SPRING

 2011
VOL  3,  ISSUE  1

legacy
the

How’s  Your  Foundation?

BY  JENNIFER  CONLEY,  DIRECTOR  OF  CHILDREN’S  MINISTRIES

Jamie  was  a  tall,  very  beau1ful  nine-­‐year-­‐   told  her  that  if  she  had  a  girl  he  was   one  word:  DIVORCE.  I  wish  I  could  say  
old  girl  that  chose  to  befriend  me  on  my   history.”  He  made  good  on  that  promise,   that  it  only  happens  in  the  world,  but  
first  day  at  a  new  school.  We  were  si=ng   and  in  the  wake  of  his  leaving,  a   recent  sta1s1cs  claim  that  divorce  is  
enjoying  the  warm  sunshine  during  our   wounded  broken  family  remained!     more  prevalent  among  Chris1ans.  How  
daily  recess  break,  when  I  asked  what  I            Fast  forward  eight  years  and  I  am  now   can  this  be?  
thought  was  a  normal  ques1on.  “Jamie,   si=ng  on  the  bed  of  a  five  year  old  boy            Please  understand,  I  know  that  there  
what  are  your  parents  like?” that  I  babysit.  As  I  tuck  him  in,  that  same   are  situa1ons  that  may  require  a  man  
         I  inwardly  began  to  backpedal  when   brokenness  haunts  those  liPle  brown   and  woman  to  separate  and  divorce,  
she  vehemently  declared  that  her   eyes.  His  mommy  just  told  him  the  day   such  as  adultery  or  abuse.  Yet,  in  all  my  
mother  was  wonderful  but  that  she   before  that  she  doesn’t  love  his  daddy   years  of  working  with  Chris1an  families,  
hated  her  father.  She  then  began  to  tell   anymore  and  that  they  are  ge=ng  a   those  circumstances  are  few  and  far  
me  a  story  that  s1ll  haunts  my  memory   divorce.  He  looks  at  me  and  my  heart   between.  Why  then  is  this  happening  at  
twenty  years  later.  Her  father  and   breaks.  “Jennie,”  He  whispers.  “I  love  
mother  were  divorced  because  she   daddy,  why  can’t  mommy?”    
wasn’t  a  boy!  My  young  mind  screamed,            Sigh.  I  could  repeat  this  sad  story  over  
inside

How  is  Your  Foundation?    p.  1,3

“What!”  Seeing  the  look  on  my  face  she   and  over  again.  The  older  I  have  goPen,   Get  Moving    p.  2
must  have  felt  the  need  to  explain   the  more  prevalent  this  issue  has  
Love,  Dad    p.  3
because  she  elaborated  by  saying   become.  I  don’t  know  how  many  1mes  I  
something  to  the  effect  of,  “Yes,  it’s  true.   have  sat  with  a  friend  or  comforted  a   Mustard  Seeds    p.  4
My  father  never  loved  my  mother  and   child  whose  world  had  been  shaPered  by  
Mini-Bible Lesson GET  Moving! C ounty
Things  to  do  in  Westmoreland  
Everywhere  I  Look

“Behold,  I  will  pour  out  my  spirit  on  you;  I  will  make  my   Latrobe  Farmer’s  Market
words  known  to  you.”    Proverbs  1:23 1 Beginning  June  7  
(every  Tues.  from  2:00  –  6:00  p.m.)
Latrobe  Memorial  Stadium  parking  lot
Did  you  know  God  is  always  around,  even  though  you  
can’t  see  him?  Everywhere  you  look,  you  can  see  signs  of   Ligonier  Farmer’s  Market
God’s  presence.  The  trees,  the  flowers,  the  birds,  and  the  
buPerflies  are  all  reminders  of  God’s  love  and  the  
2 Beginning  May  21  
(every  Sat.  from  8  a.m.  to  noon)
Across  from  the  Millcreek  Restaurant
promises  He’s  made.  Every  1me  you  see  something  God  
made,  remember  that  He  is  with  you. Greensburg  Palace  Theatre
Stage  Right  Presents:  

Day’s  Truth.…Wherever  I  look,  I  can’t  help  but  see  

3 Disney’s  Beauty  and  the  Beast  Jr.
May  20-­‐21  at  Westmoreland  County  
  God’s  work  in  the  flowers,  the  birds,  and  the  trees. Community  College

Summer  Sounds
SummerSounds  is  a  free  outdoor  
4 summer  concert  series  held  every  
Friday  evening  at  7  pm  beginning  in  
June  and  con1nuing  through  August.
St.  Clair  Park,  Greensburg

Creekside  Programs  
5 (offered  through  Latrobe  Parks  &  Rec.  

