Mabey Memories

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The desire of my heart is to become the person God dreams of and share those dreams with others; to unleash personal and corporate creativiy within the church, overflowing it with passion and freedom while searching for the face and character of God.

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Native American masks















The 5th grade class with Mrs. Bely at
Amanda Moore made native American masks
last week




















they use old milk cartons, cut them to
fit their faces, then used masking tape
to cover them and make it look like
Hodge podge almost, next they took
shoe polish and turned them brown or
black and finished by decorating them
with many different types of materials.
Pip cleaners, feathers, dried grass,
corn husks etc.....




















This was Noahs finished product.

An end to 9th grade soccer
















Well it is not looking like a great haircut right now
but a few of the boys did mohawks for the last game,
however he is NOT allowed to wear it like this to school.

















Way to go Romeo Freshman soccer.
19 games, 2 losses, 1 tie ,16 wins.
54 goals for Romeo, 14 goals every one else.
Zach scored 4! Look out next year when
they are JV!

Friday, October 27, 2006

Party Weekend!

Hey, all friends of The Bridge!

This is a special weekend in the life of our new church. We will be having an open house for all, beginning with our service at The Romeo Community Center at 10:10 on Sunday. Directly following we will be serving lunch for everyone, then going directly into our Harvest Party for kids ages newborn-5th grade. There will be face painting, games and prizes, trunk or treat in the parking lot, along with lots of other special events for our kids and their families.

Later that evening, from 5 to 8 PM we will host a Masquerade Party for teens (6th-12th grade) at our house at 76976 Mary Grace. If you take Van Dyke north turn right on Elise (across from 36 mile, Bruce Meadows sub) and follow it to the end, our house is the one you'll be looking at when you get to the end of Elise. Join us for a bonfire and smores, Dance Dance Revolution, video game, ping pong, foosball competitions (prizes are gift cards to Game Crazy/Hollywood Video), and lots of food and fun.

If you know a family that does not go to church anywhere, let them know about this weekend. It's family friendly, and it's so we can make contact with as many unchurched as possible. Don't let this opportunity get away.

As a sidelight, Matt injured his knee recently (playing basketball, what else) and has had an MRI. He is going to the doctor Thursday afternoon to discover what the damage is. Please pray for good news and quick recovery.

As the year goes on, we would also like to challenge friends of The Bridge to consider supporting us in this ministry. As the Lord blesses you, would you like to help us in our ministry? God has supplied every need we have had so far, and He will continue to be faithful. If you are already a part of a local church, support in whatever ways you can. If you would like to support a mission-oriented work in Romeo, consider The Bridge! Hope to see you this weekend. Matt, Joelle, the boys, and The Bridge

Friday, October 20, 2006

Masquerade party!


Join us for a Masquerade party!
The Mabeys 76976 Mary Grace, Romeo
Food, games, bonfire,music, including a live band!!!!!
Sunday October 29th 5 o’clock pm
Prizes for best costume, least expensive costume, Dance, Dance revolution contest, ping-pong, bobbing for Apples, Karaoke and more….
Call for more details or to RSVP 586-337-0782 or 586-337-0783

Harvest party @ the Bridge



Newborn through 5th grade
Join us for a Harvest Party - Sunday October 29th – 12:00 noon
At the Romeo Community Center, 361 Morton Street (families welcomed)
Lunch, Games, Face painting, Hay ride, Trunk or treat, bobbing for apples,
and much more.
Admission: 1 Bag of candy.
Sponsored by the Bridge: A new church in Romeo
Currently meeting at the Romeo Community Center 10:10 am Sunday mornings

Call Pastor Matt 586-337-0782 for more info or to RSVP


We all influence people.....

We all influence people, whether we recognize it or not.

Whether you help lead your family, your church ministry, a bible study, or in the workplace — you find ways to follow Jesus’ example of how to influence people in ways that will make a lasting difference.

Become more intentional about how we influence and lead others, not because we have to, but because we want to, not because it is our Christian obligation, but because it brings great meaning and joy to our lives. Not because of duty, but because of love.

Let’s be women of conviction and passion. Let’s intentionally influence others because it is a high calling and a part of our predesigned purpose.

"Care for the flock that God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example." — 1 Peter 5:2-3

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Happy Birthday Aaron!



































Aaron is officially a teenager.......
can you believe it? We now have
two teenagers living in our house.

At 4:20 this afternoon, we officially
allowed him to call himself a teen.
I wanted him to be 12 for as
long as I could swing it. He did however
have a party on Friday with several
of his friends, with a bon fire, pizza,
Smores and a sleep over!

When he was born he weighed in at
7 pounds 6ounces 19 inches long.
Today he is 5 foot 7 maybe taller,
and 165 pounds. How it happened?
I have no idea!

