My promise to you, squirt.

Hey squirt.

Your mom thought it would be a good idea to write down our thoughts and prayers for you in a blog, so I'm ready to do my part. You may be wondering why I called you squirt. First off, I always called your uncle Brian squirt when he was a kid. I never asked him, but I'm pretty sure he understood that it was my way of saying I liked him and was going to take care of him. I don't think he'll mind sharing the nickname with you. Wear it with pride.

There are a lot of books written about how to parent kids. Apparently it's a pretty complicated deal, and I'm not going to pretend like I know exactly how it should be done. Something tells me that it'd be a bit stupid, and any grand pronouncements I make now are going to be thoroughly ridiculed by future me (and probably future-mom, too). So I'm not going to do that.

What I am going to do is make you a few promises. I promise that we are waiting for you, hoping for you, and talking about you. I promise to enjoy the little things in life as you discover them. I promise to listen when you've done something really cool. I promise to tell you stories of all the cool things I did when I was younger. I promise to celebrate with you when things are awesome, and cry with you when things go wrong. I promise to teach you how to burn ants with a magnifying glass, make loud noises to startle your mom, make a fire burn awesome colors, find cool shapes in the clouds, and chase squirrels (but not across streets!). I promise to do my best to make your life a place where you have fun, feel safe, and know you are loved. I'll even teach you how to play Flaming Tennis Ball Catch (tm).

There are a lot of people who are busy telling everyone that kids should make their own decisions. They say you're smart enough to decide for yourself what is true. They say that if I leave you alone that you'll make wise choices that will make me proud, and they say that I'll be glad I didn't push you too hard.

I love you too much for that.

See, that's the second half of my promise. I promise that I will let you be yourself, but that I'll also help make you someone you'll be proud of when you grow up. I promise to make you eat your vegetables, because they're delicious and healthy. I promise to make you finish everything on your plate before you eat dessert. I promise to make you go to school to learn things even when you don't feel like it.

Religion is something that people don't want me to "force" you into. But again, I love you too much to leave it to chance. I promise to show you that God is too big to ignore, and I hope you will love Him just as much as I do. I promise to share with you how much He (and your mom and dad) love you, and that He died to save you. I promise to help you understand that your mission in life is to follow His example and to love others, protect the innocent, and be generous with what you've been given. I want to make you like Him.

I've always loved teaching, and you're going to be my favorite student. My job is to pass on to you everything I've learned in life, and to help you make the right choices. I love you enough that I'll keep loving you and helping you even when you don't understand or appreciate it.

I can't wait to meet you. I have so much to teach you. I love you.

Dad

A New Blog Audience

Dear child for whom I pray,

Do you know the depths of my heart's longing to be your mother?

I have dreamed of you since I myself was a young girl, playing "house" with my dolls, pretending they were my very own baby. A girl of just 2 or 3 years old, I often clung to my dolly, as if there was something hidden away in the corner of my being, calling me to motherhood. Twenty-five years later and that calling feels like a desperate plea.



To the best of my ability I nurtured my own mother when she was sick on the couch with another one of her debilitating migraines. I bossed around my little sister and tended to her needs even when she'd rather do it on her own. Perhaps it was my firstborn placement in the family, my lineage of being Type A, or even a God-given leadership ability in the seedling stage, but my instincts are to care and provide for others.

Here I am in my 5th year of youth ministry and I know I have many, many children. I love each of them deeply, but someday I hope I can know the love only a mother can have for her own.

For now, I make you, my dear sweet child, the recipient of my blog writing. I want to share with you my favorite recipes, advice for how to be a teenager in this crazy mixed up world, what fun your dad and I have on vacations, and so much more. I pray my letters will be read by you one day, but for now they will serve to soothe my ache and bring joy, laughter, and encouragement to anyone else who happens upon them.

Love,
Mama

Teens. Roses with a Few Thorns.

Youth ministry is often challenging. Many times frustrating. Frequently disheartening. But deeply rewarding. Seeing a student's heart open up like a timid flower is so beautiful. Knowing that it is only through Jesus that I love, accept, admonish, affirm, and even discipline. Teens sense that. 

