Winner of the 2007 Sands Springs Fishing Derby: Noah Lehew!!

Today, Noah and I went the Sand Springs Fishing Derby sponsored by the Sand Springs Parks and he won! Noah caught a 2 lb. catfish and he won for the biggest fish in his age group(6-8) and then won the overall trophy for the biggest fish! Along with winning two trophies, he won a tacklebox and a new Zebco Fishing Rod!

The derby started at 8 a.m. and around 9 a.m., Noah caught the fish on his Tazmanian fishing pole--it wasn't even a regular fishing pole. Everyone ooohhed and aaahhed as we took it to get weighed in! It was very exciting.

Funny thing is it's the only fish he caught for the day. He had quite a few more nibbles, but nothing more than his 2 lb. catfish!

What an exciting day! I will post a picture of Noah and the fish later this week.

Nicaragua Mission Trip Pictures

Here are a couple of pictures from Nicaragua--what a great mission trip! Will post more later. Check out this baptism video in the Pacific Ocean---one of the highlights of my trip--getting to baptize David Jones! http://homepage.mac.com/melandjames/iMovieTheater6.html

Nicaragua or Bust!
Pray for me as I will be joining a group 40 others for a mission trip to Nicaragua. I will be leading students. I will be leading them in soccer and baseball along with two other men. Our plane leaves Saturday, May 5 at 1:04 p.m. and we return on Saturday, May 12 at 3:45 p.m.

IF SARAH GOT PAID IN DOLLARS FOR BEING A MOM AT HOME SHE WOULD MAKE $138,095

Survey: 10 jobs moms work would bring in $138,095 a year
Check out this article at http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/02/mothers.worth/index.html

I LOVE MY WIFE-thank you Sarah for all you do! YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN $138,000--THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN!

Happy 3rd Birthday Elijah!

Elijah Turned 3 years old today! We went to Chuck E. Cheese, opened gifts and then went to the mall to play at the indoor playground!

Elijah is an incredible little guy! How thankful Sarah and I are to be his parents!

Happy 9th Birthday Hannah!

My oldest turned 9 years old today! She's getting older and I am getting old. It seems just like yesterday that we had her at the hospital in OKC.

For her birthday, she wanted to go to the mall, so we went to Build a Bear, the Disney Store and then she went shopping using her birthday money.

She then chose to eat at a Chinese restaurant in the mall. Grandma and Grandpa came over along with Uncle Scott and Aunt Amy!

It was a great day!

A Tribute to Families with Kids and Minivans

This is a tribute to all the moms and dads who have minivans!

Wooden Spoon Prank

This is hilarious!

Happy Easter!

These are words penned by my friend, Brent Higgins. You can check out more of his website at www.prayforbj.com. Brent's son, BJ, contracted a deadly disease while in Peru. I for some reason am drawn to BJ's life and Brent's writings. They seem to challenge me and stretch me. If you ever get to meet Brent, you will see Jesus in Him.

If Jesus was about to be crucified today, I fear many of us would be in the crowd shouting our approval to do away with the One we claim as Savior. We are so fluid in a crowd, and so inflexible before God.
We ascend to lofty positions in the church (in our own eyes) and refuse to bend our knees in private. The attitude many of us convey is one of "Jesus is my Lord as long as it serves my purposes."
When was the last time that we really studied the Bible? I don't mean read it, I mean study it verse by verse? Are we changed when we do or do we get up from studying and walk back into the same foolishness? Do we assimilate it like a college student cramming for a final only to forget it as soon as the test is over? Does it reverberate through our lives? Does our countenance reflect the Purity and Presence of Christ or the burdened heart of a beaten down believer?
We are celebrating Easter! The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead RESIDES in your heart!!! The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same Spirit that is within you! There is so much POWER in this. Not your power but His. What is He accomplishing in our lives if we are overbooked, overbusy and underbelieving?He resurrected our lives that we would walk in His power! Are we? Or are we trudging through, reflecting a life no one would want?If His Holy Spirit is in you, then yield your unbelief, your achievements, and your personal goals. Allow Him to align your will with His. Walk in the power of Christ in you! You can do it...by His will, not by yours.

By His Stripes We are Healed! Praise the LORD!

Paul Washer - Shocking Message (full length)

A timely message for the church--shocking, yet truthful!

I LOVE my WIFE!

As I spent time praying for my family tonight, I realized that I am the most blessed husband and dad in the world.

My wife Sarah is the highlight of my life. I am always amazed by her. She probably doesn't realize this, but I watch her...I don't watch her to catch her doing anything, but simply watch her because I wish I was more like her. Her desire for God is such an example to me and this reflects in everything she does...the way she ministers to our kids, the way she handles herself, the way she puts everything into His perspective.

There have been many times when I come home from work after a grueling day and she always has the right thing to say to remind me who is in control--God. I know I do not do enough to appreciate her, but I am trying--trying to love her as Christ loved the church....boy do I have a way to go!

