800 Beds
Navarre United Methodist Church and Sleep in Heavenly Peace: A Partnership of Love
At Navarre United Methodist Church, we believe in serving our community with the love of Christ. One of the ways we’re putting our faith into action is through our partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that no child has to sleep on the floor. Their mission is straightforward and powerful: "No kid sleeps on the floor in our town."
Founded by Luke Mickelson in 2012, SHP began as a small project in a garage and has grown into a worldwide movement. With over 300 chapters in 44 states and operations in four countries, SHP is bringing hope to families in need—one bed at a time. We’re proud to be part of that mission, and we’re making a real difference right here in Navarre and in our county.
A Community in Action
Our journey with SHP started in 2023, and the partnership has been nothing short of amazing. Last weekend, NUMC volunteers helped the SHP Pensacola chapter deliver their 800th bed! Can you imagine the joy on those children's faces? Getting a new bed is life-changing for kids who have spent countless nights sleeping on the floor or on a couch.
These beds aren’t just places to sleep—they’re symbols of care, security, and dignity. And the best part is that we can all be a part of it. Whether you’re handy with tools or not, SHP has a place for you to serve. You don’t need special skills or tools—SHP provides all the necessary materials and training. All you need is a willing heart and the desire to make a difference!
We’re also excited to announce that two more bed-building events are planned on our campus in 2025. These build days bring together our church family in such a meaningful way. It’s a chance to roll up our sleeves, work side by side, and know that we’re doing something tangible to help children in our community.
How You Can Get Involved
There are plenty of ways for everyone at NUMC to get involved in this vital work. If you’ve wanted to lend a hand but weren’t sure how SHP makes it easy. As we mentioned, you don’t need any special skills or equipment—show up with a heart to serve, and SHP will train you on the spot. From sanding and assembling bed frames to delivering the finished products to families, there’s a role for everyone.
If building and delivering isn’t your thing, you can still make a difference. Consider donating new bedding or making a financial contribution. For just $20 a month, you can join the Bunkhead Club, and your recurring donation will cover the cost of one complete bed by the end of the year—mattress, bedding, pillow, and all. You can do that here:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=EKHPFHJN4X2KW
Every contribution counts. Together, we can provide children with a safe, comfortable place to sleep, bringing them the gift of rest and the comfort of knowing they are loved.
The Power of Partnership
Our partnership with SHP is more than just a service project—it’s an extension of our mission to love our neighbors. By building and delivering beds, we’re showing the love of Christ in a practical way. It’s incredible to think about how something as simple as a bed can profoundly impact a child’s life.
When we partner with SHP, we’re not just building furniture; we’re building hope. Each bed delivered represents a child who can now sleep peacefully, knowing they are valued and cared for. And in serving these children, we’re serving Christ Himself, as Matthew 25:40 reminds us: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Looking Ahead
As we prepare for our upcoming bed builds in 2025, we’re eager to see even more of our NUMC family get involved. Whether you’re donating your time, talent, or treasure, this ministry has a place for you. Stay tuned for more details about our next build days, and let’s keep the momentum going as we work to ensure that no child in Navarre has to sleep on the floor.
Let’s continue to be Christ's hands and feet in this important work. Together, we can ensure that every child knows they are loved, valued, and safe.
If you or a family you know needs a bed, you can apply for one here:
https://shpbeds.org/apply/
God bless,
Christine
Stay Connected With Your Kids
Staying Connected with Your Kids During Busy Schedules
As we wrap up the second week of school, families are starting to settle back into their new “normal.” The initial rush of school supplies, new routines, and early mornings is beginning to stabilize. But now, another challenge emerges: staying connected with our children as our schedules rapidly fill up again. With kids spending six or more hours at school daily, not to mention extracurricular activities, how do we maintain that crucial connection with them? How do we ensure that the busyness of life doesn’t overshadow our relationships?
One of the best places to connect with our kids is in the car. Whether on the way to school, running errands, or heading to sports or dance activities, the car provides a unique environment for meaningful conversations. Unlike the hustle and bustle of home, where distractions are everywhere, the car is a contained space with fewer interruptions. It’s a low-pressure setting where kids often feel more comfortable opening up, making it easier to get more than just a “fine” answer when you ask about their day.