What is Heaven Like? office:    724-­‐537-­‐4331)

Bee  Aware  –  Sat.,  March  26

Insect  Safari  –  Fri.,  June  10
From  the  book  Soul  Food:  Wisdom  and  Inspiration  to  Feed  Your  Spirit Rugrats  in  the  Wild  –  Fri.,  Jun  10
Feathered  Friends  –  Thurs.,  June  23
Kids’  Ecoventure  –  Fri.,  July  8
"It's  blue  like  the  sky  and  all  the   "It's  surrounded  by  pearly   Dragonfly  &  BuPerfly  Hunt  –  Sat.,  July  30
food  tastes  good.  And  you  can   gates.  The  streets  are  made  of  
make  the  weather  anything  you   gold.  The  sky  there  is  a   Does  your  family  do  something  
want." beau1ful  misty  blue,  and  the   special  in  Westmoreland  County?    
Please  share  any  informaJon  on  fun  
               Bryce,  Age  7 air  is  clean."
family  ouJng  ideas!  
         Lily,  Age  9
"It's  very  big,  and  it's  not  scary." Email  us  at:    gaclegacy@gmail.com
       Carrie,  Age  3 "Like  the  coolest  museum  that  
  doesn't  cost  anything-­‐-­‐and  you  
"It's  a  cool  place  where   never  have  to  go  home."
everything  goes  right."        Nick,  Age  13
       Brennan,  Age  9  
  "Heaven  is  like  earth,  only  with   Jellybean  Prayer
"It's  cool,  and  you  can  skateboard   angels."
Red  is  for  the  blood  He  gave,
there  without  ge=ng  hurt."        Tyler,  Age  8
Green  is  for  the  grass  He  made,
       Charles,  Age  11  
Yellow  is  for  the  sun  so  bright,
  "Heaven  is  like  the  best  
"It's  where  you  see  all  the  people   amusement  park  ever!" Orange  is  for  the  edge  of  night.
you  miss."        Jessie,  Age  6 Black  is  for  the  sins  that  were  made,
       Michael,  Age  14   White  is  for  the  grace  He  gave.
  "Heaven  is  where  l'll  see  my   Purple  is  for  the  hour  of  sorrow,
mom  again." Pink  is  for  the  new  tomorrow.
       A.J.,  Age  13 A  bag  full  of  jelly  beans,
Colorful  and  sweet,
Is  a  Prayer...is  a  Promise...  Is  an  
Easter  treat!
How’s  Your  Foundation  -­‐  Cont’d  from  p.  1

such  an  astounding  rate?  I  am  not  an   against  us,  when  he  can  implode  us   Even  if  all  of  the  opportuni1es  that  
expert,  but  here  is  a  God  given  hunch:   from  the  inside. come  your  way  are  good  ones,  you  just  
WE  HAVE  AN  ENEMY!  Ever  wonder  why            What  can  be  done  to  stop  this  train   might  be  saying  no  to  1me  with  your  
it  is  so  stressful  to  get  the  kids  in  the   wreck  from  happening?  Though  this  is   children  or  spouse  by  saying  yes  to  
car  and  to  church  on  1me?  Ever  found   not  an  exhaus1ve  list,  these  are  a  few   them.  The  tyranny  of  the  urgent  can  
yourself  in  a  full  blown  argument  with   things  that  have  helped  my   steal  from  the  important.  And  
your  spouse  on  Sunday  morning?  How   family.  First  of  all,   lastly,  remember  that  
about  that  overwhelming  feeling  you   recognize  that  we   rela1onships  are  built  
get  when  you  realize  that  you  don’t   have  an  enemy  and   “If   our   e nemy   can   s ubtly   by  spending  1me  
have  a  free  night  this  week  because  of   he  is  aser  our   convince  us  to  stay  busy...   with  one  another.  It  
your  children’s  ac1vi1es.  That  means   families.  He  wants   subtle  cracks  will  begin  to   is  not  the  quan1ty  
you  probably  won’t  see  your  spouse   to  destroy  them.   show.” of  1me,  but  the  
un1l  10  pm.  Friday  night?     Acknowledging   quality  that  maPers.    
         Satan  prowls  around  like  a  roaring   that  is  vital.            These  principles  in  no  way  
lion  seeking  “any  family”  he  can  devour   Secondly,  be  vigilant  in  prayer.  A  very   guarantee  a  foolproof  marriage  nor  are  
and  if  you  think  it  can’t  happen  to  you,   wise  person  once  said,  “A  family  that   they  an  easy  fix,  but  they  do  provide  
you  are  already  buying  one  of  his  lies. prays  together,  stays  together.”    Each   defenses  against  our  enemy.  Satan  
         Family  is  one  of  God’s  grandest   day,  take  the  stress  and  struggle  of  life   wants  nothing  more  than  to  fill  our  
ins1tu1ons,  and  the  founda1on  of  any   before  God  and  ask  Him  to  give  you  the   world  with  a  million  other  liPle  boys  
society.  If  our  enemy  can  subtly   perspec1ve  and  wisdom  you  need.   and  girls,  wounded  by  broken  families  
convince  us  to  stay  busy,  revert  to            Thirdly,  set  boundaries  and  s1ck  to   and  if  he  can  accomplish  it  in  the  
anger  and  selfishness,  stress  us  out   them.  I  once  heard  one  of  my   church,  that  is  all  the  bePer.  Don’t  
between  schedules  and  finances,   professors  in  college  state,  “Saying  yes   allow  your  family  to  join  the  ranks.  We  
subtle  cracks  will  begin  to  show.   to  one  thing  is  saying  no  to  something   need  to  take  care  of  your  founda1on  
         Untended,  your  family  founda1on   else.”  These  are  very  wise  words  that   and  in  so  doing  we  will  take  back  our  
will  start  to  crumble  and  then  .  .  .  .    He   have  osen  saved  me  from  undue   churches  and  society,  one  family  at  a  
doesn’t  need  to  bring  an  outside  force   stress.  Determine  what  your  priori1es   1me.      
are,  and  be  careful  to  uphold  them.  

