Things Nate has said...

My last post inspired me to jot a few things down that Nate says randomly through-out the week. He keeps us laughing!

Listening to a video podcast sermon-

"...our Jesus? Our Jesus is in Heaven?!?!"

"He's our Rock?"

During family devotions-

"Jesus is in my sock."

Going to a public bathroom-

"Is this for boys or for the mommies and boys?"

* I don't think I need to mention the questions that arise as to why he stands and I don't... I just hope some of those ladies don't understand his English."

Waking him up one morning for school-

(Mom) "Hey Sunshine! Good Morning!"

(Nate in a very sleepy voice) "Mommm... the sunshine is outside (getting up and opening curtains and pointing). I'm Nate."

Miscommunication

Danny came back home from taking Nate to school this morning and told me about their conversation.

Nate- "I like Toys R Us"

Daddy- "That's cool"

(small talk next couple of minutes then Danny turns and stops the car in front of the Kindergarten)

Nate- "What are we doing here?"

Daddy- "It's where you go to school"

Nate- "But I said "I like Toys R Us" !"

Easter re-cap

Here are some pictures of just one of the many activities we had over the weekend. This egg hunt went well, the kids had a lot of fun! It was quite chilly as you can see, and last year we were short sleeves! Either way, eggs were hunted, chocolate was found, eaten, and children were happy.

Hope you had a great Easter weekend and more importantly remembering just what Christ did for us. Danny & I did some studying of this special time. It seems like Easter has become just one of those holidays that come 'round every 12 months. It is SO much more! Easter weekend gives us LIFE. Christ went thru unspeakable pain and humiliation that none of us could fathom. He endured the horrible words and actions done to him all the while silently hanging on the cross. Being silent is not one of my strong points. When Christ finally spoke--He asked His Father to---FORGIVE THEM! Aren't you glad?!? His blood covered our sins, paid the debt, prepared the way. The best part... He didn't just die and that was it. He ROSE FROM THE GRAVE!

Luke 24:1-7
"1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them,[a] came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened, as they were greatly[b] perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’"

Cloud of Witnesses

It's a bit of an older song, but today I got this CD out by Mark Schultz and was struck by the meaning of the words, as if I'd heard it for the first time. My cloud of witnesses are spread out and appreciated for a variety of reasons. I am so thankful for those chosen to be a part of my life and Danny's. Many have shown their loyalty and spiritual maturity thru the years. What a blessing to know that there are people who've chosen to be a part of our lives. We pray we are faithful in being the same witnesses to them.

What is amazing is how I'm learning to pray over Nathan and Micah's cloud of witnesses. We're in the beginning stages of ministry and they don't have a big church with Sunday school and Children's church to attend. The body of Christ is important. Do you have a cloud of witnesses? Will they be waiting for you in Heaven? Will you be waiting for some of them? If not... share Christ.

Hebrews 12:1-2
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

'Cloud of Witnesses'
Mark Schultz

We watched them runnin' down the aisles,
Children's time, Sunday morning.
The preacher asked them who they loved,
they all smiled and started pointing to their mom,
their dad, the teacher from their kindergarten class;
And each and every one
had just come from...

A cloud of witnesses
that would see them through the years
cheer them with a smile
and pray them through the tears.
A cloud of witnesses that would see them to the end,
and shower them with love that never ends.
A cloud of witnesses.

They stuck together through the years,
the best of friends faith could foster.
So when they found out one of them
had heard the news
he'd lost his father,
they ran to him
and prayed and put their hands upon his head,
and slowly one by one
they'd all become...

A cloud of witnesses
as they sent above a prayer
they took a hold of hands and
circled 'round a friend.
A cloud of witnesses with a faith just like a rock,
they helped him give his father back to God,
as a cloud of witnesses

So when it comes the time
that Heaven calls
they'll come running to see the ones who've gone before,
and made the journey home to find waiting for them at the finish line,
cheerin' happily they will run
and they will see...

A cloud of witnesses
lined up on a street of gold
as they run the final mile,
that leads them to a throne.
And through the cloud of witnesses
they see God upon the throne.
And as they fall into His arms,
they know they're home in
a cloud of witnesses,
surrounded by a could of witnesses.

We watched them runnin down the aisles
Children's time
Sunday morning.

Catan night

This past week we had a couple over for dinner and then played Danny's favorite board game, Catan. We discovered this game while on deputation. A military family had us over for dinner and they taught us this game. They got it while they were stationed in Germany. Danny bought it shortly after we arrived here in Graz and it's helped us with our language studies because it's only written in German (our version). Since 2004, Danny has been making a hobby out of collecting all the expansion/versions of this game. It is really fun, but make sure you have a few hours to kill. LOL!

We had a lot of fun and thought you might enjoy some pics from the evening.






Nothing like a good cup of coffee to go with a long night of fun ;)

Monday

Last night I made Poppy Seed Chicken. It was a recipe I received from Danny's Aunt Sandy while staying with them last Fall during our furlough. It was so delicious! I've been craving it, but had to keep putting it off due to the fact it calls for cream of chicken soup and we can not get that here. I finally made some from scractch, which isn't hard it's just by the time I remember it's going to post-pone dinner and the "natives" are usually restless ;) haha.

Nathan is on Easter break this week and part of next week. I already have a calendar full of appointments. Today I was determined to just chill-out at home, though I did forget about having dinner with a girlfriend tonight :( Too late to make arrangements now. But the boys have enjoyed playing. I've built a mega blocks fortress, a car, a spaceship. I've colored, picked up crayons, made a 'car' out of pillows, been jumped on, disciplined, hugged, wiped runny noses, made lunch, cleaned up lunch, picked up lunch off the floor, and answered the phone. Now I'm on my way to do laundry and think about what to make for dinner (though it's still a couple of hours away).

Please be in prayer for me this week. A few of the appointments I have this week are with some really good friends, but they aren't believers and I'm praying that our visits (past and future) are always God honoring. I'm hosting an egg hunt at our house over the weekend. That will be loads of fun and what an opportunity!

I pray they see Jesus.

Best Friends

Here is an adorable picture of Nathan & Micah's friends. What a blessing to have great friends!

It's good to laugh

Need a good laugh? Watch Micah and his version of 'Fear Factor' --haha!

Yes, we know his hair is wild (the next day he got it cut).

He just woke up from a nap and so he's not usually THIS extreme in happiness, but close.

No, I don't usually let him jump all over the furniture, but after you watch this tell me how to do it with a straight face ;)