Kaylea Hutson's Blog, page 50
August 13, 2011
Blog Tour: Don't Check Your Brains At The Door (Review)
What's the best defense for faith? For Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler, the answer is simply, knowledge.In a updated and revised edition of their book, "Don't Check Your Brains At The Door," the pair strive to provide faith-based answers to a variety of questions.
They also hope (per a press release by their publisher, Thomas Nelson) to "challenge young readers to test gospel truths found in the Bbile so they can learn to give an answer for their faith as they mature into thinking adults."
"We receive all kinds of messages, myths and misconceptions in the course of our lives," Hostetler said. "One of those messages is the idea that following Jesus requires us to check our brains at the door - that reason and faith are incompatible. And that mistaken idea leads to others.
"That's why this book exists to help a young man or woman weigh the evidence and lay a firm foundation for a strong faith in Christ."
So, What I Thought
This book is easy to read. Each "question" is literally tackled in less than four pages - which includes a section called "brain food" or Bible verses readers can look up for further study.
It's written in a conversational style that I think will appeal to teens and youth leaders, alike. The topics are relevant (focusing on everything questions about God, Jesus, the Bible, Life and Christianity). It's definitely hits questions students have asked me - or I asked myself in the past.
I loved the chapter about the "Father Christmas Myth" about God (a vending machine God), because it put into writing an answer I've struggled to form, even in the past year - as to how to encourage prayer (for both myself and others) focusing on God's will, rather than expecting God to deliver the goods like a vending machine.
What made me laugh though, in his revised edition - the first one came out in 1991 - is that some of the same illustrations remain. Ok, let's face it, how many teens in today's world know who Belinda Carlisle is, let alone that she had a hit song called "Heaven is a Place on Earth," in 1988. (Ok, with the resurgence of "all things new," they might just know about this song because it's "retro.")
In all, laughing aside at a few of the illustrations, this is a book that I would feel comfortable passing along to a young teen (or even an older elementary student), to encourage them to "see what the Bible says" about a specific issue. I guarantee, it will at least prompt a further discussion about the topic, which I believe is Hostetler and McDowell's objective.
More About The Authors
Josh McDowell wrote the international best-selling apologetics references Evidence That Demands a Verdict and over 120 other books. He travels and speaks with Campus Crusade for Christ.You can read more about him, and his ministry at: http://www.josh.org
Bob Hostetler is an award-winning and best-selling writer, editor, pastor, and speaker.His books include Don't Check Your Brains at the Door and The Bone Box.
You can read more about him on his website: www.bobhostetler.com/ or follow his prayer blog at http://bobhostetler.blogspot.com/
Online Resources
Buy "Don't Check Your Brains At The Door" at Amazon.
Follow the Blog Tour to See What Others Think!
Share This on Twitter
Win a KINDLE from @bobhoss @josh_mcdowell Don't Check Your Brains At the Door Giveaway. FB Party 8/18. http://ow.ly/5UEi8 #litfuse
Share This on Facebook
Enter to win a KINDLE in the Don't Check Your Brains At the Door KINDLE Giveaway! Find out who won during the Facebook Party on August 18th! All the details here: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13418040
It's A Contest
To celebrate the release of their new book, Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler have teamed up with their publisher,Thomas Nelson, to give away a brand new KINDLE!
Don't Check Your Brains At the Door
answers many of the faith-related questions Christian youth face. It challenges young readers to test gospel truths found in the Bible so they can learn to give an answer for their faith as they mature into thinking adults. A great resource for teens and college-age.
Read the reviews here
.
One "brainy" winner will receive a Kindle prize package worth over $150.00:
A Brand New KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Ink Screen
Don't Check Your Brains At the Door by Josh McDowell & Bob Hostetler (for KINDLE)
A perfect back-to-school prize package! To enter just click one of the icons below. Hurry! The giveaway ends Thursday, Aug. 18. Winner will be announced on the evening of the 18 during the Don't Check Your Brains At the Door Facebook Party! The authors will be chatting with guests, answering questions on "knowing what you believe and why" (it's okay if you haven't read the book – who knows, you might WIN a copy!), testing your trivia skills, and giving away tons of great stuff! (Gift certificates, books, and more!)
