Monday Mornin' Devo :)

Hey all! I have soooo missed my blog!! I will be back soon, with tons of pics from our vacation, June and July birthdays, VBS, and more! For now, I leave you with this devotion(al)...by my awesome pastor! It's an incredible reminder for us all! Enjoy and be blessed today.....

What Have You Been Designed to Do?

"The joy of the LORD is your strength!" One morning, I saw something that made me think of this verse. It was a runner going down the street. There was a light rain falling and the morning was still dark, but this runner was committed. He was in good shape and wore the best running apparel. By the look of his pace, he took running seriously. As he ran, I noticed that he had a companion alongside him. It was a beautiful German Pointer, you know, one of those sleek bird dogs that you see in a painting of hunters in an English countryside. As the runner ran, determined and disciplined, his dog could not have been more excited and happy to be involved. The dog seemed to glide along as the runner pounded the pavement. He would look up at his master every few steps, seemingly sending a message to him, "aren't we having fun?" The dog was delighted, tongue out, head up, back straight; if dogs could smile, this dog was. And why shouldn't he? He was doing what he was designed to do . . . it was early and he was with his master. He was running for the sheer pleasure of it and with every step that dog took, he looked and seemed happier. The runner may have had to run for his own benefit, but his dog was just glad to be along for the experience.

I sometimes think we make our lives something they were never intended to be. It's possible that we can get away from being with the Master daily. When that happens, we lose our confidence. Our pace slows and we begin to look around at other things rather than look up at Him. We can quickly feel lost and alone. When we're near Him, there's a glide to our step. We don't seem to get so tired and we are overjoyed just to be along for the experience. Is the joy of the LORD your strength today? If not, take a walk with Jesus and as you do, you will be pleasantly surprised to find yourself running with Him, delighted, joyful and strong. After all, it's what you've been designed to do!

Pastor Jack

father's day 2011

we had a great father's day this year! we went to church and then went to one of josh's favorite restaurants: the original house of pancakes (not to be confused with ihop!)! after our yummy breakfast, we went to josh's sister's house, where we all hung out and chatted, and then headed to the park for a game of kickball! after visiting with josh's family, we went to my parents' house and BBQd steaks, played a few games of rummikub, and enjoyed some frozen yogurt!

jessy, josh, papa mark, shayna

me and the amazing father of my children!

our bro-in-law (eric) has a powerful kick!

bryson and auntie shayna scrambling after the ball....while josh makes it to second base!

bryson, daddy, hudson= my 3 handsome men

stopping for a family pic!

my incredible dad + the love of my life!

rummikub is lots of fun!

josh got 'tiger's blood' froyo- from golden spoon. ever wondered what "air freshener in your car after they wash it" would taste like? it would taste like 'tiger's blood.'

(we no likey. we no recommendo.)

father's day was a very fun day...and it's always awesome to spend those special days with the ones we love!

Goooo Spartans!!

okay, just kidding about the spartans, but this morning....

my sister and i participated in a 5K that benefited the villa park library.

we both went to villa park high school, so it was fun to start and end the race at our alma mater!

...after the 5K!

Hudson's Graduation

Hudson graduated from ABC Preschool on May 26th! Where did the school year go? Miss Martha taught our boy SO much, and this was an amazing year for Hudson (and for us!)! Now that summer is here, I am hoping I can catch up on posting some pics!! I am so behind and there are hundreds of photos that I've wanted to share...yet haven't! :(

Here is my attempt at catching up on (part of) the last month...

Hudson and two of his favorite classmates: Brett and Blake

(are they in preschool or high school??)

The kids did a Spring Program before the graduation! SO cute!

Hudson was a white flower and didn't want a speaking part. He's all boy, but he did really well and didn't cry or make a fuss about wearing the head band (I was shocked!)!

After the program, it was time for the caps and diplomas! Hudson led the class in the flag salute!

Here is Hudson, receiving his diploma from the beloved Miss Martha!

*After the program and graduation, the kids got to have a pool party in Miss Martha's back yard! It was such a fun day! More photos are a comin'!

39 cents n' God

well, believe it or not- i am still alive! and i have missed my blog.

there is SO MUCH to catch you up on...and there are SO MANY pics to share! but...for now....this will be a little post about 39 cents...and God. i can't ever seem to tell a short story, so be forewarned...

last weekend, we were blessed to be able to stay the night in palm springs with my family (parents and sis' family). we had a blast...hanging by the pool, playing games, watching movies, and bbq-ing. we came home (with a million other people) on monday evening, and were caught in some traffic. each family had their own car, but we were all headed back in the same direction. we texted along the way about meeting for yogurt when we got closer to home.

when we found a yogurtland in riverside, we decided that we'd all stop. our kids hadn't eaten in a while....and while we were okay skipping dinner, we decided to grab them some (very healthy) wienerschnitzel. we paid for the kids' food and when bryson went to fill up his drink, he found some change laying on the counter. it was 39 cents, to be exact. he was so excited to find the money...and the "toy" in the kid's meals' just happened to be a fold-up, paper bank.

