Back To School Sunday!!!

What a Sunday!!! During our "back to school Sunday" the youth and kids played a part in the service:

• The youth worship team led the congregation in worship. They were ushers and greeters. They did the announcements and offering.
• My kids (Capi's kids) sang two songs. They did a great job and the adults enjoyed hitting the beach balls. Who knew you could have so much fun at church!!!!

The Girl Can Sing!!!!

We have a girl in our youth group that has an amazing voice. She has been a part of CCF since she was a baby and it has been a joy watching her grow into a beautiful talented young women.

Noah post a blog about her today with a video of her on you tube. Click here to see it.

We Need More of Him!!!!

Yesterday I was part of the best staff meeting I have ever been in. God really met us there and brought our hearts to the same place. I am still in awe of the experience! I really can't talk about what was shared but I can say one thing that we kept coming back to....PRAYER, SEEKING HIS WORD, and FASTING.

We spent time in prayer, thanksgiving, and time of silence before the Lord. When it got quiet and I closed my eyes, this is what I heard,"Tricia remember when your dad called your whole family to a fast?" I haven't thought about that since high school. I began to share with the staff the time in high school that my dad called the "Rivera" household to a time of fasting. We weren't allowed to eat from sun down on Saturday until after church on Sundays. I remember filling hungry and not really understanding why I had to give up food. At times I would complain to my dad. My dad would just say, "Sweetie when you feel hungry that is when I need you to pray. Pray for New Life (our church) and for lost souls." What in the world did that mean for a teenager? I was hungry and I didn't feel like praying for anything and anyone. I continued to be obedient but I do not remember praying a lot. The one thing I do remember is how much my parents prayed and how many times I found my dad and mom face down crying out to God.

It has been a long time since those days. Yesterday I finally understood why our family did it and how I wish I could go back and do it with the right heart. God is calling His people to draw nearer to Him. We need to be willing to sacrifice our comfort for Him. There are lost and hurting people who need the touch of the Almighty God.

When is the last time you read your Bible?
When is the last time you prayed?
When is the last time your face hit the carpet?
When is the last time you cried out to God for Him to do a mighty work in your life/family/community?

Trip to Watkins Park

This week Davis and I went to Watkins Park with Family. The kids had a great time and it was nice to spend some time with the ladies!!!!

Izzy and Sophie watching the chickens.

Sophie, James, and Davis saying "cheese"

Joshua is along for the ride!!!

Sophie feeding the ducks.

The kids are posing for the camera!!!


Aunt Mel and her boys!!!

Titi and Sophia

Izzy and Davis are ready for the carousel ride to start!!!

This is one cute baby!!!


Now for a train ride!!!

We had a great morning together!!!!

First Day of Preschool!!!

Yesterday Davis started Preschool two days a week. He was so excited to go to school!!!! When we pulled into the parking lot he said, "My school, my school!!!!"

He had a great first day!!! I can't believe how fast my baby is growing up!!!

Feeling for infants!!!

Half way through our Sunday service the power went out in the whole building. We rely heavily on media in our kid's ministry, so we had to think quick. As we were calming the kids down and getting them back in their seats, I realized that our infant room has no windows and they are in the pitch dark.

So here is the funny part....we had no flash lights (which will be fixed this week)!!! So a few children workers rushed in to assist the nursery workers in feeling for the infants. As an infant was found they were carried to the parent/child room. It was pretty funny to be walking or crawling in a dark room FEELING for some INFANTS!!!!

Never a dull moment at Capital Christian Fellowship!!!!!

A Great Visit!!!

A few weeks ago my friend Tracy and her son Joshua can to visit Davis and I while Noah was in China. We had a great visit and I loved having time with my friend. We had some heart to hearts that were well needed and I think our relationship got even stronger.

During their visit we took the boys to an indoor play area called PlayWiseKids in Columbia, MD. The kids had a great time and we enjoyed watching them experience new things.

"Our little Fire boys!"

Davis on the "Ride Daddy!"

Shoot it!!

My Little Shopper!

The dinosaur is taking Joshua for a ride.

They loved playing in the sand!

Davis is a big boy!!!!

When we got back from Noah's Sabbatical we told Davis that he would be sleeping in a big boy bed. At first he didn't want to play along, "No, I don't sleep in big boy bed, I sleep in mommy's bed!"

So we took it a bit farther, "Davis you are going to get to sleep in a blue car bed." He eyes got very big and said, "Yeah, I get to sleep in a care bed!" We let it go and just decided to wait until we get home to bring it back up.

