With _____ in the _______ you can ________ in the ________!

Did you ever sing that little song?  Did you sing it....leaving out words,but inserting actions/sounds?

With Jesus in the boat you can SMILE in the storm!

This was the story we read last night in Luke.....then we read it in Matthew and Mark to see how the different accounts compared and we realized something about the different gospels.  There are different levels of belief or faith in Jesus.  The disciples said things to Jesus during the storm like "don't you care that we are going to drown?"  and "Save us!"  So, one could assume from these statements that they had some faith....they asked to be saved and seemed distraught that He would sleep through the storm when they wanted Him to be doing something about it, right?!  However, once He calms the storm, they act amazed by His authority over the sea and winds.  But, Jesus really convicts them of even their fear of the storm.  It is one thing to think He can do something about our circumstances....but, it is something more to put all our trust in Him and find complete peace and even JOY in the middle of the waves!

After we read that story I couldn't get the little Sunday School song out of my head last night.  I thought I was keeping it to myself, but when we were getting ready for bed, Brad asked "Did you hear a weird noise?".....well, of course....I denied that because I thought the song was in my head and had not sneaked out of my mouth at all.  So, he went upstairs to check on the girls.  When he came back down I asked him what the sound was like and he said it sounded like a strong wind or someone gasping.....oooops, that may have been me singing "With Jesus In The Boat" :P  

Our pastor is starting a series through Genesis.  The verse I posted this morning is from Genesis 32:10....in the New Living Translation it says:

I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant.  When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick.  Now my household fills two large camps!

Sometimes I wish I didn't have to wait until later to meet my possible son-in-laws and grandchildren.....that's kind-of a patience issue I have, but also just thinking about how God will bless our family with people....I know it will all be so delightful and that's exciting!

Brad and I really want to finish some more living space in our home to give our daughters a little more of their own room.  We thought we could do that with an unfinished bonus room above our garage, but it doesn't look like the support beams and trusses were installed and planned for weight-bearing space in that area other than just extra attic-type storage. So, in order to make that into living space we would have to plan for support beams in the garage and probably take some of the roof off to replace trusses with the right ones.  We thought it would be simple, but it looks pricey and complicated.  We think it may cost less to just add on to our home in the other direction than to try and tear out and replace something that is existing.  Those situations can be frustrating, but in the overall picture this is an AWESOME problem......our camp has increased....and it will, in the future, increase exponentially, I believe.

All my girls want children and a couple of them want MANY children.  They also all talk about adopting....which is such a blessing to me!  A side note on that:  I think if you want your kids to do amazing things for GOD you should do those things yourself.....seriously, maybe that sounds like I am over-simplifying, but a lot of people are fearful of stepping out to do something for God and sometimes they will even say they can't because they have families to take care of, but they hope their kids will do these things.  When we adopted, I learned we eliminated the fear of adoption for our girls...freeing them in this area to see themselves, even desiring to walk through the doors of adoption for themselves....and, I imagine, the more we do for Christ and overcome our own fears and excuses, the more our kids will find freedom to love God and experience Him in amazing ways.

I am thankful He is God of every generation.

Always Remember How You Crossed Over

Where U and I are always together :P

.....but so are JK....right?! hmmmmm....

My sweetheart is out of town today taking our church youth group on a winter retreat, so I will be missing him this Valentine's Day.  Two of my daughters are with him on the trip and the other three are home with me.  We were talking in the van on the way home from church about silly stuff because Karly thinks every time she eats a pack of Smarties that it makes her speak with a British accent.  Someone gave her some Smarties for Valentine's Day....so I asked them what the conversation hearts made them talk like and they said "all lovey dovey"....like "you are soooo pretty"....sigh...."you are sooooo handsome!".....so, I decided to eat some conversation hearts and send Brad a sappy love poem.  I did not make this one up....I remember reading this one like a million years ago on a greeting card and it was so goofy (and wonderful), I still remember it to this day.  Not sure why my brain retains the things it does and not other important things, but here goes......(I guess if you pop a couple Smarties in with the conversation hearts you could say this with a British accent :)

Miss you in the morning, miss you at night

You seem as far away as a satellite.

Miss you so much, it makes me hurt

You should see these tears my eyeballs squirt.

Miss you like crazy, miss you completely

Miss you from my headly down to my feetly

Miss you so bad and it's a big fat bore...

Just missin' and missin'

'Til my misser gets sore!

Of All The Loves

This is the only one that gives us reason to love and be loved at all.  All "love" or feelings of attraction outside of this are selfish in nature.  You are loved and pursued by a God who is determined to win you.  He will never forsake or betray you....His love is faithful and true and He is always giving us what is best for us so we can trust Him.

Having the opportunity to love another person....whether that is a significant other, or our friends and families, gives us a beautiful opportunity to imitate this kind of love.  

Happy Valentine's Day.

We had an early morning this morning.  Karly had a gymnastics meet in Battle Creek at the Kellogg Arena and had to check in at 7:30am.  Kassi decided last night she wanted to travel early with us, so Kenna, Kassi, Karly and I all left at about 6:30am and the rest of the family came about an hour later. I asked Kassi to say a prayer for safe travels as we were getting on the interstate and she proceeded to pray this beautiful prayer about how much she is thankful for Karly and that God gave Karly the ability to excel in gymnastics.....I did not ask her to do that....so that was so touching to me that she would be that thoughtful of her sister :)

I am not saying my kids are always this supportive or thoughtful, but there are these wonderful moments along the way :)

I Love You With....

all my ART!

I got to go with about 30 ladies up to Lansing tonight to have a painting party.  My mom was also up from Indy this weekend, so it was fun to have her come along with us all!

Some of our group....if you haven't ever done this, you should....it is a lot of fun!  The place is called Painting With A Twist.

The first step.....covering my painting with black paint....quickly so it wouldn't dry all the way before the next color was applied.

After adding some white streaks....mine didn't really look like the instructors, so I was wondering if I was doing it correctly....OH WELL!

Not TOO shabby when all was completed....that was something I have never tried before :)

So I had to add this picture because you can see my masterpiece against the instructors finished piece on the easel at the front....AND, if you will notice the apron on my friend, Christy...haha!  It is Daisy Duke....too funny!  I was Wilma Flintstone :)