Thoughtful Thursday

God often brings trying situations our way to demonstrate one of two truths: He will use trials to show us how far we have come in our spiritual development, or He will allow problems into our lives to show us exactly where we could us some growth.

~Extreme Devotion, Voice of the Martyrs Day 120

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And....on a lighter note...........My three rotting their brains on Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3-D:

4/25/2001, Michael Eric, 10 lbs. 1 1/2 oz., 22 1/2 inches

Yes. He was that big. No. I did not have an epidural. Yes. I wish I'd had one. No. I never imagined that 8 years later I would have a total of 3 children, which meant that I was crazy enough to go through labor 2 more times.

Michael was due on April 18th, 2001. He was a week late. He's spent the rest of his life making up for it by waking up EARLY!!!

Last Friday, we decided to let Michael have his first sleepover birthday party. It was really fun. Michael opened his gifts, a Clone Trooper Helmet and Bionicle (all of which he loved as you can see by the pictures). Then the boys watched Journey to the Center of the Earth while eating pizza. Then they played a few rounds of Twister. Then we went outside and roasted marshmallows by the campfire and played on the playground. They came back in and set out their sleeping bags on the living room floor and fell asleep watching Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Boys are so easy.....:)

My Kind Of ABC's

I don't know if ya'll are entertain by some of the cuteness that comes out of children's programs, but I sure am. The conducter in this Playhouse Disney short is just adorable. His be-boppin' skills are just too much! I cannot help but get up and groove when this cutie-petutie starts jammin. Holla if you agree!

Inspired

I love old songs. Lula's recent post inspired me to post a song that takes me back. It was around before I was born. My parents loved it. Everytime I hear it I get nostalgic. I love how music evokes emotion in us. My dad says I was named after this song. My mom just says it's a song that was around during that time that they both liked. Either way, I will claim it.

Thanks for letting me copy you, Lula.

Extreme Definition Of Prayer

Every so often I read from an incredible book called "Extreme Devotion" By Voice of the Martyrs.

It is so rich in testimony to the power of Jesus to transform lives. Today, I read Day 188, which was about a soldier in the Red Guard in China.

He didn't believe in God or heaven or hell or Jesus. One day he "accidentally" tuned into a radio transmission that was sharing the gospel. He was tempted to turn off the radio because he didn't believe, but he found the program interesting. He prayed to receive Christ as his Savior.

He had some curious questions, though.

1. Does God accept anybody from Communist China?
2. How do you pray?

The soldier had never been in church, but he said that he imagined prayer meant, "to speak the whole day so that after everything you say, you might be able to add 'Amen.'"

What a beautiful definition of prayer.

Thank you, Jesus.

~excerpt from Extreme Devotion by Voice of the Martyrs

Happy Resurrection Sunday!!!!!!

Michael got scratched by one of our chickens. Just in time for Easter photos....

Hot Pink Horsey-Girl

My mom reminded me, as all good mothers do, of something that I forgot. I promised to post a pic of Lauren with her HOT PINK cast. And here it is........this was taken the day she got it put on.

She has about a week and a half before she gets it off. I cannot wait. I knew casts got nasty, but when you have it on a five year old who spills her chocolate milk on a pretty regular basis.......and has a sister that decides to wipe sour cream on it.......um and a brother who likes throw drop sand bombs from a tree........I think you can understand my anxiety.

I hope and pray this is our last broken bone.......