Afternoon exploring...

On Wednesday afternoon, I took the boys to Sand Bridge to explore and hike. We had a great afternoon and the boys found many things that interested them. They brought their cameras, journals, magnifying glasses and a canning jar to catch bugs. We had a peaceful and fun afternoon and the boys have not stopped talking about it.

Jeremiah and Elijah ready to explore the park!

I loved seeing the icicles and the water falling behind them.

Isaiah excited to see the water...

Elijah ready to climb up the hill...

Jeremiah enjoying Sand Bridge and looking for bugs!

So peaceful...

A happy little boy...

God is so good!

Jeremiah and Elijah having fun playing in the stream.

The beginning of Spring...beautiful...

Elijah exploring the stream.

The boys found a pump water fountain.

I love how these two branches are intertwined~

Little Blue Eyes

Isaiah turned 2 in February, and he keeps me running from morning until night! :) Here are a few pictures of little blue eyes.

I guess he figured if he smiled he would be OK! :)

He loves to do arts and crafts! He also loves to do "school" with his older brothers.

He loves hats and found this one in Jeremiah's drawer!

What a sweetie!

I love this picture, even though it's not the best of Elijah. After his brother, Isaiah, didn't want to play with him...Elijah struck this pose and said "little brothers...why do I bother?"

Feeding the ducks...

The boys and I try to go and feed the ducks about once a week. This particular place is on the same road as our local farmer's market. Every Wednesday we try to go to the market for fresh fruits, veggies and meat at the butcher's shop. The boys also enjoy getting a hot dog or a whoopie pie from one of the Amish vendors. We all have a blast.

Elijah with his camo hat and his Wall-E shirt!! (2 of his fav's)

After we fed the ducks, we headed down to Wal-Mart. The new Donut Connection had just opened that day, so the boys begged to go. I was a willing participant!! haha This donut shop is very nice. The tables have slate tops and the chairs are very pretty and comfy! The paint on the walls, pictures and lighting make it seem like a cozy little coffee shop. Jeremiah and Isaiah enjoyed a donut and Elijah opted for no donut(odd)...but he did have hot cocoa. I had a cream filled donut with Dt. Pepsi. I figured the diet soda zeroed out the calories in the donut....isn't that how it usually works??!! haha

Jeremiah excited about his donut at the new Donut Connection.

Jeremiah and Isaiah cheezin it!

Elijah enjoying his hot cocoa and talking to papa.

The Gift Was Not Cheap!

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." I Peter 1:18-19

I often wonder if we can ever really comprehend the price that was paid for our sins. I'm sure I will never be able to fully understand or appreciate the wholeness of this act...at least not while I'm on this earth. I often wonder how God would've been so freely giving of His own Son. As I look around my home this morning, I see three little faces staring back at me. I look at each precious face and see a picture of innocence reflecting back at me. I can never even begin to imagine sacrificing their lives for another. As a mother, I am too selfish to even consider that thought. How was God able to give the perfect gift?

Sometimes I am bothered by "Christians", including myself, who concern themselves with frivolous and worldly things. Here are just a few examples of things I've heard people:
-Should I tithe on my gross or net? I wouldn't want to give too much!
-Five dollars???....that is way too much for a spaghetti dinner that benefits the missions trip! I could make it for $1.
-What color should we paint the walls at church? I'm not coming back if my opinion doesn't count!
-What gimmick can we use to bring the flocks in with?
-I don't want anyone to be offended...I better not preach or teach that.
-Why can't I drink my coffee and play sports in the sanctuary?
-Traditional hymns in the worship service won't grow your church!
-We need to be more like a social club!

I could go on and on, but I'll spare you all. I just get so overwhelmed and quite honestly burdened for our world today. We as Christian have been given a guideline for holy living(BIBLE), but we are constantly trying to "fix" or improve upon what is already the perfect plan. What is there to fix? Is God's plan not perfect? Does it need repair from an imperfect, sinful world? I do not believe it does!! Why is it that we only want to "fix" or change the parts that make us feel uncomfortable? For example...person A thinks it's a sin that their neighbor lies all the time, but it's OK for person A to watch filth on TV...after all it's just entertainment and they've had a hard day and need to unwind.
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." James 2:10
"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?" Romans 2:1-3

I have felt convicted about this particular verse(James 2:10) for some time now. I try to be a "good" person, but that is not going to get me into Heaven. I am so thankful to be able to claim Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I know I have much improvements to work on, but I am thankful to have a guideline for holy living. I am also thankful for the Gift that was given for me! If we all just take a moment to think about the price that was paid for our sins...AMAZING!

