1/25/2012 January 2012 Jana

2012 is off and we're running! We're already looking back at a packed January that's nearly gone!  What? How can time be flying this quickly?  Is someone out there cranking the planet faster?  Or am I just running slower and can't quite keep up? 

We had a great time at the Children's Pastor's Conference in Orlando, FL.  It's always a GREAT time hanging out with hundreds and hundreds of people who love God and love kids!  Our booth was in a great location--right across from our friends at Empowering Kids (Craig and Mary Jutilla).  We finally had a chance to catch up a little...halfway across the country, wouldn't you know it, when we live less than 15 minutes apart.  

I loved having the opportunity to chat with Children's Directors and laypeople from all over the country, the world, and hear what wonderful things the Lord is doing in their midsts. This group of people are so creative, so fun, so full of life.  Like a giant gathering of grown-up kids!  Nobody gets away with being stiff there.  Here's a little clip from a seminar I did.  One of the guys shown is a very legit alternative songwriter.  I don't know what he was thinking coming to my seminar, because when I grabbed him to come help with the motions, he said, "I DON'T DO motions."  The room full of mostly women wouldn't have any of that, so up he went.  At first, he clearly wasn't doing those motions willingly, but I think by the end of this song, he was transformed.

Click here to view 

One huge treat was catching up with my friend Jill Mazellan.  We were on a worship team together a long time ago, and she now works in the children's ministry at her church in Indiana.  Chatting with her was one of those gifts...like no time had gone by at all. That's the way it is in the body of Christ!

This is a pretty bad photo of both of us (both wooped after a long day of seminars, talking, taking notes, connecting....we were all beat, but I couldn't help but post this shot).  Such great people there! Like Jeff Smith, a children's minister who communicates the Greatest Story ever told with his crazy giftings in the arts.  I'm always so encouraged to hang out with a convention center filled with energetic, creative people who devote those talents to reaching kids with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Here's to all the wonderful friendships God blesses us with! (This is Jeff Smith, an amazing writer and performer for kids)

We brought Britt and Chandy on this trip, and they had the times of their lives being dropped off at an amusement park without us.  Once again...time flies.

Let's make the most of the time the Lord has given us!  Its not to be wasted!  Press on, friends!