Easter Happenings

This Easter we enjoyed spending time with our family as well as our church body. Here's some pictures of our Easter Celebration.

We made it the sunrise service on time at 6am and my parents joined us! It was a treat having them there to worship with us so early on Easter morning. Then we headed to the Hernandez' for breakfast with the congregation.
Breakfast: Tamales, Ensalada de Fruita and Pan (Friut Salad, Bread). Yummy!

Alisia looking beautiful with a touch of Mexican spice.

Angel teaching Caleb and Alisia to appreciate their Mexican roots. Eeeyyeee!

Caleb and Junior. Caleb enjoys hanging with la raza (the gang).

Here's Danny (Angel's cousin) with some church friends. He's very involved with church and has been here for two years now. Also photoed: Paige, Danny, Sandita, Andrea, Joanna, Erica, (me)

On Saturday, we enjoyed the evening with family- my parents, Mommom and Poppop, Jarrod and Stephanie, Joe, Teresa and Eston, Jim and Brenda, Dan and Rae.

Easter Egg Hunts:

Ping Pong:

Decorating Easter Eggs:














humm...I wonder what that egg says!

 

Be careful Caleb, The eggs aren't superheros.

Too late! Sorry Darth Vader.

(some of) The final product: Some very cool Star Wars eggs!

The Lord reminded me that despite our sinful nature, he is faithful to draw us back to himself. I have a tendency to overly focus on what's going on and our activities instead of focusing on the reason we are celebrating. I have to realize that it is OK if things don't go exactly as planned and let things play out. I usually consider myself a very flexible person, but lately God has been teaching me to be flexible in His timing, not my own. I am thankful to have a husband who continues to love me and gently point me back to God.

Proverbs 16:9
A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

Amazing Love

John 1:29
"...Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Have a blessed Easter celebrating the Resurrection and serving the living God.


Your only Son No sin to hide
But You have sent Him, From Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God

Your gift of Love They crucified
They laughed and scorned him as he died
The humble King They named a fraud
And sacrificed the Lamb of God

Oh Lamb of God, Sweet lamb of God
I love the Holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Christ the Lamb of God

I was so lost I should have died
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod
And to be call a lamb of God

Lamb of God by Twila Paris 1985

Holy Week

Monday: Home Group at the Shank's
Tuesday: MOPS Meeting
Wednesday: Worship Practice
Thursday: 6:30pm Worship and Prayer Vigil Covenant
7pm Cordero de Dios (Lamb of God) Play
Friday: 4pm Egg Hunt
7pm Alianza Studia Biblica our house
Saturday: Easter Dinner with the Puffenbarger's
Sunday: 6am Sunrise Service
8:30 am Breakfast at the Hernandez'
11am Easter Service

humm...These are all great activities we have going on this week, but somethings gotta go. I want to stay focused on Christ and still be sane by the time Easter Service gets here. Lord, bring us closer to you this week in all our activities. Let our hearts rejoice for the reason you came into this world.

Luke 19:38-39
"Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”


P.S. Genine and Dan just got back from Israel. Click on the link to view some of their pictures of their trip.

Sowing Seeds

Alisia has been learning about seeds in Science class and she made a beautiful seed collection display. However, it is obvious that we don't live on a farm, and we don't garden.

We were eating popcorn after school for snack and I noticed Alisia picking out all the seeds.

Me: "What are you doing?"

Alisia (with a big smile): "I'm going to plant a popcorn tree."

Me: "Alisia, think about the word popcorn, where do you think the seeds come from?"

Alisia: "POPCORN...oh! Corn! Then I'll plant a corn tree!"

Hummm..I'll definately be planting something this year! It'll be our project. Now we just have to think of what we want to grow! Maybe a corntree? Any ideas on something the kids can help with?

Luke 8:15

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Faith of a Child

Tuesday I found out that my license plates were stolen off my car. Both the front and back. I don't know where it happened, but I called the police and made a report. He wasn't alarmed and informed me that this was rather normal. I dreaded going to DMV, they are always so busy!

