In Training

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6



I am pretty sure Larry has taken this scripture to heart. The boys get soooo excited to go hunting! They love getting up early, getting to eat donuts and getting to shoot guns. They don't notice the cold. Or the rain. They are not tired. They do not complain. They have even asked for waders and duck calls for Christmas. Larry, Zac and Logan are crazy about hunting.

But I don't mind at all. Larry is teaching the boys so much more than just how to hunt. He is teaching them patience. Respect. Obedience. And most of all, how to be a loving dad. I would never take that away from Larry or the boys. He is providing the boys with life lessons that will help them be better Christian men. Boys, enjoy the season. I'll see you in February.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Logan is thankful:

• for my family.
• for my friends.
• that we're here at Thanksgiving.
• that we are alive when we come back (from hunting tomorrow. Yeah, I hope that too buddy!).
• that I'm going hunting with friends from church.
• that we had fun at lunch today. (Thanks to Doug and Dena for hosting. Doug, Logan loved football in the front yard!)
  

Lily is thankful:

• for my friends, my house, my beds, my food, my family.
• that we had a great trip home from camp (last weekend).
• for our cars that we can drive in.
• for our phones so we can talk to people.
• for Molly, for showers, for pictures of all of us, for tvs. (Do your kids ever pray the room?)
  
• for school that we can learn stuff. (Is the technical word for your education...stuff?)
  

Zachery is thankful:

• for my family, food, our house, our dog, our church.
• that I have a Bible.
• for my siblings. But I guess that's family.
• for getting to live in this free country.
• well, I guess I am thankful for entertainment. Things I enjoy like sports and tv.
• for God creating us and for giving us choices, not just sending us straight to heaven.

Larry is thankful:

• that even though it is not great, enough health to do things with the kids and do whatever I want to do. (Everyone please continue to pray for his good health.)
  
• for his wife. (Ahhh, thanks sweet)
  

I am thankful:

• for my family. I love you all and I can not imagine the void in my life without you.
• for our friends and the love and support you give us.
• for the Macy's parade.
• for turkey, dressing, cranberry chutney, corn casserole, chocolate cake, Ruth's brownies. I am sooo full!
  
• for all of God's unending love and blessings.

I am thankful that we have one day specially set aside for counting our blessings. I think we take too many things for granted in the world today. And though it should not surprise us "what the Lord hath done", it does. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17 I encourage you to look for His blessings daily for we are greatly blessed.

Home Improvement 101

Home improvement projects have a mind of their own. They grow and grow until you never seem to be finished with one project before you are starting the next. Our home improvement began last June when we decided it was time to split the boys into their own rooms. We moved Logan to the guest room, aka my craft room. Notice the scrapbooking supplies spread out on the bed and the sewing machine and notions on the desk. Yes, it was a sad, sad day to lose my space.
Before:

After:

Logan is so proud to have his own room. He is probably the neatest of all three kids and takes good care of his room. On Fridays he can invite Zachery or Lily to have a "sleepover" in his room.

We did Zachery's room for his birthday. He knew we were doing it, but he did not know what we were doing in his room. He was having a fit to see it all finished!
Before:

After:

Of course Zac loves his room and he LOVES the fact that he can get away from his siblings and have some quiet time. (When do I get my own room away from the kids for quiet time???) I used the logo from the youth room at church for a focal point of the room. (Hope that's ok Jason!)

We have other projects that we have done, but I will save those posts for another day. Right now I have to get the kids ready for bed. We have a big day planned for Thanksgiving tomorrow. I pray that you all have a blessed day.

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 118:1

Camping Out

We had a great weekend at the Texoma Youth Camp with Legacy's Kidz United. There were 13 kids and 8 adults that froze our tails off enjoyed the cool weather. The kids had a lot of free time to play and develop their friendships. Zachery and Logan played a lot of football with the guys and Lily ran around with the big girls.



I have to say that I am very impressed with the Legacy kids. There were kids there from 5-13 years old and they played so well together. They were all helpful, kind, and respectful to each other. Thanks to all of you for your wonderful example. "And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3-4

My Hero

This was the situation yesterday afternoon.

Larry is on his way home from Little Rock. Zac is doing his homework. Logan needs to read his book to me. Lily needs to draw a picture but she is crying because "I don't know hooowww." The microwave is beeping to turn over the meat I am defrosting. Logan starts reading. Lily start crying. Restart the meat. Listen to Logan. Show Lily how to draw an octopus. Listen to Logan more. Lily is now throwing a huge fit. Can't hear Logan. Lily comes over and immediately falls asleep in my lap. Atleast now I can listen to Logan. Zac is asking me to check his homework. Logan finishes his book. I wake Lily up. She still doesn't know how. Start cooking the meat. Show Lily how to draw an octopus again. More crying and then she throws her pencil. I have had it!

And then, ta-da-da-da! My Knight in Shining Armour walks in the door. Ahhh...

Within minutes of his arrival, he has Lily under control and happily working on her picture. I finally can get dinner ready. After dinner, my Hero starts covering Logan's arm so he can shower and all the kids follow him upstairs. Once again, peace has been restored.

I made my Hero some cookies. Thanks sweet!

Playing With the Big Boys

Playing with the Big Boys is fun. It is a privilege.

It is dangerous! Last night we had our Small Group over and the boys (ages 7-14) were playing football in the yard after our lesson. Well, somehow Logan's hand got stepped on. It was pretty swollen last night, but thankfully Dr. D told us not to run to the ER. We waited until after school today when the swelling had gone down some. Luckily, it is only sprained. Logan was pretty happy that he would only have to miss one week of PE and not six. But secretly I think he was wishing it was broken. He has loved the extra attention he has gotten today.

Joyful Perspective

Today Allan preached from Philippians about having a joyful perspective. Paul did even though he was persecuted and imprisoned. To live is Christ and to die is gain. What about me?

"How are you doing?" people ask. My reply lately has been "OK" or "good, I guess". What kind of lame answer is that?!? I am not imprisoned. I'm not being persecuted for my beliefs. I have everything to be joyful about, but I don't always feel joyful.

Paul never questioned his purpose. Paul was actively teaching people and bringing them to God. I question my purpose. I wonder if all of the things I do in a day really matter to God. Am I doing his will? Cooking meals, doing laundry, grocery shopping, PTA projects, helping with homework, kissing boo-boos, reading stories, cleaning the house, coordinating small groups, teaching Bible class, mailing the bills, etc, etc, etc. How do these everyday, mundane things fit into God's plan to further the Kingdom?

And then I hear Lily humming an old church song that she does not even know the words to yet. I see Logan seeking out a friend that is visiting to make sure she feels welcome. I see Zachery being a leader in church by reading scripture, leading prayers or hugging the widows. I may not be a missionary in a foreign country, but I am raising Christian believers. I pray that their faith will be strong and their hearts will be tender. I pray that I can joyfully continue to fulfill God's purpose for my life.