He is loving playing football and yes!
still sleeps with that football in his arms.
who knows someday he may be playing
in the NFL. He was thrilled earlier this
summer when he got to go to Steeler
training camp with my uncles Keith and
Kevin, so who knows maybe someday he
will be a super bowl champion.
Today he is my champion! He is a great kid,
who loves life, Jesus, his family and his friends.
He makes sure to show it and tell you every day!

I tell him every day several times a day
how much I love him and very proud I am
to be his mom, but wanted to tell others on
this his special day!

AARON YOUR THE BEST!

love,
mom

Friday, October 13, 2006

Believe it or not......

Zach gets a haircut


































Okay, so here is how it happened.....

Zach gets home from school Wednesday and says.
"mom will you take me to get a haircut? "

Here is the dilemma, It is Wednesday, Shelley only does hair
Tuesday and Thursday, and generally not with out an appointment

two: Matt is not home he is picking Aaron up
from football practice and Noah and Micah are home
and can't be left by themselves.

I quick call Matt "hurry and get home Zach wants to get haircut"
He gets home as quick as possible and Zach and I are off....

You have to understand the last few times I have asked him to
get his haircut it has resulted in a battle and usually a few tears
even though it has only been an inch or two.

I still have not said anything a few inches is better than none.

I take him to grondins where his stylist is busy and can not take him but
he opts for the other girls whom we have never had before.
She cuts his hair, and I do mean cuts it.....

Now I think he is extremely handsome with long hair or short
but these are the only photos I could get before he started say saying,
Mom.... I am going to delete your pictures if you do not stop!
So you will have to wait until a later posts to see the finished product.















Crazy Weather




















only in Michigan,
last week this beautiful rainbow
right over our house.

this week, with Aaron's birthday on Sunday .....SNOW!
......... never in 12 years has it snowed around his birthday,















yes! That is snow!
at about 9:30 Thursday morning it began to snow,
by 11:30 we had an inch!

Only in Michigan.........

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Back seat, Front seat, Bumper

There he was, dangling from the bumper of a Chevy Truck. Not a care in the world, and a perpetual smile on his face. Who, might you ask, am I talking about? Well, driving to work the other day I pulled in behind this guy in his truck, and noticed that someone had tied Cookie Monster to the back bumper of his truck. There he was swinging away, and for a moment I was wishing I could switch places with him. Let me explain.

When I was young, I remember a night after my parents had picked me up from somewhere and, tired as I was, I laid down in the backseat of the car (before the days of seatbelt laws) to rest. I didn't fall asleep, but I remember having this feeling overtake me of complete safety and security. I was in the back, enjoying the ride, my father in the front, taking the responsibility of the wheel, and the family, and the home, and on and on. There comes a time in all of our lives when we move from the back seat to the front seat. For most of us, the thrill of getting our driver's license doesn't necessarily put us in the front seat automatically. The front seat comes with marriage, and kids, and jobs. With each we are ushered into adulthood, and the seat switching takes place. For many of us, there are times in our lives that we struggle in the front seat, wanting in some way to cast off the responsibility of all that comes with being an adult in our culture. Life has gotten so complicated, that the front seat seems much more like an airplance cockpit with all its levers and dials we know nothing about. In some cases, we meet people who have tried the cockpit, only to break under its pressure, and "check-out" of their responsibilities, only to leave behind broken relationships in family and friendships. Regardless of our frustration with those we see who check-out, all of us at times struggle with being in the front seat.

Jesus says to all of us in the front seat, "Come to me, all you who have heavy loads, and I will give you rest." I like the bumper sticker that states, "If God is your co-pilot, you need to switch seats". These are reminders to us that no matter how many responsibilities we may have today, the strength to meet these ultimately does not come from the sweat of our brow or the size of our bank account, but rather from a God who brings rest to the weary, and strength to those who feel they may faint. It is only by His strength that we can sit in the front seat at all, so we must rely on Him by greater and greater degrees as the front seat turns into a cockpit.

But back to Cookie Monster. Neither in the front or back seat, Cookie has chosen the ride of his life. Exhilarating, exciting, a bit scary. But he can't take the smile off of his face. A few times in my life I have taken a ride like that. The first time I flew, I couldn't take the stupid looking grin off of my face the whole time. The first time I jumped off a cliff into the Atlantic Ocean, I came up out of the water with a big, cheesy, seaweed smile. So, since our children are in the back seat, and God is our driver, maybe its time for us to spend a little more time on the bumper. What do I mean?

