Michelle Wegner

Not A Normal Life

We put on a lot of miles today and got a lot done.  We pulled more weeds at the ball field in Englewood for Pastor Bone and his little league team.  Read the amazing story of how we got the same dirt as the Chicago White Sox on Rob's blog.  It is on days like this that I shake my head in wonder at God.  Two phone calls, and these boys from one of the worst neighborhoods in America will be playing on the best dirt in America.  God is awesome.

As I was pulling weeds and getting blisters from raking mud, I could not help but pray for those boys.  Pastor Glenn and Carla don't look at themselves as coaches to 30 9-11 year old boys.  They see themselves as the only hope these boys have to stay out of the gang/drug scene which leads 99% of the time to jail or death.  That was my motivation to push through the heat and the blisters.

As we were cleaning up the field, the neighborhood drug dealers stood on their corner watching us.  I was within hearing distance to them, and I heard one say to the other with a smile "They are cleaning up this field!  Can you believe that?"  He couldn't believe it.  One of them let us use his hose to rinse the kids off after they waded in the mud all day.  An old man walked up and down the road shaking his head and talking to a few of the adult leaders.  I  asked one of them what he said, and she said the man told her that when he was a young man, he had a vision for saving the lives of the boys in the neighborhood just like Pastor Bone.  He had a team and they played on the very field we were working on.  He said his heart has been broken to see the field destroyed by lack of care.  He was so excited to see us fixing it up for the neighborhood.

As we were driving in the car today, I said to my girls, "you realize you do not have a normal life."  They nodded their heads and smiled.  Instead of the usual "What I did this Summer" essays, Maddie and Whitney's will read something like this:

   

"This summer I went to middle school camp and helped kids pick up trash.  All of the kids loved Jesus, and loved me.  Then I went to the worst neighborhood in Chicago where the drug dealers like to hang out.  Right across from their watchful eyes I pulled weeds and swept a puddle the size of a lake away so inner-city boys will not join gangs and end up in jail or dead."

Not a normal life. 

Tomorrow we hit the American Girl Cafe for a celebration dinner.  My girls deserve it.  They have been amazing troopers this summer.

Things the Wegner's take to Camp Adventure

I am overwhelmed at the thought of it.  I love camp....once we get there.  The worst part of the year for me is the 3 days leading up to camp.  This year is even a bit tougher because whenever I walk anywhere it feels like shards of glass are poking my foot bones.  This should be fun.  Here is what I need to get together and pack for the week at camp.

• 5 toothbrushes
• 21 pairs of panties
• 21 pairs of socks
• 13 pairs of jeans
• 13pairs of jammies
• 5 flashlights
• 12 bathing suits
• 36 shirts
• 10 sweatshirts
• sunscreen
• bug spray
• 3 fans
• 2 power cords
• 10 Barbies w/accesories
• 10 Polly Pockets w/accessories
• 5 coloring books
• 100 crayons
• 10 pens
• 3 notebooks
• 5 sleeping bags
• 5 sets of sheets
• 2 Leapsters
• 2 laptops
• 2 cell phones
• 1 Zune
• 3 ipods
• 9 stuffed animals
• 6 pillows
• 5 pairs of crocs
• 5 pairs of gymshoes
• 5 pairs of flip flops
• 15 towels
• wet wipes
• bandaids
• 3 cosmetic bags full of beauty products
• coffee pot (this is essential)
• refrigerator
• 3 storage bins
• 5 Bibles
• batteries
• Books to read while girls are sleeping/napping...Any ideas?

This is the "off the top of my head" list.  I'm sure we will think of many more things in the next 3 days.  Anyone want to come over and help fold laundry?  I'll be your best friend!  I promise!

Amazing People

 

I love these people.  They love Jesus, love each other, love people.  They work hard to establish God's Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven.  They are amazingly gifted at what they do.  I love the Senior Management team at GCC and each of their wives.  They are the real deal.  It has been amazing to see what God has done in and through them in the past 16 years!

