David puts Grace to bed and I love to listen in!!
She gives her kisses then David carries her into her room. Through the wall I can hear him singing to her. He sings praise songs and the old hymns (ones he grew up with that I had no clue he was even paying attention!)
What a wonderful memory Grace will have - how much her Daddy loves her. And he is reminding her as she drifts off to sleep just how much her Heavenly Father loves her too.
Abba Father is so amazing.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Praying through yucky stuff
Every year I (Vicki) read through the Bible. This year I changed plans and am reading through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice. I am really enjoying the back and forth. Each day as I sit my prayer is for a new insight, a new truth to apply to my life.
Exodus 9:16 - But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.
These words, through Moses, were to the Pharaoh who had a very hard heart. God was using someone who had no relationship with Him to bring glory to God. He takes anything, even my disobedience, to bring beauty from ashes.
So, I am thinking my prayers have been off. So often I pray that horrible situations go away. I think my prayers should be for God to strengthen me to get through the situation, that His power would be evident in the miracles He will perform, that His name will be glorified. God wants us trust Him for miracles. We have not because we ask not.
In Romans Paul says "For we know all things work together for good for those who love God and called according to His purpose." How often do I forget that? He uses all things - pharaohs, cancer, bad situations. He is LORD - He can use anything and everything. He will as long as we trust.
Throughout my life I have been privileged to witness miracles in our lives. I know God will continue to perform miracles. We need to trust Him. Oh Lord, grow my faith.
God is so amazing.
Exodus 9:16 - But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.
These words, through Moses, were to the Pharaoh who had a very hard heart. God was using someone who had no relationship with Him to bring glory to God. He takes anything, even my disobedience, to bring beauty from ashes.
So, I am thinking my prayers have been off. So often I pray that horrible situations go away. I think my prayers should be for God to strengthen me to get through the situation, that His power would be evident in the miracles He will perform, that His name will be glorified. God wants us trust Him for miracles. We have not because we ask not.
In Romans Paul says "For we know all things work together for good for those who love God and called according to His purpose." How often do I forget that? He uses all things - pharaohs, cancer, bad situations. He is LORD - He can use anything and everything. He will as long as we trust.
Throughout my life I have been privileged to witness miracles in our lives. I know God will continue to perform miracles. We need to trust Him. Oh Lord, grow my faith.
God is so amazing.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Catching up the end of 2013
Nope, we didn't fall off the face of the earth, nor did we run away (though at times it was tempting!!). The last few months have been a roller coaster of emotions.
Brian's father Don passed away in December after a courageous battle with cancer and heart issues. The in and out of the hospitals, the hope, the discouragement, the fears and the tears. So many emotions. We rejoice he is out of pain. Yet he is greatly missed.
As only God can do there have been reconciled relationships. God is the only one who can bring beauty from ashes. He is the One who deserves all of our praise and honor.
Christmas was low-key. We are planning on scaling back even more next year - focusing on what is important, relationships.
Brian, myself, Kara and Forrest had the opportunity to visit San Diego from the 26 - 29 of December (had to use those hotel points and free admission to Sea World before they expired!)
We spent most of Friday and Saturday morning at Sea World. Saw lots of the exhibits, the Shamu and Clyde and Semour shows but the highlight for Forrest was meeting Elmo. I have never seen such a big smile on his face!!
We visited the beach though the water was very cold. We also took the ferry over to Coronado Island. We had a very nice dinner over there.
Forrest was a trooper. I don't remember being quite so tired with our children though!!
We are so excited to see what God is going to do in and through us in 2014. We have the blessing of watching our children and grandchildren grow and learn. We are blessed to have wonderful family surrounding us. I have no doubt God is going to do great and mighty things.
God is amazing!!
Brian's father Don passed away in December after a courageous battle with cancer and heart issues. The in and out of the hospitals, the hope, the discouragement, the fears and the tears. So many emotions. We rejoice he is out of pain. Yet he is greatly missed.