favorite  picture  hangs  in  my  office.  My  daughter  is  in  her  

Love, Dad
cheerleading  uniform  and  my  son  in  his  football  gear  as  they  pose  
before  the  dogwood  in  our  yard.  At  nine  and  ten  years  old,  they’re  
raising  their  hands  le=ng  everyone  know  it’s  game  1me!  Our  church  
has  been  their  family  too.  
fathers
 hearts  of  Christian  
Soundings  from  the Through  Dedica1on,  junior  church,  AWANA,  yearly  Christmas  plays,  
Youth  Group  and  bap1sm,  I  watched  them  grow  in  years  and  in  their  
faith.  Some1mes,  I  look  back  over  their  lives,  as  they  move  closer  to  
becoming  adults  themselves,  and  sadness  tries  to  take  hold  of  my  
As  a  father,  with  one  son  in  college  and  another  finishing  out  her   thoughts.  Then  I  stop  and  thank  God  for  the  children  he  gave  Sue  
senior  year  of  high  school,  looking  back,  I  chuckle  as  I  think  how  I   and  me.  He  blessed  and  entrusted  us  as  parents,  and  me  as  their  
was  among  those  who  didn’t  believe  1me  moved  as  quickly  as  I  was   father;  asking  of  me  only  to  trust  Him.
osen  told  it  would.  I  was  so  naive.  As  the  1me  does  fly,  hopefully  we  
are  careful  to  gather  and  preserve  the  precious  memories  along  the            Being  a  dad  isn’t  always  easy,  but  it’s  always  rewarding.  As  a  
way.  When  our  kids  were  smaller,  they  loved  to  play  dress  up  and   father,  I’ve  made  mistakes.  But  I  know  God  never  makes  mistakes.  
perform  the  original  songs  and  plays  they  would  create.  Sue  and  I   He  loved  his  Son  like  he  loves  me.  And  so,  he  chose  me  to  be  the  
would  sit  as  the  audience  and  laugh  along  and  just  enjoy  their   father  of  my  children.  Despite  how  we  may  want  to  think  otherwise,  
crea1vity  and  the  exuberance  they  showed  in  making  us  smile.   1me  will  fly  by.  And  through  the  blur  of  it  all,  you’re  les  with  a  wide-­‐
When  they  were  a  liPle  older,  I  had  the  blessing  of  1me  and  energy   open  treasure  chest  of  cherished  memories  to  sis  through.  The  trick  
to  coach  them  on  many  of  their  sports  teams.  I  loved  team  picture   is  to  never  let  the  lid  close.            
day.  It  seems  that  we  filled  a  couple  of  mantles  with  all  the  team  
pictures  from  so  many  sports  teams  and  cheerleading  squads.  My   Tad  Kelley
Mustard  Seeds
BY  MELISSA  BARTELS