 

Left to Right...

1. Chris and Butch Whitmire
2. Rob and Michelle Wegner
3. Faith and Tim Stevens
4. Mark and Laura Waltz
5. Sheila and Mark Beeson (photographer extraordinaire)

Camp Adventure (from an old person's perspective)

Rob and I have been to Camp Adventure every summer since 1992.  That would make this our  16th summer of camp.  My role has changed over those 16 years, and so has my perspective.  I will never forget the first few years of camp.  I remember kids like J Aquilla,  Amber Cox  (Beeson) , John Keim,and so many other now men and women who were then just kids.  I was only 19 myself, so I was a kid too. 

Those first years of camp were special, because of the environment I saw Mark and Sheila Beeson had created there over the past few decades.  I had never been to a place that was so close to "Heaven on Earth."  Before we coined the phrase "Bringing Up there Down Here," that's what Camp Adventure was.  And yes, I am talking about a camp for 6th-8th graders!  I had never been to a place where there were no practical jokes, no cut-downs, no negativity, only love, encouragement, and building one another up. 

Being the 35 year old, one of the "elderly" at Camp Adventure now, I walk around the whole week and just watch, wonder, and pray.  I don't have a group of middle-schoolers to counsel, but I have my own small group of 3 girls.  It is one of the only places on Earth I can take them and just say, "Watch"  "Watch J Aquilla.  He's married to Angie now.  They love Jesus.  Just watch them."

"There's Brooke and DC.  They love Jesus.  Watch what they do."  Watch Pastor Dan lead worship.  Watch the kids raise their hands to Jesus.

My kids do watch.  They are transformed every year by living in a place that is "Brining up There Down Here." 

If you are sending your kid to camp next week, or in July, you are doing the right thing.  They will be in an environment of love and acceptance like they have never known. 

I can't wait!

Epiphany

I had an epiphany this morning.  It struck me as I was heading down the stairs and I could tell Rob was talking to Rajendran , GCC's Staff member in India, on the phone.  I could tell because he was talking very LOUDLY into the phone.  Plus, after 15 years of marriage, I can pretty much tell who Rob is talking to on the phone by the tone of his voice...weird, huh?

My epiphany happened when I heard him say, "so, what are we doing for the temple prostitutes?  How are we helping them?"

Seriously, how many wives walked down the stairs this morning and heard their husbands say that?

I am so proud of Rob.  He is changing the world.  He has put into action what has burned on his heart for years.  He's a man of his word.  My heart couldn't be more "there" with him.  This really is a team deal, and for now, my job is to hold down the home-front while he's off saving the world.

For today, we're off to the zoo with 100 2nd graders.  I don't know what is more intimidating.  Rescuing temple prostitutes, or funneling the energy of 100 2nd graders?

We'll have to see.

God Bless Pastor Mark

 

 

Seriously.  Most people who have literally grown up at GCC or it is their first "church experience"  might not fully comprehend the blessing Mark and Sheila Beeson are to this community.  They began this church in a spirit of love.  There is no slander from the stage.  There is no backbiting on the staff.  They don't judge, point at or accuse others. 

All of this is because Mark and Sheila decided to follow Jesus and the ways of His love.  They have set the example for all of us.  We are wise to follow them and their example of deep love and respect for one another.  I see that in the lives of those all around me. 

I'm so thankful to raise our family here at GCC.  There's no place I'd rather be.

You Don't Mess With Family

If you want to see me mad, really mad, talk bad about my family and you'll see it for yourself.  I'm not just talking about the 5 of us that make up the Wegner clan, but those that make up the staff, spouses, and members of my church. 

Rob and I are going on our 16th summer at GCC.  It has been an amazing ride.  I have been around churches my entire 35 years of life.  I've seen it all.  The church culture is part of my DNA, although I have taken gigantic steps away from a part of that culture that has always sickened me.  I have never understood how some church people can be so cruel to their staff members.