Car Conversations: A Simple Yet Powerful Tool
Our friends and partners at Parent Cue have offered some fantastic suggestions to help you get started with these car conversations. These questions are designed to be simple yet effective in drawing out more than just one-word answers from your kids. Let’s dive into them and explore how to use these questions to foster deeper connections.
1. What made you laugh today?
Laughter is a beautiful gift from God, and asking this question can bring joyful moments to your child’s day. Maybe it was a funny story from a classmate, a joke from a teacher, or something silly that happened at recess. Sharing these moments of joy lightens the mood and gives you a glimpse into the lighter side of their daily experiences. It’s a reminder that God’s joy is present even during routine school days.
2. Who was kind to you today?
Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, and recognizing acts of kindness helps our children appreciate the goodness in others. By asking this question, you encourage your child to reflect on positive interactions, whether it was a friend sharing their lunch, a teacher offering encouragement, or a classmate helping with a difficult task. It also opens the door for discussions about showing kindness to others and following Jesus’ example.
3. How did you help someone today?
We are called to serve one another in love, and this question encourages our kids to think about how they can be a blessing to others. Whether it was helping a friend with their homework, comforting someone who was feeling down, or even just holding the door open for someone, these acts of service, no matter how small, reflect the heart of Christ. Discussing these moments can help reinforce the importance of serving others daily.
4. What was your favorite part of the day?
This question allows your child to share what brought them the most happiness or satisfaction throughout their day. It might be a subject they enjoy, a game they played, or an accomplishment they’re proud of. By focusing on the positives, you help your child cultivate a grateful heart, recognizing the blessings that God has woven into their day.
5. What do you look forward to most about coming home?
Home is where the heart is, and this question helps your child express what they cherish about being with family. Whether it’s a favorite meal, playing with a sibling, or simply relaxing after a long day, discussing what they look forward to can reinforce the importance of family time. It’s also an opportunity to remind them that home is where they are loved unconditionally, just as our Heavenly Father loves us.
Creating Meaningful Connections
These questions are a great way to open the conversation with your kids. They’re simple yet intentional, providing a platform for deeper dialogue. But more importantly, they show your children that you care about their day-to-day experiences, joys, challenges, and everything in between.
In a world that often pulls us in many different directions, let’s prioritize staying connected with our kids. Let’s use our time—whether in the car or around the dinner table—to build strong, Christ-centered relationships with them. After all, as Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Staying connected through meaningful conversations is one of the ways we can guide our children on the path that leads to life.
May God bless your efforts to connect with your children, and may your conversations be filled with His love and wisdom.
If these questions are helpful, I’d encourage you to download the Parent Cue app for free weekly resources to help engage with your kiddo:
Parentcue.org/app
We Need You!
Church Family,
As we eagerly anticipate another summer filled with excitement, there's one event that's on everyone's mind (okay, at least it's on mine)—Vacation Bible School (VBS)! It's that wonderful time of the year when we gather for a week-long journey of faith, fun, and fellowship. On June 24th to 28th, from 9 AM to Noon, I'm inviting you to join me for this year's VBS: "Start the Party: Celebrate the good news!"
First off, a huge shoutout to those of you who've already jumped on board to volunteer this year. Your energy and dedication are the heartbeat of VBS, and I'm so grateful for each and every one of you. But guess what? We still need more helping hands to ensure this year's VBS knocks it out of the park.
Last year was phenomenal—we served a record number of kids, and the impact was immeasurable. But this year, we have an even bigger goal in mind: to almost double the number of children we reach. As I’m writing this blog post, we already have over 100 kids signed up in only 10 days. Imagine the lives we can touch, the hearts we can inspire, and the joy we can spread this summer. But to achieve this goal, we need YOU.
Now, I know I might sound like a broken record, but I cannot stress enough the importance of VBS. For many of the children in our community, this might be the only opportunity they have to hear about Jesus. It's a chance for us to share the gospel in a way that's engaging, interactive, and accessible to young hearts and minds. And let me share a testament to the power of VBS—last year, 9 kids said yes to Jesus! The faith of one of those children who said yes to Jesus led to her request to be baptized. She then had 12 other church members follow suit, along with several other reaffirmation baptisms. That's the kind of impact we're talking about! The faith of a child can move mountains!