We've been married for almost 12 years, but it really doesn't seem that long. Yesterday, we celebrated our dating anniversary. We have known each other for 13 years! Our first date was to a Ricky Skaggs concert and Interurban--yes I said Ricky Skaggs and yes, we were the youngest people there!

Right now, Sarah is sleeping--she has been sick with cold and stomach stuff it seems since the beginning of January. She really is the most beautiful woman in the world. I am so thankful that I have someone like her--to know that our kids are safe secure under her care.

You may not know this, but Sarah homeschool's our children. She teaches Hannah who is in 3rd grade, Noah who is in 1st grade, and Grace who is in Pre-K. Elijah is into everything. People think homeschooling is not grueling, but my wife puts her heart into teaching our kids. The main reason we chose homeschooling is because we believe God gave us children to teach them and to raise them responsibly rather than allowing someone else. Why have kids and then allow someone else who doesn't have the same values raise your kids?...it doesn't make sense. (I'm done with my soapbox.)

I am blessed!

New Orleans/Nicaragua Mission Trip

On March 17-23, I will be leading our students and adults on a mission trip to New Orleans. We will be working alongside Celebration Baptist Church in their relief efforts. We are taking 38 students and adults. Please be in prayer for us!

I will be heading to Nicaragua, May 5-12 to share the love of Christ with them. We will be going to the village of Nueva Jerusalem, a village of about 4,000 people. I will be helping to lead the sports camp for teenagers. If you would like to support me going, you can send your donation to Ridgeway Baptist Church 7785 S. Hwy 97, Sapulpa, OK 74066. On the memo line, please write in my name: Mike Lehew, Nicaragua Mission Trip.

How Real Is Your FAITH?

A quote from a friend of mine, TJ, youth pastor at Erin Springs Baptist Church
Do you really believe what you say you believe? Do you really trust in Who you say you trust in? The reason I ask is because I see people all but kill themselves for other things like sports, band, school, work at home, or even gaming systems (I am not saying that these things are bad), even drop EVERYTHING else for one of these things but church "must and has" to take a back seat? I just wonder is "church" for some just a social and emotion experience to help them feel better and simply make them feel apart of something? Do we really have God on the mind on our way to church or some other person or activity? How REAL is your faith?!?!?!

Merry Christmas!
We hope everyone had a great Christmas! We had a great day....we started with breakfast, read the Christmas story together, opened gifts and then went over to Memaw and Papaw's for lunch!

"Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited his people and redeemed them.
(Luke 1:68)

Happy 33rd Birthday Sarah!

SNOW DAY!!!

Today I got to stay home with the kids! I made a Wal-Mart run early this morning to get much needed groceries, got a sled at the local Ace, and stayed home the rest of the day having a great day with the kids. These pictures are of us playing outside and the kids decorated cookies we made today. (The second to last picture looks like the van just ran me over, but I was absolutely tired after pulling the kids around on the sled.)

Happy 83rd Birthday Jim!

This is Jim, Hannah and Grace making a funny face at Jim's birthday Party at Incredible Pizza! Jim and mom also just celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary!

National Youth Workers Convention in Austin

Sarah and I just returned tonight from the National Youth Workers Convention in Austin! It was absolutely incredible! This is by far the best training for youth workers even though it can be pricey...it is well worth the cost. Check out www.youthspecialties.com. I'm going to post something short for now, but will post more later, but here's the greatest things I got from it:
1. Spending time with my wonderful wife Sarah
It's not very often that we get to go somewhere by ourselves. For us to be able to spend Thursday through Monday together was wonderful for our marriage and our ministry! I am so blessed to have a partner in life and in ministry. Our last night in Austin we walked to the Texas State Capitol and had a relaxing walk!
2. Getting away from the hecticness of ministry.
Stepping back and getting training was so refreshing. So many times as youth workers we are in the trenches and it's hard to see the whole picture, but this weekend I had a chance to seriously evaluate our ministry, where we are heading, and some things that need to change.
3. Training
I've been in ministry for 13 years, but training is always key to keep up to date with what's happening in our society and with teens. I am so thankful for our church to let me go to this conference. I would love to see other youth workers from our church go next year.
This is just a little taste of what we experienced. As I sort through what God wants us to do, I will post more later!

My Soccer Chick
Here's my oldest, Hannah, before her first soccer game! She did great! She was a little nervous, but for her first ever game in any sport she did very well! It was a little nerve racking as a dad, but my desire is that she just has a great time playing.

Way to Go Hannah!

More Pictures of Our Father/Son Trip
Upper Left Picture: Riding the sheep at the rodeo
Upper Right Picture: Steve, Tammy, Brayden, and Kayden
Lower Left Picture: Noah freezing---it was 53 degrees--too cold!
Lower Right Picture: My dad's burial marker....my dad passed away in 1994...I sure miss him!