Something Inspiring...

These days, it seems like the "church in general" teaches more along the lines that God wants ONLY the best for us and they interpret "best" to be things like financial blessing, health, soaring careers, etc. I would agree that He does want the best for us, in that He promises to finish His work of salvation in us. And I do agree that sometimes He chooses to bless us with the things listed above, I disagree though on many levels with the whole philosophy of do good - get good! How do you explain God's love to the people in third world countries who faithfully serve Him but have no food, live in danger and daily suffer if you believe that idealogy. We confine our thinking too much to this earth and we need to be more eternally minded. (Colossians 3 and
2Corinthians 4:16-18)

Sometimes the "best for us" is a life that includes hardships, times filled with pain or struggles/trials. Sometimes those are the things God uses to bring us to Himself, Keep us close to Him, or to further His glory and plan in other's lives. That is the ultimate love, that He works all things to perfect us, and not to pamper us. Our idea of God's love is so skewed by what we think it should be. I'm so glad He defines love no matter how we understand it. If you think of the lives of the people God used in the bible, none of them had the "easy life" but all of them had the "abundant life"! I was encouraged by James' wife's testimony of just that. James MacDonald has cancer right now, and they are LIVING this testimony. Thought I'd share it...paste the address below in your browser to see the video interview.

https://www.walkintheword.com/donations.aspx?specID=150

Something pretty...Spring is on the way and so are the mosquitos!

The last week of Feb?

Does anyone else feel like February is flying?

Here are a couple of shots of our week.

Cooper has developed a new love for the FRONT yard and LOVES to sit and watch the cars go by - weird, I know. Anytime the front door opens he makes a mad dash.

Alex has been having a great time in basketball. Loves his coach!

Allie participated every day of spirit week and participated is an understatement. (Including superhero day, which I'm not "allowed" to post a picture of:)

Michael has been enjoying a lull in sports and practicing more music. (sorry, no pics.)

crazy, but March is almost here.

Yeah! Back to two cars!

A big thanks to our friend John for helping Pete do some big car repairs in our own garage. I think you may have found a new hobby Pete! Yeah for two cars!

Anyone need a ride?

It's been a little bit of a crazy week! Michael and Allie had a winter camp over the break, Alex started B ball and Michael and Allie wrapped their seasons up. On Friday, Pete's car decided it was tired of running. How a new engine can decide to quit is beyond me?(The kids think it's because I call it names:)- it's good I'm not superstitious!) Let's just say God is teaching me a lot about patience lately. I am grateful that I am able to drive everyone around, including my hubby, but I will be glad when we return to the land of the two vehicle family:) All that said, car time can definitely turn into good talk time, so I am making the most of being the family taxi driver and enjoying being able to visit with everyone in an uninterrupted environment! So, anyone need a ride? :):):)

Alex shoots too

This week on sports center...

Michael takes and makes two threes and has a breakaway down the court to tie at half. Allie puts a little hip into the opposing team and defends her goal. Go U-Prep!