we walked to yogurtland, and found a table outside. the boys were enjoying their food when a homeless man walked up and asked for money. there were lots of restaurants around and i told the man...."i'll buy you something to eat." the man replied...."um, that's not gonna work. find someone else." he started to tell me that he had some mental issues (his wording, not mine), and the gist of it was that he wanted alcohol. the boys were right there, and all of a sudden, bryson piped up..."here, i have some change. you can have it." he got all of the coins he had found just minutes before, and handed them to the man. the man thanked him...and then hudson, being ever so generous....grabbed a penny out of his bank and said...."i'll give you a penny." the man thanked him as well, and walked off. at this point- josh was quietly crying...and i said to bryson..."wow! how nice, bryson. that is awesome that you would give that money that you just found to that man. that was so generous of you." granted, it wasn't much money at all...but it was all he had! bryson looked at me and said, "oh- my pleasure. if i can help someone- i want to help them." of course, after hearing that- i started crying, too. gotta love it when your child humbles you. this kid has the ability to work every possible nerve i have, but his heart is so sensitive and so tender. he loves the Lord...and he loves to help.

anyhow...a few minutes later, we were recounting the encounter to my parents, who had been inside getting their yogurt...and bryson said, "can i go tell that guy about God?" there was no way we could tell our boy 'no!' i truly believe that the Lord puts that kind of thing on our heart(s)...and we could not deny our boy the privilege of evangelizing! josh gave me a few (uncertain...'are you sure?'...) looks....but then took b to find the man. of course, little bro had to tag along. i think my parents may have been crying at this point, too?! we sat and watched as they found the man and began to talk with him. we anxiously waited to hear how it went....and when josh and the boys came back, i asked bryson about it. he said, "oh...he already knew about God. i asked him if he had Jesus in his heart and he said he did." josh was silently shaking his head behind bryson. i waited until later to ask josh about it, and it turns out the man reeked of alcohol and was *most likely* drunk. his version of God and heaven had something to do with disneyland, tinkerbell, and a wand. josh had talked to the man a bit, too...and josh and the boys told him that they'd pray for him. his name is dennis....and we have prayed for him.

i could end this post in a number of ways, like:

-how sweet my boy's heart is

-how i hope that one day dennis will be freed from his bondage

-how i could learn from my son, to not be so cynical and to be more giving

-to make sure you readers know that i'm not trying to boast about my son, but rather, tell you that i learn from him and am challenged by the depth of his child-like faith

-to remind you to share the "GOOD NEWS" of Jesus wherever you go, whether in word or deed

-to recognize that we all have different struggles/bondages/issues...but that is NOT what Christ wants for us....He died to set us free!!

-to challenge you to give to someone in need

before i finish, i want to share some scriptures that i am being reminded of right now....

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

-Galations 5:1-

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

-2 Cor. 9:7-

"....For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required..."

-Luke 12:48-

"'For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.'"

-Matthew 25: 35-40-

one more thing and then i'll let you go....our pastor's message on sunday included a portion of what this post has been about. he told us that when we are asked for money, we should give a dollar or five dollars, or whatever....but before we hand them the money- we should give them the gospel. we should give them God. josh and i looked at each other upon hearing this, and smiled. our boy had done just that....he had given all that he had, with a cheerful heart...but more importantly- than that 39 cents- he had given that man God.

may you be encouraged and challenged today. i know i am.

Psalm 121:1-4

I lift up my eyes to the hills--

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip--

He who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, He who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

**So....the above is what Bryson memorized for the Speech Meet. I love nothing more than hearing my child recite the Word of God! Bryson worked on it so much that Hudson pretty much knows it all, too! Want to hear something cool?? When Hudson had his surgery last month, Miss Martha (H's AMAZING teacher!) sent him a 'get well soon' letter. She created it and it is co cute! At the bottom of the letter, she put the first two verses (Psalm 121:1-2). Bryson was already working on memorizing the verses, but Miss Martha didn't know that! I love how God works like that...and how He put that verse on her heart...to send to Hudson. When I showed Hudson's letter to Bryson, the day that H got it in the mail...Bryson was SO excited that it was the same passage he was working on! When Lily died, the day before the Speech Meet, Bryson was so sad. He was crying...and I was able to talk to him and remind him of these words from the Lord. This passage has very special meaning to us now....for several reasons!**

speech meet

here are some pictures from the acsi speech meet that bryson competed in last friday!

bryson memorized psalm 121:1-4 and recited it before several judges and an audience! he did SO well and we were so proud of him!

as soon as we got there, b found one of his best buddies, liam!

children and parents came from all over...and many schools were represented!

feeling relieved and proud!!

the proud parents and their boy!

what a great experience this was for bryson (and for us)!