It's a Blast by Erin Kirkland

Know a 4th or 5th grader? Ten or so years old, excited about life in general, and alternately jumping in and out of childhood with a frequency that startles everyone? Yep. A little goofy, sometimes, too.

It's a demographic that often is overlooked in church communities, these kids-turning-teens. A bit too old for Children's Ministry, not old enough for Youth Group, the 'tween set nonetheless needs the same guidance, support, and prayers as the younger and older kids.

My husband and I felt compelled, called, and certainly blessed to be a part of Trinity's Blast 45 this year; five ladies and gentlemen who are smart, funny, and incredibly insightful with their thoughts and actions. Yes, parents, your kids.

Have you ever asked them to pray for somebody? We do, every week. I'm not sure what I expected, maybe the typical children's request for health and wealth and good times, but what I heard was way, way beyond my own brain's boundaries. I heard heartfelt prayers for children starving in Pakistan, requests for awareness of our world's oceans, and not one selfless desire. Not. One.

Blast 45 meets every Sunday afternoon. Pray, play, and grow. All of us.

Want more information? Contact Megan Holliday at 345-4823 or visit the trinity web site HERE.

Trail Time and Spring Cleaning

The neighborhood surrounding Trinity was busy today as close to 30 people spent the morning working on various projects at the church and Huffman Park.

Painting, weeding, sweeping, and general maintenance tasks were performed on the church grounds, and about 15 people dove into a mega-maintenance project at Huffman Park next door. Armed with pruning saws, loppers, and a lot of goodwill, these folks spent four hours cutting, clearing, and otherwise spiffing up a previously overgrown and not-to-well maintained park.

The weather was beautiful, the company good, and the lunch delicious, thanks to Milt Tanora and his barbeque.

Many, many thanks to those who participated, in particular the members of Huffman PTA and O'Malley-Huffman Community Council for their time. A big thanks goes to the Municipality of Anchorage for loaning a bunch of tools. We couldn't have done it without you.

If you have a chance this week, take a walk through the trail system and see what a few hours of teamwork can do.

The Big Picture by Erin Kirkland

This is the time of year when I am desperate for something, anything that resembles spring besides a number on my calendar. It mocks me, this month of April, because every single calendar I view has a gorgeous tableau of spring's gleeful colors shouting out the entrance to warmer weather and sunshine.

I had a few free minutes the other day to take a short trail run, and while jogging along I began to inwardly whine about the lack of "green-ness" in my world once again. Tree branches stood out in stark contrast to the sky, and the dingy snow seemed like concrete beneath my feet. I think Tom talked about the colors of an Alaskan winter/early spring once in a sermon, and I've never forgotten the impact. Gray and Beige. Sky, ground, foliage; yep, that's what I thought I was seeing last Monday. Nothing but nothing.

But at the crest of a hill I stopped for a minute to stretch and something caught my eye. There, at the tippy-tip of a willow shrub, almost imperceptable, was indeed something green. I looked around at the rest of the shrub, and at its neighbors, and there they were, hundreds of them, misting ever so slightly a shade of green, and I had almost missed it because I was looking at the whole tree instead of just one branch, the place I should have been looking in the first place.

There is nothing wrong with looking at the Big Picture, the landscape of what we hope to see right now. But sometimes the closest, teeniest little detail is what gives us that larger view.

We would be remiss if we didn't pay attention, don't you think?

Give us a try at InsideOut and see if you don't see some little bit of detail that gives your life some color.

Attention Parents, Grandparents, Caregivers: Join us!

Our fabulous Wednesday Night Parents Group is starting a new book for our next discussion. We'll be reading "Parenting is Your Highest Calling and 8 Other Myths That Trap Us in Worry and Guilt" by Alaskan author Leslie Leyland Fields. The book is available on Amazon.com for around $11.

Anyone who cares for, lives with, or is interested in this book is welcome to join the group. We also enjoy a dinner together (and with our children, before they head off to their Club L.I.O activities) at 5:45 p.m. L.I.O, by the way, stands for "Living Inside Out" and is a great opportunity for kids to learn about the love of Jesus while parents are in the discussion group. We're done by 7:20 p.m.

If you have any questions about Trinity's Wednesday night activities, call the church office at 907-345-4823. We'd love to have more folks participate! Invite your friends, neighbors, and loved ones to this group.

Our START>

One of the ideas behind the InsideOut blog is to project stories of living a missional life to others in the community. With the beginning of our new Home Group study START> Becoming a Good Samaritan, we would like to hear more from people who are now challenged at the end of every chapter to come up with ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Our home group decided to begin this Thursday, Maundy Thursday, the day when Jesus sat down with his friends to share both a meal and a future for all mankind. We are beginning our study on a day marked by companionship and service and prayer.

It's a START> Hopefully, a good one.

Wednesday Night Fun

Trinity's Wednesday Nights are always a bunch of fun, especially the last Wednesday night of the month, where families take time to enjoy each other's company through interactive games and activities courtesy of Children's Ministry.

Last week kids and parents held a sledding party at Huffman Elementary (right behind Trinity) and Game Night. A little hot chocolate, a plate of warm cookies, some BINGO and Go Fish, a lot of fellowship. Everyone is welcome to join the fun beginning at 5:45 p.m. for dinner. Activities follow the meal and classes and discussion groups wrap up at 7:15 p.m.

Contact Trinity for more information 907-345-4823 or just show up!