Meek's Farm

And on that farm they had some horses...

We were invited to my Uncle Mike and Aunt Ann's house for lunch today. Here are a few highlights from our visit.

Noah enjoyed playing with the barn cat.

Who said Kelly is afraid to ride the horses? Giddy Up!

Labor Day at Matter Park

Catching Up with the Crisps

For Labor Day we took the kids to Matter Park
where they have just added this new playground addition.
The kids had tons of fun and we thought you might like to see a little of our adventure.

Surgery Update

Noah's Big Day



We now know that Noah will have surgery on October 22 at Riley Children's Hospital. Noah's surgery is scheduled to last for an hour and a half. It's an outpatient surgery so we will get to take him home the same day.

What are they doing? They will take out the extra skin between the digits on his right hand so he will be able to grasp items better and they will do exploratory surgery to see if they can take a tendon from his wrist out to the pinkie on that hand so that he can move it. It currently stays straight but the thumb works like normal. Noah is a right hand-er so we trust this will give the little extra he needs to keep developing.

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray for Noah's safety.
2. Pray for all us as we care for him after surgery. It will likely be a challenge to help this two year old with his curiosity.
3. Pray that Noah will quickly adapt to his new function/coordination.

Memoirs of a Conference Go-er...

What has Kristi learned at the In-HOWse Designer Conference?

I am so glad you asked. Thanks!
Here are some insights:

"Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life" ~Confucius

If you want to be an innovative company you have to design.

In the last 12 months where were you when your most interesting or productive conversation took place? Likely not in an office. Don't be afraid to create outside of the office.

Collaboration can be forced by the design of an office take down the cubicle walls and talk amongst yourselves. Collaboration leads to communication that will lead to creativity which can lead to innovation.

A strong manager sets and achieves goals, manages by example, inspires & motivates their team, and directs & plans initiatives.

Remember a good brand is consistent and dependable.

What do you want your department to look like? Once you answer the question you are just a plan away of being what you want to be.

You can only perform as creatively as you feel.

Motivation comes from a work environment with trust and a lack of fear.

A Trip to Riley Children's Hospital

ANNUAL CHECK UP

Noah did a great job at the Children's Hospital today. He held still while they took three different X-rays. It was impressive to see our almost two year old take direction and obey. He was a champ!

At Riley you can check out red wagons to "wheel around in" and Noah thought that was cool. He wanted to ride around and say "hi" to everyone as we went from venue to venue.

Noah met his surgical team with handshakes and then with a round of high-fives. The doc was pleased with the mobility Noah has (able to use pens and hold paper) but confirmed our concern that Noah has trouble throwing balls and holding cups. The doc has given the thumbs up and little man will be facing surgery soon. They will call us with an appointment so we don't know the date as of yet but rest assured we will let you know.

Please pray for Noah. We know God has a plan for his life and we want to be faithful to enable him to do what he was made to do.

WANTED: Coats for Kazakh Kids!

I need your help!


World Gospel Mission has launched a new campaign that my (Kristi's) department has really been challenged to get behind. The campaign is The Great Co-Mission Catalog. The catalog was designed for you to "shop" through several ministries who are in need of assistance. You choose a project that means something to you and begin fundraising for the project.



My team chose coats for kids in Kazakhstan. WGM is working with a children's center that are taking in abused children who are in need-not only emotionally and spiritually but also physically. This was a small way we could help kids across the world and by doing so we can show them a little bit of the love Jesus has for them.



My team is doing great, but we have not met our goal yet. Would you help us provide coats to children in Kazakhstan? Just click on the link below and securely give any amount through firstgiving.com. If you don't want to give on-line no problem; just send me a check and I'll take care of the rest!



http://www.firstgiving.com/kazakhkids



Thanks for your help and rest assured that there will be warmer kids in Kazakhstan this year!

P.S. Want to take on a project yourself? You can! Just surf http://www.co-missioncatalog.org/ to see what ministry opportunities await.

