Sunday Reflections

I was the enemy of God. I was stamping through God's universe, shaking my fist in His face. And in the very moment when I was shaking my fist in God's face and tramping through the Creator's universe, muddying all His streams, that's when Jesus died for me. And if this is when Jesus died for me, what hope it gives me now! Now, even when I fall, the blood of Jesus is enough. He didn't save me because I was strong; He saved me when I was weak. He didn't save me when I was a pretty thing; He saved me when I was a mess. On the basis of this reality, I can have comfort.

--Francis Schaeffer, The Finished Work of Christ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross...

Eph. 2:13-16

Sunday Reflections

Why should we expect our Christian life and service to be easy? The Bible never gives us any such expectation. Rather the reverse: the Bible says again and again, No cross, no crown; no rules, no wreath; no pains, no gains. It is this principle which took Christ through lowly birth and suffering death, to his resurrection and his reign in heaven. It is this principle that brought Paul his chains, and his prison cell, in order that the elect might obtain salvation in Jesus Christ. It is this principle which makes the soldier willing to endure hardship, the athlete discipline, the farmer toil. Do not expect Christian service to be easy.

- John Stott, In Christ You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1-3

Fun at the Beach

We made it to the beach again. We almost cancelled and went to Boston as it rained all night and we thought it would rain during the day. When we found out it would clear up in the afternoon we decided to stick with our original plan and go anyway. We got to spent some time with our good friend the Laughners.

I believe it is safe to say that the boys spent most of the time in the water.

Do not listen to Fil who will tell you that the water was actually warm today (64F). It was not. We have been living here too long and are getting used to the cold temperatures:)

She knows she is stinkin cute.

And so does she.

Well Nate is cute in his own special way.

I have no idea what's up with my kids and sand. They just love feeling it and they will get it all over their body each time we are at the beach.

We played a little bit of Frisbee and I will admit that I have no skill when it comes to this sport.

Jo had sand everywhere and I am going to leave it at that.

Emma and Alison having a great old time.

We had a perfect day.

Emma and Daniel.

Mommy and her girls.

I am sure the boys will have "wavy" dreams tonight.

There is something about the ocean.

And a kiss good night.

Fun in the Sun

Well there was not that much sun in the sky today. It was mostly cloudy but that did not stop us from enjoying warm humid temperatures outside.

The kids love playing in any type of water activity including the most basic sprinkler. The boys think I do not know it but they always crank up the water when I go inside the house for something.

This has been a slow week for us. Not much on the calendar and I am liking it. It gives us much needed rest and enjoying fun activities around the house.

Popsicles are popular any time of the day.

Fun playing in the driveway.

I was treated to a concert put on by Sam and Emma.

They got the moves that is for sure.

Jo, just because she is so darn cute:)

What would summer be without a ...

... watermelon.


as you can see watermelon is very popular in our family.

And even though I cut up big pieces this time it was all gone within few minutes.everybody step back

mmmmmm good.

Almost done :)

Sunday Reflections

I believe in God, but I detest theocracy. For every Government consists of mere men and is, strictly viewed, a makeshift; if it adds to its commands “Thus saith the Lord,” it lies, and lies dangerously.
- C.S. Lewis, God in the Dock

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

(Isaiah 9:6-7)

Day at the Mine

Today the kids and I (with friends from our church) spent close to 6 hours in a mine. A rock mine people. I cannot believe we were there that long. Now there were some nice caves for the kids to explore so we did not dig for rocks the whole time. We did have a great time and all the kids loved the whole rock idea.


Everybody got a bucket (or a small bag, the boys got hammers) to collect any type of rocks they could find.

Emma does everything with a style.

what a drama queen.

Jo filled her little bucket many times and dumped it right a way. She ended up bringing home one rock:)

I had mixed feeling when I saw Emma with the hammer. She did fine and there were no broken fingers.

the girls with miss I. and me

We had no major injures only scraped knees.

sisters

What did you do today?