Tonight!!!

Wow -everyone had a lot of energy, tonight - which was good. And Brandon was able to join us and the update was that he has 4 treatments left. So, keep praying. Keep Jesse's ankle in mind, too -his toes are looking good even if the big and second are having a bit of a power struggle.

And check out the girls -they are getting their weekly manicure while the rest played "knock-out" -yessss...I was immediately knocked out - yep twice! Ahhhh -back to my nails.

And pray for your schools -apparently spirit week is a little bit...um...well not so good.

Remember to listen to the only voice that will never tell you wrong -God's voice. It's the voice of truth. We all can hear the loud voices of the world telling us things. It's easy to start thinking they are right. But think about that obstacle course. Only one voice really looked out for the participant. The rest of us were yelling all sorts of things. Wrong or a little wrong, things. But remember even a little poop in your brownie makes it gross. Same goes for what you hear, think and believe.

So, listen for the VOICE of TRUTH. We can promise you His voice will always be right and in your best interest.

Have a great week - and know you are loved and prayed for.

Youth Tonight!!!

Hey don't forget...leave your homework there for a couple of hours and come out tonight for an obstacle course, games, nails (yes, girls your nails need polishing) snacks brought to you by the Schienkes and most importantly I'll sing you a song to go with our lesson. Bet 'cha can't wait for that!

See you there!

Wednesday Night!

Prayer with the Golden Oldies and a few younger adults on Wednesday night was really a neat experience. There were 7 girls and 1 faithful guy at Youth who joined the adults for Prayer. The adults LOVED it. And I think deep down the teens didn't mind it either.

The grown-ups of our church really do care about you guys and are so interested in you and what you are going through. So, from time to time, we'll meet and pray with them and for them.

It is a GOOD Thing!

And all who were able and brave enough -were treated to Tim Horton's where we finished up our study on showing MERCY. Check out Obadiah -it's a tiny one chapter book in the OT where God tells Esau's descendants they're going DOWN for sitting around and watching Jacob's descendants' demise. They actually helped hurt them, turning them in to their enemies, stopping the refugees and survivors from finding safety and God was pretty ticked. Gotta read it for yourself! Who knew it was in there?

What does that mean to us? Well, I think we've all been in a situation where we could help, stop something mean that was going on...but maybe didn't want to get involved -make waves. God says -Be Different -Do what is good -Merciful -Right...He'll be there for you...be there for someone else. So watch for an opportunity. Check out your own heart. Do you ever gloat when the "enemy" gets theirs? God is so not about that.

Keep Syd & Caitlin in your prayers for testing -physical stuff. And Brandon as always. He has another batch of treatments coming up -Miss you, Brandon! And the Seniors...they have a lot on their minds as they finish out High School.

Oh yeah and Jessica and her Ring Dilemma...pray she finds it! And Noelle's kitty with a broken elbow! Aw....

See you all on Sunday!

Vantage Point...

Started out tonight with the two babies cooing happily on the counter in their car seats while all the girls painted nails. Good thing the little computer inside doesn't record poor air quality. Mr. Steve said the fumes were pretty intense.

Little John didn't seem to mind. And Kiera was OK with it too, cuz she is a girl, of course.

What she wasn't so OK with was the part in the skit where she was playing Baby Joash from 2 Chronicles when Evil Queen Athalia ( or whatever)was trying to slaughter the entire royal family and Baby Joash was saved from eminent danger by the sweet and lovely Jehosheba. Actually that was fine until his nurse tripped on a chair and he/she went flying through the air. Some laughed (she is a doll, of course), some cried, and everyone was in awe of the amazing acting ability of the SR and JR HIghers.

The Jr Highers put on a great skit, too. Eden played a victim of attempted sock robbery. The bad guys did get what they were after in the end -they wedgied a couple of other victims.

All in all we thought a little bit about showing mercy and taking the opportunity to do so when we can. Most of us feel a little bad for the guy who is picked on...few of us actually step up and help. God is calling us to that. He is calling us to be like His Son, Jesus. Not an easy job...but we are learning.

Also, I should mention the guys had their own ideas for an activity. Some kind of exhibition four square extreme ping pong. And we snacked on left over cookies, chips, water bottles in addition to Sarah's outstanding warm banana bread and my newly invented sprinkledoodles and snickerdoodles.

And as for all of those wacky elevator ideas...well -I'd say it's a Youth Activity in the making...you in?

OK See you on Wed night for Prayer Time with the adults and more on Mercy. Come on...give it a try...you know you are curious. Watch for opportunities to be merciful this week as well!

Neumannia! So fun!!!

Totally fun! Kadie came with Mark -Tyler came with Chris -baby Kiera came with Caitlin -and Baby John with Sarah! Love to have extra friends!

