Jakob's Sixth Grade Report Card - 2nd Semester

Jakob continued to stay busy during his second semester of sixth grade including student council, mathematics and calculator UIL, orchestra club, and after school art club.  Outside of school, his time is well spent helping with church and Boy Scouts.

Subject	3rd Nine Weeks	4th Nine Weeks	Semester 2	Year
Contemporary World Societies	98	96	97	96
Math	92	95	94	94
Orchestra	96	97	97	98
English	94	91	93	92
Reading	90	94	92	90
PE	100	100	100	100
Science	91	90	91	92

Jakob participated in Academic UIL in sixth grade focusing on Calculator UIL and Mathematics UIL.  At the Invitational UIL event, hosted at Navo Middle School, he placed 3rd in Mathematics.  As a team in Calculator UIL, they placed 1st and he also placed 1st individually between the competing schools.

On April 22, students competed at the district academic UIL meet at Harpool Middle School.  He placed 6th place in Calculator UIL out of all of the students completing.

1/28/2017 - Invitation UIL Event

4/22/2017 - District UIL Event

Jakob's turned twelve on February 1st.  The family all came over and we had a nice lunch at Babe's Chicken in Frisco, TX to celebrate.  Afterwards, we all came home, ate cake, and then Jakob opened presents.  Jakob had a few friends over to celebrate and a few stayed the night.

2/4/2017 - Roland, Jakob, and Ashlyn

2/4/2017

Boy Scouts:

Jakob continues to enjoy Boy Scouts.  Since he was in Confirmation with church, he was unable to attend as many campouts during the second semester.  However, his schedule should open up this upcoming school year to allow him to attend the monthly campouts.

Shooting Sports
February 17-19, 2017

2/17/2017 - Selfie with Jakob

2/17/2017 - Shooting Sports

Camporee
April 7-9, 2017

4/7/2017 - Buying Dinner at Sonic before
heading to Denton

4/7/2017 - Jakob and Ashlyn

4/7/2017 - Selfie with Jakob before the
boys headed out to Camporee

Jakob earned his Second Class rank with Boy Scouts Troop 366 on April 25, 2017.

4/25/2017 - Jakob earned 2nd Class with
Boy Scouts Troop 366

4/25/2017 - Jakob earned 2nd Class with
Boy Scouts Troop 366

Jakob continues to enjoy playing his viola in orchestra.  He continued to stay most days after school to practice.  Near the end of school, we were able to upgrade him to a size 15 viola.  It was a brand new nice looking instrument and he was so excited!

WINDY orchestra concert
March 23, 20017
Union Park

3/23/2017 - Sixth Grade Orchestra Concert

Jakob and the other orchestra players had their last concert on May 23rd.  He received an award for his class for best work ethic.

5/23/2017 - Spring Orchestra Concert

5/23/2017 - Spring Orchestra Concert

With the changes occurring at Cross Way UMC, I am thankful Jakob was able to complete confirmation prior to Pastor Chris leaving to his new church in Greenville, TX.

5/28/2017 - Jakob with Pastor Chris Yost

And... we made it!  Ashlyn finished her first year of Kindergarten and Jakob completed his first year of sixth grade in middle school!

6/1/2017 - Last Day of School

Check out Jakob's 1st semester of sixth grade here.

My Story

When I was nineteen, I moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex from Central Texas in November 1999.  My parents are believers, but we did not have a church home.  After moving to the metroplex, I started attending Prestonwood Baptist with a past boyfriend and was also baptized.

• Jeff and I married October 21, 2002 at First UMC in Coppell, TX
• Jakob was born February 1, 2005
• I resigned from GameStop in April 2005 to finish my degree.
• Jeff resigned from GameStop in August 2007 to finish his degree.
• Jeff finished his Bachelor's Degree from University of North Texas in December 2007.
• Jeff started working for Southwest Airlines in January 2008.
• I finished my Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Texas in May 2008.
• I was hired by Denton ISD at Navo Middle School in August 2009.
• Purchased and moved to Little Elm, TX after purchasing our first home together in 2009.
• I place the above bullet points, because I know now this was part of the process to get us where we needed to be.  God's prevenient grace.
  

