Feels like home again

So, for the last 2 months I've been working with high school ministry at church.  It's been SEVERAL years since I've worked with HS students.  As a single gal I worked in the ministry for years and I was aslo a coach at a local HS (my alma mater...Go CHIEFS!)

About 8 months ago I began meeting with a student one on one.  Every Thursday I pick her up from school, we go get a starbucks and we just chat about life and I do my best to encourage her and be a good listening ear.  A few months ago I decided to meet up with her at Wednesday night ministry so I could meet some of her friends. 

I walked away from that night with many thoughts.  Thoughts that I ended up sharing with our youth pastor one evening when we invited him and his wife over for dinner.  I'm a person (for the most part) who is willing to be a part of the solution if I'm going to take issue with something.  So I offered some solutions for my concerns.  Next thing I knew I was heading up a ministry that is trying to get more parents involved in the ministry and I'm there every wednesday night.

I've been making some really great connections with the leaders.  In fact I had a 3 hour lunch with one of the gals the other day!!  They have been so receptive to me and you can see how much they desire to have a more mature christian woman speak into their lives.  It's been awesome!  I've made some connections with a couple students as well and I'm looking forward to where that will lead.

I come home every Wednesday feeling totally energized.  I feel as though I'm "home again."  I've been in a bit of an "emotional lull" for awhile now and it's been neat to see how God is using my service in this minstry and the new relationships I'm forming to feed my soul and lift my spirits.  I'm truly thankful for the path He currently has me on.  He really is the ultimate healer.  Interestingly enough the name of the HS ministry is REFUGE and it has definitely been that for me!

She's About to Pop Baby Shower

This is the baby shower that I threw for my long-time dear friend Michelle and her sweet baby girl. She's about to pop was a fun theme to work with. Michelle is gluten free...so popcorn is something she can eat with no worries! I tried to incorporate foods that had "POP" in then somehow, someway. Like Soda POP, loliPOPS, POP rocks, POPcorn, etc. I also made one batch of regular cupcakes and one batch of gluten free cupcakes. Both were yummy!

Here is the invitation:

Some of the details.....
cupcake toppers


favor bags filled with pop rocks & ring pops


the little signs I made so people knew what they were eating...AND to emphasize the POP factor!


handcrafted fabric and ribbon banner draped in front of the refreshment table



my jazzed up light fixture was a fun addition and really added a POP of color to the room

(ok, looking back I should've ironed the ribbon...but who has the time!!!)


me and my guest of honor


the lollipop topiary that served as the food table centerpiece


pink popcorn balls


the refreshment table


the food table