough, playing some form of nintendo, in his baggy jeans and zip-up hoodie. But as soon as dinner ended and our Bible Study began, Anthony proved to be the true intellect of the group...

"So, is that like when my teacher gets me in trouble and sends you letters Jazz?"

"You're saying love had to be choice; that's why Jesus didn't make us love Him. It wouldn't be true love otherwise."

"I think it's scarey that God gives us choice..."

Anthony was rocking our worlds with his great ability to process and apply deep truths to real life application. It was fun to be around a kid, since it's been a while...

...then on our drive home, we stopped at a signal where a gentleman in the car next to us was cleaning his nose out in no appropriate manner. I mean he was going to town, and eating them to boot. Brenton looked at me and asked, "Did that really just happen?!" Not to mention, it didn't stop after the first round. I can't believe adults still eat boogies. Sick, sick, sick!

Sad to say but, apparently, kids ARE often a great deal smarter than adults.