Preschoolers, Burps and a Pastor

Okay...so I've linked to a few video blogs by my Pastor - he's a really awesome guy with a great sense of humor. Well, he's taking a few weeks off from preaching as we go through a series called One Prayer - we're getting messages by video from 4 different pastors around the country. Well, as I'm working with my 4 year olds on Sunday, Pastor Ritchie comes around to visit with us. We're in the middle of snack/story time and so it's a good point to take a break. He pokes his head in and asks how everyone's doing and one of my precious little boys, named Ethan, lets out this rip roaring burp like none I've ever heard before. Ethan smiles, giggles and then when he catches my eye says, "'Scuse me." I laugh, Pastor Ritchie starts laughing hysterically and says, "Well, it certainly sounds like you guys are having a blast in here." I say, "Well, it's always something new from one minute to the next!" Pastor Ritchie then asks how old these guys are and I told him they're all 4 and explain that we just promoted up a bunch of kids who're getting ready to go to kindergarten to Kids Town. Then I played this little game with the kids that I've been doing for a few weeks....I ask them if they'll still come back and see me when they get big and go off to Kids Town. They all start yelling "NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" at the top of their lungs and I pretend I am crying because they'll leave me and never come back. I always have one or two...usually the girls....who'll say, "Miss Laura, we'll come back and see you because we love it here." Well, melt my heart....

Pastor Ritchie leaves and I can hear him laughing as he makes his way down the hall...I think we made his morning!

It's always something with those buggers....I wouldn't trade 'em for anything though!

Ritchie Miller's Walk Across Georgia

Guys, I just have to post yesterday and today's vlog postings from my Pastor, Ritchie Miller. You'll see a crazy dude in the background, Dusty Beach, he's our Executive Pastor...and one crazy son of a gun. He used to be in a Christian rock band...that should say it all!

You can certianly tell they're operating on little sleep and getting a bit punchdrunk. Do keep them in your prayers, though - they're battling sore bodies and badly blistered feet.

If you feel led to donate, or would like to find out more about HOPE, please follow this link: www.avalonhope.net/donate.html

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Tuesday, June 10



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Wednesday, June 11



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And boy do we love those Notary Republics! All of you! You're awesome!

Coolest Pastor on Earth

I have to tell you guys about my Pastor....Pastor Ritchie Miller. Besides the fact that he's not your "typical" pastoral type, he's just plain cool. He has a desire to reach out to folks who aren't your typical church-going type. He's actually driven to be a whole lot like Christ...is the best way. The way I see it, if Christ were on Earth today, he wouldn't be hanging out in the churches and cathedrals and such. He'd be hanging out in the bars and tattoo parlors and clubs trying to reach the people who really need to hear him. That's what Pastor Ritchie's goal is. I don't know that he really hangs in the bars, tattoo parlors and clubs - but I know that some of his congregation does. I know Pastor Ritchie has a deep calling to take light into the darkness and show the world that all Christians aren't the righteous, holier-than-thou Christians they think we are.

Friday morning, Pastor Ritchie was interviewed on The Giant Show on Project 9-6-1 here in Atlanta. Tomorrow, Pastor Ritchie will embark on a weeklong walk across Georgia...from South Carolina to Florida. He's raising money for his H.O.P.E ministry. It was an awesome interview and while he didn't "preach" to the guys on the show, he made a point. I have tried for days to figure out how to link to Ritchie's interview but I just can't make it happen.

Regardless, here's the first post from Pastor Ritchie's excursion across Georgia - hope ya'll enjoy - he's a riot.