Summation '09

This is a very belated post....At the end of January, my hubby and I attended our 2nd Summation event with our firstborn. It is put on by the Catalyst youth ministry in our church and is a celebration of God's grace in the lives of our youth over the past 12 months. Each year the members of the 'Creative Team' brainstorm and come up with a fun theme. Last year it was Pirates, this year it was the '50s...moms, dads, and their youth attended together in costume. It was a night to remember, for sure~ Hysterically creative costumes, fun contests, LOTS of laughter, a yummy themed meal, amazing decorations, and even servers in poodle skirts on roller skates!! The evening also had serious moments when our youth pastor recounted the faithfulness of God in the lives of our youth...we watched a video in which some of the youth(including P) shared how God had met them in the past year and how they were applying the truths they have learned in their everyday lives. We also celebrated as 2 senior high students were honored for their godly character and enjoyed hearing their dads commend them. The evening ended with each youth receiving a personal note from their parents encouraging them in the evidences of God's grace recognized over the past year. M read the note we had written to P (after taking off his wig!! It was hard to take him seriously in that thing--scroll down and you'll understand why!). ..and we were able to share with him the many ways we have seen God at work in him over these past 12 months. One of the things I most appreciate about the way our church approaches youth ministry is the parental involvement. Parents attend youth camp and youth meetings and are given application questions to discuss with their child. This promotes biblical fellowship and encourages a deeper level of interaction between youth and their parents. That's not to say our kiddos don't have time during the meetings to socialize and have fun with their peers--believe me, this is certainly happening as well, but our children are being encouraged to build first with their parents. I am amazed once again to have the privilege to raise our children in such fertile, well watered soil. We obviously still have issues to work through but what a blessing it is to be equipped to do this alongside of so many like minded friends!

Grateful for yet another evidence of His mercy to our family,
MamaB

We frequented the local thrift stores to pull together costumes. P decided he wanted to go for a more classic look. It looks like he's the Dad in this picture :) Then we had the predicament: how could M be a 'greaser' without a full head of hair?? Mrs. Di came to the rescue with the above-oh so attractive wig. I like my man better with no hair! There are definitely no plans for hair plugs in his future!

The multi-purpose room in a local Christian School was creatively transformed into a 50's diner.

Yummy center piece...note the record album under the candy...it was actually the first album our friend produced years ago... these hung from the ceiling all over the room and served as the base for the centerpiece. It's a good thing Johnny V held onto his vintage album!!

The order of events...

These 'girls' from the college age ministry gave up their entire evening to be our 'servers'...and they amazed us as they toted trays full of drink and food on rollerskates--there was not even one fall/mishap that I am aware of. Pretty impressive,huh?! The skirts were also hand made by 2 of the girls.

Don't they look great?!

I think the most fun of the night was watching the stream of families come in and especially enjoying our adult friends' creativity. Some of the costumes were just hysterical!!
Here are the K's...Mr. K stayed in nerd character the entire evening and as you will see below, he was joined by a few others!

~The A's~ Doesn't she remind you of June Cleaver?!

The G's...she made this poodle skirt out of a sheet...I was impressed!!

Here I am with my friend, "Laverne"...doesn't she look authentic? Her hair is actually quite long and her SIL curled it and pinned it up so she would look just like the Laverne from the old sit-com. She actually won the adult prize for best dressed Mom :)

Our friends the B family....very creative--they even visited a local 'Pop Shop' for the official hats!

Here my friend K is wearing her mom's vintage hat -complete with veil in the front. Click on the picture to get a good look!

These 2 sure stayed in character:Mrs. Hospitality and her hubby, the Brain!

A group of Dads all came dressed as nerdy 'brainiacs'...too funny. One even sported an 'Alphapha' sprout on the top of his head (remember the character from the Little Rascals?!)

The girls were at the computer looking at these pictures and decided that Daddy is 'scary' with hair!!! Yep...we all love him with his 'sabu' head, as Mercy would say.

I never did get a chance to post a Summation picture from last year's Pirate theme...once again Daddy is sporting some scary hair!!