back to the beginning

Yup, that's me (a few years ago), right where it all began. My parents found their church family at First United Methodist Church in Decatur IL during their college years, and have been members ever since. I can honestly say I was raised in this church family. I wouldn't even know where to begin to count the hours I spent at church... two services and Sunday school almost every Sunday, choir practice, youth group, pageant rehearsals, waiting for my Mom while she practiced the organ... you get the idea.  :} 
I was baptized, confirmed (where on earth did those pictures end up?), and married right there, in that very same spot.

See, here I am with my great guy, and just as cute as the first picture, right??? Even though we lived in Wisconsin at the time, I had to get married "at home."
Want to know what else is really cool? Our two boys were baptized in this same spot, too! I feel so blessed that through the twists and turns of God's plan for our lives, we have ended up back in the Decatur area, and I am with my family again... all of them.  :}
But it gets even better! I am now an official member of the church staff... Coordinator of Early Childhood Ministries. I have a very fulfilling job working with the ministry we provide for the littlest members of our church family. I mean, seriously... does it get any better than helping families who want their children to know God's grace from the beginning of their lives??? I'm a lucky girl.  ;) 

Ok, enough about me! I'll bet you'd like to know more about what's going on with all of our remARKable friends...

Food and fellowship - that's the good stuff! I can't wait to meet more of my family and have a great conversation. See you Sunday!