I stand alone on the word of God....The B-I-B-L-E

And...."My hope is built on nothing less, then Jesus blood and righteousness". These words ring through my heart today and I reflect on the promises from His Word that He has shown me I can bank my life on.

Psalm 119:140 " Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them."

This week marks one year since my dad passed away - As I reflect on some of what this past year has held, (a lot!) I am overflowing with joy from my Heavenly Father. I want to give Him glory! His promises have held me, sustained me, and changed me. It is true, they can be tested, and they will not fail. May my life be proof that God's tender promises to us can sustain the full weight of any trial, pain, or hardship. He is always Good!

Some Promises that have held me and been tested in my life:
He won't leave me! - Hebrews 13: 5
He works all things for my good! - Romans 8:28
He will renew my strength if my hope is in Him! - Isaiah 40:31
He will complete salvation in me! - Philippians 1:6
He will not share or forsake His own glory! - Isaiah 42:8, 48:11

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken" !!! Psalm 16:7

To God be the glory!

Something Worshipful!

Last night a girlfriend and I went to see Phil Wickham at a concert at Simpson College. Besides being asked a few times who "my student was", it was a great night. (Can I really be getting that old?)

Phil was awesome! His heart was so humble and he transforms the normal model for a "concert" into a night of pure praise to Jesus. He left the stage quietly after leaving the crowd singing the hymn "How Great Thou Art". Here is a sample of one of his songs in case you've never heard him. Awesome lyrics, completely worshiping God! Check it out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc4603p8bIE

And Tracey Comes to Town too!

It was like Washington coming to Redding last week! :) Not only did we get to see Suzy but Tracey ( Mrs. C ) stayed with us for the week for a visit too. We got to celebrate her birthday, which was nice since were not normally together then. I am still thinking about that chocolate cake a week later! Does someone else have a birthday coming soon, so we can have it again?!?!
It was also fun to have a girl night just the four of us. Michael and Allie and one of Allie's friends watched all 6 little ones. Quite a bonus not having to hire sitters anymore!

It was definitely a week of getting to hang out and talk! A good break from the normal!

Suzy comes to town

Jenny posted in her last blog that her best friend Suzy came for a visit last week. I have to echo her thougths about how great it was to see Suzy. Suzy will always be my third sister! We've shared too much life together for that bond to ever be broken. It was awesome to see her three boys and to watch them interact with Jenny's little ones. It made me miss "little ones". So since Jen didn't have a lot of pics, I thought I'd share the ones I had taken. The first one is of Logan, her middle son. Thanks for coming down and let's do it again soon, because I want some late nights and ice cream with the two of you too!

Alex shooting

Sometimes I feel like most of my posts are sport shots. In case anyone thinks we are obsessive about our kids playing sports, we're not. But, they are. And Alex loves to have his picture taken. So, yet again, here are some sport shots :)

Blessed!

Blessed is what I feel today. This morning as I sat and reflected on God's hand in my life these past few months, I felt overwhelmingly blessed! I've shared before that part of the journey God has had me on these past few years has been one of pulling roots I have planted in the wrong places out, and showing me that I need to be rooted in Him alone. One thing I haven't shared though, is that one of His tools in this process has been the life of someone I am very grateful for.

She, always speaks truth in my life, even when it is hard to hear.
She, chanllenges me gently, but always is encouraging.
She, doesn't judge me when I am still in the process of learning something she has already learned.
She does quiet nice things for me without anyone knowing.
She is teaching her children the Word of God and convicts me to do the same.
She listens to me - endlessly!
She loves my family like they are her own.
She inspires me.
And after 30 years of knowing her, I still am getting to know her.

Thank you Jenny for letting God use you to comfort me, strengthen me, push me, and change me.

You are the meaning of a Godly best friend! I am blessed by you!

Search & Rescue

Cool news! Pete is joining the Shasta County Search and Rescue team. He is really excited to start this new adventure and I am thrilled to watch him ignite passions that have laid dormant for a while.

There is actually quite an extensive list of gear he needs to accumulate before he can be active so if anyone has or knows someone who has these items sitting in there garage unneeded, please give us a call!

Somethings he is looking for:

carabineers, locking
harness
climbing rope
rescue eight with ears
space blanket
climbing helmet
compass
trauma sheers

Thanks!!!