Bring your friends and join the fun on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 5 PM PST (6 PM MDT, 7 PM CDT, & 8 PM EDT).
August 3, 2011
Blog Tour: Perfectly Invisible (Review)
Life after high school is so close . . . and yet so very far away.It's Daisy Crispin's final semester of high school, and she plans to make it count. Her long-awaited freedom is mere months away, and her big plans for college loom in the future. Everything is under control.
Or is it?
Her boyfriend is treating her like she's invisible, and her best friend is making her sell bad costume jewelry in the school quad--and hanging out with her boyfriend. To top it off, Daisy's major humiliation of the year will be remembered in the yearbook for all eternity. It's enough to make her wonder if maybe being invisible isn't so bad after all.
Can Daisy get her life back on track? Or is she stuck in this town forever?
What I Thought
I like Kristin Billerbeck's writing style. It's light, fun and appealing to young women.
I think lots of people, regardless of their age, will relate to Daisy's life-trials (especially being remembered in the yearbook for your biggest "humiliation."
What I like about Billerbeck's writing is that I can hand this book to a youth in my "circle of influence" and then maybe have a "so what do you think" or "what would you do" conversation - and it's easy and breazy, because we're "just talking about a book."
If you are looking for something safe and fun, with a faith-basis, to pass along to a teen reader, then I highly recommend this book. But be forewarned. You might be tempted to read it first!
About The AuthorKristin Billerbeck is the bestselling, award-winning author of several novels, including What a Girl Wants and Perfectly Dateless.
A Christy Award finalist and two-time winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year, Billerbeck has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. She lives with her family in northern California. You can read more about her at: http://www.kristinbillerbeck.com/
Online Resources
Read an online excerpt at Revell here!
Buy it at Amazon here!
About Revell, The PublisherRevell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet. For more information, visitwww.RevellBooks.com.
Note: As a freelance journalist, I was provided a copy of this book by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This review was not influenced by a free book - just in case you (or the FTC) were worried about this detail.
July 27, 2011
Destination: Jonesboro (Day 1)
Meet the Destination: Jonesboro team!It's a raw picture, because we were too tired and sweaty to put on the team t-shirts tonight to snap the official pictures.
The team consists of students from First UMC - Siloam Springs, First UMC - Bella Vista and Elm Springs UMC, Elm Springs.
This is the fifth Destination: Mission trip, for older elementary and middle school students I've helped develop and coordinate since 2007. We've come a long way since then.
It's an amazing thing to watch students - many of whom are on their first mission trip - as they experience helping other people in new ways.
The trip's already been interesting, because we've had a chance to "witness" if you will, to a clerk at the gas station - who was very intrigued by the idea of younger students coming to Jonesboro to help strangers, and the clerk at Walmart who thought it was cool we brought students to do something like this in her town.
If this is the beginning of what we're going to experience - I have a feeling the block party we're working on - and hosting at First UMC Paragould on Friday night - is going to be VERY interesting.
Take older elementary and middle school students (mainly those who have completed 3rd to 7th grade) on a mission trip? Are you crazy? You betcha ya! Crazy enough to think it's important to introduce students to mission stuff at an early age. I'll post more updates throughout the weekend, but for now, it's time to shut off the laptop and head to bed! Signing off From Jonesboro!
July 25, 2011
One family's stand for Justice – catch the story on PBS 7/26!
I'll be blogging about the book Mugabe and the White African
later this month, but I wanted to let you know that Point of View will air the documentary Mugabe and the White African on Tuesday, July 26.The film tells the story of Mike Campbell and his family of three generations of Zimbabwean farmers as they attempt to keep their farm under Mugabe's "land reform."
Watch the trailer for the documentary below and visit the PBS Point of View website for your local listing. http://
www.pbs.org/pov/tvschedule/
The book Mugabe and the White African
(Lion Books, distributed by Kregel Publications, July 15, 2011, ISBN: 978-0-7459-5546-9, $14.95) written by Mike Campbell's son-in-law Ben Freeth provides more detail regarding the family's struggles and court battles.The book chronicles the deeply moving and life-threatening struggle of a Christian family from Zimbabwe to protect their legally owned farmland, to protect the lives and livelihoods of all those working on the farm, and to live to see justice.Freeth lays bare a beautiful but lawless land fouled by fear. A 'Clockwork Orange' state where racism, greed, and violence are ultimately humbled by almost unimaginable courage. Richly described, bravely chronicled, and utterly compelling.