As only God can do there have been reconciled relationships. God is the only one who can bring beauty from ashes. He is the One who deserves all of our praise and honor.
Christmas was low-key. We are planning on scaling back even more next year - focusing on what is important, relationships.
Brian, myself, Kara and Forrest had the opportunity to visit San Diego from the 26 - 29 of December (had to use those hotel points and free admission to Sea World before they expired!)
We spent most of Friday and Saturday morning at Sea World. Saw lots of the exhibits, the Shamu and Clyde and Semour shows but the highlight for Forrest was meeting Elmo. I have never seen such a big smile on his face!!We visited the beach though the water was very cold. We also took the ferry over to Coronado Island. We had a very nice dinner over there.
Forrest was a trooper. I don't remember being quite so tired with our children though!!
We are so excited to see what God is going to do in and through us in 2014. We have the blessing of watching our children and grandchildren grow and learn. We are blessed to have wonderful family surrounding us. I have no doubt God is going to do great and mighty things.
God is amazing!!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Relaxing Sunday
I had planned on painting in the Play Room today but it didn't happen. I am not so sure there is a conspiracy among my family to keep me off of ladders!!
Kara and Forrest (Tom was sick) came over as did David and Grace (Sarah was working). We ended up just visiting and playing with the children. It is so amazing to me to watch Forrest and Grace - somehow they just know they are cousins. Kara and I put them in the bathtub as Forrest decided to wear much of his lunch!!
The children were having so much fun - not sure I have heard that many giggles in a long time. Though they both seemed to think Quack Quack (the duck) belonged to them!!
Of course Brian decided to teach Forrest the fine art of eating cookies!!
We went over to Dillon's to grab something to eat - they have a shark tank inside and flamingos outside. Both Forrest and Grace loved it - think there will be a trip to the zoo in our near future...
It is so good to have family around - being grandparents is such a blessing. God is amazing!!
Kara and Forrest (Tom was sick) came over as did David and Grace (Sarah was working). We ended up just visiting and playing with the children. It is so amazing to me to watch Forrest and Grace - somehow they just know they are cousins. Kara and I put them in the bathtub as Forrest decided to wear much of his lunch!!
The children were having so much fun - not sure I have heard that many giggles in a long time. Though they both seemed to think Quack Quack (the duck) belonged to them!!
Of course Brian decided to teach Forrest the fine art of eating cookies!!We went over to Dillon's to grab something to eat - they have a shark tank inside and flamingos outside. Both Forrest and Grace loved it - think there will be a trip to the zoo in our near future...
It is so good to have family around - being grandparents is such a blessing. God is amazing!!
Turkey Hunting
Time just flies. With a fractured elbow, well, that makes it just a tad more complicated.
On September 28 I (Vicki) missed the last step of the ladder while painting the Play Room. Ended up with a fractured elbow (two places) and ligament damage. So now I am in a horrible brace.
We did go turkey hunting. David shot one, but it ran away.... next time.
It was much colder this year than in past years - but it was still an awful lot of fun!!
There is a part of me that thinks David just wants to get out there and chop wood - though we did use every pit of this pile!!
The hunters, while looking sad, did have a lot of fun. Of course they found new places to go!!
And being in God's creation is always peaceful. Can't wait until next time when I have the use of my left arm!!
God is so good!!
On September 28 I (Vicki) missed the last step of the ladder while painting the Play Room. Ended up with a fractured elbow (two places) and ligament damage. So now I am in a horrible brace.
We did go turkey hunting. David shot one, but it ran away.... next time.It was much colder this year than in past years - but it was still an awful lot of fun!!
There is a part of me that thinks David just wants to get out there and chop wood - though we did use every pit of this pile!!
The hunters, while looking sad, did have a lot of fun. Of course they found new places to go!!And being in God's creation is always peaceful. Can't wait until next time when I have the use of my left arm!!
God is so good!!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Neighborhood Teams
For many years we have had the privilege of being part of a mid-week Bible Study - currently these are called Neighborhood Teams. They have been called Neighborhood Groups, Small Groups, Home Teams, Bible Study.... all the same thing - people who love Jesus doing life together.
