GO UPWARD!

Wow. That is the word I want to use to say just how impressed I am with this children's ministry. When a fellow PTL mom asked me if I would be interested in coordinating the Upward Cheerleading Program at Central, I hesitated. Already too much on my plate, I don't really know much about it, and quite frankly, I wasn't sure I wanted Carlie involved in cheerleading at such a young age. I attended a introduction meeting out of curiosity, and conducted my own research (isn't the Internet wonderful?). All of my research showed that this program is 100% pure and Christ driven. After attended the Leadership Conference in Columbus, Ohio with over 600 other Upward leaders, I am in - hook, line and sinker. I am sure it was the multiple motivational speakers we heard over the two days, but every message was the same...children make their decisions about Christ between the ages of 5 and 13. Studies show that by age 14 if your child doesn't know about Christ and has that part of their lives, chances are very slim they ever will. That as Christian parents we need to quit using the excuses, "I don't have enough time" "I don't know how to coach" "I can't handle the parents " That as parents and servants to Christ, we no longer should look at the I, but instead ask what we can do to serve Christ. And what a better way than to introduce kids to Christ through sports and fun activities. Both Jeff and I walked away motivated and ready to do this! Early on I knew God was tugging at my heart for this ministry, and I kept pushing it aside. But now I am at a point where I am saying, just take me...I'll follow.

And of course, we couldn't visit Columbus without going out to EAT! We were recently watching Man vs. Food (Travel Channel) and they were in Columbus. Well, to the Internet I head again, and we ended up at Thurman's Cafe in Columbus. Famous to the Thurman Burger, which if you eat you get a free T-shirt. You should have seen the size of this....we did not order it. The place reminded of O'Sullivans with writing all over the walls, and not a clean spot to walk, but everybody was laughing and having a great time. Including us!