One thing I have loved about GCC since the minute I set foot in the door of the cinema's almost 16 years ago is the deep love people have for one another.  I sensed it immediately.  Once I knew it was real, I knew Rob and I were here to stay.   There is no place we'd rather be.  No place we'd rather serve Jesus.  There have been a few stumbling blocks on the way, but over-all, I think this is one of  the healthiest, most loving churches in America.  Believe me, I've been around. 

So, I think that is why when one of our leaders gets criticized, I am ultra-sensitive to the matter.  That's family.  That's a part of God's vision and blessing on this ministry. 

I am reminded of Miriam, Moses' own sister who was struck with leprosy when she criticized God's servant Moses.  I'm surprised God doesn't do more of that today.  We certainly all deserve it.

Let's be full of love, admiration and respect for one another.  Let's love one another so deeply that the world is amazed and can not help but be drawn to Jesus because of it.  I'd hate it if one of us were to be stuck with leprosy for criticizing one of God's own appointed leaders. 

Who will you asSALT this week?

Rob asked us this weekend to "asSALT someone."  He was referring to the verse in the Bible that says, "You are the salt of the earth."  Salt is used for flavoring and preserving all kinds of stuff.  We as God's people are flavor to the world.  What can I do to make someone's life interesting, flavorful, or more worth living?  What are you gonna do?  It should be interesting to hear the stories.  It is only Sunday morning, and the stories are coming in already!  I love it!

Watch the service online sometime this week if you have a chance.  I'm sure you'll be glad you did!

We LOVED the 80's

Don't miss Rob's message this weekend, "Livin on a Prayer." I know it is going to be good, because he came home from filming the video yesterday with a deep cut across his eye and face.  People have no idea what these guys go through to make these videos. 

GCC has services on Saturday at 5:30&7:30, then Sunday morning at 9, 10:30, and 12:00

It's gonna be good!  Wahoo!

Word is out!

The Word is out!  GCC is going Multisite SOON!  Friends and neighbors will soon have a GCC location closer than ever.  Check out what Mark Waltz  and Tim Stevens said.  They explained it way better than I could!

GCC SECRET REVEALED HERE

Ha-ha.  You honestly think I would reveal the "buzz" on my blog?   I would get in so much trouble!   I would be banned from blogging until the end of time.  But, you only have to wait  a few more hours to find out what in the world Granger Community Church is up to!

Have you been downstairs in the kids area?  Have you forgotten everything you just heard in the message because you are frantically trying to get one of your kids from their classroom while the other is being trampled underfoot and dragged away by a total stranger?

Do you feel like you have to wait and wait and wait every time you have to use the restroom in between services?

Have you ever gotten the privilege of sitting on the floor in the back of the auditorium because there are no seats left?

Here are my ideas for the solution:

• Tell people they can only bring one child per family.  They eat too many snacks anyway.
• Tell Core Class 101 members they can no longer bring guests.  We need the room for real members.
• Put a note in the bulletin that tells people to go potty before coming to church.
• Put a warning note on the coffee urns about the effects of caffeine on the bladder.

There is a reason why I am not on the SMT.  I'm just married to one of them.  Funny how when I give him my ideas, he just rolls his eyes.

Only a few more hours....

GCC Year in Review

Check this out!  This video is amazing. I love our church!  I am constantly blown away by the creativity and giftedness in those around me who do stuff like this! 

Let it Be Christmas

What can I say?  Rob and I have been at Granger Community Church for more than 15 years now.  When Rob was hired, he was 21 and I was 19.  We are now 37 and 34.  We loved GCC from the  beginning, and we love it even more today.  Last night as I listened to Mark Beeson talk through the Old Testament, I couldn't help but wonder why people think our church is "church light".  You can view the service online Monday or Tuesday of this week here.  I have never known the staff or leadership of GCC to be anything but passionate, fully devoted Christ followers who are sold out to the Mission Jesus has given us to reach this community and the world for Him.  I am so thrilled to be a part of this Mission.  I loved how the music of the Beatles is so timeless.  They were people just like us...seekers of the truth.