Playing Ketchup

AH....YES....Beach Hair! :P

We are enjoying our time in Ludington!

The three youngest girls like to be transformed into Mermaids.....

Mostly because then they like to act like they are Ariel and then discover they have feet and legs afterwards!

Walkin' around on those....what do ya call 'em...oh, feet!

This girl turned 11 on July 10th and that was the day we were leaving for vacation, but we have been giving her a few celebrations since we have been on vacation.....this was the area of the beach were we camped out yesterday :)  B-11!!!!!

She wanted this huge Hamburger cake to celebrate :P complete with ketchup, mustard, lettuce and sesame seeds!

The view from our Lake Cottage...

I LOVE IT!

Karly thinks this looks like a picture from the movies where something important is hidden behind it or you have to walk into it :)

Today, we found a Biggby and we have some WIFI!  Savannah has to do some homework for her online classes and Kenna and I have a little internet time while we wait for her :)

We got to put a pin in Parma because no one had marked our town yet here :)

My own expectations get me in trouble a lot in life.  I don't want to live with NO expectations, but I also don't want to let them disappoint me because I maybe set them too high...ya know....Anyway, one thing I am thinking over after our service last night is that if I have an attitude of expectation through Christ and I prepare myself spiritually for Him to work....I will not be disappointed.  I can't be too choosy about my expectations that I get to the point where I am basically telling Him how to move, but just to have more of an attitude of expectation and excited anticipation for Him to make Himself known.

This was from a devotional I read this morning:

So stop expecting too much from yourself spiritually, or otherwise. Stop expecting instant regeneration, or instant success. Trust in God as you once did. Don’t try to anticipate His moves before He’s made them. Allow Him to grow you at His pace, instead of thinking you can run out ahead. At the same time, don’t underestimate what God can do as you’re faithful with what He’s has already entrusted to you. Live in the expectancy that the good things He’s already given you will produce even better things beyond your expectations. (1 Corth. 2:9)

Tell My WIFI 'll Miss Her :P

Well, that is a weird statement, right?!  We are getting ready to leave for a family vacation and the place where we will be staying will not have WIFI :P  It may be a while until I am able to blog again or check my Facebook feed...I have no idea what to expect...haha!  Brad was telling me a story about rodents of unusual size that live under this cottage last night and I was believing him because of a previous experience we had at what we affectionately remember as the "River Rat House".....then he told me he was kidding.....however, when he talked to the owner of the cottage later, she said to go through the cottage and check the mouse traps....hmmmm......OH, the memories, right?!!  Anyway, here are some likes for while I am away....hope you don't run out :P

I am so thankful to be sharing and celebrating with my church this weekend in several services as we remember the past 10 years that God established us as a church body and look forward to what challenges and mission God has in store for our future together.

I am thankful to have a place to belong among people who desire to glorify God together and love each other.  As I reflect over the past 10 years that Brad and I have been a part of Village Hope Church there are so many meaningful memories where our lives have been touched by God through the people that are a part of our church.  Through worship and ministry on a regular basis, through giving and receiving encouragement through prayer times and in our Life Groups, through fellowship that comes with having some of our closest family friends together doing life with us, through committed teachers who have worked with our daughters in AWANA programs, Sunday School and special programs for holidays....God has made Himself known to me.  

Don't stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing.  Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near. 

~Hebrews 10:24~

Any miraculous prayer life I wish to have to transform the world within my sphere of influence must begin with my own prayer of confession and pardon.

For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written:

None is righteous, no, not one;

no one understands;

no one seeks for God.

All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;

no one does good,

not even one."

(and if you haven't caught on yet...this is how bad it is)

"Their throat is an open grave;

they use their tongues to deceive.

The venom of asps is under their lips

Their mouth  is full of curses and bitterness.

Their feet are swift to shed blood;

in their paths are ruin and misery,

and the way of peace they have not known.

There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.  For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

~Romans 3:9-20~

Yes, first in my communication with God I must honestly admit that I am not a law abiding citizen as it pertains to His laws.  It is very important that I understand that Jesus did not abolish the law, but fulfilled it.  I still need the law and I need to love the law....not because it makes me happy or goes along with all of my desires, but for the truth that is shown to me through it....it points out my flaws....it gives me perfect accountability for my works or lack of....basically, it is a constant reminder that my flesh fails and I need that for my pride condition.  This doesn't seem like a good thing, right?  But, it is wonderful when we know that we are not justified by the law and we are not condemned by the law.....we are justified by our faith in Jesus Christ. Our honest relationship with our Heavenly Father begins where we admit we are weak and He is strong.  That is the beginning of a conversation with Him that can go amazing places.  After that is settled, we can talk to Him about specific burdens where we desperately need His strength to move mountains.....and we will see this effectiveness availing much!

After some of the disturbing events of this week.....

While you are considering....I will just throw these success stories out there.....

1. The Swiss Family Robinson

2. The Keeblers

....and I could go on and on...ha! :P 

Not really....I have exhausted my tree house success stories at two.

I know, I know....a city on a hill :)  So this is probably not the best way to handle sadness and frustrations with our current cultural climate. 

Let's keep praying and being a light wherever we are able!

Human natural tends to assumes that death is the strongest statement....that it is a final exclamation point.  I think that is one of the reasons why violence breeds more violence....hate has nothing stronger than death to use to make it's point.  However, the strength of love is compared to the strength of death in these verses....and, it would seem (from a human standpoint) that they are equal.  Since real love is contrary to our natural desires...especially in situations where we are asked to love even our enemies, we MUST rely on GOD or we are incapable of loving.  This dependency completely removes the equal sign between love and death....and that is how it is the strongest statement we can make when we ask GOD to HELP us LOVE anyway!...to give without expecting repayment.....and without repaying anyone evil for evil.

There is a love that is stronger than death that is beyond our human nature, but PRAISE GOD obtainable....

And I am convinced that nothing can separate us from GOD'S love.  Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from GOD'S love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of GOD that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39-