Pirate eye

Jonathan wanted for us to take a picture of ourselves with the camera today. So I snapped this picture. For some really odd reason, my eye likes to do the lazy eye thing every time the camera flashes (making me VERY un-photogenic). I showed him this picture on the little screen and he said "Mom, you have a pirate eye" . I said "like huh?" And he said "like arrrggggghhh. ...like pirates ".

Cute Ryan picture

Ryan was all dressed up today. He must have been on safari or something. I got this cute picture of him. I haven't taken a whole lot of pictures lately, but maybe I can catch up before too long! My dad& mom in law (thanks y'all!) bought us a digital cam corder for Christmas so once we figure that out, maybe I can get actual videos on here.

I have been feeling overwhelmed with all the housework (what's new?). However,I am in the spirit of organizing (one of my favorite things to fantasize about!). I spent today getting my desk and files in order. I threw away a whole trash-bag of old papers. I didn't realize I had that much junk in my filing cabinet. I felt productive even though I accomplished very little else today.
I am up way, way too late so that's all for now! Tire-dom has set in and this post probably sounds like it too!

The Spirit of Truth

I am normally not the type of person who shares my deep thoughts on my blog. I am always afraid that I will say something silly or wrong. I would normally just rather share pictures of what is going on in our life. However after consideration I cannot help but share what is on my heart today.
I was sitting in church last night listening to our pastor talk about the Holy Spirit. It really "struck a chord" with me.

We live in a day filled with SO MUCH uncertainty. Who will be our next president? Will we be destroyed by terrorism? Are we living in the last days? And even more on the personal side of things... Lord what do you want ME to do with MY short little life? What do you want for us as a family, Lord? Spiritual warfare has been very evident lately!!! But I have Someone I can completely trust.
I have been very guilty lately of saying or telling the Lord directly "I wish You'd just tell me/us audibly what you want for me/our family to do". But if I trust my Lord and believe what He says, then I can know that if I seek Him, He will guide me. I do not need that audible voice that I keep asking for.
I think the message our pastor brought last night was meant for me.
He started about by asking us about people we trust. Who in our life is trustworthy? Then he went on to talk about the Holy Spirit and His COMPLETE trustworthiness. John 15:26 in the words of Jesus.... "But when the Comforter (The Holy Spirit) is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of TRUTH, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of me."
You hear people saying things and you never really know if you can trust them. But, like our pastor said last night, we can TRUST our Lord. John 15 verse 16a "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of TRUTH, is come, He will guide you into all TRUTH"

Our pastor also stated that if we are not filled with the Holy Spirit, then we are in danger of being deceived by the lies of the world. This is a sobering statement.... I DO NOT want to be deceived.
My prayer for this new year is that I will be filled with Him. Then I won't have to worry about missing His will for my life.

Our pastor gave some practical suggestions:
1. AW Tozer said that the Spirit "is drawn to the name of Jesus like bees to honey".
2. Our desire to be filled must be all- consuming
3. We need to be bothered by our lack of fullness
4. Have a sense of emptiness which will lead to fruitfulness
5. Give up all
6. Death to self
7. Rid ourself of "trash"

I know I have a long way to go but this is my prayer!

Christmas card "photo shoot"

I had to take a lot more pictures than these to finally pick out the one I wanted for our Christmas card. They kept making funny faces or closing their eyes.

Snow pictures

Here are the snow pictures from the 15th. It's all about melted now except for the piled up snow.

Christmas play pictures

I decided to take a few minutes to add these school Christmas play pictures. There are more of Jonathan because Justin was hard to see and he ran off after the play and changed back into his clothes! So I only got one picture of him with a lop-sided head covering. Cindy, Kristen and Lil did a great job conducting the music, working with the kids on the play and creating props.

The Kindergarteners were sheep. I thought they were adorable. Jonathan was not very pleased about having to wear these ears.... I love his expression in this picture!
Justin threw his clothes back on for a picture but they just weren't on there right... oh well... Addy wanted in the picture too :-)

The Kindergarten class after the play. Jonathan is outnumbered but very "loved". At least that's what all the notes say I keep finding in his backpack!

During the play...

Entire staff and student body singing... didn't get all of them in the picture :-( You can see Jonathan on the front row. Justin is lost in the crowd.

These wise men were very cool sporting their binoculars!

Our 2007 Christmas card

I wish I had the time to really update my blog. I have lots of pictures and "stuff" to put on here. But here is our Christmas card. Wish we could mail a hard copy to everyone, but you know how that is... I am thankful for the internet so I can share this with you all.

Merry Christmas!