MID WEEK MOTIVATION - April 22, 2026 (Laura Ullrich)

You're listening to the Midweek Motivation Podcast from DeSoto Hills Baptist Church in South David, Mississippi.

Here's your host, Mark Lewis, David Burgess, Laura Ulrich, and Pastor Grant Digall.

Welcome to the Midweek Motivation Podcast for Wednesday, April the 22nd, here at DeSoto Hills Baptist Church.

I'm Mark Lewis.

And I'm Laura Ulrich.

We hope this programming can encourage folks throughout DeSoto County and beyond.

Be sure to subscribe and share our link on social media.

We're going to get straight to the calendar because we've got lots of things that are coming up.

And we're going to start with today because tonight is the last night of spring classes here at DeSoto Hills and our spring schedule.

So all of our events on Wednesday night for the spring are wrapping up tonight.

And then next Wednesday, we will be off for one week.

And then our summer schedule will end up starting on May the 6th.

And as we've said a couple of times, the summer schedule's really pretty similar to the school year schedule, with the exception of uh we do not do children's choirs.

And that may be actually it.

That and the fact that we we don't go full hour and 15 minutes.

Yeah, that sounds good.

So that is the the big news as far as starting the calendar off.

The other news is um coming up this Saturday, we have um the Grand Pre-Test Day.

Oh, that's so kind.

A little sound effect to get people's attention so they'll pay attention to that.

That means you haven't listened to the podcast in a week or two.

Good, because what I asked Grant, the question I asked Grant, I'm about to get ready to ask you, and you didn't have time to prepare, which is good.

Okay.

All right, so tell us about the Grand Prix.

Grand Prix.

It is April 26th at 5 p.m.

And um before I get to Saturday, as Mark alluded to, um, let me tell you about the event.

The registration for the Grand Prix is online at DeSotoHills.com.

And it is for pre-K through kindergarten all the way up to sixth grade.

So, like, I say pre-K, I meant like preschool.

Like two years old can be in the Grand Prix all the way through sixth grade.

Um, two years old through kindergarten and pre-first will race um Hot Wheel cars.

And then first through sixth grade, they get to make uh Lego like derby cars.

Look at that.

Yes, the Grand Prix is this is the third annual.

Third annual Grand Prix, and it has been an incredible event here at Sunday.

It's pretty fun.

Became pretty popular from the get-go, from year one.

Yes.

We had to move it from the tree house because it was too many people in.

We did it in the tree house, and that was probably a fire hazard.

So we moved to the NBC where we had a little more room to spread out, and we still had a whole bunch of people.

So it was super great.

Um this year though, our registration is a little lacking, so we need some more folks.

But the deadline to register online is um April the 22nd.

I think that's next Wednesday.

That's the Sunday.

Or that's today.

That's today.

Right.

Yeah, not right now it's right now.

Today's listening to this tonight's it.

Yeah, by 11 59 p.m.

So sign up today, please.

Okay.

So if they want to um work on their car, they will have to do that on their own because we had a work day last Sunday.

Right.

And so, um, however, however, never fear because once you get your little so when your kid registers and they're in first to sixth grade, they will get a little take-home like kit for um their Lego car.

And they can build their car following the specifications.

It's very important.

And then if they would like to test their car on the track, they can do that this Saturday from I mean 10 to 11 a.m.

only for an hour.

For the test day.

For the test day.

And that is the only day they can test their car.

It's really important.

The other really good thing about that is they can weigh it with you at a time.

That's right.

Because in case you don't know the laws of physics, if it weighs lighter, sometimes it doesn't go as fast.

Or who knows, right?

So you need to come test it and try it out.

Um, but that's the only day to test.

You cannot test it on Sunday, the day of the race.

That's a big no go.

Right.

So um it's super fun.

We'll have food, fun, trophies.

Yes.

Have you told him about the trophies?

I have not told them about the trophies, but before we get to the trophies, the question I asked Grant the other day was what snacks will we be having at the Grand Prix?

Last year we had.

What did he say?

He said, I have no clue.

Last year we had popcorn.

I remember that.

I remember a cookie tray because you know I'm pretty big into the cookies.

Oh, yeah.

Uh, you did have some little popcorn buckets.

What refreshments can we expect this year?

Well, in case you're just coming for refreshments, we're having popcorn.

Chocolate chip cookies.

I thought about this today with the cookie situation.

Kids really only like chocolate chip.

Yeah, and you know, we can make those here at the church.

We might make them or we might not.

It just depends on my cookie bakers if they have time to make them for me.

We shall see.

But there'll be chocolate chip cookies there.

You got a cookie baker sitting right there.

All right, well then you can make the cookies.

But we need to make sure that we have ordered some.

I will I will get on that.

We do not have to discuss that on the podcast.

Oh, the refreshments.

All right, so refreshments are a big deal.

And chips.

We will have little packs of chips and bottles of water because I don't want to clean up sticky floors.

Truthfully.

The truth be told.

You know that's true.

Yes.

And all these people listening know that that's true too.

Yes.

