The body of Christ being the Body of Christ

This past Saturday was our churches Single Mom's Oil Change ministry...we started this ministry back in September of '08. It's a really simply concept...trying to bridge our church to our community by serving them. One particular area is a ministry to single mom's.

We try to meet a physical need in order to meet the spiritual need...for lots of single mom's getting their oil change may be at the bottom of their list of priorities, plus there's a cost involved...but it's a priority that's vital to their family.

We had about 150 volunteers doing various jobs (oil changers, outside registration, host mom's, childcare, food prep, listeners, grunt work, etc.) As mom's pull their cars up to us, we get all the car's vitals...invite the mom's inside for coffee, food...we pair mom's with host mom's who talk, listen and pray...mom's can stay as long as they like, even their kiddos who are involved with crafts of all kinds.

This was our third Oil Change Ministry and I'm not sure who receives the biggest blessing, we as a church or the single mom's. I always think to the passage in the bible where Paul talks about how there is one body, but different parts...not everyone can be an eye or a knee...one without the other just doesn't make sense. Well to me, this encompasses the Single Mom's Oil Change ministry...everyone serving doing different jobs for one purpose...to bring glory and honor to the name of God and to show His love in a practical way.

I went to a baby shower...

I went to my second baby shower today...several friends from Holly's work gave a shower for us and of course for Ellie (the reason for the shower!)...

Holly works with some great people...I mean some really salt-of-the-earth folks. They too have been along for the ride in this whole adoption journey...they feel as much a part of this as we do...I like that, Ellie has so many people that love and pray for her...and yet she doesn't even know!

We were showered with some really great gifts...every outfit got the "ahhhhhhhhhh" reflex...our little girl is going to be styling!

It looks like August 7th is when we'll be traveling...about 99% sure. That's a little over two weeks away...can't get here soon enough! We've been searching air fares and making preps for our week there...again, can't get here soon enough.

Weekend Wrap Up

It was a tough four days, but somebody had to do it...

Thursday - Saturday (GREAT WOLF LODGE) Nothing like being water-logged for three days! Great slides...nice rooms...good food...all three a great combination. There were eight of us total from the Prosser-Preuett Clan...


Sunday was King's Island day...a big thumbs up to the Diamondback Roller Coaster...about wet my pants! Just the three of us...


I love my family...I love sharing life with them. This is probably the last vacation that we take as a family of three! Ought to be pretty exciting to see what Ellie thinks about a place like King's Island.

What would Simon Say?

Star Spangled Banner...I think...

I've got a BEAUTIFUL daughter...

Yes, I am very biased...I am very proud...I am head over heels for a little girl who is about 8,000 miles away...here's a new pic of her...WOW!

Ellie Kedest Prosser

It was finally official on Thursday...Ellie's adoption case was presented to the Ethiopian courts...we passed on the first time around...she is officially a Prosser!

Really hard to put into words how this feels...all the waiting and anticipation...now we have to wait maybe a few more weeks before we travel to go and bring her home. We have some travel details to get together, an embassy date to have scheduled and then we go. Maybe early August...

We are stoked beyond being stoked...I'm a dad again...I gotta go get some cigars to pass out now!

New Challenge

After running the mini-marathon back in April, several folks asked, "Are you going to keep on running?" The easy answer is "YES!"...but I've struggled with motivation. I need something to challenge me...a goal to shoot for in running. I guess the motivation of just doing it for my health is not enough...I'm too weak and am addicted to cookies and ice cream!

So...here's the new challenge that I've been working towards. My buddy Mike McMahan is a big sprint triathlon-ist (sp?)...what's a sprint triathlon? A much shorter version of something like the Iron Man Triathlon in Hawaii...much, much shorter! Anyhoo...he encouraged me to try this thing out, even loaned me one of his bikes.

Sunday, July 26th I'll be competing in the Mike Caudill Memorial Triathlon. It will consist of 600-yards of swimming...12 mile bike ride...and 3.1 miles of running.

Last night I went out and biked 8 miles and attempted to run two...I only ran maybe a half mile...my legs were like spaghetti!

Hmmmmm...what have I gotten into??

The power of God's Word...

"O Lord, hear my prayer - listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief." Psalm 143

Wheww!!

Sorry for the blog break...been a busy week around here...so I'll do another recap post...here we go!

-Last week was VBS here at FBC. What a great week...we had all kinds of kiddos running around. The theme for the week was Crocodile Dock...my buddy John Hurt and I got to do some opening drama each night. We had a blast...we acted like idiots while portraying the message of Jesus, what a combo!