But here’s the thing—you don’t need to volunteer for all five days. We'll take whatever time you can spare, whether it's one day, two days, or the whole week. Every moment counts, and trust me, there's something for everyone, even if you're not big on working directly with kids. We've got tech needs, snack prep, parent check-in—you name it, we've got a spot for you.
Last year's VBS brought growth, life, and excitement back to our campus, and this year will be no exception. So, if you're ready to join the party with a purpose, head over to navarre.church/vbs and sign up to volunteer or register your kiddos today. Space is limited, so don't miss out on this chance to make a lasting impact.
Thank you all for your unwavering support, and let's make VBS 2024 a celebration to remember!
God bless,
Christine
Lot's Wife
It’s a new year, and January is often the time when we have big hopes and aspirations for the year ahead. "I’m going to eat better, I’m going to exercise more," you know the drill. If you are still blazing ahead on your New Year’s resolution, good for you! I think it’s valuable for us to try and do better, and setting goals is a good way to do that and to hold ourselves accountable. It’s good for us to look back and review how things have gone so that we can improve and do better in the future. But what happens when we can’t stop looking back?
My family and I recently went on a trip around Christmas, and we had a long drive back home in the car. To kill the time, I scrolled through social media. With every scroll through my feed, I started to remark to my husband Chris about things that were going on with a former season of our lives. What was happening, who was doing what, can you believe that’s the direction things are going… you know, just thinking out loud. He then asked me why I still followed all those social media pages. That’s something I had never really given much thought to… why wouldn’t I want to know all the ins and outs of my former seasons of life? He then said, well, you don’t want to turn into Lot’s wife. I was a little miffed at the time with that remark. How was I going to turn into a pillar of salt for scrolling through Facebook… but as time passed, the drive, the days, and even the weeks after, I could not help but think about that comment. Do I truly have an unhealthy attachment to my past?
I started to see ads on my phone for books about “Don’t look back” and Bible studies about Lot’s wife. I kid you not. Maybe it was my phone listening in and eavesdropping, maybe the Lord was trying to tell me something; honestly, it was probably a little bit of both. So here we are, what can be learned about Lot’s wife as we move into 2024?
To give you some Biblical background, let’s head to Genesis 19. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, and his family lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. God had determined to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness. Two angels warned Lot to evacuate the city so he and his family would not be destroyed. The next morning the angels rushed Lot and his family out of the city, by the hand, before it was destroyed. They were instructed in Genesis 19:16-17 to “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” As the city had burning sulfur rain down, Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. On the surface, this seems like an extremely harsh ending for someone taking a glance over their shoulder. But it was so much more than a glance. She not only looked, but she looked back longingly. “But Lot’s wife, from behind him, [foolishly, longingly] looked [back toward Sodom in an act of disobedience], and she became a pillar of salt.” Genesis 19:26. The very thing she was told not to do, she did. But why would she do that? Could it be that she was living her life as usual, everything was going great, and suddenly she must pack up and abandon everything? I don’t know how I would react in that scenario either. I can speak to the times when I’ve had to make a sudden change I wasn’t expecting- 2020, anyone? The seeming whiplash from abrupt changes have been difficult for me. I’m a creature of habit; I want to know when a turn is coming on life’s highway and want ample notice. But that’s not always how it works, is it?
Let’s skip ahead to the New Testament, to the book of Luke 17. Jesus is in the middle of giving a prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world, or an Eschatological Discourse if you want to get technical… and he mentions these words (that are easy to miss!); he says: “Remember Lot’s Wife” (Luke 17:32). If Jesus said it, you better believe it’s important.
Looking back didn’t go well for Lot’s wife, nor does it for us. It’s impossible for us to move forward when our feet are firmly planted in the past. We become stuck. It could be in a memory, a place, a time, a mindset – anything that is preventing us from moving forward in the direction that God has called us right now. Now, I personally love looking back at fond memories: my wedding, the birth of our children, our recent Disney Cruise. I love looking back to see how God has intervened for me in seemingly impossible situations, where he’s provided, where he’s protected. The problem is when we look back, longing to return to a place or a season that God has called us out of and moved us on from. There are seasons for everything, right? The author of Ecclesiastes tells us “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). How can I be effective for the season of NOW if my heart and mind are stuck in a place where I no longer reside - physically, emotionally, and spiritually? It’s easy to do, believe me. I didn’t realize the degree in which I found myself longingly looking back without even realizing it. If we are being honest, we don’t always recall things exactly as they were either. We can risk idealizing a distorted version of what really was. Longing to go back to something we are not even remembering correctly. Remember the Israelites wanting to return to Egypt? Could it be that I find myself not trusting God as I should? I know he is good, but do I not trust his plans for where he has me at this moment? This has been quite an eye-opening journey for me to begin a mental course correction. But thankfully, God has grace upon grace for me, and for you, during these times we veer off course.