-Mike Thomson, Radio Foreign Affairs Correspondent, BBC
Ben Freeth has an extraordinary story to tell. Like that of many white farmers, his family's land was "reclaimed" for redistribution by Mugabe's government. But Ben's family fought back. Appealing to international law, they instigated a suit against Mugabe's government in the SADC, the Southern African equivalent of NATO.
The case was deferred time and again while Mugabe's men pulled strings. But after Freeth and his parents-in-law were abducted and beaten within inches of death in 2008, the SADC deemed any further delay to be an obstruction of justice. The case was heard, and was successful on all counts.
But the story doesn't end there. In 2009 the family farm was burned to the ground. The fight for justice in Zimbabwe is far from over--this book is for anyone who wants to see into the heart of one of today's hardest places and how human dignity flourishes even in the most adverse circumstances.
Read an Excerpt (PDF)
Read the Press Release
Watch the blog for more details and a review of the book in the next few weeks!
July 11, 2011
Reaching Out To Joplin Mo. Teachers
May I have a moment of your time?
As the education editor/reporter for JoplinDaily.com, I covered numerous stories about the Joplin School District. In fact, I even took a "Flat Stanley" to Brazil for one classroom at Emerson Elementary - so the students could get a glimpse of a foreign country.
Many, many people I care about in the district have been impacted directly by the May 22, 2011 tornado. One of those principals, Nila Vance, is trying to get the word out on how people can help teachers - not only in her building, but also throughout the district.
For people like me - who want to help people in Joplin, but aren't sure how - well, helping the school district should fit the bill.
Let's face it, teachers are working really hard this summer to ensure that students have a safe and secure place to come to learn on Wednesday, Aug. 17. (FYI - We have less than 37 days to help teachers prepare for the coming school year.)
For Nila's teachers, it means moving what remains from their building to a different campus in Joplin. (You can read more about the district efforts here: http://www.joplin.k12.mo.us/.)
Numerous teachers throughout the Joplin district everything in their classrooms. Some not only lost their classroom supplies, but also their homes.
I've known Nila since high school. When I asked how to help, she told me several of her teachers posted projects on http://www.donorschoose.org.
"I have nine projects up on the site at my school but I only posted a few," Nila said. "You can go online and search by school and fund any project that tickles your fancy:) I have great teachers at Emerson!"
"The great thing about Donor's Choose is that if you can only give a little, it goes towards a big project."
Nila said several projects were by teachers who lost everything in their classrooms OR were new to Emerson, since new Emerson teachers are not part of the Adopt a Classroom project, sponsored by Bright Futures.
Here are the projects from Nila's school, Emerson Elementary, which will be housed in Duquesne Elementary - Duquesne students will move down the road to Duenweg Elementary. The notes in italic are from Nila, describing the projects.
Ready...Set...Read
Many of my teachers lost their guided reading libraries. This project can help fund a library for each teacher at Emerson. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=587119&challengeid=36435
Recovering from Devastation: Becoming Rockstar Readers
This is a new teacher to Emerson. She was impacted by the tornado hitting Emerson but was not a part of the Adopt A Classroom through the district because she wasn't a teacher with Emerson last year at Emerson. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=593454&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpage
Letter Learning for the Little Survivors of Our Tornado
My Kindergarten and Fifth Grade Classrooms lost everything. This is a first year, first year Emerson teacher and is coming into a classroom that was devastated the most. Again-she is not part of the Adopt a Classroom because she has never taught in Joplin. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=593457&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpagehttp://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=593457&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpage
Inquiring Minds at Work
Really a Fabulous Teacher! She has taught with me for 5 years and teaches Fifth Grade. She lost everything in the storm. We recovered nothing from her room. Great things should happen to great teachers! http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=590517&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpage
You can find more projects related to Joplin teachers at www.donorschoose.org by searching here.