Sticky floors.

Okay.

Trophies.

We can move on to trophies now.

Trophies.

Trophies.

All right, so we have trophies.

First, second, and third place in design for first through sixth grade.

Sorry, my little friends.

But we have first, second, and third place in speed for the two years old through kindergarten and pre-first, they're a group, and then first through third grade is a group, and then fourth through sixth grade is a group, and then we have a grand champion trophy, which is always the goal of all the participants, is to get this grand champion trophy.

And that is given out uh the fastest card first through sixth grade.

Yes.

You can play your sound effects.

Yeah.

So uh that is the Grand Prix, and we are looking forward to it.

It is going to be incredible.

That's going to take place at 5 p.m.

this Sunday, the 26th.

And if you do not have children participating, you can still come enjoy it and watch because it is very entertaining.

It is very entertaining.

It is, yes, it is something to see.

Yep.

And then we've already mentioned that there is going to be no activities on the 29th, Wednesday, the 29th, that is next Wednesday.

And then we will start our summer schedule.

Uh, it will begin on May the 6th.

And I haven't checked.

Um, I think Grant said those classes are going to be listed in the worship guide.

So if you're curious about the summer offerings, because that is those are different for adults.

So check that out.

Kids will be meeting in the treehouse.

Some of us.

The sixth graders on May 6th get to go hang out with the youth.

Only on Wednesday nights, though, parents don't send them over there yet.

I'm not done with them.

But both children and youth will do a lot more act uh outside activities during the summer.

That's one thing we love about it.

We get to go out and play kickball and nine square in the air and gaga ball and all of it.

And so lots of lots of fun out outside stuff that will be happening.

Uh, and then we've got, gosh, uh graduate graduation recognition service.

I skipped right over that, but that's May 3rd.

So um that's always a big deal here at DeSota Hills.

And then we've got the 17th night of worship, and that's basically it for school.

Um, we start, we hit Memorial Day, and we've got salute to summer, and we've got all kinds of stuff.

You totally skip Mother's Day on the 10th.

I did, but I mean I mean it's important.

It is Mother's Day.

We should remind people.

I'm I'm pretty sure people know Mother's Day is happening on the 10th.

I mean, reminders are great.

Uh, and then vacation Bible school, Laura.

Uh did you want to go ahead and start talking about that?

Because that is a mere gosh, what is that?

Six weeks.

Is that six weeks away?

Yeah.

That's really only six weeks away.

We gotta get on it, Mark Lewis.

I've been I've been on it, you know me.

I know, I know.

Okay, so all I'm gonna tell you about it right now.

Not because I don't know.

I just don't want to spill, you know, all the things right now.

Um so registration will open on May the first.

And that's very important.

That's what I have.

We really need people to register early.

Yeah.

Because it helps us in so many different ways.

So many ways.

We'll be uh selling t-shirts.

And it helps them too.

So parents, you know.

T-shirts this year.

We will have some t-shirts.

I do have the t-shirt designed and uh almost ordered as soon as I get some t-shirt sizes.

All right, tell us the theme this year.

Um it's Ireland Everlot.

Anyway, the theme is Ireland.

Oh, Emerald.

And uh it's based off of Psalm 23.

I do know that.

So that'll be super cool.

Life of David.

Um, and lots of green things.

Gold.

Pot of gold.

I did order some like pots to put like gold.

Very nice.

Nice touch.

Thanks.

We have a zillion people that have to make Bible school come together.

Um, everything from tech people to lots of people who volunteer to decorate, lots of people who volunteer to help with the kids, logistics, all of it.

Um, crazy amount of people, actually.

That's a lot.

If we were to start listening to that, we wouldn't be on this podcast for four days.

People would get bored.

Yes.

So uh having said all of that, May 1st, it is going to open up on our website.

So be looking for that.

We are now going to move to the portion of the podcast that we call the midweek moment.

All right, so it's springtime, and it has been for a little while now.

But something that I enjoy about spring is the newness that comes with spring.

It's kind of like the blah of winter, the dreariness of winter is finally over and the sun comes out, and um, you know, kids can go outside and play.

Uh my son enjoys not wearing shoes from about now till November, um, and that's totally fine.

I'm a biker.

Yeah.

So I you like to go outside.

I cannot ride the bike in the cold.

Like I'm cold natured anyway.

So I love it when it hits about 65 degrees and I can start riding out.

Have you been outside riding a lot?

Oh, yes.

The past two weeks have been beautiful.

There you go.

See?

It's great.

We love to get outside and bike and walk our dogs and just hang out outside.

And um something so the Ulrichs have this new, like I I don't really know what it's called, this new hobby, I guess.

Um Nolan decided that he wanted a garden and uh he wanted it like a raised garden.

So Nolan and Brandon are growing various uh vegetables and some strawberries, cucumbers, I guess that would be fruit, and um in this garden.

And Nolan is super excited about the garden.

And every day he goes and checks, and we now have some corn that's starting to grow above the dirt, and we have some cucumbers, and he gets so excited to see those things growing up out of the dirt, even though they're not, I mean, they may be an inch and a half high currently because we need some rain.

