our amazing, talented, dedicated staff

I really don't have to say much...because what you're about to see,  are the people who make getting to Crossroads everyday so very good!  I love our staff, how close we all are, how much we all understand what everyone cares about and dedicates their lives to...I could go on and on and on...but they say a picture's worth 1,000 words!  Enjoy!

Their entrance actually brought a hush to the crowd as we stared in disbelief
also wondering how we would every be able to follow
Dan's lead in worship...(makeup and nails done too!)

Baby Margot

Rachael is our newest staff member - the new Coffee House manager
She was 'Star - buck' get it?  

Greg claims he came as himself - look at that cute pig-tailed wife!
(Not sure what Dan is doing...)

Even superheroes hold little ones!

Just hanging out!

Harry Potter family!

Madeline and Miss Clavel

A truly crazy duo!

Hippies and tourists enjoy one another's company.

Tourists complete with fanny packs!

Way, way too much food!

Inside Out

A competition to remember - Dan's wife had to
pull his dress down...

Miss Clavel with pretend ice cream

Tad returned...frightening!

Joseph kept pushing his wife off the roller cart!
Eric and Greg won

Tad trying to balance M & Ms

Jocelyn was the winner of the balancing game!

Oliver had a riot playing with the left-over game trash!

I'm forever grateful to be part of such a great staff...even when we look weird!

my day off - the fast

Our ministry is doing 21 days of prayer and fasting beginning today.

As I prayed for the Lord to reveal to me what He needs me to give up it's been interesting to look at.

What I realized is for me it's more about adding not removing.  It's about practicing disciplines that I've heard about all my life but only dabbled in off and on.  My life often swallows me in it's options and opportunities and I move forward into them without regard to the deepness in Christ I may be sacrificing.

My intent is large but my focus is small.  So I quickly try things and then go on my merry way onto whatever the day holds.

So this morning I'm confessing this to the Lord and entering a time of dedicated focus, eliminating a few distractions for 21 days, reorganizing my eating which includes some elimination, but mostly entering a time I pray is rich in community with Him, and dedicated to Him and focused on Him.

I think this is a brilliant way for Pastor Dave to ask us to start a new chapter at Crossroads together as the body of Christ.  Will you join us?

off to eat again

I swear, all I do is eat!

We just finished a great Saturday evening service and now those of us left are ready to once again eat way to late at night. I don't recommend this from a diet standpoint - but, it is way too much fun to say no based solely on diet worries. As long as I avoid caffeine all should be well.

So goodbye until tomorrow!

Sleep well!

grateful quiet spirit

We attended a Christmas Small Group Italian dinner tonight! Excellent!! I'm not gonna lie, I think I have gained 5 pounds already. You know how it goes, make cookies, test one, test two...get out the milk - I love it!

Our kids are home, sitting by fires, reading books, decorating cookies and the tree, for these moments I am forever grateful.

Of course God knew this is what Christmas would become, family, presents, commercialism and endless eating. I wonder how it makes Him feel? I wonder if He feels? I wonder if He ever felt like His most precious gift was wasted on us at times ? Then I remember that He said he would have sent His son even for one of us. The shepherd leaves the flock for one lost sheep...

I think it brings God pleasure when we enjoy our life, when we enjoy one another, when we appreciate His provisions.

For perhaps a brief moment, I praise Him for a calm, precious evening. Maybe just a pause before the next crisis, but I receive it with a grateful heart and quiet spirit. His love is so obvious if I look, and I love Him.