To find out how you can Adopt A Classroom (help a teacher) click here: http://brightfuturesjoplin.org/adopt-a-classroom/
To find out how you can Adopt An Eagle (provide school supplies for students) click here: http://brightfuturesjoplin.org/adopt-an-eagle/
As the education editor/reporter for JoplinDaily.com, I covered numerous stories about the Joplin School District. In fact, I even took a "Flat Stanley" to Brazil for one classroom at Emerson Elementary - so the students could get a glimpse of a foreign country.
Many, many people I care about in the district have been impacted directly by the May 22, 2011 tornado. One of those principals, Nila Vance, is trying to get the word out on how people can help teachers - not only in her building, but also throughout the district.
For people like me - who want to help people in Joplin, but aren't sure how - well, helping the school district should fit the bill.
Let's face it, teachers are working really hard this summer to ensure that students have a safe and secure place to come to learn on Wednesday, Aug. 17. (FYI - We have less than 37 days to help teachers prepare for the coming school year.)
For Nila's teachers, it means moving what remains from their building to a different campus in Joplin. (You can read more about the district efforts here: http://www.joplin.k12.mo.us/.)
Numerous teachers throughout the Joplin district everything in their classrooms. Some not only lost their classroom supplies, but also their homes.
I've known Nila since high school. When I asked how to help, she told me several of her teachers posted projects on http://www.donorschoose.org.
"I have nine projects up on the site at my school but I only posted a few," Nila said. "You can go online and search by school and fund any project that tickles your fancy:) I have great teachers at Emerson!"
"The great thing about Donor's Choose is that if you can only give a little, it goes towards a big project."
Nila said several projects were by teachers who lost everything in their classrooms OR were new to Emerson, since new Emerson teachers are not part of the Adopt a Classroom project, sponsored by Bright Futures.
Here are the projects from Nila's school, Emerson Elementary, which will be housed in Duquesne Elementary - Duquesne students will move down the road to Duenweg Elementary. The notes in italic are from Nila, describing the projects.
Ready...Set...Read
Many of my teachers lost their guided reading libraries. This project can help fund a library for each teacher at Emerson. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=587119&challengeid=36435
Recovering from Devastation: Becoming Rockstar Readers
This is a new teacher to Emerson. She was impacted by the tornado hitting Emerson but was not a part of the Adopt A Classroom through the district because she wasn't a teacher with Emerson last year at Emerson. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=593454&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpage
Letter Learning for the Little Survivors of Our Tornado
My Kindergarten and Fifth Grade Classrooms lost everything. This is a first year, first year Emerson teacher and is coming into a classroom that was devastated the most. Again-she is not part of the Adopt a Classroom because she has never taught in Joplin. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=593457&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpagehttp://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=593457&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpage
Inquiring Minds at Work
Really a Fabulous Teacher! She has taught with me for 5 years and teaches Fifth Grade. She lost everything in the storm. We recovered nothing from her room. Great things should happen to great teachers! http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=590517&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpage
You can find more projects related to Joplin teachers at www.donorschoose.org by searching here.
To find out how you can Adopt A Classroom (help a teacher) click here: http://brightfuturesjoplin.org/adopt-a-classroom/
To find out how you can Adopt An Eagle (provide school supplies for students) click here: http://brightfuturesjoplin.org/adopt-an-eagle/
Reaching Out To Joplin Mo. Teachers
May I have a moment of your time?
As the education editor/reporter for JoplinDaily.com, I covered numerous stories about the Joplin School District. In fact, I even took a "Flat Stanley" to Brazil for one classroom at Emerson Elementary - so the students could get a glimpse of a foreign country.
Many, many people I care about in the district have been impacted directly by the May 22, 2011 tornado. One of those principals, Nila Vance, is trying to get the word out on how people can help teachers - not only in her building, but also throughout the district.
For people like me - who want to help people in Joplin, but aren't sure how - well, helping the school district should fit the bill.
Let's face it, teachers are working really hard this summer to ensure that students have a safe and secure place to come to learn on Wednesday, Aug. 17. (FYI - We have less than 37 days to help teachers prepare for the coming school year.)
For Nila's teachers, it means moving what remains from their building to a different campus in Joplin. (You can read more about the district efforts here: http://www.joplin.k12.mo.us/.)
Numerous teachers throughout the Joplin district everything in their classrooms. Some not only lost their classroom supplies, but also their homes.
I've known Nila since high school. When I asked how to help, she told me several of her teachers posted projects on http://www.donorschoose.org.