Ezekiel  36:26,  Song  of  Solomon  2:11  

 God  promises  to  give  us  a  new  heart  and  a  new  spirit  if  we  ask.  Spring  is  an  ideal  1me  to  teach  your  children  about  what  the  
word  “NEW”  means.  Song  of  Solomon  2:11  says,  “For  the  winter  is  passed.  The  rain  is  over  and  gone.  The  flowers  are  springing  
up.  And  the  1me  of  the  singing  of  the  birds  has  come.”
         Take  your  children  outside  to  teach  them  what  this  means  using  God’s  nature.  Feel  the  falling  rain,  and  imagine  how  it  
washes  the  earth  clean  from  the  harsh  winter  weather,  the  salt  and  ash  that  were  laid  to  keep  us  safe.  No1ce  on  the  bare  soil  
all  the  flowers  that  are  pushing  through,  desperate  for  the  warmth  of  the  sunshine.  Listen  to  the  birds  that  have  come  back  
from  warmer  places  to  fascinate  us  once  again  with  their  God-­‐inspired  melodies.  Psalm  119:130  says,  “ The  unfolding  of  your  
word  gives  light…”  By  helping  your  children  interpret  the  Lord’s  word,  you  will  shed  light  and  understanding  upon  it.
         As  the  days  draw  us  closer  to  Easter,  it’s  comfor1ng  to  think  about  the  newness  that  can  be  found  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ!    It  
reminds  us  that  He  came  to  be  with  us,  died  for  our  sins,  and  rose  into  heaven.  We  can  become  new  in  the  Lord!  MaP.  7:7  says,  
“…knock  and  the  door  will  be  opened  unto  you.”  
           Try  making  a  new  memory  with  your  children  today!  Here  is  an  exci1ng  recipe  that  changes  into  something  ‘NEW’  once  it’s  
baked!

Resurrection  Rolls  Recipe

When  cooked,  the  marshmallow  melts  leaving  only  the  
*each  item  represents  how  Jesus'  body  was  prepared  for   puffed  crescent  roll.  
burial   *This  demonstrates  how  Jesus  rose  from  the  dead.  All  that  
remained  in  the  tomb  were  the  linen  wrappings.  You  can  
Large  Marshmallows   say:  “He  is  not  here  for  He  is  risen.”
Melted  BuPer  
Sugar/Cinnamon  mixture   Here  are  a  few  books  about  Easter  to  read  while  your  rolls  
Can  of  Crescent  Rolls   are  baking!

Open  can  of  crescent  rolls  and  separate  into  triangles.   Benjamin's  Box:  The  Story  of  the  ResurrecUon  Eggs  –  
1 *The  rolls  represent  the  linen  wrapping  used  in  covering  
the  dead.  
  Melody  Carlson,  Jack  Stockman  
The  Story  of  Easter  -­‐  Christopher  Doyle
Legend  of  the  Easter  Egg  -­‐  Lori  Walburg
Dip  and  roll  one  marshmallow  into  melted  buPer.   The  Easterville  Miracle  -­‐  Melody  Carlson
2 *The  marshmallow  represents  Jesus'  body.  The  buPer  
represents  the  oils  used  in  anoin1ng  the  dead  body.  
Prayers  at  EasterUme  -­‐  Pamela  Kennedy

Aser  reading  these  books,  discuss  the  Easter  story  with  

Roll  the  marshmallow  in  the  sugar/cinnamon  mixture.   your  child.  Ask  him/her  to  look  around  the  house  and  find  
3 *The  mixture  represents  the  spices  used  in  burials.   something  small  enough  to  fit  inside  a  plas1c  egg  that  
could  help  them  share  the  story  with  others  who  may  not  
Place  the  marshmallow  in  the  center  of   know  the  wonderful  news!    Walk  with  them  and  help  them  
the  crescent  triangle.  Fold  and  pinch   find  something  small  to  put  inside  the  egg.  Some  
4 the  edges  1ght.  Put  each  crescent-­‐ ideas  may  include….  A  small  stone,  a  
wrapped  marshmallow  on  a  slightly   small  piece  of  linen,  a  1ny  cross,  small  
greased  cookie  sheet.   silk  flower  (represents  the  garden  where  
5 Bake  the  rolls  as  directed  on  he  
Jesus  prayed),  a  shiny  dime,  etc.    Let  this  
be  their  “Missionary  Egg”  that  will  help  
package.   them  share  the  good  news!    (Isaiah  11:6  
*The  oven  represents  the  tomb.   “…and  a  liPle  child  will  lead  them.”)
6