They start trusting little by little. They start to enjoy your company; they smile when they see you in the crowd. But then they text you to talk about tough stuff. They sit in your living room and cry. They confess, they mourn, and they receive love and acceptance like a dried up sponge. 

Sometimes they take the advice, lovingly and firmly offered. And lives are changed. 

And sometimes they bring you flowers just to say thank you. 

And suddenly I am the one receiving love and affirmation so desperately needed. 

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[Free Methodist] Bible Quiz Finals 2013

It was fantastic fun, the loudest laughter, the best group of students & leaders for 5 days at Roberts Wesleyan College. BIBLE QUIZZING FINALS 2013! I had been sincerely excited about this particular Nationals for a few reasons.

1) I had actually studied and nailed the 45 quote verses.
2) Kevin, Brian, Tara, and I were going to be QUIC* quizzing with other adults - my first time quizzing!
3) Every year I connect with more and more people from across the country, catch up on their lives and look forward to seeing them again next year. What a great community.
4) We were taking a wonderful conglomeration of Albion students along with Tara, Kevin and me.

*QUIC = quiz masters and coaches division (aka - grown ups get to quiz for no prize other than the joy of it, from 8:30-10pm, when we're exhausted. Just because.)

Our week. In Photos. 

That's me with Zach - the boy who kept us laughing and light-hearted all week. We're TWINSIES!

The Young Teen Rookie Quizzers on the jump seats

Kirsten helped keep those Middle Schoolers in line with this look. 

QUIC Quizzing was SO MUCH FUN, especially because we had worked hard to know the material well. We were seeded FIRST after the round robin quizzing, and then finished second in our B division.

the ecclesecclesecclesTHOM Quic Quiz Team. And Karl.

(Karl was a STV A* quizzer who came to support us. And check up on Kevin's quizzing ability. ;))

*senior teen veteran A division

My favorite (and quite handsome) quiz master

Kirsten quizzed all year with these sweet girls from Gowanda and they placed 1st in their STV B division!

The Eccles Three!

We're so proud of our Young Teen Rookie Quiz Team for securing a 5th Place win (out of 14 teams).

And a shout out to their coach, also a "rookie," who lead confidently and calmly!

Each year coaches are asked to nominate deserving high school years as potential recipients of the Dave Markell Excellence in Attitude Award. In my opinion this is the MOST IMPORTANT award you can receive at Nationals. It is given to a senior who has shown faithfulness and commitment to quizzing, and a Christ-like attitude in and out of the quizzing environment. We couldn't NOT nominate our girl, Kirsten, for this award. 

During the week of Nationals, the regional directors observe the nominees in their interactions with other quizzers, coaches, and quiz masters and eventually come to a decision. 

KIRSTEN WON!

Tears streamed down my face as I snapped this photo. I am incredibly proud of the godly life Kirsten leads and thankful that she was honored today with this prestigious character award. 

Thanks for being my roommate this week, Kirsten, 

and for being an amazing student and a true friend. Love you!

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Piano Recital [Year 2]

Though I started teaching piano in September 2009, June 2012 was my very first piano recital as a teacher. I hosted a second recital at Christmastime at a local assisted living establishment. This year, I was excited to have 16 students performing in the recital (doubling my 8 from last year.) They all did a tremendous job.

I played duets with many of my students! Fun!

laughter is key

It made my heart sing to see our church sanctuary filled with at least 100 people in the audience, many were friends and family of my students and some were there as my beloved support system. (If you came just to support me and listen to some lovely music, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.)

My mom, grandma and Chuck made the drive from Ohio to encourage me and they did much more than that. Grandma played a 20 minute prelude while families found their seats, and did a fantastic job of entertaining our ears and calming some nerves along the way. Both Mom and Grams helped tremendously by keeping the cookie and punch reception flowing and plates filled. Thanks!!

Kevin was my faithful photographer and captured hundreds of phenomenal photos to remember the occasion. And yes, he even played a four handed duet of The Entertainer with Matilda, one of my Middle School students.



One very thoughtful florist from our church learned of my recital and coordinated the Sunday floral arrangements with my piano studio colors, and even made pipe cleaner music notes and "Eccles Studio" letters to accent each bouquet. So wonderful!