Capture the Flag was really exciting. Lisa's team captured an unguarded flag in the first round, but that never happened again. Adam's team was loyal to the end even under great deres. And though it was a bit chilly -the weather was great for the game, food, a fire pit and just plain hanging out.

A BIG THANKS TO THE NEUMANNS for letting us hang out! The food was so yummy, the chicken chili and cheeseburger soup -the bread...and the plethora of cakes for all of the birthdays.

(JESSE & NICK)

The fire pit was a "light unto our feet" during the game, I must say and the tough boys hung out at it after their bellies were full of "Kuchen" -cake, my favorite German word.

So, thanks again everyone for being such good sports and congratulations to Lisa and Noelle for winning the Neumann trivia game -although some were questioning the fairness -but then again -how fair is it that she and her parents put on the whole activity for you? Pretty nice thing to do -I'd say. All the food, prep, cleaning and cleaning up -I'd say she deserved it and - Noelle -way to pick a stellar partner. You had some good answers, yourself!

Looking forward to the SR HI Girls sleepover and Guys All-nighter next month!

Vantage Point Youth Group TONIGHT!

It was recommended that there be an alternate activity for those not up to an athletic one. So, ladies, bring your favorite nail polish and guys -I'll bring decks of cards. Maybe we'll all play the card on the forehead game again...

So, come on out and be prepared to be active... or not. Most importantly, be prepared to be challenged, tonight. We're going to talk about the oppressed...hmmm...you'll need:

Bibles

Imagination

Participation

and a little Dramatic flair...

(Who wants to be Jehosheba?)

And snack and drinks...well since you guys are signing up without telling your parents -it might be a little slim. But I think there are chips (if the church mice did not eat them all),water bottles and I am going to try to make cookies...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! & WAHOO MACOMB!

Youth Group Tonight!!! Snacks are on Nick -thanks for living another year, Nick!

HAPPY SWEET 16 NICK JOHNSON!!

And....

Last night Macomb Christian took out Franklin 3 games to 0 in volleyball!

Wahoo -way to go Lisa and Leah.

Neumania and More!

"Neumannia" this Staurday Night 6-9pm at the Neumanns! Don't miss it! And be sure to email us so we know you are coming and how many friends you'll be bringing along.

SUNDAY NIGHT...

And check out these photos of last night's Game! We had more than 5 in a seat at once! Somehow, Tim's seat was always the most crowded...hmmmm wonder why that was? Pretty sure everyone moved on "...change your skivies every day..."-pretty sure...and no one moved on "would vote for Obama".

And not photographed here -but she did play...LEAH!

Thanks to everyone who came out. And be sure to come this WED for more on Coaching. Don't forget -YOU ARE INFLUENCING OTHERS...

And Brandon -WE MISS YOU!!!

Have a happy week!

Vantage Point Youth Group TONIGHT!!!

Yep -another week gone by -it's time for Youth Group. Gonna play out side a bit, in the fresh air -so wear your tennis shoes. Be ready for only one weird game, and a Bible Study on Coaching. What? Yeah -coaching. It's an interesting topic right from God's Word. So come on out and see what it's all about.

Oh yeah -and sign up for "NEUMANNIA" this Saturday night at the Neumanns. I have fliers for you to take home and pass out to your pals. And, please sign up!!! I need to have enough food for you and your friends. OK?

Why a picture of Lisa? She is a Neumann and "Neumannia" is at her house! So, now you have a little something to remind you about next Saturday night!

Vantage Point Youth Group TONIGHT!!!

Topic: GATEKEEPERS...hmmm bet you have no idea what that's all about. Better come tonight and find out.

So, see you all at 6pm -Warm Banana Bread for the first 30 who show up. Unless Jesse & Nick get there first...

Oh, and anyone with homecoming photos better bring them along...Isaiah...Leah...

Cool -check it out!

Think we could pull off something like this?

http://www.mychurch .org/blog/ 30635/coolest- video-ever

JR HI Girl's Sleep Over -can't believe I forgot to post that fun event...

Oh my goodness...It was crazy. My two boys and two of their friends were upstairs for the night -Mr. Steve outta town camping all stinky and everything...and I had 9 of you cuties here at my house! What was I thinking?

Well as it turns out -laughing and giggling is really good for you -so I guess it was kinda therapeutic, cuz we laughed a lot. We also ATE a lot, TALKED a lot and did not PLAY Quiddler a lot because it was too hard to think and giggle at the same time. (Sorry Victoria)(Thankfully she had to go to the bathroom - so we could switch to an easier game. :))

It was also really great to find out that Courtney would rather eat her arm that spend a year in prison...hmmm...

Anyway, we really did not sleep a lot -but that's OK, too.