NewThru30

So we are doing this reading program with our youth, to read the New Testament in 30 days. What a blessing it has been to our family, any many others as well. It is so awesome getting together with our youth each week; praising God together, catching up on life and talking about what we have been reading and learning from God's words. I love meeting with my sweet girls, and hearing them pour their hearts out about how the Scriptures have moved them :) I love hearing how some families are doing this reading together :)
Thank you Jesus for your words that help us know how we need to live for you each and everyday!

Luke 9:22-27
If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want! They must be willing to give up their lives daily to follow me. Those you want to save their lives will give up true life. But those who give up their lives for me will have true life.

Luke 14:26-27
If anyone comes to me but loves his father, mother, wife, children, brothers or sisters-or even life-more than me, he cannot be my follower. Whoever is not willing to carry his cross and follow me cannot be my follower.

Luke 18:29-30
I tell you the truth, all those you have left houses, wives, brothers, parents, or children for the kingdom of God will get much more in this life. And in the age that is coming, they will have life forever.

Luke 19:34-36
Be careful not to spend your time feasting, drinking or worrying about worldly things. If you do, that day might come on you suddenly, like a trap on all people on earth. So be ready all the time! Pray that you will be strong enough to escape all these things that will happen and that you will be able to stand before the Son of Man.

Eddie came to visit

Well our 1st youth ministry in Kansas (2004-2006) we learned a lot and formed great friendships with our students. Eddie was one of our students. We love having Eddie come visit, after all we adopted him into our family. So he calls us mom and dad, and I had to laugh as he told a friend in our church that he was our first adopted child, warmed my heart! Lyndlee and Gavin have a great time with him. Lyndlee loves him a lot and sure misses him when he leaves. Already waiting for next visit son!

Gavin's 1st Snow

Snow Days

Finally rest of Christmas pictures!

Here is my brother Josh who was finally able to make it from Texas to visit family for Christmas. And my other brother Jeremi, his sweet wife Jenni and precious baby girl Ellie. I am so blessed with wonderful family and family I married into.
Another week has started. So excited today at our church we are starting a new Scripture reading program with our youth called "New Thru 30." We are going to be reading the New Testament in 30 days! So excited to be on this journey with the kids and to help make reading God's word a habit. But not just a habit, not something we can mark off for the day, but a deep desire and joy of diving into His words!

We had Christmas Eve Service together with our church family. It was a great service and it was beautiful seeing this gorgeous chapel decorated and the body of Christ coming together for one purpose; for worshipping the One True King! Lyndlee and Gavin had a hard time sitting still through the service. They were loud, saying funny things, Lyndlee tried eating the candle they handed out, etc. After this adventure, we ended up at Denny's with a few families from church for a late supper.
Christmas morning serving at our church went great. We had a great turn out and made some new friends! What a blessing it was to our family, to serve and give to others instead of focusing on ourselves, on gifts and other things. Really put some things into perspective. We were able to help some poor families pick out a coats, hats, gloves. Some families picked out extra winter clothes and blankets. One girl chose to Christmas shop for her mom. I watched as our music minister took his shoes off and gave them to a man who wasn't wearing shoes. I watched some of our youth girls walk up to total strangers to talk to them and make them feel loved. I saw some men go out of their way so they could know as many people as possible at this breakfast. I saw them reach into their own pockets to give this sweet girl some money so she could buy a Christmas gift. I saw numerous people that didn't even attend our church come to help serve because they wanted to do something different at Christmas. I saw groups of people that came to serve others and not themselves. I saw a group of people come together to be "Jesus" to our brothers and sisters that needed it the most. And isn't this what every Christmas, what everyday should be about. Shouldn't we always be striving to serve and love others? After all, our perfect example Jesus did not come to be served but came to serve others and give his life as a ransom for many people! (Mark 10:45)
Wishing everyone a Wonderful New Year!
Blessings.