So we came up with the top ten reasons to be part of a Neighborhood Team:
10 - Team meets on the same night at the Homeowners Association (HOA) - what an excuse to not go to the HOA meeting and not feel guilty!
9 - Friends in the team will watch the dogs when you want to go out of town on short notice.
8 - The computer geek who is wonderful to know when your hard drive crashes on a Saturday morning.
7 - Free roadside assistance when you break down, the best reason to have everyone's number in your phone.
6 - You get to love on children who don't belong to you - great when yours have moved out.
5 - You get to attend children sporting events (soccer, baseball, football) and show up when the game starts without snacks....you can even leave early if it starts raining.
4 - Ladies Night pedicures.
3 - Food - potlucks, snacks, s'mores around the fire (who cares it was May?)
2 - A safe place to share life - the laughter, the tears, the fears, to know a bunch of people have your back.
1 - Unconditional love, encouragement, support and prayer.
All of the above make me wonder why everyone isn't in a Neighborhood Team!!
God is good.
So we came up with the top ten reasons to be part of a Neighborhood Team:
10 - Team meets on the same night at the Homeowners Association (HOA) - what an excuse to not go to the HOA meeting and not feel guilty!
9 - Friends in the team will watch the dogs when you want to go out of town on short notice.
8 - The computer geek who is wonderful to know when your hard drive crashes on a Saturday morning.
7 - Free roadside assistance when you break down, the best reason to have everyone's number in your phone.
6 - You get to love on children who don't belong to you - great when yours have moved out.
5 - You get to attend children sporting events (soccer, baseball, football) and show up when the game starts without snacks....you can even leave early if it starts raining.
4 - Ladies Night pedicures.
3 - Food - potlucks, snacks, s'mores around the fire (who cares it was May?)
2 - A safe place to share life - the laughter, the tears, the fears, to know a bunch of people have your back.
1 - Unconditional love, encouragement, support and prayer.
All of the above make me wonder why everyone isn't in a Neighborhood Team!!
God is good.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Missed Opportunities
The last few weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions. Dealing with family and expectations. I have come to the conclusion most people don't take the opportunities placed before them. That is what I will have to explain to God someday.
I watched a young man, who said some extremely hurtful things, step way out of his comfort zone in an effort to restore a relationship. He was totally ignored.
There is a young woman who deeply wounded her father. She won't reach out though she knows the love is there.
A brother who had the ability to help decided not to because things weren't done his way.
Why are we so judgmental? Why do we hold onto hurts? Why are we so full of pride?
Jesus says in the Scripture, our Lord's Prayer, "...forgive us our (debts, sins, trespasses) as we forgive those who (owe us, sin, trespass) against us". Those are pretty important words. If I refuse to forgive, then God does not forgive me.
How much time do we lose with others because of pride? How many experiences are missed because of pride? Why are we so unwilling to take the first step? Or sometimes why are we so unwilling to accept the olive branch?
For those of us who love Jesus - we must remember - we are going to spend eternity with some of the people who have hurt us.....
Missed opportunities - so sad. God is good.
I watched a young man, who said some extremely hurtful things, step way out of his comfort zone in an effort to restore a relationship. He was totally ignored.
There is a young woman who deeply wounded her father. She won't reach out though she knows the love is there.
A brother who had the ability to help decided not to because things weren't done his way.
Why are we so judgmental? Why do we hold onto hurts? Why are we so full of pride?
Jesus says in the Scripture, our Lord's Prayer, "...forgive us our (debts, sins, trespasses) as we forgive those who (owe us, sin, trespass) against us". Those are pretty important words. If I refuse to forgive, then God does not forgive me.
How much time do we lose with others because of pride? How many experiences are missed because of pride? Why are we so unwilling to take the first step? Or sometimes why are we so unwilling to accept the olive branch?
For those of us who love Jesus - we must remember - we are going to spend eternity with some of the people who have hurt us.....
Missed opportunities - so sad. God is good.
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