Snow Storm 2011

I have to say that I was a bit skeptical that the Snowstorm of 2011 would really amount to much and boy was I proven wrong! These pictures remind me that these are the best days of my life for sure. We may be more broke these days raising little kids, but I know and live like these are the richest days of my life when it comes to cherishing them and making memories with them (even on non-snowy days)! We've had fun in the snow folks, but to be honest I am still a summer girl.

Uncle Jacob came over and played with us in the snow on Day 1 since Daddy has been working hard clearing parking lots all over town with Papa D. They are making some dinero, but we missed Daddy. Thanks Jacob for playing with us! Then, on our 2nd day we enjoyed watching the last two Sarah Palin's Alaska's (sooo sad), snuggling, and sledding and playing with Daddy.

Caleb stays out about as long as it takes him to get dressed. He, of course, goes out and does his own thing digging, stomping and carrying around his rifle to "hunt" elk. He has absolutely no interest in sledding or making snowmen or snowballs. Then, after he does his thing out there he comes in and watches "Ole Yeller" with "his dog", Sarah, until the rest of us get done playing.

Jeb loves to sled and be pulled behind the four-wheeler and he even rode his four-wheeler out there a bit.

Bailey was raring to go when we let her out this morning. I think she lives for this weather. Some folks think animals are like humans and bring even big dogs in for winter, but it is obvious from her snow angels and mushing with the tail wagging that some big dogs are right in their element in the elements! She is so happy. Jonas points out every time we take pictures on the farm that is hard to catch one that this dog is not in. She will be so missed many years from now when she is no longer with us. She lives to run around the farm with us. We go and visit our elderly neighbors and they always laugh that I bring an entire entourage of animals...even our cat comes over!

When I look out over the pastures right now all I can think about is whoever coined the term "blanket of snow" was right on the money. Amazing! It is hard to imagine looking at God, but we might be catching a small glimpse--see below!

Daniel 7:9
"As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.

Matthew 28:3
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

Revelation 1:14
His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.

Psalm 147:16
He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.

Psalm 148:8
lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,

Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Kicking off 2011

We spent our first days in 2011 just the four of us having fun on our new Wii, and doing other more important and substantial things like discussing how we can live more "radically" for Christ, things we desire to do and sell, and spending quality time together in the outdoors.

We found some frozen lakes and the boys hiked 480 ft. straight up to a gazebo that was built ages ago by the CCC and it was a nice overlook. They boys poking out from the tree is a fun memory because they always like to run ahead when we hike and then pop out and "scare" us. Sometimes Jonas pretends he is hunting them and they like that too!

I have just finished reading David Platt's book Radical. If you want to read a book that will revolutionize your life, how you pray, what you spend money on, what you think about your church, and how you look at the world then this is the book. You can read the first chapter here: They will email you a pdf of the first chapter and I know you will be convicted, moved, and challenged to keep reading. Warning: Don't read this book unless you are ready to do some serious reckoning with God that includes life change. One resource that I plan to use for my own prayers and so the kids can understand the need for Jesus and missionaries in other parts of the world is We started last night praying for the people of Madagascar. This organization has it set up so that you can choose a country or region, see what God is doing there, how you can pray for persecuted Christians, and lost souls that live there. I love my church and I think that we do a ton of things right by focusing on saving lost souls in our community, worshiping authentically, and my kids learn a ton about loving the Lord there. However, it is unlike a more traditional church in that we don't hear much about God's work globally or missionaries. So, another way I am hoping to fill that gap is that our family has partnered with this organization to pray, give, and connect with missionaries in the world . I must say that praying for missionaries and lost souls in other countries has been a major shortcoming in my spiritual walk in the past few years. Hoping to change that in 2011. Jonas and I are also hoping to find a place to go and serve in the next year or so!

From the book:
In Radical, David Platt invites you to encounter what Jesus actually said about being his disciple, and then obey what you have heard. He challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated a God-centered gospel to fit our human-centered preferences. With passionate storytelling and convicting biblical analysis, Platt calls into question a host of comfortable notions that are common among Christ's followers today. Then he proposes a radical response: live the gospel in ways that are true, filled with promise, and ultimately world changing.

