Quizzing

Our final Genesis quiz-off was held on Saturday. We headed over the mountain to compete with all the churches in our district. Our team took 5th, nothing to be ashamed about! The last two years, Jeffrey has qualified for the regional competition as an alternate. He really wanted to qualify as an all-star this year. He got his wish! He missed only one of the forty questions asked. Kayla missed qualifying by just ONE question. We are so proud of her, as this is her first year quizzing at this level. We had a wonderful time.

We're looking forward to going to Point Loma in May for the regional quiz. Nathan is excited about seeing his Auntie Sarah and Uncle Mark and going to Disneyland.

Blessings,

Nathan

For some reason, I am just taken with this little guy lately. I love his positive outlook on life. His snuggles and cuddles. His precious little voice that tells me I'm the "best mommy in the whole wide woyld". (That's not a typo, that's how it sounds in his sweet little voice!). He's a bundle of energy, bouncing from one thing to another.

Rob was messing around with his camera and snapped these candid shots of Nathan. I love them. They show his personality. His craziness. His sweetness.

Often, I look at my children and wonder what plans God has in store for them. I beg for wisdom to direct them in the way they each should go. I plead for grace and mercy when I misdirect them and say things I shouldn't. I am in awe that God would allow me the opportunity to invest in the lives of His precious creations.

Blessings,



Psa 78:5 - 7 -- For he issued his decree to Jacob; he gave his law to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them- even the children not yet born- that they in turn might teach their children. So each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.

Keep Walking!

Samantha seems to be quickly mastering the art of walking! She's moved from the "Frankenstein" walk to some kind of high-knee-arms-out-for-balance walk! While she cannot yet stand up without assistance, she can turn a corner, stop and start again and will be running in no time! It's amazing the changes we see happening every time we turn around. What a precious gift she is!

Blessings,

FFF - Eyes

Today's foto theme is eyes. My children have the most beautiful eyes...Jeffrey's are a brilliant blue, Kayla's a deep green (like her Mama's), Nathan's are an amazing pale blue, and Samantha's eyes are often described as "captivating".



The love of I have for these precious children is often undescribable. How fortunate I am to be their Mommy!

Blessings,




Pro 20:12 -- Ears to hear and eyes to see--both are gifts from the LORD.

FFF - Easter Memories

Okay, this really isn't fair. Going back through past Easter's and looking at my kids has made me somewhat sad and nostalgic. It's amazing the difference 1 short year makes!

Easter 2002 - Love the "Bob" tie. This was back when he would wear a suit and not complain at all. He did it just cuz his mommy asked him to!!




Easter 2003 - Kayla had learned about Easter hats and just had to have one. She is still the fashion princess!




Easter 2004 - Enter Nathan...




Easter 2005 - I loved this picture of my two "big" kids, so had to include it, even though Nathan is missing!!




Easter 2006 -- Notice the hat, gloves and matching purse...also note the absence of a suit!!

Last Year - How is it possible for little children to grow up so quickly? I'm almost afraid to see how much bigger they will look this year!



He is Risen Indeed!

Blessings,

Resurrection Cookies

We're making Resurrection Cookies this year. I'm sure many of you have made them in the past, but for those of you who haven't, I thought I'd share the recipe. It really is a good hands-on Easter devotional for your family.

Ingredients:

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible

Instructions: These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).

Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers,and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22

Go to Bed!

On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9

Blessings,

Nothing is Accidental

My devotional reading this morning was so encouraging, I just had to share. Yesterday I finished the devotional by Amy Carmicheal that I'd been reading from. Today, not by accident, I picked up a devotional by AW Tozer that just happened to be lying on the bookshelf next to me. Today's devotional was entitled "Divine Purpose." The scripture reference was Isaiah 14:24. As I looked that up in my Bible, I was so encouraged by the Word of God.

Isaiah 14:24-27 -- The Lord Almighty has sworn this oath: "It will all happen as I have planned. It will come about according to my purposes. I will break the Assyrians when they are in Israel; I will trample them on my mountains. My people will no longer be their slaves. I have a plan for the whole earth, for my mighty power reaches throughout the world. The Lord Almighty has spoken-who can change his plans? When his hand moves, who can stop him?"

Last night, we received word from our agency of a previo in Giovanni's case. For more details on that, you can read our post on his blog. The amazing thing is, we are not discouraged, but have complete peace, knowing God's timing is perfect. Giovanni's adoption will happen just as God has planned it to.

In the words of AW Tozer, "I do not know why God does some things, but I am convinced that nothing is accidental in His universe. The fact that we do not know the reason behind some things is not basis enough to call them divine accidents."

I'm not sure what you're facing today, but I pray you will know that there are no accidents in God's universe. We may not know, or ever know, the reason behind some things, but our lack of knowledge does not change Who God is. When the Lord Almighty has spoken, no one can change His plans. His hand moves and no one can stop Him.

Blessings,

FFF - One Year Ago Today

This was an easy post for me! Our oldest son just turned 11 years old...how is that possible? Anyway, one year ago today (or there abouts), we were celebrating his 10th birthday. I was lamenting the fact that I now had a child in double digits, that over half of his time in my home was gone, that I was only 3 (now 2!) years away from having a teenager in my house. This year was a little easier. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. I see Christ's character lived out in him daily as he lovingly cares for his younger siblings, as he is quick to ask forgiveness and extend it, as he encourages his teammates on the basketball court and baseball field, and I am thankful.

This picture is of Jeff and my Grandmother, who is now 92! She had just moved here from Phoenix the month before. We love having Grandma Mc here to share life with us.

Blessings,

Job 8:8-10 -- "Just ask the former generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors. For we were born but yesterday and know so little. Our days on earth are as transient as a shadow. But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you from the wisdom of former generations.

Handpicked With Love

Samantha has an adorable shirt we purchased for Embassy Day. It's from Gymboree's Cherry Line (I think!) and it says "Handpicked With Love". As I read today's on-line devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries, I was reminded of that shirt. Not only was Samantha handpicked with love by God, for our family, I, too, was handpicked with love. Picked by God to be the mom to 4 (soon to be 5) precious children.

Today is laundry day. Well, it's the start of laundry week really! I used to be able to do laundry two days a week. How is it that one very small person can increase the laundry output in this house so that my washer and dryer now run all week long?!? Anyway, as I face piles of laundry that will just get dirty again, it's easy to get discouraged. So much of being a mommy is redoing what I just did a few days (or hours) ago. Sometimes I feel defeated before I even begin. But today, I was reminded that I'm building a legacy. I may be overlooked by the world, or even by my family, but God sees the tasks I tackle every day. I am shaping His kingdom by being a mommy. I'm worshipping Him by walking where He's asked me to walk and gladly doing what He's asked me to do.

I'm hand-picked with love to be right where I'm at, serving and loving His future disciples. It is an honor and a priviledge.

Blessings,

Deuteronomy 10:12-15 -- "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires you to fear him, to live according to his will, to love and worship him with all your heart and soul, and to obey the Lord's commands and laws that I am giving you today for your own good. The highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God. Yet the Lord chose your ancestors as the objects of his love. And he chose you, their descendants, above every other nation, as is evident today.