Christmas 2010

So, I've been trying to add some pictures to share on the blog, but for some reason, the button doesn't want to let me do it.  So, for now, I'll just write and if I can ever upload the pictures, I will.

On Christmas Eve, we asked the girls to write a note for Santa.  The each wrote a note on a paper plate complete with a special treat for him!  Here is what each child wrote on their plate:

Alyson:  Dear Santa, I hope you like our homemade cookies.  Please be VERY quite!!!  Have a safe trip!!! Love, Alyson

Kelli:  Dear Santa, I can't wait to open the presents at Grandma and Papa's house and at my house.  Don't forget that the true meaning of Christmas is that baby Jesus was born to save our sins.  Hope you like the cookies.  Love, Kelli Davenport

Meghan:  Santa I love you!  Thank you for my gifts.   Meghan!  Look on the back win you r finched eating the cookies.  (BAck)  Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas

Hanna:  Dear Santa Claus, I hope you bring a mororcycle that goes in the back yard.  Be quietand don't eall all the cookies or you will be too fat.  Love, Hanna

While we do have fun with the Santa Clause and reindeers, we spend as much time as possible to make sure the kids understand that we celebrate Jesus' birth because without, we wouldn't have a Savior to celebrate at Easter.  It's great to see that they are getting it!

Hope you all have a fantastic year!  We plan on it!

Ooooo, I just want to squeeze you!

Do you ever have moments when you are so happy that you could just squeeze something as hard as you can or scream out loud?  Here are some things that make me feel that way:

1.  When I've spent time talking with a friend and the conversation was completely satisfying.

2.  When I am snuggled up with Hanna on the couch and she looks at me with her big smile.

3.  Erik's look that says "I love you" without uttering a word.

4.  When I've been around the students at our youth group.

5.  When I get to pray for those students!

6.  When my children tell me randomly that they love me and hug and kiss me.

7.  When God has shown me something in His word that speaks to my exact situation.

8.  When someone tells me they are praying for me.

Have a joyous day and look for those things that make you overwhelmed with happiness that you could just SCREAM!!!!

It's December!

Today is the first day of December.  We have offically lived here for 11 years now.  Wow!  I can hardly believe how quickly the years have passed.  We are headed towards Christmas.  My favorite time of year.  I love the weather, the decorations, the music...but most of all, I love the reason we have to celebrate it.  If you don't know who Jesus is, there is no better time than now to find out.  He is the reason I live.  I hope all of you have a most blessed Christmas season.  Try not to let the busyness of the season keep you from focusing on the real reason we celebrate!

Thanksgiving

It's Thanksgiving time and so what better way to blog than to write what I'm thankful for?  So, here's goes:

1.  That Erik has a job with potential for moving up!

2.  My 4 beautiful daughters are healthy.

3.  All the girls have wonderful teachers and are learning so much.

4.  Friends who are so giving and loving.  Some are close in proximity and others have moved farther away, but all of you are very dear to me and my family.  We thank you for all the ways you have blessed us.

5.  For opportunities to serve at a new church service where God's spirit is moving.

6.  To worship with some awesome people and to be stretched beyond my own abilities.

7.  For new friendships that have blossomed over the last several months.  This includes the awesome youth that I have begun working with and getting to know.

8.  My parents, who have had their share of medical issues but are otherwise healthy.  They have helped out with the kids so much lately and that has been the most tremendous blessing for all of us.

I am going to stop here for now, but may pick up again later...have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Invasion

So, I recently started helping out with the youth group at our church.  They are called Invasion.  The first few weeks, I felt odd and out of place.  I only knew about 2 students and wasn't sure how to even begin getting to know everyone.  This past weekend was the fall retreat and I had the unbelievable, fortune of being a chaperone/leader.

It was truly an amazing experience.  The girls in my rap group (and the girls' who weren't) all stole my heart.  The girls hunger for God!  They are some of the kindest people.  One of the other leaders mentioned that she noticed that none of the students seemed to hang out with the same person repeatedly.  It was truly, one big happy family.

Tonight, (Wednesday) was Wednesday Church for Invasion and several of the students gave testimonies.  I was in tears as I listened to what God did in each students' life.  This is what it is all about!  When I walked in, I no longer felt odd and out of place.  I now have a home here.  I almost cannot contain myself when I think of about those girls.  Oh, how I love them!  Thank you, God, for placing me once again right where you want me!

Simply put...

I LOVE MY KIDS!!!!!!!

Letting Go!

So, over the last several months, I have been growing deeper in my walk with God.  He has been drawing me closer and closer.  It has been an amazing journey so far and I continue to travel the road He is carving out for me.
I have moments where I can feel myself let go of all that inhibits me and really move into His presence.  It's almost like I could reach out and touch Him.  At times, I wonder why I don't feel that more often.  I am left to ask, why?  Why can't I feel his presence continually through the day.  Why does it have to be just moments?  I want to feel His presence the whole day through.  I am seeking to make this happen.  The more I spend reading His precious word, the more I am drawn to Him.  I hunger for time with God.  I hunger to rest in Him.  I want to know more of Him.   I want to hear His voice and know that it's Him.  I want to be used and know that I am doing what God wants me to be doing.  I am NOT content to just sit back and go about my life from day to day without ever giving God a thought.
Today, Hanna was holding my Bible and hugging it.  I asked her if she knew that God could help her with anything she needed help with if she asked Him.  She shook her head no and I told her he could.  She looked up towards the ceiling and said, "God, will you help me to read this book?"  That is the type of childlike faith that God wants us to have.  That if we simply ask, He will do it!  So, I am asking God to do all the things above that I desire, and I know, that in His time, it will be done!
I hope that anyone reading this will pray this not only for me, but for you too.  Our worship team has been singing Even Greater by Planetshakers.  Check it out on YouTube.  You won't regret it.  Click on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMbcQIzVWeI&feature=related