Thursday, December 30, 2010

hard to put into words























I have been busy today trying to write a script for a video shoot we will be doing on Sunday.

I sometimes have a very difficult time putting my ideas into words, words that other people can understand and follow.

I have frustrated people on previous shoots when I haven't clearly spelled out each and every shot we need. When it isn't well thought out and explained it wastes everyone's time and often results in missing important shots creating holes in the final project. And there is nothing I hate worse than wasting peoples' time or leaving holes.

I have given it my best shot and sent it off to the actors. So once again my work will be out there for all to see. It is hard to put into words how it feels to fail despite trying and equally hard to put into words the feeling when you get it right. When an idea becomes words, then actions and then part of the message that penetrates peoples lives ...well, that is not a feeling at all. It is nothing short of the greatest privilege in my life and only possible when the Holy Spirit becomes involved in all those words.


Wednesday, December 29, 2010

back to work

Today I went back to work. Well, I've been working at home remotely, so I guess I mean back into the building of Crossroads.

It was surreal to walk through the empty halls of Crossroads - devoid of most of the staff as well as the hundreds...several thousand actually who attended just days ago.

It was amazing to watch the Christmas series unfold and become reality this past week. We watched as ideas became 3 dimensional and the message was proclaimed clearly for all to understand. The Holy Spirit moved people - I watched it. Eyes being wiped, families hugging as they sat with loved ones who seldom walk through the doors of church - anxious sideway glances to see if they were taking in the Christmas message. Christmas was everything we hoped for, worked for and prayed for.

God sent His only Son. And we celebrated that sending.

It was a blessing to be back to work today, to put things away and to move on to our next opportunity to produce ideas, create new things and give Him our best. So good.

Monday, December 27, 2010

many people asked...



We had many people ask us how we made the 'plastic people' that we had in our Town Square as an artistic support of our drama on Christmas Eve.

So the best way to explain it is to show you. I have sacrificed all of my pride to demonstrate the making of the plastic people! Enjoy at my expense!

my day off

I am looking forward to once again beginning to write!

As soon as I slowed down from the holidays my head began to fill with praise and ideas and things I want to explore. So, if you would be so kind as to read...I will once again write!

I experienced many things during Christmas. Family reunited, several thousand in attendance at Crossroads to see the services we all poured our lives into the past few months, the exchange of gifts with those we love and appreciate as friends, family and volunteers and a whole lot of eating.

Among the glitter, glamour and performances stood one small event that I will forever cherish - my father reading Luke 2 to us before we opened our gifts. This was Christmas to me!

What was your most cherished memory from this Christmas?


Thursday, December 23, 2010

too busy to write


We were at the church preparing until late again tonight, but we found a little time to spend with cousins from Texas as the families all went tubing yesterday!

Squeezing in the fun!


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

the process in pictures









Such a blast to watch God take the creative ideas of a team and help us work it to completion! This is how Christmas at Crossroads will come to be!

Here are pictures of the rehearsals that took place at our home before going to the church.

After arriving at church I began to find various groups around the church in offices practicing before taking it to the stage. So fun to see them there and then later to watch it all come together!

Our first rehearsal, although chaotic - was amazing! I am excited to share the service with everyone!

The church is preparing!


my day off

Today I enjoyed my kids (and hubby)! Our house was full of noise again with preparations for Christmas. Gifts being wrapped and music being practiced and then off to Crossroads.

Crossroads' Christmas services are Thursday at 7:00 and Friday at 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00. And rehearsal was in full swing tonight!

It went extremely well and will be excellent by service time, Lord willing! I'll post pictures in the morning but desperately need to sleep right now.

I occasionally become overwhelmed by God's people as they generously serve and give of their time and tonight was one of those times! As I looked around the room at everyone and imagined how many times they listened to the music, and how many times they practiced their instruments, I thanked God for each one and thanked him they are all at Crossroads. Such a blessing!

Enjoy your week and let us all come together and celebrate the birth of our Savior later this week!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

let the present begin!





Today we received our Christmas gifts today from Pastor Tim. They were each hand picked just for each of us chosen to be a good match for each of us.

Being the Director of the worship areas of Crossroads - of course I got musical instruments...quite high classed musical instruments - one plays by using your nose!

It is just the beginning of sharing gifts, well wishes and thanks to friends and family for the past year.

I just have a couple more things to pick up and wrap and I'll be ready for next week! Are you ready?


Friday, December 17, 2010

so behind in writing


I am SO behind in all of my writing. I really miss the process of thinking about a given topic and writing all the details out. For the next few days that is a luxury I can not dedicate time to. After Christmas I plan to write extensively for the various websites waiting for articles. I look forward to this tremendously!

Until then - I will just cherish each moment with our kids and family and enjoy Christmas!

Tonight was spectacular as we walked around one of my favorite areas - Easton in Columbus, Ohio. So gorgeous!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

amazing generousity


I am overcome by the visual of our auditorium being completely covered with gifts for 800 of Richland Counties neediest children! Breath taking! Once again, our Adopt A Child leaders have just outdone themselves in one of the most excellent events of its kind in the area!

