julie pekkala is flipt

my thoughts on vacation bible school.....they inevitably lead to the following conclusive admonition for us all.....
be very nice to julie pekkala here on this earth because she'll be our boss in heaven!

julie pekkala is flat out amazing! this week she is the tireless leader for our church's vacation Bible school. the theme is flipt for Jesus - everyone knows julie is (flipt for Jesus that is)
she is the children's minister at rvcc. she serves others exuberantly and selflessly. she has supernatural patience with kids and continuously goes over and beyond what anyone could expect. not only is she over our entire children's program, but she also serves as an associate pastor, plays keyboards and sings in our worship band, and leads women's bible studies. she heads up vbs and directs several children's musicals each year. she has corraled a kid's band who can actually perform worship music for the kids program. she practices with this little band (called river pure) every week!

her life for God does not originate with a need to perform and gain approval. on the contrary, she seeks no glory for herself, but exerts countless energy for the "sake of the call".
kids absolutely love her.
she's a pied piper playing an irresistable tune, summoning children and all of us to serve God with shameless zeal and unbridled passion.

i love julie.
although watching her often makes me feel like a sloth -
she truly inspires me to live beyond my comfort zone.
she's definitely of the "just do it" philosophy.
and as a friend, she always makes me feel so loved and unconditionally accepted.
she loves me enough to not let me lie to myself. and she always calls me sweetie.

the last time mason and trent (who will be seniors this year!!!!!) were playing in the worship band together, i caught a glimpse of julie singing and smiling and praising God and i had one of those "moments", an epiphany if you will.
i met julie when my son mason and her son trent were in preschool at the christian school. the two of them became fast and furious buddies. i went to a little baptist church at the time and she went to a little methodist church. little did we realize that God was bringing us together way back then, knowing we would eventually be serving Him together at rvcc.

okay - i am off topic.
i know she doesn't want any recognition...i know she does what she does because of her love for God and others - but i am telling you -
just watching her makes me tired and happy at the same time.
did i already say i love her - well i do!