It's important for me, for the church, for all of us to keep moving forward into the next season. What God is doing now - let’s not miss it. I think all of us have experienced change that has caught us off guard, even within our church. But how we keep moving forward is by keeping our eyes on Jesus. It’s how we stay on track and move in the correct direction. Have you ever ridden a bike? Have you ever tried to turn around and look back while doing so? You were likely met with wobbly tires while you quickly tried to balance yourself again. You move towards where you are looking! Eyes forward, on Jesus, my friends! Psalm 123:1 tells us: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.”
If you find yourself stuck, or offtrack, prayer and reflection can help provide clarity for those areas. Seeking support from friends, joining a small group, or opting for pastoral or Christian counseling are valuable steps toward moving forward. As we enter 2024, let's step out of the past and into the future, embracing new beginnings, new seasons, and new opportunities to radiate the life, light, and love of Christ to the world."
God bless, friends!
-Christine
Overflowing Gratitude
Overflowing Gratitude: Celebrating the Blessings of Family, Church, Community, and Each Other"
In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, it becomes increasingly important for us to pause and reflect on the blessings that surround us, especially on this Thanksgiving Day. As followers of Christ, we are called to cultivate a heart of gratitude, recognizing the gifts that God has graciously bestowed upon us. Today, let's briefly remind ourselves of the amazing reasons we have to be thankful for our families, our church, our community, and each other.
Grateful for Our Families:
The family is a sacred institution established by God, providing a foundation for love, support, and growth. Every family is unique, special, and not without its own challenges at times. However, in the midst of our busy lives, it's crucial to express gratitude for the precious gift of family. Our families are the first communities we encounter, shaping our character and instilling values that guide us throughout life. As we gather around the dinner table, share moments of joy and laughter, or navigate challenges together, let us remember to give thanks for the blessing of family bonds that reflect God's unconditional love.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."
-Psalm 127:3 ESV
Thankful for Our Church:
Our church is more than a physical structure; it is a living, breathing community of believers united in faith. NUMC becomes a second family, a place where we worship, learn, and grow in our spiritual journeys together. Expressing gratitude for our church involves recognizing the diverse talents and gifts that each member brings to the body of Christ. Through fellowship, prayer, and service, we strengthen our connection with God and with one another. It is a beautiful place where everyone is welcome.
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
-Matthew 18:20 ESV
Appreciating Our Community:
Beyond the church walls, our local community serves as an extension of God's plan for us. It's a place where we can share the love of Christ through acts of kindness, compassion, and service. As we engage with our neighbors and contribute to the well-being of our community, we reflect the light of Christ. Let's be grateful for the opportunities to make a positive impact, demonstrating the transformative power of God's love beyond just our church walls. We have done so many wonderful things for the local community already. This year let’s seek to do even more to be the light, life, and love of Christ to our neighbors.
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others." -Philippians 2:4 ESV
Gratitude for Each Other:
In the tapestry of life, every individual plays a unique and essential role. I know I am forever grateful to all of you. It has been a joy and privilege getting to know more and more of you during my time here at NUMC. Today, let us appreciate the people God has placed in our lives—friends, mentors, and even those we encounter briefly. Each person contributes to the richness of our experiences and the depth of our understanding. By expressing gratitude for each other, we create an atmosphere of love and encouragement that mirrors God's intention for community. I am truly grateful for every one of you.
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
-Proverbs 17:17 ESV
As we reflect on the great blessings of our families, our church, our community, and each other, let us cultivate a heart of gratitude that overflows into our daily lives, especially today. In doing so, we honor God and bear witness to His love, creating a ripple effect that transforms the world around us. May our thankfulness be a testament to the goodness of our Heavenly Father, who richly blesses us in every season of life. Happy Thanksgiving, NUMC family!