The best part of the week?? On Tuesday night our pastor Bill and I had the chance to share the gospel to all the kids...we know of 18 decisions that were made! So this week we'll be doing some follow-up with their families, how awesome is that!




-Yesterday (Saturday) we had a work day around the Prosser household...cleaning house, cutting grass, etc. We then headed up to Lexington to celebrate HEALING DAY. It's been two years now that Bryan has been healed from his year long battle with some "stomach" issues. Within that year he had six surgeries and several hospital stays. So we now celebrate the day when he was totally healed. Why celebrate? because that is now part of his life and story...why not celebrate to remind us of God's healing and faithfulness. I love my boy!









-COURT DATE IS THURSDAY, JULY 2nd! Once again we will await the word about bringing Ellie home. Her case goes before the judge over in Ethiopia this Thursday...we are praying that we pass...fly over sometime in August...bring our girl home. Then we will add another day to celebrate!










-Vacation?? In two weeks our families (mom, sis and fam) will be headed up to the Great Wolf Lodge for a few days. We went there last year and had a ball! Nothing but spending all day in the water. I love getting away like this with my family...we enjoy each other...we get a little goofy...we are family together.

You can cut it with a knife...

Sometime today we should hear if we have "passed court" in Ethiopia. The suspense is thick...waiting for something that we've been praying about for well over a year has been an adventure. It all boils down to today's court date...

There is a man named Dereje, who is our power of attorney, who has/will present our request for the adoption of Kedest "Ellie". It's kind of mind boggling to think how this man is playing such a huge role in this part of the process...lots of what takes place is weighing on him. I know this is not the first time he's done this, but I wonder if he senses any type of "pressure" on him...I was praying for him last night...that God would use and prepare him as he presents our case to the judge.

I think there's a lesson of sorts in that...who has some "expectations" on you today? How will you come through? Hmmm...something to think about.

Final results from the Run for Ellie

We've finally tallied everything from the Run for Ellie...I can't thank everyone enough for giving, praying and encouraging us through all of this. We have been and continue to be OVERWHELMED by God's grace through you...

So the total?? Drum roll please...tatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatata...

A little over $4,000! I still can't believe it...

Again, thanks to everyone who gave and supported this run! We invite you to pray along with us for our court date which takes place this Thursday, June 18th. If we pass court on that day...we'll travel to go and pick up Ellie within 4-6 weeks.

Another step closer!

Yesterday we got some great news. The long awaited court date is next Thursday, June 18th. That is the day when our paperwork will be submitted to a judge in Ethiopia...they will then make a decision, if all paperwork is in place, all "T's" crossed and "I's" dotted...she will be deemed ours! After that...we'll begin making travel plans to go pick our girl up!

Pray along with us that we pass court the first time around...

We are stoked beyond being stoked...really hard to concentrate on anything right now!

Recapping last week...

Lots have transpired since my last post...getting kinda lazy. So here's some scoop within the Prosser household:

41st BIRTHDAY
Great time...No I don't feel 41...lots of great b-day wishes from lots of friends and family. One of the best gifts?? Mom's German Chocolate Cake...man we put this thing away even before I blew the candles out! Thanks mom!


Graduation Day!
Bryan graduated on June 1st...man I was so proud of him. First of all he was a very sharp dressed young man...red tie and all! It seems like yesterday we took him to his first day of school, no he's done grown up and will be a freshman next year at Madison Central. Once again Beezer...I am a proud pappa!


Dad and Lad Project
Okay so me and B have been having a good time building some things together...last month was a viking catapult. So in keeping with the viking theme we made a viking board game called Hneafafl. We learned of this game about a month ago at a cultural fair we went to in Berea. They had viking exhibit and this guy taught Bryan how to play and we then looked on line and found all the rules and dimensions...got the proper tools and made us a game! Did a little wood burning, little stain...etc. It plays like chess...google it out and learn to play yourself.

Star Trek

We saw the new Star Trek movie on Thursday night...I've been a fan since a little boy. Please note I would not consider myself a "Trekie"...much more of a Star Wars fan. But I've seen all the movies and this one by far is EXCELLENT! Very impressed by the story line (got a little odd towards the end)...loved the cast...Chris Pine does a suburb job as James T. Kirk. My favorite character in this movie would be Bones McCoy...he had all the mannerisms and lingo down.

If you are not a Star Trek fan, but would like to be...this would be a great entry point movie to go see...even Holly enjoyed it!

I'm on VACATION!

