Saturday, May 28, 2011

Game Day


Hudson and Davis both had soccer games Thursday.  Hudson's team tied 3-3 and Davis' team won 4-2.  We really enjoy getting to watch them play. 

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Basketball beauty



Gabriella has really enjoyed practicing basketball four days a week.  It has been so awesome to see her involved in this way and having opportunity to practice her Spanish a bit more and with people her size at least.  Her friends are well over a year older than her, but she fits right in with them and has a great time.  It is important, too, because she is having opportunity to exercise on those days and enjoy the beautiful outdoors!

Monday, May 23, 2011

1000 Gifts - THEY ARRIVED...

 I am having the time of my life right now with my parents here visiting from the States, hence the lack of posts!  We are just reveling in the time to have together.  I am thankful for Godly parents who love my children, my husband, me and most of all the Lord Jesus Christ!

 
1000 gifts continued....
41.  My parents visiting us in Ecuador
42.  Late night chats
43.  The privilege of prayer
44.  watching the kids involved in sports activities
45.  back rubs
46.  date nights
47. new friends
48.  old friends
49.  yummy food
50. songs to sing to praise the Lord
51.  Christian radio stations available online (K-Love, The WORD FM, The FISH 95.9)
52.  people to help us out in this new city
53.  encouraging emails
54. SKYPE to keep in touch with family and friends
55.  receiving mail
56.  the privilege to worship with other believers
57.  the joy of opening the Word with others
58.  my mom and dad
59.  watching my dad involved in the community here during his trip
60.  watching the kids play with their grandparents


There is something completely awesome when you see the long-awaited plane landing.....
Then as we stand and gaze out the large glass walls, watching each passenger disembark the plane, anxiously waiting for my parents to step off.  Listening to the children whisper, "Is that them?"  "Will they be next?"  "What do you think Nana will be wearing?  And Grandpa?"  Anticipation, excitement, tears of joy . . . and then you see them .....Grandpa and Nana......
 

and you whisper a prayer of thanks to the Lord for His blessings in your life.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Easter

For Easter this year we had a sunrise service at a park overlooking the city of Loja.  What a wonderful time it was reflecting on the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I praise the Lord that we do not serve a dead God, but a Living God!  The words to a famous hymn sum it up pretty well...

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior, 
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord! 
 
Refrain: 
Up from the grave he arose; 
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes; 
he arose a victor from the dark domain, 
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign. 
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior, 
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord! 
(Refrain) 

Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior; 
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord! 
(Refrain) 
 


 

Monday, May 9, 2011

Gabriella turns FOUR


She adds such joy to our family.  She is a blessing from the Lord!  We pray that at a young age she will come to understand that God loved her so much He sent His only Son to die for her, that she might have everlasting life.  We pray that she will personally place her faith in the Person and work of Christ and live for Him all of her days. 
It was special that this year her birthday landed on Mother's Day!  Happy Birthday yesterday Gabriella.
We love you, Gabriella! 

1000 Gifts

I have so many things for which to give God thanks. 
So many gifts given by His hand.






1000 Gifts 21-40....

21.  the privilege to be called "Mommy"
22.  Gabriella, who turned four yesterday
23.  God's grace
24.  the ability to see
25.  going out to eat for our Mother's Day celebration
26.  playing sports with friends
27.  fresh and clean water to drink after a long soccer game
28.  beautiful flowers





29.  God's mercies which are new every day
30.  meeting new people
31.   Bible studies with others
32.  friends
33  a wonderful and loving mother who is an example to me
34.  a house to live in
35.  ability and freedom to meet for worship
36.  legs to walk on
37. kisses and hugs
38.  medicine to help with sickness and symptoms of sicknesses
39.  a small yard for the kids to play in.
40.  4 kids who all sleep through the night

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Two very special ladies!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

God has blessed me in so many ways in my life and one of those in by allowing me the privilege to have a godly, loving, serving and amazing mother.  From as early as I can remember, my mom showered me with her love and taught me the importance of loving God and desiring to serve Him.  She was an example to me in so many ways and I am forever thankful to have her in my life.  She is not only my mother but she is also a best friend.  
I love you, Mom!  Thank you for being you, a wonderful friend and example, and for always loving me.



God also blessed me with a godly and accepting mother-in-law.  I am so thankful for the mother of my husband and her example to me as well.  She raised an incredible man, who I am blessed to spend my life with, and I am so thankful for all that she did to help form him into the godly and wonderful man that he is today.  She has accepted me as part of the family and loves me as well.   
Thank you for your example and love. I love you!

I picked these pictures of my mom and mother-in-law because I thought it was pretty neat how they were both serving and doing the exact same thing!   


Friday, May 6, 2011

Motherhood should come with. . .

Five Minute Fridays
Where we throw caution (editing, revising, and worrying) to the winds and just write. Without wondering if it’s just right or not.
For five minutes flat. The rules are easy.
  1. Write your heart out for five minutes and show us what you’ve got.
  2. Tell your readers you’re linking up here and invite them to play along.
  3. And most importantly, go visit, read, and encourage the fellow five-minuter who linked up right before you.
Easy peasy.



Today's Five Minute Friday is ........

 MOTHERHOOD SHOULD COME WITH . . . . 

...a pause button.  There are so many moments in time when I just think to myself, "wow, I sure wish I could pause this moment, freeze it, and live in this moment forever."  
...a box of tissues . . . because there are those times when I cry over my children as I pray to the Father for each and every one of them.  I recognize that each child God has given me is a precious gift given for just a short time - they are really HIS, and He holds them in His hand and I pray that my children will love Him and serve Him all the days of their lives.  So a box of tissues comes in handy.

...a warning about how fast time flies.  As I watch my children grow I am just amazed and overwhelmed with how quickly the time flies by.  I can still remember almost like it was yesterday the first day I became a MOTHER . . . what a day that was!  And now my first born is almost 9 1/2 years old.  

Times up! 
Thankful to be the MOTHER to these four!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Quick Dessert Option - Saltine Candy Bars

Have you ever been in a hurry and need a quick idea for a dessert?


Have you ever wanted to whip something together really quick to have on hand for an evening of fun and could not figure out what to make?  

Have you ever simply had the craving for a yummy chocolate sweet and didn't quite know what you wanted?  

I might have an option for you!

First you will need to make sure you have the following ingredients:
**Saltine crackers
**Butter
**Brown Sugar
**Chocolate of choice
**Toppings per your desire, such as coconut, peanuts, pecans . . . whatever you would typically like in a candy bar.


~Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
~Simply grab a cookie sheet and line it with foil.   
~Then lay out the saltine crackers on the cookie sheet filling all the space.  
~Over the stove, mix 1 cup of  butter with 1 cup of brown sugar
~Bring to a boil and boil 2-3 minutes
~Pour over crackers and spread across them all.
~Place cookie sheet in oven for 4-6 minutes
~Remove and place chocolate on sugared crackers to melt.  This can be your choice of chocolate ...one bag of chocolate chips or chocolate bars ( semi-sweet, milk, white, dark )  ....whatever is your favorite
Let melt and spread over entire pan
~Add toppings if desired (Coconut, pecans, peanuts...)
~Place in fridge until chilled
~Break into pieces.
~Enjoy!

To see a similar recipe on line with a picture simply go here!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The Word of God

"For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."  Hebrews 4:12

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
II Timothy 3:16





I am so thankful for the Word of God.  I am so thankful that God has preserved His Word so that we can have a guide today.  

Are you spending time in the Word each day?  

What good devotional books are you reading? 

Let's be women of the WORD!



To see more Word-filled Wednesdays go here