Silly Times!

Yeah. Not much explanation. Just another one of my 100,000,001 reasons why I love being a mom!

Winter Retreat 2009

First of all, I am very sorry for being so negligent about my blog lately!!! Our camera has been having some serious issues and lately has not worked at all. So alas, here I have been, wanting to post, but with nothing interesting to catch your eye! So I finally resorted (gasp!) to stealing some pictures from my friends so I could at least update you on the major happening in our lives the past week!

Last weekend was our youth winter retreat. For those of you who don't remember, David and I have worked with Bridgeport Youth Group ever since we graduated from it. This was my 10th winter retreat!

We have our retreat at Big Lake. This year we had six feet of snow which is actually quite a bit less compared to past years! This makes for great snow forts, snowball fights, snow capture the flag and especially a terrific sled run off of our three story A-frame lodge that is ( don't forget!) covered in snow!

This our favorite event of the year. Not only is it packed full of fun times, but you get to pull out all of the cool snow gear you've accumulated over the years!

Being a parent is always interesting during these times and it takes great wisdom to know what is best! Always in the past we have brought our children along ( '06~ Lydia at 7 months, '07~ Lydia 1 1/2, Bethany 2 months, '08~ Lydia 2 1/2, Bethany 1) but we decided this year to leave the big girls with Grandma and Boppa and only take little Havilah. I have a hard time leaving my girls, but they had a GREAT time! Havilah was a good little trooper! It was very helpful having four aunties and three uncles there though!

God is so amazing and has blessed us every year by really working in the hearts of so many kids, not to mention ourselves! Our friends Eli and Mandy come from Texas to speak to us and this year they brought along there friends Ryan and Ashley too. They are such an encouragement and the Lord speaks through them in amazing ways! If I wrote all that I wanted to, this post would be really, REALLY long and I doubt any of you would read it all. But please, take a minute to ponder this amazing sunset below, that we got to see in person in all it's radiant beauty. He's telling you He loves you!

Introducing...

Our new daughter, Mary Louise! We brought her home with us December 30, 2008. She was 69 inches long, and 291 months old. She has been such a joy to have. She has beautiful blue eyes and a sweet smile.




When David's brother Jonathan went down to Shasta Bible college, one of his class mates was Mary Cunningham. In going down to visit Jonathan and Benjamin we got to know this wonderful young lady. She was also a fellow bridesmaid in Jonathan and Laura's wedding this past summer. She has since moved to Polk county and is working with Child Evangelism Fellowship here. This fall we found out that she was hoping to find some where else to live and the Lord really laid it on our heart to call her and offer her our spare bedroom/bathroom that was completely not used. We are so thrilled having her here. She is the kind of person that that whenever you are with her, you are blessed! We are so excited to have her as a part of our family for however long the Lord has planned.

Simple living!

This last month has been busy, yet wonderful! Our Christmas season was very different this year as we had no electricity for five days leading up to it. Our life felt like "Little house on the Prairie" days as we boiled water on the wood stove for laundry, showers and dishes, cooked on the stove ( even made Christmas candy!) and huddled around the stove by candlelight in the evenings playing games. Needless to say, we were very thankful for the stove!

Christmas was such a blessing. David's brother Jonathan and his sweet new wife, Laura stayed with us and celebrated Christmas morning with us. We had fun acting out the nativity story and the only real problem was the very friendly innkeeper ( Bethany) who was sure that Mary and Joseph could stay with her!

Now the snow as melted away, we have all the power we need and life is at full speed again. while I am very thankful for hot running water and my microwave, it was a real blessing to get to experience that time of stepping out of our usual lives and really enjoying just being together!

The "Twos", whatever they are!

Bethany turned two overnight! This sounds like an obvious statement to make, but it has blown me away all the changes that have taken place in her! Our culture knows this time as the "Terrible Twos". Even the sixth grader I was talking to a few weeks ago was lamenting the "terrible twos" and how they are as unavoidable as a child turning two years of age. I laugh at that sort of talk and give my little spiel about how this is an amazing time of children growing up, testing, discovering and finding their boundaries. And I really do believe that! Bethany has been giving me ample opportunity though to practice my theory and see if I really do think these "twos" are as terrific as I say they are!

Two days after she turned this infamous number she started saying things that she never had, ( and I might add, never will if she's smart, which she is!) said before. Things like, "Leave my hat alone!" to her mother and " You're not the boss!" to her father. These are the testing times, not for her so much, but for me. Will I be consistent enough to train my daughters to be obedient and respectful to their parents and those around them? I fail so often! But God is so gracious!!

I have also in the last few days been overwhelmed at how faithful God is! When we are obedient in training our children how He wills, His blessing are amazing! Lydia and Bethany have become as close as twins seemingly over night! They have always loved each other, but their relationship has been full of squabbles and selfishness. Lately though, they are inseparable, even walking up the stairs holding hands! Hugging, kissing and playing all the day long! I am so blessed to see God working them together. She also has completely abandoned the thought of trying to rule over her parents, although I'm sure the temptation will present itself again!

I really love "the twos" and I don't think they're terrible! It is so amazing to see this person emerge out of this little baby that I used to have, and it is such an awesome privilege and responsibility to be the one that is to train her! I am growing slightly weary of the "whys" though!

Birthday Party Fun!

Last saturday we had our birthday party with my side of the family. We are so blessed at this time to have all of the great-grandparents still alive. It is so wonderful to have them share in the celebrations! Bethany was of course showered with presents!

Saying 'Thank you"

Havilah shares in the fun!

Nothing better than "Dirt Cake" for a two year old. Especially this one!

"More please?"

God's AMAZING plans!

I am so excited this morning as I got to see pictures of this beautiful baby girl that was born this last week. I don't even know her name yet!

In 2001 the King family ( my in-laws) agreed to let a young man from Germany come and stay with them for two weeks while the exchange student coordinator tried to find another home for him to move to. After a bit of time they realized that they would like to have him stay with them for the entire school year. After just a few months, Klaus got saved. Not just " repeat a prayer to make others happy" saved, but deep down repentant, saved by grace, surrendered to Christ saved! He went home that June but his faith stayed with him. It has been so amazing to hear how God has been working in and through him as he lives out his faith among friends and family that don't believe the same as him. Last summer he got married to a beautiful Russian girl named Nelly who also loves the Lord with her whole heart. And now God has blessed them with a beautiful daughter who they will raise to love the Lord and be mighty in His kingdom. I am over whelmed at the Lord's great plans that He is capable of bringing about and also how great an impact we can have on some one's life if we are faithful in loving them and showing them God's love.