Also, from the operation world website they have a great link to articles and ebooks about prayer that are free. I loved the article on Dog and Cat prayers! Cats are basically saying, “Dear Lord, we come boldly before
You and ask You to help us build our kingdom. ”Dogs boldly come before God as well, but they say, “Lord,we’re here with great faith because we need things from You to
help advance Your kingdom. We want to make You famous. We know You will answer our prayers.” I think that sometimes I do and we all do get stuck just praying for our own needs and those around us...not so much focusing on what is God's will and what will bring Glory to HIM. Whew ...praying is tough in a world so busy and with a brain so overloaded with things to do and places to be.

Christmas 2010

Besides that Caleb and I got step throat Christmas was good this year. It was great to hear what gift folks are going to give Jesus this year and what they are thankful to the Lord for from this past year. God's provision in each person's life was amazing. So much to be thankful for! James 1:17--
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Jeb got a 4-wheeler and I don't know who was happier Daddy or Jeb. It brought J so much joy to ride with his son. They were both smiling much of our time together outside! Caleb is content since he got a tractor from Nana Mac and Papa D to ride. He rides out through the pasture like his Power Wheels are gasoline engines. It is funny to watch him. We had a great steak dinner and family time Christmas Eve at Nana Mac's and lots of presents were opened and exchanged. Caleb loved his tractor and his tools, including a welder. Later at my family's Christmas he got even more tools and his own air compressor and that made him proud! Jeb is loving his Wii and Jonas is also enjoying hunting games with Jeb on the Wii. I am reliving my childhood playing Super Mario Brothers. We had fun with all the cousins riding dirt bikes and 4 -wheelers and with our neighbors and family ATV's we were rolling to the tune of about 8 ATV's/dirt bikes out and about. It looked like Moto-cross around here. The snow was as extra-special blessing this year and Jeb proudly reported that he did his first doughnut on the four-wheeler --yikes. It is crazy to have so many kids around, but it is also so much fun. Every year there is less fighting and more fun! The little girls are such a sweet addition to our family the past few years!

I have included an old pic of my dad in this blog, so that for the record folks can see that Jeb looks just like the man. Amazing.

Going to try to trust God for even more in 2011. It seems like each year I say that and I do better letting go in one area while holding more tightly to another. This world is so crazy and uncertain and runs so differently than how a believer should live that each day is another day to wage the war of trusting God instead of leaning on myself. Every day is a struggle to trust God for our finances, to fight greed/materialism, to give of our time/money/talents/comfort/convince to bless others, to do the tough work of parenting/discipline, to make healthy choices for me and my family, to be a wife that blesses my husband, to be patient and wait on God, to be self-controlled, to keep priorities straight...I could go on and on...
Psalm 13:5
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

I am one chapter short of finishing the book Radical by David Platt. If you want a book that completely revolutionizes how you think about your faith, what it means to be a "christian", your finances, your time, your church--READ THIS BOOK. It is by far the most convicting book I have ever read. It has really challenged me to re-vamp some things, but also encouraged me in some areas. I HIGHLY recommend it if you are ready for some serious reckoning with God.

Wasn't going to blog this week...until I saw this...

My boy's idea of a perfect winter morning. He got a new "Old Yeller" DVD for an early Christmas from Nana Mac and Papa D and he HAS TO HAVE "his dog" snuggled down with him for watching. When I came through from the laundry room this site took my breath away. There is not much more "little boy" than a 2 year-old and his pup. I never knew when I had his first bday "puppy" party that this pup would become his best buddy. I included some flashbacks to almost two years ago of the pair. Jonas and I have discussed getting her wrapped in some sort of bionic bubble wrap for protection. I know that some folks don't have pets for their kids b/c of the trouble of it...but they are SO worth it.

So much for no dogs on the couch!

Jill and I had a good time making gingerbread boys with our boys recently. They requested to make them since they had gingerbread boy silly bands.


Jeb has been learning about gun safety---even if if is suction cup darts--see paper...if you can't read it is says, "I will not shoot people." Old school discipline folks. Caleb took a dart to the eye this week...YIKES. Still, the love to chase each other with the dart guns...I've been hit...it doesn't hurt that bad...unless it is in the eye, of course.