"He said to me: It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son." Revelations 21:6-7

I'm Busy...

Recently I had a moment that really made me think about some things. I was returning a video to the video store, and as I was walking out I saw a scene that stopped me in my tracks. Across the parking lot...stood a man with a look of hope and excitement on his dirt covered face. I looked at him for a moment and then started to get in my van and go home. I was by myself and I knew Jeremy and the boys were waiting for me to get home. Instead of getting in the van, I continued to watch this man standing in the gas station parking lot. This man looked to be in his mid-60's with gray hair peeking out from underneath his hat, old docker like pants and a beat up flannel coat that covered his shoulders. In one hand he held a stack of lottery tickets and in his other hand a coin.

As I watched this man scratch frantically at these lottery tickets, his facial expressions changed dramatically. His face would go from a look of hopefulness to a look of desperation and hopelessness. I couldn't help but think about the feelings and emotions that he had in those moments. I'm sure he thought he was going to win that day. I'm pretty sure that this was not the first time he had played this game of chance. I couldn't help but feel compassion for this man. Here this man, in his mid-60's, was putting what appeared to be all his hope and faith into these seemingly worthless paper cards. I wanted to walk over to the man and just start a conversation with him. Again...I was reminded that my husband and children were waiting at home for me. I also thought about how busy I was and that I should go. I reluctantly, but steadily got into my van and headed home.

This scenario happened 2 weeks ago, and I cannot get this man out of my mind. I regret not taking the time to invest in another person's life that day. I have no clue if I would've made a difference or if the man would've even been receptive to me. The fact is...I didn't try.

I wish I would've walked over and talked to the man that day. I wish I would've told him that there is a reward and riches beyond compare that he could win. I wish I would've taken the time to share Jesus with him that day. I do not know where this man stood with Jesus, but he just looked so hopeless when he didn't win. So often we put all our faith, effort and hope in worthless and worldly things. These things are only temporary and not eternal. We, as Christians, have the winning ticket, but too often we choose not to share it. I'm guilty of this myself! I often get caught up in all the chaos that each day holds, and at the end of the day realize I missed another chance to share Jesus. Do we really love our enemies/people we don't really want to bother with? Are we troubled by the fact that these people may go to hell if they die in their sins?

I challenge each of us this day...take a moment to share Jesus with someone today. Maybe it will be the cashier at the local grocery store, a shopper at the mall, a neighbor who lives a few steps away, that person that you just really don't like or maybe a guy at the gas station that has lost all hope. Jesus Christ is the one true HOPE! Take a moment to think about what Heaven will be like. Now take a moment to think about what hell will be like. As a person with compassion for others, I want them to experience the one true God of all wonders, the King of Kings, the Great I Am, the Alpha and the Omega, the perfect sacrifice for our sins.....JESUS.

Brave's Basketball Game

Jeremiah running out of the tunnel.

Jeremiah at the awards ceremony after his game.

Jeremiah very excited and a bit embarrassed about receiving praise from his coach!! :)

The team praying with their coach Pastor Jay. Very cool!

Jeremiah received a star for best offense! Way to go!

Pics from Red Robin

Jeremiah wondering where is food is!?!

My sweetie!! The best husband in the world!

Isaiah ready to color.

Elijah snuggling up!

Valentine's Day

Isaiah

Jeremiah excited about his new metal detector.

Elijah excited about his new Wall-E shirt.

Isaiah kissing his new bear from daddy.

Jeremiah giving daddy a hug and loving his new stuffed frog.

Elijah smiling with daddy and excited about his stuffed monkey.

Beautiful tulips from my boys.

My beautiful red roses from my sweet husband!

We had a wonderful Valentine's this year. I made breakfast for my guys and then we were off to Jeremiah's basketball game. They won and Jeremiah did a great job.

Saturday evening, Jeremy and I went out to dinner at Country Cupboard. We had a wonderful dinner and dessert. Jeremy's youngest brother, who practically lives at our house, offered to watch the little guys. I was a bit nervous, because I've never had anyone watch the except for my dad and mom. The boys love their Uncle Justin and were excited for him to watch them. They watched cartoon, got pizza and had a blast. We had dinner and then came straight home. I was relieved to find them sitting on the couch and happy as could be. Justin said "wow...that was a short date!" I just laughed and thanked him for doing a great job. I'm with my boys 24/7 and I love it. I'm glad Jeremy and I had a quiet and fun dinner and that the boys had a wonderful time as well.