Good friends of ours invited us to attend a Saturday service at Grace Avenue UMC summer of 2011 prior to Ashlyn, our second child, being born.  We learned about Cross Way UMC, a daughter church being started along the 380 corridor.  Jeff, Jakob, and I began attending the preview services and we started feeling connected.

The Yost family have been in our lives since before Ashlyn was born!  Pastor Chris Yost and Melissa Yost came over to visit along with getting to know us on July 18, 2011 before she was born.  Prior to leaving, he blessed her room and Melissa asked if we had anyone to come over in case she decided to come overnight.  Ashlyn was born overnight (July 19th) at 3:11AM and Melissa came over to stay with Jakob until our parents arrived from out of town.  

After she was born, the members of Cross Way UMC set up to have dinners delivered to us.  From this point on, the Yost family was always there for us along with other members of the congregation.  We were amazed by the generosity of all of them and were so thankful.   

In the last six years, I have grown in my faith.  I am more actively reading my bible, attending different classes, am involved with life groups, and prefer Christian music over other genres.  My husband and I both agree with John Wesley's quote, "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."  Pastor Chris always stated, "Church is a verb, not a noun.  Go be the church."

3 General Rules:

1. Do no harm

2. Do all the good you can in all the places you can and all the ways you can.

3. Stay in love with God.

Through my experience at Cross Way UMC, I have learned how God as a Trinity, three persons in one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  I believe in salvation through Jesus Christ.  His life, death, and resurrection demonstrate God's redeeming love.  The Holy Spirit is God's present activity in our midst.  John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, describes God's grace.  Grace is a gift from God, undeserved, but God loves me.  Everything always starts with God.  Looking back, Jeff and I always discuss did we find Cross Way UMC or did Cross Way UMC find us?  Overall, I am thankful because our lives have been forever changed.

Transitions: By the Way - 4/30/17

This past Sunday, June 4th, was Pastor Chris' last Sunday at Cross Way UMC since he was reappointed to Wesley UMC in Greenville.  On Monday, June 5th, I picked up my Jesus Calling book and read the devotional for June 5th and then decided I should read the day before which I am glad I did.

June 4th - "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young

Welcome challenging times as opportunities to trust Me.  You have Me beside you and My Spirit within you, so no set of circumstances is too much for you to handle.

The way to walk through demanding days is to grip My hand tightly and stay in close communication with Me.  Regardless of the day's problems, I can keep you in perfect Peace as you stay close to Me.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. -- James 1:2

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. -- Philippians 4:13

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you. -- Isaiah 26:3

I needed to hear those words as I was struggling with the changes and the unknown.  It reminded me of a previous sermon from Pastor Chris from the end of April.

Transitions: By the Way

4/30/2017

http://first5.org/plans/Acts/ff_acts_18/

“Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.”

Acts 16:6-12 NIV

http://bible.us/111/act.16.6-12.niv

Pastor Chris focused on how it can be frustrating when you don't know where to start and reminded the congregation that Cross Way UMC is on the move.  When God sends, we follow.  Period.  In the scripture, Acts 16:6-12, the spirit of Jesus was doing what location services (GPS within technology) does for us today.  It was sending them where they needed to be.  We are on a mission from God.  He reminded all of us how God's plan pre-dated Cross Way UMC since we are the daughter church from Grace Avenue UMC in Frisco, TX.  There is a amazing journey ahead!  Pastor Chris ended the sermon focusing on Hebrews 12:1-4.  I am reminded when we focus on God's plans, rather than our own plans, life tends to go easier!  Everything will fall into place as it always seems to do.

God’s Discipline Proves His Love

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;[c] then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

The sermon reminded me of the song, God is on the Move, from 7eventh Time Down.  As a mom, the most amazing thing is to hear my kids sing christian music including this one.  This is probably one of their favorites too!

Link to previous:

http://lisasmith1019.blogspot.com/2017/05/savior-way-god-works-31117.html

Farewell to the Yost Family

Not going to lie, today was hard.