But he really enjoys going out there and checking on the garden.

Now, meanwhile, I had another hobby, it's over now though, because um the birds flew away.

But we have this birdhouse uh by our Screen 10 porch, and every year we have at least one bird family that comes in, lays uh their little eggs, and then they fly away.

Well, for Christmas this year, Nolan received an endoscope camera.

Do you know what that is?

Uh yes, I'm familiar with it.

Oh, okay.

Of course you are.

All right, Mr.

Tech Man.

Okay, so endoscope camera is kind of like what they use like to do in you know endoscopy.

And you stick this cable camera thing in these different holes or lakes or streams, and you can kind of see what's in there.

So I thought it would be a great idea to photo um photo follow or take pictures of the birds every day from their egg all the way you are looking at me like that's the most dumbest thing I have ever heard.

No.

Okay, it was great.

So I took pictures from their the five little eggs all the way up to the day before they flew away.

I think that's cool.

It was amazing.

I'm a purple marten guy, so I have Purple Martin house, and we are b big into purple martens.

It's a chore to try to get keep them because there's so many predator birds that want to sign them off.

Right.

But when I do get families in that house, and I've the past two or three summers I've had them, we have not gotten bit by one mosquito because they eat they eat their body weight every day in mosquitoes.

We need some of those at our house.

So you will not get bit if you get a purple martin house.

But it does take some work to get them and attract them, and then you have to relocate other birds that get in their house.

Oh, and we're gardening and that takes some work.

Right.

So these birds, like I was so excited.

Every day I would go out and check on them.

No one would come sometimes.

Addison just looked at me like, you know, Mom, you're kind of crazy, but it's okay.

And uh, but then they flew away.

I didn't know they were gonna fly away.

And sad.

I went out there like two days ago and to take my little picture because I took one every day, and they were gone.

It was sad.

That's why my hobby's over until there's a new a new nest.

But um anyway, so with spring comes all this newness, you know, new life and new crops and new flowers and all the new things.

And there's a verse in scripture that talks about just the wonder of creation and um taking time to praise God for that creation because I think sometimes we kind of overlook that.

So um, I'm gonna read it for you.

It's an Isaiah 42, 10, and it's from the message version, so hopefully no one will um unfollow us, but I just thought it gave a really good description.

I might not get to do a podcast for a really long time, so enjoy it.

You're good.

Go for it.

All right, I'm moving on.

Sing to God a brand new song, sing his praises all over the world.

Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause with all the far-flung islands joining in.

Let the desert and its camps raise a tune, calling the cater nomads to join in.

Let the villagers in Sela round up a choir and perform from the tops of the mountains.

Make God's glory resound.

Echo his praises from coast to coast.

I just think that's really a refreshing Bible passage.

I love it.

Like, and it's different because it's from the message, and that's okay.

Um, but it just is a reminder that you know, the God who you know is the ancient of days, the Alpha and Omega, the the great I am, who was and is and is to come, you know, you think of all those big things, and he made creation, and he made creation to glorify him and to praise him.

And what an amazing thing it is to think about all of creation, even my little birds that I I watched until they flew away, you know, were made to to praise God.

And I think as we're outside over the next weeks and enjoying spring and summer, um, you know, just to just to take a moment and praise God for creation.

Maybe something as little as your little purple, whatever they are.

Purple martens.

Purple martens, thank you.

And, you know, or you know, a half inch tall or inch and a half tall thing of corn.

You know, it's just amazing how everything has a purpose, and that is to glorify God.

So um something that we can think about this week is, you know, to take time to pause and and be grateful for, you know, the the new life around us and let that um that attitude of you know being thankful and appreciating what God made flow into other areas of our life as well to bring us, you know, true joy that that God wants us to have during not only this season, but even in the dreary times.

And um sometimes I think that gets that gets overlooked.

So finding joy in something small, you know, in creation as you're outside.

So that's my challenge for this week is just to take a little bit and um and enjoy the spring weather, but get outside or look around in God's creation, even if you can't get out, um, and just find some joy in that.

All right, so I'm curious.

Did Nolan get into that because of Pleasant Hill?

Because they are so big into farming and gardening and all that stuff at Pleasant Hill.

I really don't know, but I think it's helped because he's in spotlight and um he loves going outside in their garden and he loves to feed the ducks.

He really wants some ducks or chickens, but our HOA doesn't allow such a thing.

And so um, yeah, so he's I mean, he's all about it's crazy.

He's all about the garden.

He likes the birds, he likes all the things.

Yes, I love it.

Thanks for listening.

If you don't have a church home, we'd love to see you here Sunday mornings.

You can catch our services online at DeSotaHills.com, our YouTube channel at DeSota Hills Baptist Church.

For all of our church family, we love you.

We'll see you back here bright and early next week for the final episode of the season.

God bless.

This has been your midweek motivation.

We'd love to have you join us in person on Sunday mornings.

Our services are at 9 and 10 30 a.m.