Sorry folks....

No pictures yet. I will soon though. The kids haven't changed much from the last pics so all is good. Except Sydney got her ears pierced over the holidays and she looks like such a big girl. So I will post some pics as soon as I get a chance.

Just a quick update for you peoples that want to know:

We had a good Christmas. It was very busy, but good. We spent about a week in Dallas with my family. My parents are in the process of moving to KY to care for my mema. She is 86 and has alzheimer's and has been living alone. The situation was getting more and more dangerous for her to be alone, so my parents, after MUCH prayer and discussion, made the decision to move in with her rather than replant her in Dallas. My parents are tired of "big city" life anyway. So...my dad is there now. We missed him at Christmas, but still had a good time. My mom is totally out of her house and living with my brother and his family. She is finishing out the school year and will go to KY at the end of May. They are happy with their decision and I'm looking forward to spending more time at my Mema's house.

While in Dallas, Sydney was sick the whole time with some flu virus...and on our way to Lubbock, Todd and I caught it. We spent almost a week in Lubbock as well. It was good to see everyone, but not fun being sick. Sienna caught it at the end of our trip there, then Asher on the way back home. So the trip was not relaxing at all, but always good to see family and friends.

So we are back into the swing of things...kinda. School is starting for Todd this week. Asher and Sienna have been back for a couple of weeks now. Asher was "superstar" last week and enjoyed that. I'll post pics of that too later. He got to dress up and share pictures of family, and we took snacks that began with the letter "R". It's all a part of being in Kindergarten. It really has been a good year for him so far. He is reading now and enjoys his Gameboy he got from Grandma. Sienna was going to school all day three days a week, but I dropped her down to three half days. She will start Kinder next year. She is trying to read some short vowel words now, all on her own, and picking it up quickly. Sydney is just Ms. Independent. She enjoys playing with shapes and blocks and babies and dress up, of course. Todd is gearing up for his semester. I'd like to ask for you to remember him this next few months. This is going to be a taxing semester for him. It's been so great having him home, we are all going to have to adjust to his new schedule once again. It is nice to know it is temporary. But please, if you think about it, pray for Todd's endurance, patience, health, and safety on the road.

I've been thinking about some things lately. I won't go into much detail here, but want to share something very encouraging to me lately. The other day I had an opportunity to spend some very much needed time alone, and in that time, I asked God why do people suffer much? And the Holy Spirit, I believe, brought these verses to mind immediately:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are PROTECTED by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. IN THIS you GREATLY REJOICE, even though now for a little while, if NECESSARY, you have been distressed by various trials or temptations (NIV), SO THAT the proof of your faith, being MORE PRECIOUS than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to RESULT in PRAISE and GLORY and HONOR at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"
1 Peter 1:3-7

He goes on in that section to talk about loving Him even though we have not seen him and having joy that is beyond our ability to express.

I'm not a scholar and never have been. I don't know all the background to this letter right off the bat, but I know I could look it up in a book. But I didn't want to be distracted by that. I simply felt the peaceful whisper in my ear of why people suffer, I meant myself really. Mind you, I know all typical answers to this question, but this came straight to my soul from the H.S. If you don't believe that, don't say it here because I'm not trying to stir the pot, I am just sharing how God ministered to ME.

There is so much said in those few verses, I'm still chewing on it. But here's what I was reminded of : there is nothing in this world, no amount of money, greater than my faith. My faith is what sustains me daily, not money, not friends, not family, not "stuff", not anything. My bible says so that the "geuineness" of your faith may be found to result in praise in v. 7. As a daughter of the King, this empowers me to face my day head on, come what may, with a certain resolve. Sounds good on a blog, but living it is another deal. I've loved God all of my life, and I do not doubt that he has saved me, but there are still so many set backs in my life. See, I think Satan loves to whisper those lies to us...ALL of us........

"you are the only one who feels that way"
"you are a terrible wife, mother and friend"
"God doesn't love you, look at your life"
"you are the only one struggling like that"
"don't say anything to anybody, hide out, they'll think you're crazy"
"keep it to yourself, nobody wants to hear about your garbage"
"you're so stupid"

and on and on and on.........
but, we must replace those lies with truth. What truth? God has had great mercy on us, he caused us to be saved, we can obtain in inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, will not fade away that is reserved in heaven for YOU! You are protected by the POWER of God through FAITH. You have something more valuable than any amount of riches on the earth.....FAITH. And what is the outcome of our faith? Salvation of our souls. God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but a spirit of POWER, LOVE, and SOUND JUDGMENT! The testing of our faith produces ENDURANCE or steadfastness.
And on and on the truth goes. I am thankful today, for another chance to live better, more faithful, realizing that it's a good thing to be tested and challenged. God is working on me still and I'm very thankful for that.

I hope that you are being challenged as well.

Let me hear from you!