Lyrically incorrect...

but ohhh so adorable...

Sam and Shep (singing): I don't wanna get da' whole world and lose my sword....

Now that's a battle..

(Tunes courtesy of Toby Mac- "Lose my soul.")

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36

A year ago today...

We welcomed one of the most precious gifts God has ever given us. From the first day we brought you home you've been a source of joy, many smiles and laughs. You are truly my charmer and can melt my heart with your smile. You are adored by your brothers who never want to be anywhere without you. What a gift you are to them. We love you so much and can't believe you are already a year old. We pray that God will make Himself known to you in big ways.

Happy birthday precious Sol!

We love you sweet boy.
(And 'yeah' for finally getting two teeth!:)

The B-i-b-l-e

Yep, that's the book for us...

The boys and I have been reading through the 'The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name' by Sally Lloyd-Jones and they are loving it! I usually do a Bible lesson before we do "school," and I find that the kids don't want to wait for the next chapter. The book is wonderfully narrated and illustrated and the stories have the grasp of the profound while teaching the big picture of the bible.

A wonderful read!

A very...

Happy Birthday to Miss Avery!

Thank you sweet girl for letting this crazy bunch celebrate with you!

The Unknown Waters of This Year

O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me
except the days are passed in Thy presence,
in Thy service, to Thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides,
sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from Thee,
but may rely on Thy Spirit
to supply every thought,
speak in every word,direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire
to show forth Thy praise;
testify Thy love,
advance Thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with Thee, O Father as my harbor,
Thee, O Son, at my helm,
Thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,my lamp burning,
my ear open to Thy calls,my heart full of love,
my soul free.

Give me Thy grace to sanctify me,
Thy comforts to cheer,
Thy wisdom to teach,
Thy right hand to guide,
Thy counsel to instruct,
Thy law to judge,
Thy presence to stabilize.
May Thy fear by my awe,
Thy triumphs my joy.

(A prayer for a new year, from "The Valley of Vision")

Amen...

Stating the obvious

My dear, sweet husband, while helping me with my strained back..


"They say people with weak stomach muscles have problems with their back."


:::Insert stink eye:::

Memoirs of an inauguration...

Shep: There are lots'a old men

Sam: That tall lady looks like a princess

Shep: I need more books to read

Sam: I want to do that when I grow up.
Mom: Be President?
Sam: No, knit like you are

Shep: That's a big lady singing

Sam: Hey! There's Broccoli Obama!

Desiring my boys to become students of history...
Encouraging them to pray for our nation....

"No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency...We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of heaven cannot be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which heaven itself has ordained."
-- George Washington in his Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789--

Please pray for..

these babies and their families:



Please take the time to lift them up...

Superlative view

...from the lunch table...

Everyday I get to eat lunch with the most wonderful men on the planet. I count myself tremendously blessed to look around my table and gaze upon....

This
and this

always this
and, yes....even this


everyday at my table.

Many blessings.....joys....and laughs...

There is no sight on earth more appealing than the sight of a woman making dinner for someone she loves. ~Thomas Wolfe

Blessings abound

Beautiful friends of ours, are gearing up in the next couple of months to welcome three of their children home from Africa.

Please take the time to lift them up in prayer, as well as check out their blog and leave them a note of encouragement for this amazing work!

http://stutzmaniacs.blogspot.com

In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. -Ephesians 1:4-5-

Thankful for my adoption,

All we need is just a little...

patience...

(You go girl...)

The cows...

are happy our cowboy is home after a week-long trip...

BUT not as much as we are.

I can't even begin to articulate how much we missed you...
It's so wonderful to have you home.
We love you!

It takes a big man....

to nap in pink pull-ups

(and make it look good!)

Yes, I accidentally bought the wrong ones...
Yes, I opened them before I looked..

Yes, pink has no business being in my house...
(Yes, he is a great sport ...:))

New...

...color
....cut
....mom

Ready for battle...
Ready to play outside

Edited to add: I vow not to post about my tresses every time I change it. That could end up rather insufferable ... :)

Better late than never...

Here are some pictures of our Christmas celebrations...

No silent nights here...

So thankful for family, friends and hope...

Sababu

Bambara word “Sababu.” Pronounced “sah-bah-boo.”

Back in the day, I worked for a ministry called Campus Life. While I enjoyed my job, it was a job where often times you wouldn't see much fruit. As someone who thought they were pretty neat in high school, I was daily humbled as I encountered high schooler's who thought I was pretty lame. In between my college classes and tennis practices, I would meet with students. I resolved that even if I saw no "fruits of my labor," I would still serve faithfully. Many times I saw none...

Then came Julia.

Julia was and is, one of the funnest people I know. We clicked almost immediately as she too likes to tell-it-like-it-is. She was a young freshman when I met her and was a part of a small group I was leading. (Even though most of the girls came because they had a crush on my younger brother, I'd like to think it was my sparkling personality that brought them...or maybe something bigger). I still count it an honor to know that girl, who God has grown into a women, a wife, and a sold out servant of the King. It was humbling to know that it was nothing I had done but it was God at work in her. And I was allowed to watch.

It's been amazing to watch her grow in her faith, to be challenged in ways she never thought imaginable. And in her we gained another friend. Her wonderful other half, Dusty.

Together they are answering a call to serve in Mali, Africa. Julia will be serving as a nurse while Dusty will be launching a business in Africa. They will be leaving in a few short days. Below is a video of our dear friends, sharing about what they will be doing:




Please take the time to lift them up in prayer, as well as check out their site.
http://sababu.wordpress.com

We are so excited to hear how God is using them in Africa.

We love you guys!

The perseverance of the saints...

(While picking up his toys)

Sam: Go.......away.........bad........attitude