Joy to all

I hope you all had a joyful Christmas season. We had a very nice Christmas, we are so blessed. Many of you have felt for us as we have missed our family - thank you for your concern and a special thankyou to those that had us into your homes. Love you lots.

Not always Happy

can i just ramble today?...will you let me just dump my thoughts?......I really need to .....I love Christmas time and the best part is seeing how much fun the kids can have. I join in the fun too sometimes, so mostly you'll see me enjoying the holidays but I have to be honest i am not always happy about this time of year. We always have a lovely christmas with our 3 girls, we are growing together but I have to be honest it is a time I notice what a huge sacrifice we have made as a family. While every one has their mom and their dad, siblings and grandparents around them, we do not. We came here more than 3 years ago and no place on earth could feel more like home than here but why is it that it is still so hard... my thought is that family has a bond that can not be created in people, it takes the growing-up together, living under the same roof together, like I have with my brothers and sister and parents.... we really have a good time when we are together..... I miss them sooo much.

oh I know you mean well when you ask but i think one too many people asked me today - "Are you going home for Christmas this year?" and as you know the answer is "NO".

Thanks for letting me babble and actually reading it LOL I am having a wonderful Christmas because the girls love this time. and it all depends on the angle.

**post time does not reflect the written time--I wrote it last night.**

For His good pleasure

Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."
I found Seraya on hands and knees, having a good time, bucking and tossing her body around the floor, all by herself....or so I thought... LOL .. at one point it even looked like she had her hands pinned behind her back. Well upon asking the obvious question " What are you doing?", She answered, "Wrestling God."
and in that moment I wished I was a child again. I want to have fun with God like that.
LOL... I also thought... ya I wrestle with God a lot too and he usually has me pinned.
God is so fun .... if I can learn how to put a video clip here I will, because I got it all on tape.



Seraya




speaking of wrestling ....
Joe and Ray have discovered a new pass time, .... play fighting. The princess image just doesn't seem to fit them anymore when you see two girls go at eachother with fists and legs.

Images of life on my street

I just wanted to share some pictures with you.


#1 little dinosaures coming to life

#2 Just the regular party guests -sometimes we party daily -join us anytime.











#3 family game night -Cat in the Hat monopoly

tossing in a stone

Listening prayer - Some of you may be familiar with the idea - to others this will be very strange. ( After reading, If your feeling confused it's ok, I would be confused too, You should start by reading Brad's book "Can you Hear me?" or at least check out his website or Blog)

I figure God gave us and imagination for a reason(many reasons I am sure) and that is why the things I have learned form Brad Jersak really resonate with me.
Jesus and I we have a place we meet; a beach. This morning I found Jesus standing by the waters edge tossing small stones into the water, so I walked up, picked up a pile of stones and joined him. We stood for a while beside each other throwing the stones in the calm water and watching the ripple effects. After awhile I asked Jesus," What does this mean?" and he said "Like throwing stones in the water and getting a ripple effect, is the seed of my love you plant in the lives of people around you, especially the refugees you now closely affect. Though it is a small thing now the ripples carry on to affect after many years." then I saw many stones being tossed in and many rippling affects and Jesus reminded me that the ripples of other peoples stones before me and around me are also affecting their lives.
This blog is one stone, I suppose, the ripples go where they may, only God knows it's effect.
and to you - toss your stones into the waters of others lives and watch the ripples.

Let him be

This morning I was reading in Mathew and the command to love the lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and mind and to love others as yourself stood out. I meditated on it for a short while and then went on with getting the kids ready to go to the dentist(big family dentist visit this morning..fun) . I have had a busy week and Ben has had a busy week and we both have taken our turns being..well.... edgy and irritable. This morning, I noticed Ben was.... well still stressed and as I am sure you can guess I was very sympathetic because I have been there too..NOT... sorry to burst your wonderful opinion you had of me but selfish me is all thinking "Why can't he just get over this funk and be happy so my day can go better..I'm feeling great today because my stressful parts of the week are over and so he should just suck it up and move on." Lucky for me my mouth stayed closed and the Holy Spirit drew me back to the words he showed me only an hour or so earlier..... my selfish nature shrank back and I thought what if that where me, if I was stressed and he was haven a good day? I heard God say(in the subtle voice of God) "let him be and instead ask him how you can help him deal with the stress, for his sake not for yours."

It's a good thing I let God drive this morning. I really notice when i take time for God and how that affects my day.

Please remember this command next time you meet me and I'm edgy and irritated. LOL