On my way home from work, I noticed that someone spray painted "REPENT" on the side of a church on our street right down from our house.

When I picked up Caleb from Daycare his eyes were watery and he looked sick, but said he felt fine and was in good spirits. Right when we sat down for dinner, he grabed his mouth and threw-up. Anyone wanna know what he had for lunch? I cleaned him up and laid him on the couch, noticing he was very warm. I went get the Tylenol and thermometer, but he was already asleep when I came back to give it to him. I wondered how long this bug was going to last!

That night I was exhausted and knew that tomorrow was going to be a long day! As Angel took Caleb up to bed, I went to pray with Alisia. Tired, and ready to go to bed, I prayed first. Then I listened to Alisia as she prayed for each of these things that happened during the day.

-She prayed that God would help me tomorrow get new license plates.

-She prayed that the church would be easy to paint over.

-She prayed for whoever stole my license plate and whoever painted the church that they would repent.

-She prayed for Caleb that he would sleep good through the night and feel better.

-She prayed that no one else in our family would get sick.

-She prayed that we would all be able to sleep well and have a good day.

"Thankyou, Alisia," I said giving her a kiss on the head and covering her up tightly.

"Mommy don't worry," she said "God will take care of our family."

The next day (yesterday), Caleb woke up around 7. He had 13 hours of sleep. I asked him how he was feeling and he said "I'm not sick any more. I'm hungary." I made him some breakfast, we got ready, and he seemed his normal self. After I dropped him off at daycare, I went straight to DMV. They weren't busy and it only took me about 10 minutes to get new plates for my car. Work went well, and on my way home, I noticed someone cleaning the spray paint off the church.

At dinner time, I told Angel, Alisia, and Caleb the good news from the day and how different everything turned out than I had imagined. Alisia said "I prayed for you today at school and so did my class." She didn't seem surprised at all. She knew that God had heard her prayers and he would answer them. That night she remembered to thank God for answering her prayers and taking care of our family.

Matthew 18:3

And Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Fun with Friends

Here are some pictures from a few weeks ago when we got together with Karina and Jacob.
It's fun having kids the same age. We went to eat first then went to see Beauty ant the Beast play at the High School.

A Cord of Three Strands

So when Angel told me that he asked someone from church if we could borrow they're cabin for the weekend, I was thrilled. I said "the kids will love it!"

"The kids? They'll be with Grammy" he said skeemishly.

I have to admit, my heart sank. They have become the joy of my life. "What are we going to do by ourselves the whole weekend? No Kids. No TV. No cell phone service. Friday. Saturday. Sunday."

He just smiled.

It was a good time away together. Just us two. Something that I'm not used to. I really thought we might actually be board without our kids and wouldn't have much to talk about. I was wrong. We needed to reconnect, enjoy being married, and strengthen our cord. At the end of the weekend I was really proud of him for making me feel so special! Gracias mi Amor! Thankyou Bakers for letting us retreat for the weekend at your place. Thanks Mom and Dad for watching the kids. Thankyou Lord for a cord of three strands.
Ecc 4:12
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."


After church on Sunday, we met up with my mom who had the kids and she brought them out for the rest of the afternoon.

"Scoot over, I was sitting there first, give it back" shortly reminded me to be even more thankful for the time alone with my husband...as much as we missed the kids.



On our way home squeezed in more fun and drove up to the top of Massanutten Peak to see some beautiful views.



Then we checked out their new Water Park and stopped by the Arcade. This is a new birthday party idea that Alisia's thinking about and planning for July.

Back to life! Recharged and Ready.

Matthew 19:4-6
"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Praise God Louder

It has already started off being a windy month! One Sunday recently we were at church and the wind was blowing hard. From inside, all you could see out the window were the tips of the trees rocking back and forth . Caleb pointed up to the window. I wispered to him "their praising God."