"I have nine projects up on the site at my school but I only posted a few," Nila said. "You can go online and search by school and fund any project that tickles your fancy:) I have great teachers at Emerson!"
"The great thing about Donor's Choose is that if you can only give a little, it goes towards a big project."
Nila said several projects were by teachers who lost everything in their classrooms OR were new to Emerson, since new Emerson teachers are not part of the Adopt a Classroom project, sponsored by Bright Futures.
Here are the projects from Nila's school, Emerson Elementary, which will be housed in Duquesne Elementary - Duquesne students will move down the road to Duenweg Elementary. The notes in italic are from Nila, describing the projects.
Ready...Set...Read
Many of my teachers lost their guided reading libraries. This project can help fund a library for each teacher at Emerson. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=587119&challengeid=36435
Recovering from Devastation: Becoming Rockstar Readers
This is a new teacher to Emerson. She was impacted by the tornado hitting Emerson but was not a part of the Adopt A Classroom through the district because she wasn't a teacher with Emerson last year at Emerson. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=593454&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpage
Letter Learning for the Little Survivors of Our Tornado
My Kindergarten and Fifth Grade Classrooms lost everything. This is a first year, first year Emerson teacher and is coming into a classroom that was devastated the most. Again-she is not part of the Adopt a Classroom because she has never taught in Joplin. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=593457&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpagehttp://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=593457&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpage
Inquiring Minds at Work
Really a Fabulous Teacher! She has taught with me for 5 years and teaches Fifth Grade. She lost everything in the storm. We recovered nothing from her room. Great things should happen to great teachers! http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=590517&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpage
You can find more projects related to Joplin teachers at www.donorschoose.org by searching here.
To find out how you can Adopt A Classroom (help a teacher) click here: http://brightfuturesjoplin.org/adopt-a-classroom/
To find out how you can Adopt An Eagle (provide school supplies for students) click here: http://brightfuturesjoplin.org/adopt-an-eagle/
As the education editor/reporter for JoplinDaily.com, I covered numerous stories about the Joplin School District. In fact, I even took a "Flat Stanley" to Brazil for one classroom at Emerson Elementary - so the students could get a glimpse of a foreign country.
Many, many people I care about in the district have been impacted directly by the May 22, 2011 tornado. One of those principals, Nila Vance, is trying to get the word out on how people can help teachers - not only in her building, but also throughout the district.
For people like me - who want to help people in Joplin, but aren't sure how - well, helping the school district should fit the bill.
Let's face it, teachers are working really hard this summer to ensure that students have a safe and secure place to come to learn on Wednesday, Aug. 17. (FYI - We have less than 37 days to help teachers prepare for the coming school year.)
For Nila's teachers, it means moving what remains from their building to a different campus in Joplin. (You can read more about the district efforts here: http://www.joplin.k12.mo.us/.)
Numerous teachers throughout the Joplin district everything in their classrooms. Some not only lost their classroom supplies, but also their homes.
I've known Nila since high school. When I asked how to help, she told me several of her teachers posted projects on http://www.donorschoose.org.
"I have nine projects up on the site at my school but I only posted a few," Nila said. "You can go online and search by school and fund any project that tickles your fancy:) I have great teachers at Emerson!"
"The great thing about Donor's Choose is that if you can only give a little, it goes towards a big project."
Nila said several projects were by teachers who lost everything in their classrooms OR were new to Emerson, since new Emerson teachers are not part of the Adopt a Classroom project, sponsored by Bright Futures.
Here are the projects from Nila's school, Emerson Elementary, which will be housed in Duquesne Elementary - Duquesne students will move down the road to Duenweg Elementary. The notes in italic are from Nila, describing the projects.