I DO

Wedding Day

My cousin Jodi became Mrs. Jerry Cervantes on Septemember 1st.
It was a lovely wedding and the photographer, Lindsey Hawk, shared this picture
with us of Noah enjoying the wedding cake.

Can you say yummy?

Virtual Missionaries

Missions in the Virtual World

Recently I have been hearing about Second Life (or for those who play call -- 2L). This phenomena has exploded into our pop culture. From magazines, to the newspaper, to game shows - I have heard 2L discussed.


Do you know what this is all about? People playing/creating avatars for a virtual world. So we are talking Joe Schmo gets online creates a "free" avatar of himself, someone he would like to be, or something not even human and begins living in the virtual world of Linden.



People are setting up new businesses right and left to offer avatars more "entertainment" in their virtual lives. Forms of entertainment are wide-open with the possibilities of bar hopping to coffee shop/bookstore browsing. Yes, that's right people are spending real money for the virtual Linden dollar.



So usually the next question I get from people is why? I know it seems like a pretty big investment with documented cases of people playing 2L for over six hours a day. It seems like the logical answer is that many are missing fulfillment in their real lives and are searching for it here.



As many of you know I (Kristi) work for World Gospel Mission and they have launched a new campaign I wanted you all to be aware of. It's called Ambassadors to LindenLand. It's a handbook challenging people share their faith in 2L. We believe that the people behind the avatars need to know the Lord just as much as your neighbor. I am placing a link below so you all can access the resource and you can send it on to others.



So, could 2L be our next generation mission field? Looks like a pretty good possibility. Whether you think that is scary or exciting - God is in control! Be Blessed.



http://www.virtualmissionary.org/

Fair Days!

It's State Fair time here in Indiana. Here are some of our favorite pictures from the day:


A picture with the World's Largest Boot.


Helping Noah plant a seed in the garden.

Madison and Noah "milk" the cow.

Picking eggs for his basket.




A chance to ride the tractor.



Noah gets to pick a cucumber.


Taking a ride on the slide with Papaw catching.

The kids get to "ride" the horse.


Fun with balloons!

Fun riding real ponies!



And the highlight of Madison's trip - the pigs! These babies were only 6 weeks old. They get big fast. Hope you all enjoyed your weekend too!

First Day of School

Starting Kindergarten!!!

Madison took the giant leap into Kindergarten earlier this week.
Noah woke her up for the first day of school!


She took it easy on him with smiles and hugs to go around!

With teeth brushed, breakfast in the belly, hair brushed, and clothes on - it was time to say goodbye to everyone and start the first day.

Madison in tears the night before her first day was beside herself proclaiming she wasn't ready to go to school yet. I asked her what she meant and she said she can't read well enough yet. After I assured her that they will teach her when she gets there the tears dried and the excitement set it.

Good Luck Madison - you'll be reading soon enough!

70th Celebration

Turning 70 is something worth celebrating!

And that's just what we did for my Grandma Avery's Birthday!

This is my Uncle James, family friend Harlen, and my Uncle Ron just hanging out.

This is my Aunt Brenda, my Grandma Lewis, and my Grandma Avery enjoying the conversation.

Aunt Chris, Abby, Madison, Mom and Ashley watch Grandma open presents.

Noah enjoyed tickling eveyone's toes during the Celebration.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!

Madison's 5th Birthday

It's official - we have a 5 year old! Madison turned 5 in July which put her into the kindergarten age group.

She began planning her 5th birthday directly after her 4th so we knew way in advance that she wanted a pig party. Need-less-to-say our house has been invaded by pigs!

From piggy banks to snorting pigs we have the collection!

This was gift from her Daddy. He and Madison have an ongoing argument of who the greater rock star is in our house and we found a shirt for her with the phrase "My Dad's a Rock Star!"

This was Madison's very Pigalicious Bday cake!

Notice the cupcake with a bite out. Noah thought he would help Madison get the party started early with a sneak tasting!

HAPPY #5 MADISON!