The Yost family have been in our lives since before Ashlyn was born!  Pastor Chris Yost and Melissa Yost came over to visit along with getting to know us before she was born.  Prior to leaving, he blessed her room and Melissa asked if we had anyone to come over in case she decided to come overnight.  Ashlyn was born overnight at 3:11AM and Melissa came over to stay with Jakob until our parents arrived from out of town.

Pastor Chris will be the pastor at Wesley UMC beginning this July in Greenville.  We will surely miss the Yost family as they have truly been an amazing inspiration to our family.  I am grateful we were introduced to him, his family, and to Cross Way UMC.  I always ask the question, did we find Cross Way or did Cross Way find us?

Pastor Chris said it best this morning, "We always have our best days ahead.  Period.  We don't want to forget to celebrate along the way.  Each yesterday's joy of tomorrow is fulfilled today.  Don't forget to take note of it and celebrate.  The best is yet to come.  The best is yet to be.  God's best is always coming."

Love y'all Yost Family!

Jeff, Lisa, Jakob, and Ashlyn Smith

Savior: The Way God Works - 3/11/17

On Friday, March 10th, we found out about Pastor Chris being relocated to Greenville.  He will be the pastor at Wesley UMC beginning this July.  We will surely miss the Yost family as they have truly been an amazing inspiration to our family.  I am grateful we were introduced to him and his family and to Cross Way UMC.

Savior: The Way God Works - 3/11/17

The call of the first disciples illustrates one of the purposes of Jesus' ministry: to call people to follow him in self-denying obedience.

“As Jesus walked alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, because they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," he said, "and I’ll show you how to fish for people." Right away, they left their nets and followed him. Continuing on, he saw another set of brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father repairing their nets. Jesus called them and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

Matthew 4:18-22 CEB

http://bible.us/37/mat.4.18-22.ceb

The opening song to church that evening hit me hard.  I can hear the tune and I can remember exactly where I was standing.  The main lyrics go something like:
I will follow you,
Where you go I will go
Stay I will stay
Serve I will serve...

My reflection / notes:

• Really frustrating when you experience real people in poverty.  Then you see someone... momentarily glance and then you look away as quick as you can?? God I really don't want to see what I just saw but God is there something I can do? It never fits into your schedule. You understand the call of serving and having god in your life.
• People in this passage:
• Peter is a goof ball sometimes.
• Andrew maybe a little bit more wholly.
• James 
• John
• Fisherman -- multiple job concepts related to fisherman.
• These fisherman Were just going about their lives. Jesus takes the initiative to see them.  Jesus is the one who speaks to them.  Seeks to offer. Seeks to restore the relationship.
• The call was for everyone.
• Redemption story. God calls us to be apart of. Miracle is the call itself. Jesus would speak the word and people would follow.
• Jesus says, "Follow me."  As he leads, we follow.
• Take the plans you had and set them aside.
• Chris handed out fishing nets.  Whatever God is calling you to.  What vocation are you in?  Go be it. You are the one.

Then, I read my Jesus Calling book for March 12th!  It was spot on to what I was feeling with the news and all of the emotions.  It was one of the moments, when I said, "Okay God, I'm listening."  I am reminded more now than ever to stop and listen when I am troubled.  God has a way of speaking to me, but you just have to slow down to listen and hear him.

Jesus Calling - 3/12/2017

Waiting, trusting, and hoping are intricately connected, like golden strands interwoven to forma  strong chain.  Trusting is the central strand, because it is the response from My children that I desire the most.  Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects you to Me.  Waiting for Me to work, with your eyes on Me, is evidence that you really do trust Me.  If you mouth the words "I trust You" while anxiously trying to make things go your way, your words ring hollow.  Hoping is future-directed, connecting you to the inheritance in heaven.  However, the benefits of hope fall fully on you in the present.

Because you are Mine, you don't just pass time in your waiting.  You can wait expectantly, in hopeful trust.  Keep your "antennae" out to pick up even the faintest glimmer of My Presence.

John 14:1; Psalm 27:14; Hebrews 6:18-20