Grace rides her bike!!!

We had a great day at home today (it was MLK day so we were all out of school). I left for about an hour to run a few errands and when I got home, I was greeted by everyone outside in our alley....Grace got on her bike, WITHOUT TRAINING WHEELS, and rode all alone! Keith said he was shocked at how fast she learned!!! We will now be looking for her a big bike (you can tell from the photos that she has outgrown her current one). Of course, Madeline had to have a turn also and did pretty well (daddy didn't let go of her yet though)!

So proud of you my sweet GRACE!!!! You continue to amaze me:))

Another great night at Life Group!!!

Keith and I were back in God's house tonight (it's nice that everyone is healthy and we were able to get back to church tonight). The sermon was wonderful as it was Part II of a new series --tonight's message being "Breaking Free From Depression." I'm truly thankful, that for now anyway, I have broken free of that. This message gave me new insight though into what to look for should I find myself there again.

Life Group was where the "meat" was tonight though. Our study began in 1 Timothy 1: 1-11, and as usual, we got off on a topic of discussion: confronting others with sin or things that we feel need to be confronted. I have dealt with this particular topic very recently so it was good to sit back and observe and listen to what other christians and scripture had to say. It was good to read that when we do or say something, in the name of love, we need to make sure of 3 things: 1. it needs to be done or said with a pure heart 2. it needs to be done or said with a clear conscience 3. it needs to be done or said with a sincere faith. Paul was teaching the people of Epheusus about false teachings and was saying that people do and say things in the name of "love" or in the name of "God told me to" when really there's an alternative motive. Someone in our class mentioned that in today's world, people don't like to be confronted with their flaws and sin (I can certainly relate...almost two years ago someone confronted me with all my sin, and they were right. It hurt, but I didn't retaliate or defend myself or say mean things back. I reflected; that reflection is what has led to changes in my life: losing weight (proud to say 25 pounds since November), more patience with my children, speaking up for myself when I need to, etc.... ) She also mentioned that when we, as christians, confront others in love, our christianity is often questioned. This due to a world that expects perfection from christians. How thankful I am that "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able, to keep that which I committed, unto Him until that day." ( I love that song:) I am not perfect but I am redeemed.

At the end of the day, I must be able to look at myself in the mirror and KNOW that I have not ridden the fence, I have not been tolerant, I have not been grey. I am learning to not be hot headed and fire back in retaliation, but say things in love, and let things go. I'm learning to forgive, and that feels good.

Party at Shenaniganz!!!

Grace had her 8th birthday at Shenaniganz on Saturday. We had so much fun! The kiddos bowled, had pizza, decorated cupcakes, and played in the arcade. It was truly a GREAT time! Thanks to all the family and friends who made her special day so wonderful! We love you:)

Happy Birthday Grace!!!

My baby girl is 8 today! She woke at 7:30 am saying "mom, it's my birthday. I think I'm taller today, don't you?"

We celebrated tonight with Aunt Jenn, Sarah, and Grann (Grampy was out of town and couldn't make it back in time). Keith grilled some yummy burgers and we followed that with birthday cake selected by Grace. She got several gifts but her "Chixo" gift was awesome! She had it decorated in about an hour:)) (she gets that from me)!

Happy Birthday my sweet Grace; I love you so much and am so proud of the young lady you are becoming.

Let Us Pray, Pray, Pray

That was the title of tonight's New Year's message at church. Wes Hamilton spoke about how prayer is the common thread to all we do; no resolution is complete without it. He quoted E.M. Bounds as saying "nothing is well done without prayer" (not our marriages, relationships, careers, etc...NOTHING). Wes encouraged us to make prayer a daily part of life.

In Colossians 4:2, Paul tells to: 1. DON'T STOP praying (devote ourselves to it). Prayer is hard work. When we renew our commitment to pray, be prepared for Satan to throw many distractions in the way. Devote in verse 2 literally means to 'hold on and don't let go....be courageously persistent.' He (Wes) gave the example of a father and his newborn baby. He said that sometimes a baby cries and you don't need to rush in and see what's wrong, you just need to wait to see if the cry is genuine. Our heavenly Father is much the same way with us....I suspect that there are times when we "cry" out to God and He just sits back and waits; not to be mean, but to test our motives....are we crying out genuinely or just out of habit? Paul also tells us 2. to be ready (watchful/alert/awake). Many times we close our eyes to pray and it's a time of quiet and aloneness. Paul tells us here to let prayer be a part of our entire day; much like breathing. Let it be a conversation rather than a times for us to present requests. We certainly need those quiet times with God, but Wes encouraged us tonight to let prayer become more in 2010. 3. We must say "thanks." Paul reminds us here to thank God for our life and our circumstances (even if they are less than ideal). No matter what is going on in our lives, we should thank God for it because the 4th thing Paul wants us to do is be outward in our prayer. We are encouraged to pray about eternal things; people's salvation. Nothing going on in our lives is more important than eternity.

This message renewed my sense of what prayer is/what it should be in my own life. It was a reminder that I don't take hold of the power of prayer enough. I need to stay in a mindset of pray and "pray without ceasing" (1Thess 5:17).

So, I am taking the challenge....I am resolving to pray in 2010....

JANUARY 1, 2010

I just sent my 2008-2009 blog to the printer.....it costs me $40 which is much cheaper than I could've sat and scrapbooked the old way. I did spend all day customizing it to include only those posts I want published, but I'm hoping it will be worth it!

Today is the first day of our NEW YEAR!!! How exciting :)) Here's to another year of blogging and memories...