I'm taking a week's vacation all next week...and my destination is...drum roll...1809 Jacks Creek Road! That's home if you didn't know.

It's going to be a combination working / little R&R week. I'm working on our yard most of the week...I've got two big projects I'm wanting to do.

PROJECT #1
To fill up lots of holes and ruts in the front and back. Seems the ground continues to settle here...so in turn I've got some big ole ruts and it makes cutting grass like riding in a rodeo. So I've got a dump truck of good top soil coming on Monday (free baby!)...a friend is going to help me spread it on Wednesday...I'll throw some seed down on Thursday.

PROJECT #2
My drains off the house need to be extended away from the house and buried about 8 inches. So I'll be Mr. Plumber for a day, working with some pvc pipe, etc. Ought to help the rain to stay away from the house.

I might squeeze in a round of golf next week. Haven't played a lick this year...and really I haven't missed it. I plan on starting back running next week too...either the morning or evening hours...getting too hot in the middle!

So that's my plans for next week...this weekend Holly, Bryan and I are going up to Louisville to spend some time with Lloyd and Joann and then on up to Brown County for one night and two days. There's an indoor water park we've heard about...gonna give it a try!

When was the last time you were totally surprised?

What?? I won??

wow...upset city baby! great season...

Cool...

I taught this guy everything he knows...

Cut the Crap...

Holly and I are American Idol fans...we've watched somewhat faithfully over the years...we really enjoy the audition weeks!

If you were a contestant on the show...you sing your song, you do your best...and now the judges give you their opinion. Which judge would you prefer to hear from?

Randy?? (yo dog...little pitchy)
Kara?...the new girl, shoots pretty straight
Paula?...you are the worlds best singer and I love you...gag.
Simon?...cuts the crap!

Would you rather someone shoot you straight? I would...and please, for those who follow The Semi-Daily What Up...you can always take the Simon approach with me, just don't call me names...but I would much rather someone to be brutally honest with me than for someone to tickle my ears with false praise, etc.

Simon takes a lot of crap for dealing out his "crap meter" to contestants(I don't think I've ever typed CRAP so many times in a blog!)...but he's honest and to me seems to be a good judge of character in the music world.

So which judge would you prefer?? Let it be known...

Current random thoughts floating in my head

Here are some random things I'm thinking about:

-NBA Playoffs...this is the only time that I watch the NBA. My pick...Cavs led by Sir King James.
-It's been really nice to enjoy the basement considering where we were this time last year with the project.
-Next project...a prayer room under the stairs.
-I'm taking a weeks vacation at the end of the month...destination?? Tell you later!
-Haven't done much running since the mini two weeks ago...starting back this week.
-Seriously considering training for a marathon next year (considering!)
-Is gas going to sky rocket in the next few months?
-We got some new pics of Ellie earlier in the week...can't wait to show them to you.
-Our x-box 360 is still on the blink (red ring of death!) thinking of cracking it open again and try to fix it...again!
-Tornado's touched down in Madison Co. Friday afternoon...I had no idea until later that night when a friend called and let me know.
-Had a chance to go help do some tornado cleanup this morning...the damage was unbelievable...looked like a war zone.
-Hard to believe that the school year is coming to a close...summer time already?
-Read a very moving book by Francis Chan last week...I'll blog about it later, in the mean time it's still kicking my butt!
-The estimated total for the run for Ellie is looking around $3,000! I'll have a more accurate total by the end of the week...WOW!
-I met a couple this morning during the tornado clean up, who just showed up wanting to help in some way...I love when people respond this way...it shows there's something inside all of us that we want to serve others.
-Should I get kid of all my gray hair?? I've got a lot now...why is that??

That's about all I have right now!

Let's build an ark

Dang, what is up with all this rain!! It has rained everyday since last Friday...today the forecast is for a chance of rain. I need me some sunshine in my life...anybody else feeling me??

Dad & Lad...Viking Night

Thursday night Bryan and I had a "Dad & Lad" Night...this one we tacked a theme to it...we called it "Viking Night."

Here's what we did...
-We went and ate lots of meat and potatoes for dinner (thanks KFC!)

-We then built a catapult. (A Viking type weapon??)

We found some plans online, downloaded them, we had most of the supplies already here...then we put it all together.

It was a great opportunity to teach Bryan about using power tools...he learned how to use a miter saw and a drill. He also learned how to use a speed square, chisel and tape measure.

Our conversation was great...talked about school, church, the Bible and Jesus. We had a great night together...and in the end made a groovy catapult. (We have to make a few adjustments to get better launching!)

I love my boy!