Ready...Set...Read
Many of my teachers lost their guided reading libraries. This project can help fund a library for each teacher at Emerson. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=587119&challengeid=36435
Recovering from Devastation: Becoming Rockstar Readers
This is a new teacher to Emerson. She was impacted by the tornado hitting Emerson but was not a part of the Adopt A Classroom through the district because she wasn't a teacher with Emerson last year at Emerson. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=593454&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpage
Letter Learning for the Little Survivors of Our Tornado
My Kindergarten and Fifth Grade Classrooms lost everything. This is a first year, first year Emerson teacher and is coming into a classroom that was devastated the most. Again-she is not part of the Adopt a Classroom because she has never taught in Joplin. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=593457&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpagehttp://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=593457&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpage
Inquiring Minds at Work
Really a Fabulous Teacher! She has taught with me for 5 years and teaches Fifth Grade. She lost everything in the storm. We recovered nothing from her room. Great things should happen to great teachers! http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=590517&utm_source=dc&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=projectpage
You can find more projects related to Joplin teachers at www.donorschoose.org by searching here.
To find out how you can Adopt A Classroom (help a teacher) click here: http://brightfuturesjoplin.org/adopt-a-classroom/
To find out how you can Adopt An Eagle (provide school supplies for students) click here: http://brightfuturesjoplin.org/adopt-an-eagle/
July 7, 2011
Quote of the Day: Life
From the Happiness Project:
"Our life is what our thoughts make of it." - Marcus Aurelius
"Our life is what our thoughts make of it." - Marcus Aurelius
Quote of the Day: Life
From the Happiness Project:
"Our life is what our thoughts make of it." - Marcus Aurelius
"Our life is what our thoughts make of it." - Marcus Aurelius
July 5, 2011
Not goodbye, but see you later
Note: I wrote the following for this week's church newsletter....
Almost exactly four years ago, (how time flies) I began to wrestle with God about my calling.
At the time, I was working for GateHouse Media in Joplin writing "advertorials" (copy that went on add-based pages) and a few features for newspapers within our chain.
I missed working with students and began to wonder if God had something better in store for me.
Through a series of "God" events, I found myself leaving journalism as a full-time writer and becoming your minister to families with children.
Fast forward to this week: I find myself through a series of "God" events and preparing to move on to another church.
I have accepted the call to be the new director of Children's Ministry at St. James United Methodist in Little Rock.
My time in Siloam Springs is beginning to wind down, I can truly say you — as a congregation — have impacted my life in such a way that your influence will continue long after my geographical location changes.
You have nurtured, encouraged and helped me strengthen my children's ministry "wings." You've taught me lots of lessons and helped continue to mold my concept of children's ministry and how it impacts today's generation.
You have also walked with me as I've continued to struggle with my calling and as I pursued ordination as a deacon within the Arkansas Conference.
Your friendship, support and encouragement means the world to me.
So rather than say goodbye, I'll simply say "see you later." I know, we will see each other again — either in the present on email and Facebook — or in the future, in heaven.
Thank you for helping me transition away from the newsroom, and for giving me a place to grow physically, spiritual and mentally.
I know you will guide, direct and support the same for whomever steps into the ministry next.
With much love and thanks,
Kaylea
While my last "physical day" in the office will be July 14, I'll still be around later this month, going with the older elementary/middle school students on Destination: Jonesboro.
My contact information, for now (I'm still apartment hunting) is:
Kaylea Hutson
c/o St. James UMC
321 Pleasant Valley Dr.
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212
Church Phone: 501.217.6700
E-Mail: kaylea.hutson@gmail.com
Almost exactly four years ago, (how time flies) I began to wrestle with God about my calling.
At the time, I was working for GateHouse Media in Joplin writing "advertorials" (copy that went on add-based pages) and a few features for newspapers within our chain.
I missed working with students and began to wonder if God had something better in store for me.
Through a series of "God" events, I found myself leaving journalism as a full-time writer and becoming your minister to families with children.
Fast forward to this week: I find myself through a series of "God" events and preparing to move on to another church.
I have accepted the call to be the new director of Children's Ministry at St. James United Methodist in Little Rock.
My time in Siloam Springs is beginning to wind down, I can truly say you — as a congregation — have impacted my life in such a way that your influence will continue long after my geographical location changes.
You have nurtured, encouraged and helped me strengthen my children's ministry "wings." You've taught me lots of lessons and helped continue to mold my concept of children's ministry and how it impacts today's generation.
You have also walked with me as I've continued to struggle with my calling and as I pursued ordination as a deacon within the Arkansas Conference.
Your friendship, support and encouragement means the world to me.
So rather than say goodbye, I'll simply say "see you later." I know, we will see each other again — either in the present on email and Facebook — or in the future, in heaven.