The first night back we got his room ready....


He sleeps in his bed every night. Thank God for Blue Car beds and Thank you Rosado family for donating it!!!!



My Baby is growing up!!!!

Football Season!!!

Football season is fast approaching in the Kaye household. Which means, I know how I will be spending my Sunday afternoons until February!!!

I came across this quote from Anita Renfroe that was very insightfully funny:

It's football season, and I have a way to teach men the difference between how long we think it'll take us to get ready vs. the actual time we need. It's like the last two minutes of a football game. The clock clearly reads 1:58, but with time-outs and delays, there are really 27 minutes until the final whistle. So the next time your man gets impatient while you get dressed, tell him you're in the "two-minute drill."

Buddies

Davis holding a "Bayden Bear"

My friend Michelle wrote a beautiful post about her son and my son.

Click here to read....


Oh how I wish things were different!!!!

Welcome Home Daddy!!!

Davis and I were so excited that daddy was coming home that we had to go into the airport and wait for him at the gate.

Davis and his sign waiting for Daddy!

Here he comes!!!

Yeah!!! Daddy is finally home!!!

Lost Memories!!!!

A very special women was born on this day. With out her I would have never been placed on this earth. Today would have been my mother Judy Rivera's birthday.


I was reminded by my childhood friend's mom because she shares the same birthday. Each year when I would talk to my "Aunt Cathy" on her birthday, we would reflect on the fact that this was also my mom's birthday too. So last night when we were chatting on facebook and I told her, "Happy one day before your birthday," she said I am thinking about you too. I was taken back a bit and then I was reminded about August 13th.

What would I have done today if my mom was still alive? I would do what I do with my mom now or my mother in-law: phone call, card, present, birthday dinner, etc. So many memories missed and so many memories lost. I wish I could remember her more. I have to look at a picture to remember what she looks like. She doesn't pop into my head anymore. All I have our the memories of others and I have to believe them.

I am told I had an amazing mother and that she helped so many people. I am told that I look like her, talk like her, stand like her and even walk like her. I choose to believe these things because that is all I have. So when I get sad that I do not remember her, I just look in the mirror and tell myself " I am her memory." I came from her and even though she is not here with me on earth she will always be in my heart.

Some many years missed!!!! I know she can't see this but I don't care....

"Happy Birthday Mommy and I long for the day when I can see you again. You owe me so many hugs and kisses!!!"

Capi's Kids

It was so good to be back at CCF. I really missed my church family this summer and the kids in Capi's kids. It always brings my so much joy to see children excited about God.

We just started a new 8 week series called "Shipwrecked"

This week we talked about giving second chances. The kids had a blast digging for the memory verse that helped them see how important it is to forgive and give others a second chance.

Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" "No, not seven times," Jesus replied, I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." Matthew 18:21-22

This is a big request God gives us!!! It is not easy to forgive someone once, let alone 77 times. And we know that God doesn't mean after 77 times we do not have to forgive. He gave us such a big number as an example because he wants us to always forgive, so He can forgive us.

I love it when I get preached at during Capi's kids. God always knows what he is doing!!!! Can't wait for what He has in store for this Sunday.

Fun With Friends!!!

Last week Davis and I went with friends to Silver Springs for the boys to play in the interactive water fountain. The Boys had a blast!!!!

Barak and James Playing in the water!!!

Davis joined in!!!

While My Husband is Away!!!

My hubby has been gone for a week and Davis and I are really missing him. Every time Davis hears something at the door he says, "Daddy's home." Poor thing!!!

There are things in week that need to be done around the house that Noah usually takes care of, but this week I had too. I am proud of myself because I haven't done these things in a long time.

I weeded the front yard!!!

Our outdoor light in the backyard went out. I had to go to home depot (I hate going there) and get a replacement and installed it.

The backyard needed mowed so I mowed it. Yeah me!!!

I know this may not be a big deal but my husband usually takes care of these things. What are some things that you have to do that you normally don't when your husband is away?

Family Fun!!!

This past weekend my mom, sister, niece, and nephew came to visit. The kids had a blast together and the adults enjoyed it too!!!

We took the kids to the Chesapeake Children's Museum

Davis and Ava painting!!!

Davis in the dentist chair!!!

Donovan talking to his daddy!!!

Davis called China to talk to his daddy!!!

Davis wanted to play dress up and this is what he picked. I always wanted a girl!!!

They found the hose!!!

Sprinkle Time!!!

Had a great time with my sister Tanya!!!