A snapshot into what her future held...

A snapshot into what her future held...
Zhukovka, Russia

Monday, February 18, 2013

Daughters of the King!

Our church held it's annual "Princess Party"... to celebrate that we are all daughters of the King!

 

James 1:16 – 18
So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession.
Both girls, very gifted at crafting and art, greatly enjoyed this activity... they got to make their own, personalized picture frames.
 
1 Peter 4: 10-11
 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
 
And then, they danced!
 
The princesses learned a routine from the Repunzel soundtrack. It was precious!
 
 
 
Psalm 150:4
Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
 
It was an awesome day!  One I was blessed to share... with my princesses.
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

People not Politics

This post is certainly not a political one.
 
Politics are NOT my thing. 
 
I keep myself educated on issues, and I always vote... but that's about it. 
 
I sometimes will sign petitions if I feel strongly about issues.
 
Having said all of that... last night was a bit unusual.  Instead of hearing about the State of the Union Address the following morning on the Today Show, I actually tuned in.  And I'm glad I did.  Our president, who I admit, I have always been critical of... spoke something that really resonated with me.  A snip-it:
 
 
And tonight, I am announcing that we will launch talks on a comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union – because trade that is free and fair across the Atlantic supports millions of good-paying American jobs.
 
We also know that progress in the most impoverished parts of our world enriches us all. In many places, people live on little more than a dollar a day. So the United States will join with our allies to eradicate such extreme poverty in the next two decades: by connecting more people to the global economy and empowering women; by giving our young and brightest minds new opportunities to serve and helping communities to feed, power, and educate themselves; by saving the world's children from preventable deaths; and by realizing the promise of an AIDS-free generation.
 
AMEN!

 
 
Yes, Mr. President, you are aware of the need to save the world's children from preventable deaths.

 
 
I may not agree with all of your liberal ideals, but THIS statement, I can agree with, and I'm glad you understand it's importance, also!  Children deserve to be children.

 
 
One other note, during the live speech, President Obama stated that by helping others... we will all be better for it.  I didn't see that anywhere in the official transcript, so that was something he added... ad libbed.
 
I again will say, I'm glad I tuned in, last night.
 
I am glad the president recognizes there is a need for Americans to grow stronger by helping those in poverty, around the world.

 
 
And despite all of the issues that America is looking to improve on in the coming year... I am beyond glad, and beyond blessed, and PROUD to live in the GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!


 

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Valentine Love

I love Valentine's Day.
 
 In fact, I wallow in it.
 
Here is our mantle decorated with hearts and shades of red...

 
And words of warmth...

 
Some of the ones we love most...
 
Even on the outside... more hearts...
 
Even Karis is getting in on the decorating, making this... which I thought was clever and beautiful...

 
A look at my supplies to make Valentine's for the ones we love...

 
A couple of our designs...

 
So why the LOVE of Valentine's Day?
 
I believe it began here...

 
In 1976, this little girl, in Alabama, received love from her family, in Ohio.
 
In the form of a Valentine.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Back to Eastern Europe?

I have been asked to lead a group of students, this summer, to work in a children's home, in Ukraine.

 
These are the beautiful people who SERVE as family to the orphans, at the home.

 
These are the beautiful children...

 
This is what our meals would look like. I remember all too well this food, from three trips to Russia in 2010-2011.

 
This is the organization our family is involved with...
I am excited to see what God will do with this, and there's no doubt, a part of my heart is still in Eastern Europe. I promised God I would never forget what I saw, going there.

 
And what's really cool about this trip, is that one of the students would be none other than my own... Karis Yulia.

 
Who has a lot of love to give!

 She knows the feeling of abandonment. And after only one year and 7 months of being home, with her forever family, she is healing and wants to give back.

 
So, we will pray.

We will look to scripture.

And we will continue to praise HIM, because two things we prayed for... happened.  Our Karis accepted Christ and now... she wants to help others in the same situation. God is SO good!

Mark 16:15
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."

Friday, February 1, 2013

How we roll on SNOW DAYS!

Ahhh, that 5 a.m. call from our principal... NO SCHOOL TODAY!

So, we sleep in. Get some breakfast... then begin a leisurely day. The girls choose a Netflix movie and cuddle up on Karrigan's bed.

 
Evan, always choosing to keep his mind active, let's Minecraft expand his world...

 
Dad is hard at work, luckily giving a call home, letting us know the roads weren't too bad, on his drive into work.

And me... it looks like I'm hard at work, as I sip my coffee. But no... I'm following my friend, Debbie Deegan's, trip to Russia, on her Facebook site. She is fundraising in Moscow, and I'm praying for the success of To Russia With Love, the charity she started in the 90's.  I'm in the process of reading Debbie's book on how she made the charity possible. Smart lady, annointed for great things!

 
So, that's our morning.

The sun is shining, we are together, warm, and all enjoying what we like.  Hooray for SNOW DAYS!

Bryansk Home

Bryansk Home
My two favorite colors together seem to be common in Bryansk homes.