Thank you for helping me transition away from the newsroom, and for giving me a place to grow physically, spiritual and mentally.
I know you will guide, direct and support the same for whomever steps into the ministry next.
With much love and thanks,
Kaylea
While my last "physical day" in the office will be July 14, I'll still be around later this month, going with the older elementary/middle school students on Destination: Jonesboro.
My contact information, for now (I'm still apartment hunting) is:
Kaylea Hutson
c/o St. James UMC
321 Pleasant Valley Dr.
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212
Church Phone: 501.217.6700
E-Mail: kaylea.hutson@gmail.com
Not goodbye, but see you later
Note: I wrote the following for this week's church newsletter....
Almost exactly four years ago, (how time flies) I began to wrestle with God about my calling.
At the time, I was working for GateHouse Media in Joplin writing "advertorials" (copy that went on add-based pages) and a few features for newspapers within our chain.
I missed working with students and began to wonder if God had something better in store for me.
Through a series of "God" events, I found myself leaving journalism as a full-time writer and becoming your minister to families with children.
Fast forward to this week: I find myself through a series of "God" events and preparing to move on to another church.
I have accepted the call to be the new director of Children's Ministry at St. James United Methodist in Little Rock.
My time in Siloam Springs is beginning to wind down, I can truly say you — as a congregation — have impacted my life in such a way that your influence will continue long after my geographical location changes.
You have nurtured, encouraged and helped me strengthen my children's ministry "wings." You've taught me lots of lessons and helped continue to mold my concept of children's ministry and how it impacts today's generation.
You have also walked with me as I've continued to struggle with my calling and as I pursued ordination as a deacon within the Arkansas Conference.
Your friendship, support and encouragement means the world to me.
So rather than say goodbye, I'll simply say "see you later." I know, we will see each other again — either in the present on email and Facebook — or in the future, in heaven.
Thank you for helping me transition away from the newsroom, and for giving me a place to grow physically, spiritual and mentally.
I know you will guide, direct and support the same for whomever steps into the ministry next.
With much love and thanks,
Kaylea
While my last "physical day" in the office will be July 14, I'll still be around later this month, going with the older elementary/middle school students on Destination: Jonesboro.
My contact information, for now (I'm still apartment hunting) is:
Kaylea Hutson
c/o St. James UMC
321 Pleasant Valley Dr.
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212
Church Phone: 501.217.6700
E-Mail: kaylea.hutson@gmail.com[image error]
Almost exactly four years ago, (how time flies) I began to wrestle with God about my calling.
At the time, I was working for GateHouse Media in Joplin writing "advertorials" (copy that went on add-based pages) and a few features for newspapers within our chain.
I missed working with students and began to wonder if God had something better in store for me.
Through a series of "God" events, I found myself leaving journalism as a full-time writer and becoming your minister to families with children.
Fast forward to this week: I find myself through a series of "God" events and preparing to move on to another church.
I have accepted the call to be the new director of Children's Ministry at St. James United Methodist in Little Rock.
My time in Siloam Springs is beginning to wind down, I can truly say you — as a congregation — have impacted my life in such a way that your influence will continue long after my geographical location changes.
You have nurtured, encouraged and helped me strengthen my children's ministry "wings." You've taught me lots of lessons and helped continue to mold my concept of children's ministry and how it impacts today's generation.
You have also walked with me as I've continued to struggle with my calling and as I pursued ordination as a deacon within the Arkansas Conference.
Your friendship, support and encouragement means the world to me.
So rather than say goodbye, I'll simply say "see you later." I know, we will see each other again — either in the present on email and Facebook — or in the future, in heaven.
Thank you for helping me transition away from the newsroom, and for giving me a place to grow physically, spiritual and mentally.
I know you will guide, direct and support the same for whomever steps into the ministry next.
With much love and thanks,
Kaylea
While my last "physical day" in the office will be July 14, I'll still be around later this month, going with the older elementary/middle school students on Destination: Jonesboro.
My contact information, for now (I'm still apartment hunting) is:
Kaylea Hutson
c/o St. James UMC
321 Pleasant Valley Dr.
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212
Church Phone: 501.217.6700
E-Mail: kaylea.hutson@gmail.com[image error]
