Asbury's Newest Member

I can't believe the day has come for my little Abby Lou to get Confirmed as a full church member at our beloved Asbury! She's such a special lil' lady!!

Thanks to her Small Group leaders for investing so much time in preparing her for this moment.

So Owen...that's all I can say

The Girlies

The Bros - I really took this to capture Andrew in top middle right 

The Whole Gang

Caroline - one of Abby's fave mentors

Lauren - another mentor to Abby...so blessed to have her as a small group leader!

ahhh...love a hug pic

The Cutest 7th Gr Duo Around

Our Fam

The Cornells

Pastor Tom & Abs

yet again...so Owen

Caught a quick photo of these cuties on our way out. :-)

Mission Houston 2014

Asbury 7th Grade Mission Trip to Houston, TX

March 15th, 2014

Momma wishin' her girl the very best as she heads off for her very 1st mission trip!

Daddy's turn!

Azlee and Abby (friends since they were 3!)

Abby and Brennan (BF from Jenks)

C Group Jenks Gals

(Hallye, Abby, Brennan, Peyton)

1st Night in Houston

1st Day of Serving - Clothing Shelter

Carolyn S hangin' with her girls

Riding the train

Abby with her small group leader Mary and fellow team members

*WORSHIP!

The Light Train

 Prayer...nothing like it

Favorite pic of the week

 More WORSHIP!

 Ark Kids!

(Will, Anna, Azlee, Emma, Abby, Ben)

 Time to head back to T-Town

 Sunday, March 30th

Houston MTrip Celebration ~ Brennan shared her testimony!

Dear Supporter,

My Mission Trip to Houston, Texas this past week was INCREDIBLE!!! Thank you for all of your prayer and support while I was serving people. My favorite thing we did was go and play with kids at their apartments. I met a little six year old girl named Justice, and she was such a joy to play with. She told me that her father left when she was three years old and her mom works everyday (it broke my heart). I was happy that I got to go and make her day along with many other joyful little kids. 

On Tuesday we were offered the challenge of fasting through breakfast and lunch and not eating till dinner. It was very difficult not eating because who doesn’t love food! Every time I thought about eating, or my stomach growled, I would pray. Another hard part about fasting was that day we served people by packing bags of food, and guess what job I had... sealing the packages. So every time I sealed the package, I had to smell all of the food inside. So what I did was every time I smelt it I prayed to God saying, “Other people need this food more than me” (and it helped!). Overall, fasting was a great eye opener for me. I got to feel and see what most people go through everyday without food. After the trip I made a goal for myself to fast once a month. While fasting, I grow closer to God, and that is my main goal for life. 

On Wednesday, my group and I went on a giant scavenger hunt around Houston. We got to do many amazing things including going to the top floor of Houston’s tallest building, visiting a park dedicated to the loss of loved ones in the 9/11 attack, and for lunch, we got to go to a park and serve meals to homeless people. I met a man named Richard who did not have a job, and he slept at a homeless shelter. After we talked for about twenty minutes, I handed him a cross and told him God loved Him. In return, I got the most heart warming smile shining on his face! :-)

On Thursday, my group and I delivered meals to kids whose parents could not afford meals for them. When we were delivering the meals it really tore my heart to see little kids waiting in their front lawn depending on these meals to come everyday. While driving away, I would look back and see the biggest smile on their faces. I am so thankful that I am blessed with multiple meals everyday and a roof over my head. I wish there was a way we could stop hunger all over the world. Thanks again for supporting me on this trip. It truly took my relationship with Jesus to a whole new level and helped me to be more grateful for what I have. I cannot wait until next year’s mission trip to Red Bird, Kentucky!!! 

Love, Abby

Mission Jamaica 2014

March 23rd, 2014

Dear Supporter,

This past week, I had the AWESOME opportunity to go to Jamaica on my third mission trip. The entire trip was a huge blessing! In Jamaica, we did construction work as well as led Vacation Bible School at Jamaican schools. The beauty of the island of Jamaica is an incredible creation of God. I was lucky to be on “Team Domin8” (dominate) the entire week.

On Saturday, I arrived in Jamaica at about 7:00 pm. All we had time to do was eat dinner and go to bed. The next morning, my group and I went to Good Hope Baptist Church for church. That night, we had wonderful night of worship. On Monday, my team and I went to Duncan's school and we worked with grade 5 students. Later that day, we went back to Good Hope Church and we worked on mixing concrete and carrying it to a wall that we were building 100ft away. We did the same thing on Tuesday and Wednesday as we did on Monday. On Thursday, we went to the Samuel Prospect Basic School where we had a sport day with ten seven year olds. That afternoon, we went to the infirmary where we spent time with the elderly and unemployed reading the Bible and praying with them. The next day, Friday, we had the opportunity to go to Ocho Rios and to the market, as well as to Dunn’s River Falls were we climbed the falls and spent time on the beach. Saturday, we spent the entire day traveling home to America.

This week, everything I experienced was fantastic. Some of the highlights were the delicious chicken & rice and juicy patties, the physically challenging construction work and the ministry to Jamaican children. One way I feel encouraged as I have returned home is to have the endurance to be in God’s Word every day. I also feel motivated to continue on the path of less of me and more of God. Thank you so much for helping me to be able to go on this journey. The Jamaica mission trip was my favorite trip to date, and I look forward to many future opportunities to serve.

         Love, Will

MF Christmas Brunch '13

Tuesday, December 3rd

Our Annual Mothers Fellowship Christmas Brunch

One of our new favorite MF Momma's, Christy T, made these delish Cinnamon Rolls out of biscuits - had to get a pic before they were devoured! ;-)

Me with my Esther Gene...and below with Becky and Amy, my table mates

Sweet Megan...always adds such nuggets to our group discussions each week

Becky, EG's g-daughter, sang "Silent Night" so beautifully

The Group 

(sadly missing several that day)

Pose Pic...absolutely LOVE this!! Sassy is good. ;-)

"Glory to God in the Highest" for blessing me with the honor of serving these women each week. Truly one of my greatest blessings and joys!

Fall Retreat Fun

Abby was SO excited that her friend Savi was able to attend Asbury's Fall Retreat with her! It was super last minute, but worked out just in the nick of time!

Petyon, a friend from Jenks Pom, was also aboard the bus to NLR!

(FYI: Peyton's mom became Abby's C-Group leader a couple weeks later...gonna be great!)

Will headed home after a super awesome weekend of fun!

I was soooo thankful that A and W were able to attend a retreat together...Won't get to again for 3 more years. :-(

(Will continues to love church and its plethora of activities more than anything else in his life...nothing can stop this boy from being there on Sunday mornings, evenings and Wed nights! It fills his cup...)