Trust.......

Today, giving much thought to TRUST, I am reminded that Faith is believing in something or some One who is trustworthy. It is NOT just believing that God WILL do something. Not long ago I saw a church sign which read; "Faith is not believing that God can; it's believing that God will." I gave that some thought and just cannot come away believing that statement. Sometimes God just does not choose to do what we think He should do in a way that we think He should do it. Not that He Can't; it is just He does NOT CHOOSE to do so.

Through this season in our lives with the situation we are facing with the baby; I am learning and trying to keep the faith even when I cannot see. I don't think I realized before how difficult it can be. But one thing I do know.....My God CAN do anything!!!! I reaffirm through scripture time and time again that GOD CAN. Will He? Will He change our situation??? I don't know; but even if He does not choose to work in that manner; by healing our little one so that we can bring it home to raise; I have no doubt that He CAN!!!

Someone recently said that she believed God was using our situation to show His power. I do believe that God will show His power!! He will be glorified!!! It's just sometimes, I can't get it through my thick skull that God may glorify Himself through another way....some way that I wouldn't even think of. But can I trust??? Can I throw myself into His arms and really say "Here Lord....I TRUST YOU!!???" Yes I can!!! Lord, You do it your way.....in Your Time!! TRUST!!!

Zoo Day

I think this was our favorite place, I think. LOL

Kids LOVED the dolphin show....came home and immediately mimicked them :)

Petting the goats

The group waiting on the train

The first roller coaster ride for several in our group....they loved it!!

Random Pictures following:

Our kids were soooo excited to be going to the zoo and all had their sunglasses on top of their heads :)

The weather was perfect

More New Happenings

Another year has begun and another baby started Kindergarten this year. Here are some of her pictures :) Hard to believe how fast time flies!! She is LOVING it!!!

In my Restlessness

Today I awoke with a feeling of restlessness and other emotions. Just wondering what is going to happen in my future and the future of my family. Feelings of excitement mixed with fear amerge sometimes, so it is good to know in whom I trust and to know that God is on my side.

Here is the song I read this morning that ministered to me.

BE STILL MY SOUL

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; they best, they heav'nly Friend
Thro' thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still my sou; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be stil, my soul; the waves and wind still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever witht he Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Wonderful Life Lessons

Today was a busy day. I watched 3 extra kids this morning for a while, then my sister and I took the kids to the park in town. It was fun!! We got to go in the petting zoo and then they played on the playground for awhile. It was amusing to hear the girls talking how "not fun" the park was because they would much rather go swimming in the new swimming pool we bought. :) Any other time they would be jumping for joy to go to TPA park.

We came home and I had a ton of dishes to do. My dishwasher went on the blink so I had take them out and wash all of them by hand. I hadn't done that in a long time. The kids and I worked a long time getting all of them done. I guess that was a good lesson time for them. It is good to know how to do dishes by hand. I think I am spoiled!!! :) I am going to miss that dishwasher! :'(

Tonight we plan to take the younguns fishing. It is a fun thing to do as a family and soooo relaxing. We really enjoy it.

Now to go get some icing made for my last graduation cake. What a busy, busy day!!!

Happiness Is:

Reading the "Be Happy Attitudes" by Robert Schuller, he talked about seeing our problems as possibilities. I wias so blessed while reading this.
He says, "To Jesus the whole world was jammed, pregnant, loaded, bulging with untapped, undiscovered, undetected POSSIBILITIES! Jesus really believed in the supreme possibilities!

Man can be born again!
Character can be changed!
You can become a new person!
Life can be beautiful!
There is a solution to every problem!
There is a light behind every shadow!
Yes! Jesus had an unshakable faith in these ultimate possibilities:
God exists!
Life goes on beyound death!
Heavin is for real!
Jesus was prepared to prove it. Be dying--and rising again!"

Happiness -- that deep inner strength that is made up of courage, faith, hope, and peace. Mix them together, and you have happiness!

Happiness--the courage to hang on in the face of severe adversity!

Happiness--the faith that God will have the last word, and it will be good!

Happiness--the hope that, even though you can only see the shadow, someday the clouds will clear away and the sun will shine again!

Happiness--the quiet sense of self-esteem that comes when you know you have done your best.

Happiness--the assurance that you have been merciful and kind to enemy and friend alike.

Happiness--the quiet assurance that God will be merciful and kind to you, too.

Happiness--the beautifull belief that htis life, no matter how difficult it may be, is not your final destination. Your life here on earth is only a pilgrimage. Heaven--life with Jesus forever--is our eternal destiny.

I CAN CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY -- ANYWAY!!

Wow!! What a challenge!! I am SOOOOO Blessed!!

Gearing up for the End of the Year

Our big Preschooler!! :)

Our 1st Grader

It is so hard to believe that the end of the school year is here already. We had a busy but fun weekend!! Friday we had a birthday party for my neice and it was fun getting with all the family and watching the kids play outside. Mike had to work all night....or til midnight so we missed him.
Saturday evening we had an Awards Banquet for FCA. It was very nice!! There was live entertainment from the Riverboat Ramblers. It was very enjoyable! We enjoyed watching the kids get their awards. I must say, I was very proud of Kendra. She got the most 100's in the lower learning center and the highest GPA. It was 99.9%. She was excited although I don't think she realized what it all meant. :) Daddy and Mommy were very proud of her hard work!!
Abigail is finished with preschool so now she is a big kindergartner. She is really excited about going to Kindergarten next year. It has been a great year and I am very happy with how she has developed this year. She is growing up and becoming a little lady.
I will post a few pictures of the girls. I know you will enjoy!!

Kendra with her awards

Kendra with three of her classmates. One of them had already gone.

Saying their scripture. They did a great job!! I love the motions Mrs Coleman puts with it.

The River Boat Ramblers