After the sermon, we sang another song and Caleb pointed again while we were singing. It looked like the trees were praising God and singing with us! Now, when we see the wind blowing, a beautiful sun set, or the stars shining brightly, we say "They're praising God."

The last night was a clear beautiful night with lots of bright shining stars. Caleb pointed up to the sky to a faint star and said "That star needs to praise God louder."

His comment made me realize I need to do the same thing. I need to praise God louder. I don't want to be like a faint star far in the night sky, but one that is shining brightly praising loudly--on good days the same as hard days. In the morning and at night. When God answers prayer, or when trials come--in all things, God give me a heart of praise.

We went inside and read this Psalm before bed. So I thought I'd share:

Psalm 148
1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.

6 He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
10 will animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,

12 yong men and maidens, old men and children.

13 Let them prise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14 He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the LORD.

Find the Time

With both of us working full time now, it is extremely important for us to take advantage of our time as a family. The problem is as life goes on- you have to find the time! Well, Saturday we took at trip to Roanoke to visit some friends, the Sink family. We had such a great time visiting and spending time together.

Cristen took us up to the Star which over-looks the city

While Alisia had fun reading to Kathryn, Caleb enjoyed her toys!

Then we took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese

Caleb was excited about seeing this Batman Car in the parking lot. But we didn't see Batman inside though!

He did find Spiderman though!

Kathryn, Caleb, and Alisia

Alisia and Caleb counting tickets to pick out a prize!

The kids followed the Star as far as they could see it. The rest of the ride home was quiet! They sure were tired!

To Cristen's family, or anyone else wanting to try this trip in a day from the Harrisonburg area- it's Do-able! and worth it- they're great hosts and make sure you have fun!
Thanks Johnny, Cristen, and Kathryn!

A Heart to Change the World

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's amazing how God continues to teach us as parents as we see things through the eyes of our children. Again, I am humbled at the opportunity God gave us to raise them and thankful for lessons we learn as parents. It was a fun day for both of my kids as they looked forward to giving out Valentine's cards to their friends. As Alisia was carefully preparing each of her cards for her friends, I sat down with Caleb to do the same. This was a new experience for him that didn't quite make sense. When we were at the store picking out which cards he wanted to get, he asked why, but his eyes quickly drew to the Star Wars cards, and thankfully I didn't have to try to explain right then and there. But I knew it had to come up again. As we sat down, I asked Caleb to pick out cards for some of the boys in his class.

Caleb: "Why do I have to pick out a card?"

Mommy: "Because tomorrow is your party, you give them a card, and they give you one."

Caleb: "But Why do I have to give them a card?"

Mommy: "So they can know they're your friend"

I guess that was enough for his curiosity because he started picking out which ones he wanted to give to his friends. Then we got to the girls.

Mommy: "Which one do you want to give to Bree?"

Caleb: "I don't know," and kindof shrugged his sholders like he was done.

Mommy: "Come on Caleb, we're almost done. Pick one out for Bree......"

He looked over his cards again, then shook his head.

Mommy: "OK, I'll just pick one then" just so we could finnish.

Caleb: "But Mommy, Bree doesn't like Star Wars. She likes princess."

I stopped and thought for a moment about his comment. I had to stop myself from just answering his whys. I really wanted to say "but you like Star Wars that's why you picked these cards. Now pick one for her." But I realized he was really thinking about his friends, not himself at all. He understood more than I did what it means to show someone that they are your friend. Instead of imposing his likes on his friends, he was sincerely thinking about what they would like. A heart like this can change the world!

How often do I actually stop thinking about myself and start thinking about what someone else will sincerely enjoy? Something to think about as I go about this Valentines Day and every day. Sharing God's love is not about us, but relating to others in a way that will reach them personally. This actually takes more time getting to know them. If we ALL thought like this when sharing God's love, our witness would be that much more effective. Bree did end up getting a Star Wars Valentines card, along with the other girls. After I thought about his comment I said "Caleb, that's so nice of you to think of what she would want. We don't have any princess cards though. Maybe she will like the card just because it's from you and that makes it special."