"(By faith they)...Conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword... These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what was promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

Maybe were trying to get to the wrong spot in the church today. It seems that more and more Christians want to find their way to the backseat, in order to be safe rather than faithful. God seems to reward bumper riders. I have found that being on the bumper, while just a bit scary, is actually the times I have felt the greatest joy as a follower of Christ. But what do I know, I'm...Just Thinking.

matt

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Prayer time

A good friend and Mentor prayed for me Sunday..... Dee and Dick Sochaki of http://www.barnabas-ministries.com/were with us this past Sunday as an encouragement for the Bridge, acting like a district superintendent would, they prayed for the Church and the leadership team. Dee had these words for me.....

My daughter.. Do not call to mind former things or ponder the things of the past... Behold, I will do something new. Now it will spring forth... Will you not be aware of it?.... I have called you by my name.. .....So do not fear... You are mine... You are precious in my sight.... I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.... Your walls are continually before me.... As you stand along side your husband, the spirit of the Lord will rest on you... He will grace you with wisdom and understanding, consel, strength, and knowledge....

I am the lord that heals you, I am aware of all that is in your heart... Come to me..... I fill you overflowing with my love, joy and peace.

The Lord is for you......Joelle. He is Good!

Monday, October 09, 2006

2 Corinthians 4:18

A young woman named Minda Cox, was born in India eighteen years ago without arms or legs. After learning about her, her soon-to-be mom began to secure her adoption. It took longer than they hoped because Minda could not provide a fingerprint for her legal papers or passport.

Minda is a budding artist. She cradles a brush between her chin and shoulder-she paints with such talent that her art is worthy of her own show. Though her artistry is impressive, what really inspired me was the list her mom found in her backpack when she was in the fourth grade. It contained 127 things she would do if she had arms or legs. Things like: set her own alarm clock, make the sign of the cross, walk where there aren't sidewalks, jump with joy and clap her hands...be tall.

Minda’s purpose in life..... Minda said her purpose is to show that God is good all the time, even when it doesn't look like it. Minda is guided by the unseen. She truly, even in a wheel chair, walks by faith and not by sight.

Faith is a journey, a bumpy road at times where we embrace what we can't understand- believe what we can’t see. In George MacDonald's tale, The Princess and the Goblin, faith is portrayed by “following an invisible thread.” After Princess Irene rescued Curdie from the goblins cave by following her grandmother's thread, she pled with her companion to see what guided them; "There! - don't you see it shining on before us?' she added. 'I don't see anything,' persisted Curdie. 'Then you must believe without seeing,' said the princess; 'for you can't deny it has brought us out of the mountain."

Just like the skeptical character in MacDonald's fairy tale, most of the time we don’t see either. God's ways seem obscure to us. Yet we follow and trust and recognize that He has “brought us out of the mountain” of our hopelessness, darkness and despair. To follow and trust even when we can't trace His path is to believe without seeing. It is the difference between being governed by revelation rather than mere reason alone.

As George Macdonald put it, “Seeing is not believing - it is only seeing. “the real triumph of this life is to understand that “Believing is seeing!” Like precious Minda, when we trust God to act with goodness, we see His goodness. When we believe God to be faithful, we see His faithfulness. When we are convinced that God is love, then we see His love everywhere.

The walk of faith requires following even when we can't see or understand. Zora Neal Hurston said: "Faith ain’t got no eyes, but she’s long legged!” It's true. One step at a time, we trust God more than we trust our feelings. One step at a time, we receive what we can't reckon. One step at a time, we accept what we cant avoid.

As I believe Him to provide and guide, I see his leadership and provision. As I trust Him to comfort and teach me, I feel His Hand and hear His voice. I think that Minda has followed the same thread and she has been led out of a mountain of sorrow and gloom.

Thomas heard the voice of Jesus while he touched Christ’s nail scarred hands, “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." I want that blessing. To see because I believe, don’t you?

Trust him more today than you did yesterday. If you can't understand, just keep following. Though it may be dark right now, you will see that eventually He has led you out of the mountain! "Let us step into the darkness and reach out for the hand of God. The path of faith and darkness is so much safer than the one we would choose by sight." George MacDonald

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

joelle

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Do you ever question God?

Do you ever question God? Then get this answer?

I tell you honestly (for I am God who cannot lie) that I am with you!

I know what you have gone through and what you are currently facing.

Refuse to be overwhelmed with the things that you must consider at this time, but rather be My brave-heart, and yield totally to the moving of My Spirit. For, certainly, I will move you to a place closer to Me where you will abide in peace.

Trust Me completely and you will come through this time with ease, says the Lord.
2 Corinthians 13:11

Yesterday was a tough day........But I will continue to trust in MY GOD.......
pray for my extended family in the days following and be sure to tell your
loved ones about the love of Jesus before you run out of time.
Tackle It Tuesday Meme

CWO

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