Easter Hunts 1

MARVELEOUS WORKS

What an amazing weekend this has been! Few things top the joy a parent can have when they see their kids use the potty chair... I'm sure there are several other great accomplishments and decisions down the road but for right now using the potty chair takes the ice cream.....some may object to bribery but I would suspect those that do have kids still in diapers.....we aren't completely free from the Diaper Dependency but we are 1 step closer......halleluah!
Another great thing is to see your kids just wide-eyed with excitment as they learn and discover.....Allison and Caleb got to experience a carnival, egg hunt, and see many animals at the zoo.....yes, it sounds ambitious but we packed all this in one weekend and enjoyed it.....as you will see in the pictures Ally was wide-eyed as she got to see for the first time real monkeys, gorillas, penguins, lions, giraffes, and many other favorites.....Caleb just sat back and took all the new sights, sounds, and smells in....it all started with a visit to a church carnival where like most kid's first experience of egg hunting you wind up with 1 egg and a trampling.....very obvious we were first-timers as we didn't do the mad dash to grab 30 eggs....I figure some of these parents could play in the NFL with their 40 yrd dashes, quick manuevering and tight end blocking.....thankfully Ally walked away unscathed and with 1 egg with of course some "D" (candy)....while that may of been a highlight for her for the parents it was letting her experience pony rides, games, and other carnival rides for the first time.....yes we all live vicariously through our kids sometimes but that's what brings out the fun in us sometimes.....
Day 2 brought a great worship service on the discipline of service and an amazing visit to the zoo.....no doubt Ally's favorite was the monkey exhibits.....she loved seeing chechees(monkeys) friends.....it was all wide eyes.....of course I got teary eyed when we approached the only Aussie exhibit - the roos......I'll have to talk to the zoo manager about that......maybe we could get a few flying squirrels or a blue-tongued lizard in there.....either way it was alot of fun seeing her connect with God's great creativity.....nothing better seeing a child's imagination come to grip with God's creation.....Caleb was also looking rather dashing too.....our future adventurer.....well there you have it.....one amazing weekend with the family and God's creation.....thanks

Stepping Out To Slay a Giant

One of the greatest giants we all can face is self-doubt. It's father is FEAR. Amazing how one can have an eternally loving Father but still choose to allow FEAR to rule. Just as most servants of God, often times our best preparation or training is done while under a burden. Our journey has begun much like King David. Young, eager, BOLD and expectant. After several years of contemplation and months of prayer God has decided to move our family from the East Coast to Texas where I will be preparing to become a "shepherd of people." This new vision came with much change and sacrifice. God, however, is a God of details. We have amazingly seen God provide a new home with the closing done in 3 days. He also provided an unexpectant job opportunity while I was looking for a church address in CompUSA. I can't but think that when we choose to HONOR Him that he then turns around and blesses us. I admire the courage David had when he ran towards his Giant enemy knowing that God would deliver him into his hands. This was a young man that had several years cultivating a unique relationship with Jehovah God. The stage was set to bring David into the limelight and wash the stain that Israel had left with God. So the stage has been set for us and we have started our approach to preparing our hearts for service. Just as David knew God would deliver his enemy to him I KNOW God will deliver an adventure that will change our hearts forever. Thank you family and friends for your prayers and support. VA crew.....we will miss you and remember the coffee is only good HOT! Family - thank you for supporting and understanding that this venture is not self-promoting but uplifting the name of Christ. So, I end with comfort, joy, and peace in my heart as we make this transition and desire that you all have a Merry Christmas!