Champions!

The girls got 'er done this afternoon, with an impressive win over Cascade. Congratulations to the Franklin Central Lady Flashes (5th Grade Team), and thanks to the coaches who have been nothing short of wonderful!

Evangelism Explosion Banquet

Sunday, the LORD gave me the privilege of speaking at First Baptist Church in the city of Montpelier to share about E.E.. The believers who meet there were extremely kind to me and I thank the LORD for the tremendous way I was treated by those in attendance. They were surely a blessing!

The thing I wanted to write about, though is that in my attempts to encourage the brethren to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to get better equipped to share the gospel, I ended up being pretty encouraged myself. Thinking back through all the lives that have been touched through this tremendous discipling, gospel-training ministry has rekindled a passion within me to seek to 'get back in the saddle' and get to work somehow in E.E.. "Oh, Lord - use me once more, I pray!"

I praise the LORD for the people He has allowed me to meet and to work with and to come to know through the Evangelism Explosion ministry.

Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were
distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.
Then He
said to His disciples,

"The harvest is plentiful,
but the workers are few.
Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send
out workers into His harvest."

O'Friel's a Franklin Central Lady Flash!

Looking serious as a heart-attack, little Miss Hannah is caught posing for a picture before a big, semi-finals game against the only team that beat the Flashes this season - Roncalli! The Flashes played solid defense and played well for the first game of the tourney, advancing to the semi-finals. Facing Roncalli, a team that mirrors the flashes in many way, made everyone a bit nervous!

The game was nip and tuck all the way and ended up going into overtime. Honestly, I do not know who endures more stress - the players or their parents - at times like these. (ha) But, we all survived and the Lady Flashes managed to come out on top. It was a big win, and the girls are all looking forward to playing in the championship game Sunday afternoon.

For Hannah, this experience has been a tremendous opportunity. The coach has been extremely patient and instructive with her. Unlike all the others, this is Hannah's first year playing the game. But everyone has been great about it and she has grown so much in every way. We are proud of the progress she's made and the mental toughness she is developing.

All I have to say now is . . . GO FLASHES!!!!! :)

My Baby Isn't a Baby, Anymore

It's truly hard to believe it, but my daughter is now eleven years old. Where has all the time gone? Fortunately, she's growing into a wonderful young lady. I remember a star-lit night laying out under the stars with my dad, talking. I was pregnant, just a month or two along, and was sharing with Dad some of my hopes and dreams for this little girl growing inside of me. We held hands and prayed together that the LORD would graciously allow her to be a 'mighty warrior' for Him. As we opened our eyes, we saw a shooting star (true story!). Now, I am not saying that it was definitely the a sign, but I have to say, sign or no - the LORD has certainly answered that prayer.

To my beloved Hannah - hearing your teachers commend you for your bold witness, compassionate concern for others, and tremendous growth in character and responsibility is so incredibly humbling because I know that if you are ANY of these things, it is solely and purely by the grace of God. I am so proud of you! Happy Birthday, baby!