Any of you Crossroadians that are not able to help with the distribution are missing a HUGE blessing! You really should just stop in and take a look!

I am anxious to finish my tasks and get back to the church to join in the fun of watching God's people work together to bring joy to our community! So good!!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

everyone is freaked out


Everyone is freaked out about the weather that seems to be headed toward Northern Ohio. It still looks like it will miss us, but I SO hope people won't just stay home from church in the morning.

It was such a blessed time of worship and teaching tonight! And next weekend...oh my just wait!

I am very excited about our Christmas series "The Promise" which begins next weekend. This series will run Dec 18/19 into the Christmas services on December 23 & 24 and conclude on January 2nd with an amazing service!

You all really, really need to plan to be here over the next few weeks!!

holidays going fast



I feel like Christmas is slipping away! We got to attend a really great Christmas party last night and we are preparing for our small group tomorrow...these two parties are all we are attending as far as I know.

We have so many great friends and what makes the holiday special is spending time with them and our family - and this year family looks a whole lot different! A new amazing son-in-law and very limited time with our kids before they both are off again! This makes for kind of a panicky feeling I guess! Yet we are determined to breathe in each moment - far into our memories where they will always remain!

I thought you'd enjoy some pictures from last night - notice the competing hats!


Determine to enjoy this holiday - the birth of the beautiful Savior!


Thursday, December 9, 2010

church = the best

I loved my church growing up, but I still felt at times that we settled for less then excellent. In leadership at times, in the quality of the furnishings, in the approach to ministry. And don't even get me started about the lack of creativity...

At times it was like we just decided to let the world have all the excellence!

I have worked recently to create connections with the local art center and the academy in Mansfield that provides lessons to many of Richland County's top musicians. I want the church to be a place where excellence and creativity abound.

This video recently circulated showing SUCH creativity in the church. Sadly they had to take down the comments because people were leaving such hateful comments. Why would people criticize a ministry for being so 'cutting edge' and current? I say - this is great! click here

Would the Lord bless us with artistic creative ability and then not want it used in church? I don't think so!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

it occurred to me

Christmas is almost here and I am not ready, at least not at home.

I have been working only to prepare at church, not home. So, yesterday I shopped with my mom and sister to begin preparing! We tried to take a picture of ourselves, but, it didn't go well. Finally a sympathetic stranger snapped one for us - although it was still out of focus!

I love my mom and sister and I don't take the fun that we have together for granted. I know many families don't get to enjoy one another like we
do.

Due to a friend's amazing coupons, we enjoyed fabulous savings at Bath and Body Works and went on to make a few more purchases! Today I wrapped gifts and made lists, so I am on my way to being ready for Christmas which feels really good.

Hurrying to get all the details prepared allows me to fully focus on Christmas and all that this amazing time of year is really about!

Do you feel that you ever get to fully embrace Christmas - or do you just hurry around and miss the true Christmas ? Please share any suggestions that you use to keep your Christmas you have please!




Sunday, December 5, 2010

weekend report

An unexpected family illness caused plans to change for the weekend. But Milo stepped in and God was there!

I will try to list the songs from our setlist, although I don't have the cue sheet with me~

Our Setlist:

Joyful, Joyful
announcements on video
Joy To The World
Amazing - Brewster
Jesus Paid It All

Message: Joy pt. 2 - Tim Armstrong

Exit song: Joyful Joyful

To watch our services on line go to www.crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries used in their worship services go to www.theworshipcommunity.com

Saturday, December 4, 2010

video shoot


Today in 20 degrees, we shot video for 3 hours! I am honestly still quite frozen!

We shot a combination of 3 to 4 videos at one time. Hopefully we didn't leave anything out - we will soon see as editing begins!

Now on to the next project, stage design for Christmas...another busy week ahead!

Friday, December 3, 2010

preparing for Christmas


We recorded Travis' voice today for our Christmas Radio spot! Funny how audio without video goes quickly and video without audio goes fast! Combine the two and it becomes a long process! Today's process went very quickly!

Travis read through the radio spot like a real pro!

We are very anxious to get the word out about our Christmas services!




We then did a little shopping and visited Crossroads' own Betty Lemaster signing books at Barnes and Noble.

Betty is one of our Elders wives and has just published her first book! Very exciting!

It was a great day with friends!

ministry = choices

Everyday is filled with choices. We make good ones and bad ones and we make some of each everyday!

Today I must choose between finishing projects at church, completing insurance papers, attending a radio advertisement recording, a video shoot or working ahead on the details of the coming weeks including my own shopping list and small group dinner next week!

Sadly, I NEED to do all of these. So instead of wasting any more time deciding, I have begun.

Make good choices today - as busy as we all are the last thing we need to create are bad choices and regrets.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

a frigid night



I never thought anyone would come out tonight for our First Wednesday communion service due to the frigid weather...but they did.

It was a warm wonderful night of worship inside!

I was overcome with thankfulness to our volunteers that so unselfishly came to worship and serve others! So amazing!













Our communion team worked their magic to decorate the tables and prepare the elements!

All these little details come together to help create an atmosphere of excellence and celebration for our congregation!














It was good to be in the house of the Lord...now, if I can just get home safely!