Things That Made My Day Great...

I woke up this morning and decided that I needed to have a great day after a rather rough day yesterday. It's amazing the affect a little perspective can have on your day (I knew that yesterday too, but sometimes it's a little hard to turn around once you've already started).

Here are a few things that helped make my day great.

Natalie hardly ever sits in her high chair anymore. I thing she looks so big when she sits in it and it makes me just a little bit sad. This morning she wanted to sit in it with her crayons - she doesn't color with them she just likes to put them in and out of the bag.

Amirah gives a great grin. I call her my little cheerleader.

A made an apple pie. I haven't tasted it yet. That will be a great ending to a great day.

I listened to some great worship music while I made the apple pie - Jonathan David Helser. If you haven't listened to his music it's well worth your time.

http://www.jonathanhelser.com/jonathanhelser/Home.html

A great day wouldn't be complete without the great man in my life. He came home a little early today which always makes me smile. I'm not so sure he was impressed with my picture taking.

Here's to great days and even better days ahead!

Natalie and Amirah

These girls are something else. There is very seldom a dull moment in our house during the day. Now that Amirah is on the move, the dynamics of she and Natalie's relationship is also on the move (i.e. she can get into Natalie's space rather quickly rather than Natalie only being able to get into her space). Needless to say, Natalie is not sure how she feels about this. So drama ensues. They really are great friends though, most often. You can tell by the way Natalie calls out "baby" (which sounds a bit more like "bubby") as soon as Amirah comes and the way Amirah's face lights up. Cute kids, I must say :)

It's next to impossible to get a picture of the two of them together, but I have mentioned to get a few in the past few days. Here's a little peek.

Natalie loves climbing into anything - baskets, boxes (whether she really fits or not). Amirah is mostly game for whatever Natalie has attempted - so fun to watch!

Watching Sesame Street (it was only a few minutes, Melanie, I promise!)

Speaking Truth

I feel like Hans and I have entered into a battleground in relationships recently. Not so much our marriage - we have a few issues, but we are committed to work through those, and I believe we are. But, everywhere else we turn there is someone making a poor decision, or struggling with some hurt, or dealing with doubts, worry, bitterness... and these are the people that supposedly have a foundation.

How have we fallen so far? That is the question that keeps running through my head. As Christians, as parents, as leaders - how have we fallen so far? It's sobering to me. We are raising children in the church that don't know right from wrong? Is that scary to anyone else? We need to wake up! Our sins are not okay. Our mediocrity is not okay. And I'm speaking to myself above anyone. I believe it comes down to one thing, we are operating outside of the Spirit, and there is no life outside of the Spirit. We are dead. WAKE UP! RISE UP! We are the Church and if we do not fight we will lose generations... some have already been lost. Are we willing to lose more? I have a little girl sleeping upstairs that is worth this fight and beyond that there is a whole world of children that are worth this fight. I believe we can raise children to be God-fearing in a God-mocking world.

That's my soapbox for today, but seriously let's not give up this fight so soon. Let's join together in raising children that love God and speaking Truth that can combat all the lies of this world. And Hans and I (and many of you, I'm sure) will continue journeying through these relationships and crying out for the Spirit that we have ignored for far too long.