I was thrilled to present two special students with the Annual Awards of Excellence for Most Accomplished and Most Improved Pianists. It was a very hard decision as many of my students showed noteworthy progress and have used their piano skills in more than just personal practice time.

After presenting those unique awards, I gave first year (with me) students a music tote bag with my Eccles Piano Studio logo, and to my second year students, I presented these sweet new tshirts. (I wore mine yesterday and already had someone ask about piano lessons! Score!)

Way to go, everyone! I look forward to another year of lessons with you (and some newbies, to total 23 students in the Fall...and growing! Yay!)




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To Beat or Not to Beat [The Strawberry]

Saturday, June 8th marked my second Strawberry Festival 5k Race in Albion, New York. 

Last year, there were 150 runners in the 5k division. This year there were 207.
Last year, there were 30 Run for God participants. This year there were at least 60 or 70.
Last year, my husband was waiting at the 1 mile mark shouting out times to the races. This year, Kevin was a runner.

Yes, my husband ran a race with me, friends. Yes, I was thrilled and so so proud of him. No, I will never urge him to run again. He has given it a great effort and if he decides to run in the future it will be all him. No more pushing from the wife in the peanut gallery.

The colorfully attired group of Run for God Racers

Circled up for prayer.

I was anxious all week about the race, mostly because I had a really great finish last year and I wanted to PR but wasn't sure I could. I have become a much more controlled runner since enlisting the help of my Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS watch. I strive to keep my pace steady and mile splits negative - a far cry from my last year's race with the first mile at 7 minutes and mile two close to 9. eeek.

Oh yeah, and last year I puked 4 times as I approached the finish line. People remember this stuff. And as good of story as it is (really, I love telling it with gusto!), I was really really hoping I wouldn't feel like barfing. Because that's just miserable. Besides being pretty darn embarrassing.

The shot gun went off and I hit my stride easily. Thankfully I wasn't as nervous as I thought I might be. It's hard not to fly up to top speeds during that first 5 minutes when the Speedy Gonzaleses of the course blow by you at 5-minute-mile paces. But I controlled my tempo.



Around the half mile mark, my friend Sheila tapped me on the shoulder and I grabbed her hand and said, "I'll stick with you!" I was suddenly overtaken by emotion, feeling so thankful to have a friend who could run my pace and keep me sane during those miles. Tears welled in my eyes.

Last year, those last two miles were lonely and painful. This year, I had friendly competition, company, and encouragement. "To God be the glory!" Sheila said.

We stuck together at a steady 7:40 pace throughout, despite some pain and a wave or two of nausea. We told each other it would be fine if either of us felt the need to slow down or speed up, separating.

Finally at the last half mile, I felt a burst of energy and took off ahead of Sheila, finishing just 16 seconds ahead of her.

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I managed not to puke all over the place, as close as a call as it was during that final uphill climb. I couldn't push it out with a sprint at the end, because I wasn't willing to barf. Thankfully, and to God be the glory, I finished THREE SECONDS faster than last year's time!! It doesn't seem like much, but in the running world (and to me!) it's a victory nonetheless!



My handsome husband finished spot on his goal time of 35 minutes, and the tears flowed as I saw him coming up State St. I ran up to meet him and then let him continue to the finish line on his own. He did a great job and hasn't suffered any serious pain or injury. He even stopped just before the end to help comfort one of the teens who had stopped to throw up. He is such a great guy.

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It was fantastic to have my Grams and Chuck along with dear friends, Lou and Jeri at the second mile marker cheering us on! I love to see familiar faces when I race.

And then there was my momma, cheering like a pro at the finish line for every single runner. Yes, mom, you deserve a medal for "Best Cheerleader." Thanks to all three of you for coming out to support us on a rainy, chilly, early morning.

Sheila and I both placed FIRST in our perspective age groups and were totally pumped about our wins!

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In the complete Race Results, I discovered I finished 4th overall for females and Sheila came in 5th! I am so proud of us both and still SO THANKFUL for a running partner so matched with my tempo. God is good, even in these little things.



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