He Lives!

Matthew 28:1-8
Now after the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. Suddenly there was a severe earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descending from heaven came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were shaken and became like dead men because they were so afraid of him. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where he was lying. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead. He is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there.' Listen, I have told you!" So they left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 

Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived 33 years on earth as a human, was crucified, buried, and rose again. He is indeed alive today. He will be returning. If you do not know Christ as your personal Savior, and would like to learn more, please contact me or ask a friend who is a believer, or visit a local church. He came to
live, die, and rise again for you.

A New House

One of the best things about being grandparents is being able to provide fun things for your grandkids that you couldn't afford with your own kids.

Ever since we found out we were going to be grandparents back in 2008, we dreamed of having a play house in our backyard for the grandkids. Last weekend our dream came true. We bought this little house at Sam's Club. Dan had it built by the time the kids came over on Sunday to play. They love it! They have played in it virtually all day long each day that they've been over. We're having Family Easter tomorrow, and I know Skye will love it as much as Thunder and Sunny do.

They were so excited to see it

Sunny

Doing what she does best - talking on the phone

My handsome little guy

"Come in!" The doorbell actually rings

Sunny + Rascal = Best Buddies

For some reason they wanted me to tie receiving blankets around them for aprons

The woman of the house

I love this photo - it's just too funny!

After playing house all day, it was fun to play poker with Papi!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Skye!

This past weekend we attended Skye's 2nd birthday party. It's hard to believe that she's two already! She is the sweetest little girl and I just wish that I could see her more often. However, I'm grateful for the time I do get to spend with her. She had a great time at her party!

Zach baked the birthday cake

Three of my kids: Zach, Jessica, Katie

Time for pizza

Tio Zach with Thunder

Ashley and Skye playing games

Beautiful birthday girl

Kissing cousins

Thunder and Skye taking a ride

Tia Jessica and Sunny

Sunny and Skye

Time for cake

Blowing out the candle

awww, she got frustrated when it wouldn't blow out!

Grammy and Skye

Presents!

Thunder is serious about his cake!

Papa, Thunder, Gigi 

Me and my youngest

SSMT #6

Before I share the verse I've chosen, I want to talk about the Bible Study I just finished. My friend, Becky and I did "A Woman's Heart - God's Dwelling Place" by Beth Moore. It was a powerful study. A short synopsis is that the study is about the Israelites building the Tabernacle during their 40 years of wandering. They were instructed to build it to God's exact plan which He gave to Moses. As the 10 week study continued, Beth taught us that our heart is also God's Tabernacle, His dwelling place.

As is often the case, Beth saved the best for the last day of the study (in my opinion). On the last page she wrote: "We have only this one experience to know Him as mortals. We can live our lives on the outer perimeters of our salvation, in Christ but not with Christ, or we can accept the challenge to enter and behold His glory." In Christ, but not with Christ. Wow, that phrase really struck me. I want to be with Christ in my life. I want to accept the challenge to enter the Holy of Holies and behold His glory.

Becky and I are starting "Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed - A Study of David" by Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore next. Can't wait to see what God has in store for me to learn from this one!

My verse is: I want to do what pleases you, my God. Your law dominates my thoughts. Psalm 40:8 NET

Spring is Here!

We have had a chilly (for us) winter and I am so ready for it to be over. This week we're going to crack the 90s, but most days will be in the 80s. Perfect! I thought I'd use some photos from the last few weeks to show you the change in seasons.

 

The above photos were taken on February 24th. As you can see the weather is still chilly and winter clothes are required. I had to put two photos up because naturally, they can't both look at the camera at the same time! haha

Fast forward a few weeks to March 11th and we're having our first picnic lunch of the season in shorts, t-shirts, and shades!

Welcome Spring!

SSMT #5

Wow, let me tell you how fast two weeks fly by when you're trying to memorize Bible verses! Today's choice is short and sweet, yet a powerful promise:

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Amen!

O, Be Careful...

As I was laying in bed recently, the lyrics to a song from my early childhood popped into my brain. I haven't thought about this song since my own kids were little and I was teaching it to them. My first thought was that I need to teach this to my grandchildren. As the song repeated in my mind, I started thinking about the words as they relate to my own life.

O, be careful little eyes what you see
O, be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see

As I have mentioned before, I am addicted to politics, current events, the news in general. The things my "little eyes" see by watching so much news each day is astounding. And horrible. And heartbreaking-ly sad. Have you ever stopped to think what our eyes take in each and every day? Whether you're watching the news, or prime time TV, or cable reality TV, or going to a movie, or even through reading a book; our eyes are subject to thousands of images that we do not need to be seeing. Psalm 119:37 says "Turn my eyes away from what is worthless! Revive me with your word!" (NET) I need to take this verse to heart and be careful what my eyes are seeing.

O, be careful little ears what you hear
O be careful little ears what you hear
For the Father up above is looking down in love
So, be careful little ears what you hear

In my every day life, this one is somewhat aligned with what my eyes are seeing. Although I watch the news with  the sound muted 50% of the time. For me, being careful of what I hear is more specific to popular songs, and the rough language that is prevalent in today's conversation. I think it's easier to guard what our eyes are seeing than what our ears are hearing. We can always close our eyes. Our ears remain open even while we're sleeping. I have to work deliberately at guarding what comes into my mind through my ears. "Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to the words of knowledge." Proverbs 23:12

O, be careful little hands what you do
O, be careful little hands what you do
For the Father up above is looking down in love
So, be careful little hands what you do

One of the bloggers I read wrote a post about what she does in a typical day. It was entertaining, and I could certainly relate to the busy-ness of her day! It also got me to thinking about what I do with my hands in a typical day. Am I choosing activities that are constructive, or am I wasting my time on activities that have no worth? I'll be honest here: how much time am I wasting on the computer? Anything that has a screen is a mighty temptation. And in today's world EVERYTHING seems to have a screen! Proverbs 31:31 "Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

O, be careful little feet where you go
O, be careful little feet where you go
For the Father up above is looking down in love
So, be careful little feet where you go

Where do my feet go? This one is easy for me as far as avoiding temptation by going places I shouldn't. But I fail miserably in using my feet when it comes to good health. I need to move my feet (and entire body) more in exercise. I feel mighty convicted by this little verse of the song! "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105

O, be careful little mouth what you say
O, be careful little mouth what you say
For the Father up above is looking down in love
So, be careful little mouth what you say

I guess the lyricist saved the hardest verse for last. It is so difficult to tame my tongue! How many times have I said something hurtful, or cruel, or tactless, or mean, or untruthful, or thoughtless? How many times have I wanted to immediately take back the words that I've just uttered? How many opportunities have I missed to praise, or encourage, or support, or speak lovingly? Our words are so powerful, yet we use them with little thought to the consequences of their impact. Psalm 19:14 "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Next week as I begin to teach this little song to my grandkids, my prayer is that I will apply it to my life. That I will remember to guard what my eyes see, what my ears hear, what my hands do, where my feet go, and most importantly, what my mouth says.