A video for Grace Church but for all to enjoy too!

Here is the link to you tube to view the video in a larger formatt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldou2i6iQzM

Prayer Request In The Praises

We Need The Power Of God Unleashed Here!

1. Matthew is used of God as the main preacher until the beginning of Aug. & he balances ministry & home life well.

2. Outreach: The 50 kids at the Public School After School Program experience God's love through us.

3. Outreach: 3x3 Teen Basketball Tournament July 11th for players to be 75% unchurched. 

4. Discipleship: Pray for Lori as she plans a long over due Aug 21st Women's Retreat for 60 women & all the details come together for God to be glorified.  

5.  Discipleship: Oz Family Life Marriage Seminar August 1st. For Full attendance as this is a new type of ministry event in our area.

6. Our home church, in Illinois, Grace Church's "Aussie" themed VBS in late June to be effective in reaching families in need of a church home. 

7. Lori would like to pursue photography as a career. Pray for the legal & business logistics to come together at the right time.

8. We are trying to apply for permanent residency, but the process is so long over what seems bureaucratic silliness. Please pray we receive our medical forms by June 8th!

9. Y.V. to remain pregnant in this incredible answer to prayer.

10 A.W. to be set free in Jesus Christ from psychological torture.

11. Our neighbours come to Christ Jesus this year.

Thank you for joining us in faith! We need you!

Mother's Day Celebration

Mother's Day at church was a special day. Matthew preached, there was special music and Lori gave her testimony on how she became a mother. (you can listen to the sermon & testimony by going to www.wbcinc.org.au)

Madison & Morgan were video taped giving special messages to Sugar, Nanny and Grandma Rita.

Lori had her picture taken with her children that think she "ROCKS"

And our friends from Illinois (the Semlows) were in Ethiopia on Mother's Day bringing home 3 siblings to be their "forever" family. Praise the Lord! (to read more about their journey log onto: www.semlowadoption.blogspot.com).  Please keep them in your prayers for this adjustment time!

God's Beauty!

After church, walking to our car, this is the amazing sky God gave us!  I happened to have my camera with me that morning.  How artistic is our Creator!  I think it is the most beautiful painting I have ever seen!   

The photo above this one is the sunset he gave us the very next night on the twins' birthday. They were so excited to see this sky that they urged me to photograph it!  The sun is much hotter here and because of that, I think it makes the sunsets more colorful and fiery! Amazing!

A Little Easter Fun...

Our dessert on Good Friday evening

After watching the Easter Musical this Friday morning at church, our children knew exactly why we were thanking Jesus!  It was a special time to go around the table and say what we wanted to "thank" Jesus for...and Mikah was the first to say "For dying on the cross for our sins". BINGO!  We are so thankful as parents that our children are beginning to understand the real meaning of Easter. 

Easter Funtastic Update

Well, here it is..the update to our "Easter Funtastic" outreach. A big thank you to those who prayed for us. The Lord answered in a mighty way! It was a beautiful sunny day with over 300 people in attendance. Praise the Lord! The majority of people were not from our church. It was exciting to see invited school friends & neighbors too. It was a fun filled 1 1/2 hours.

We started with facepainting & balloon animals then added a "Lollieman" chase (see the photos), followed by a juggling act, fun sing-a-longs, a ventriloquist who shared the story of the three trees, a massive candy filled egg hunt & water balloon games. In between these events, the kids enjoyed more face painting, balloon animals & cooled off with free icy poles. Adult (guest) door prizes (chocolate!) were also a big hit. To be in the drawing, adults filled out an interest questionnaire. They were asked to tick any of the listed topics they would like to know more about. Some of the topics of interest: How to find the right church for my family; How to forgive & receive forgiveness from others; Activities for single parents; Basic computer skills; How to relate to my teenager.... Matthew is now trying to fast track some of these needs with the right church people connection & a few workshops in the new future that can also meet these needs. We have been blessed & hope you will be too as you read this & watch the slide show. Wishing you all a joyous Resurrection Weekend!