Moments like these help me believe that all is right in the world...for a brief moment at least. I love that these two are friends. I love watching them express concern for one another. I love watching them play together...they actually have conversations now which is an endless source of surprise and laughter for their mama. My older brother and I...well there were many years where we didn't get along. It was extreme. Some siblings don't get along and then there was Scotty and I. Thankfully, we do now. I pray that Kylee & Jude will always be friends.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Friends
Moments like these help me believe that all is right in the world...for a brief moment at least. I love that these two are friends. I love watching them express concern for one another. I love watching them play together...they actually have conversations now which is an endless source of surprise and laughter for their mama. My older brother and I...well there were many years where we didn't get along. It was extreme. Some siblings don't get along and then there was Scotty and I. Thankfully, we do now. I pray that Kylee & Jude will always be friends.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Daddy
Thank you Daddy for being the best! We love playing and snuggling with you! Love, Kylee & Jude
I couldn't tell you why exactly but for the last couple weeks I have been thinking about my Grandpa Hans. Missing him. Reliving the time he was in the hospital and then Liberty Country Place. His funeral and the beautiful time afterward with family on the Willipa. His house has a new roof now. It looks like a swiss flag. It is awesome. I wish he could have seen it.The other day in the car Kylee asked me, "Mama, are we gonna die today?" I told her I didn't think so that I think God has a lot more things he wants us to do here. Someday, I said, when we have done all the things that God wants us to, we will go to heaven to be with Jesus. Kylee replied, "I don't want to die today. I want to see lots of things." I agreed that she has a lot of things to do and see. Then she asked me what Heaven looked like. I told her I didn't know but that I know it is perfect and beautiful.
Perfect and beautiful and I hope that when I get there I can give my Grandpa Hans a big hug and tell him how much I missed him.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Making a difference
I heard an awesome sermon this weekend. It was one of those times when you realize that God is trying to get your attention. Do you know what I am talking about? Several different ways through out the last couple of weeks I have been hearing a version of this particular message. How am I making a difference? I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, neighbor and there are a number of ways that I can love and serve those around me. God gives me opportunities each day...the questions is what do I do with them?
The following is from the Barna Group based on research regarding the young (18-29 yr old) unchristians perception of Evangelicals. The Common negative perceptions include that present-day Christianity is judgmental (87%), hypocritical (85%), old-fashioned (78%), and too involved in politics (75%) - representing large proportions of young outsiders who attach these negative labels to Christians.
Even among young Christians, many of the negative images generated significant traction. Half of young churchgoers said they perceive Christianity to be judgmental, hypocritical, and too political. One-third said it was old-fashioned and out of touch with reality.
What am I doing to perpetuate such perceptions? How can I help change them?
Well for me the answer starts here with these two precious little ones entrusted to my care. My goal is to teach them to live as Christ...Christ extendened grace and love. He wasn't hyprocritical...His actions were always consistent with the words that came out of His mouth. Politics...Christ was about loving people and restoring them to a right relationship with the Father. Old fashioned? Out of touch with reality? Loving people will never be old fashioned or out of touch with reality! My hope is that I can live in such a way that this is what my children come to understand it means to live as Christ. No small order. I am human. I have bad days. I am selfish and bound to let them down. But the word says:
Mark 12:28-31 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.[e] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'[f] The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[g]There is no commandment greater than these."
I know this is truth and I know this is how I can make a difference. Now I need to pay attention, as stated by my good friend Diahan, and look for ways to love others as Christ loves. And this my friends is a good way to start changing the perception of Christians today.
The following is from the Barna Group based on research regarding the young (18-29 yr old) unchristians perception of Evangelicals. The Common negative perceptions include that present-day Christianity is judgmental (87%), hypocritical (85%), old-fashioned (78%), and too involved in politics (75%) - representing large proportions of young outsiders who attach these negative labels to Christians.
Even among young Christians, many of the negative images generated significant traction. Half of young churchgoers said they perceive Christianity to be judgmental, hypocritical, and too political. One-third said it was old-fashioned and out of touch with reality.
What am I doing to perpetuate such perceptions? How can I help change them?
Well for me the answer starts here with these two precious little ones entrusted to my care. My goal is to teach them to live as Christ...Christ extendened grace and love. He wasn't hyprocritical...His actions were always consistent with the words that came out of His mouth. Politics...Christ was about loving people and restoring them to a right relationship with the Father. Old fashioned? Out of touch with reality? Loving people will never be old fashioned or out of touch with reality! My hope is that I can live in such a way that this is what my children come to understand it means to live as Christ. No small order. I am human. I have bad days. I am selfish and bound to let them down. But the word says:Mark 12:28-31 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.[e] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'[f] The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[g]There is no commandment greater than these."
I know this is truth and I know this is how I can make a difference. Now I need to pay attention, as stated by my good friend Diahan, and look for ways to love others as Christ loves. And this my friends is a good way to start changing the perception of Christians today.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Monday, February 02, 2009
Always a source of wonder...
Last night before bed we decided to play a little game of hide n' seek. Kyle, Kylee & Jude did the counting while Mama found a place to hide. It was during this little game that Kyle discovered our sweet little boy can count to 10. We were amazed...and so excited that we then proceeded to try and capture it on video...532 takes later (slight exageration) we got it. Well worth showing off this little smarty pants!
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