Neat picture

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" Psalm 8:3,4

Rebekah and Justin live next to a lake and wanted to take some pregnancy pictures there. They turned out really nice. In this picture I like how you can see the rays of the sun. God is so awesome. He is such an artist. The world has so many "pictures." Some times I forget to sit back and enjoy the nature God has given us.

North Carolina

My friend Rebekah and her husband live in North Carolina and are expecting their first child the first of December. Caden and I went to visit them last week. We also visited with other good friends that we have up there. We love North Carolina. It is a beautiful state... and they have seasons! It was nice to get away from hot South Florida to enjoy cool weather. Caden loved seeing some of his friends while I visited with some of mine. This was also Caden's first plane ride. He was a trooper. He stayed in my lap the whole time and played and played. He only fussed a little on the way home. I think he was worn out from the vacation.

Pumpkin Patch

I took Caden and Lauren to the Pumpkin Patch last week and they had a great time. This year Caden could walk around by himself, which he thought was cool. I think he thought the little ones were balls because he kept throwing them. Anyways, here are a few pictures.

Eternal Life starts Now!

I know we all know or have heard this verse before but read it slow this time:
"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." ~Jesus~ in John 3:16
The other night I was reading and came across this verse:
"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do." ~Jesus~ in John 17:3,4
Heaven is just a part of eternal life. When we lived in NC I remeber someone talking about this and they said eternal life is now. So many times we,I, think of it as heaven but in these verses, Jesus says that eternal life is getting to know Him. Some ways we can do that are by reading His word, meditating on scripture, memorizing scripture and prayer. Sometimes I find myself getting caught up in all of the things of this world. When Jesus made it so clear: get to know Him and bring Him glory. Nothing of this world matters accept getting to know Him and bringing Him glory.

Fun with friends

Today, I got together with some friends and had such a wonderful time. We talked about all kinds of things while the kids just had a blast "playing" with each other. Caden especially likes Emma. He would walk down our dark hall with her and then try to kiss her! It was funny...but I think I should keep an eye on that. I don't want him to get in that habbit. It is great to get together with friends to talk about life. Thank you girls for listening, talking, encourageing, giving advice and making me laugh. I am so thankful God put you in my life.

Fun in the Sun

Yesterday, Jody took some of the kids from Chick-Fil-A to Busch Gardens in Tampa. My friend Jamie, and her husband Bradley, were going to be on vacation in Clearwater Beach this week. So Caden and I rode over with the group and met up with Jamie. They have a 19 month old son Zekiah. He is so cute. Caden had a blast paying with a little boy. You see, all his friends here are girls. It is so nice to catch up with your friends. Even though I don't get to see Jamie all the time, when I do see her it's like she never left. You pick up right where you left off. It is wonderful to have friends like that!

Who Knew ESPN was so Biblical

This past Saturday I was watching college football on ESPN when this commercial came on. I don't think the purpose of this video is suppose to have Biblical meaning yet it is so right on. While you are watching it pay special attention to two things: One, what Drew Breese says about why he can't get through the gate and two, the symbolism of the vehicle that Drew Breese is in. Now tie the two together and there lies the truth behind Matthew 7.13.

You Have To Watch This

This is one amazing video. Christa and I both cried! We serve an amazing God. Why do we try to do it without Him. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life!
The video is a little slow at first but keep watching.

Octoberfast

I sent an email to some about Octoberfast but I watched a couple of the other videos from World Vision. They are worth checking out. I am not trying to harp on this but this is just what God is teaching me about right now so maybe He can teach you something also. I am not trying to be grim or depress you, but it is real. People are starving not just of hunger but for the Bread of Life. Please pray how you can help.
Here are the links. They should take you there. If not just go to youtube and look in the World Vision channel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MSDDiCX2HY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX8mmJ3o80Y

Follow Me

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." ~Jesus
Luke 9:23
I read this today and the word that really stuck out to me was daily. Not when I want to, not later, not when I am older, not on just Sundays, not after the game, not after my show but daily. I don't think that means just a devotional every morning. Which we should all be doing. But every minute of every day we should be giving up what we want and following Jesus. I know that totally goes against what the world says. Just turn on the TV. There is nothing on anymore that's worth watching. The world says we need that car, that house, that toy, that book, that vacation (well, we all probably really do need a vacation). Try focusing on Christ and denying yourself. I find that when I do I stop thinking about what I "need" and start thinking about what I can give and do for others.
So how do we do this all day everyday. Well, flip over to Romans 13:12b and 14. "So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light...clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."
We have to fill our minds with Christ and God's Word. I wanted to turn on the TV so bad today during nap time...but I didn't. (I am not watching it during nap time for Octoberfast). God wants to talk to us so we can fill our mind with Him and not what is on TV or the internet or the radio, but on Him.
Take time out and ask Him how you can deny yourself and follow Him daily, or hourly, or by the minute or maybe even by the second. Hey, we can at least try.

Laughter is Contagious

I am trying to get this video thing right. I think I have got it. Caden loves Lauren and for some reason he can just look at her and laugh. Oh if life were this simple.

Practicing his Pitching

Caden can throw the ball!!! Uncle Ryan and Uncle Justin will be so proud to know that Caden has started practicing baseball early. (Both Uncles played baseball). Here is a video clip. He is the cutest boy I have ever met! Just a side note:
I was apparently holding the camera wrong. So you have to tilt your head. Live and learn. I guess through trial and error I will hopefully get the hang of all this. Hopefully, I will get the next video clip right.

Voice of the Martyrs

I added a new link to Voice of the Martyrs in the column to the right under Links to check out. When you have some time, I would encourage you to check it out. You have to sign up but it is free. The sight gives you information and updates on persectuted Christians all over the world. You can also sign up to recieve newsletters in the mail. Please pray for Christians all over the world. You can also get information on giving money, clothes, supplies and materials, and even Bibles into other countries. Living in America, I forget how free we are to worship and pray and meet together.

We are still here

So I know what you are thinking, "Will they ever update the blog?" Jody has been so busy with work and school that he has not had time to update. Now, I am not as good at using the computer or at writing things for others to read but I will try.

As I said, Jody is now taking classes online with Liberty and he really likes it. He just go a 100 on his first test!!!! In September, we took Caden to Disney again, with my parents. We all had a blast. It is really nice to get away and spend time with family.

Grammy, my mom, and I took Caden to the beach and he loved it. It is so pretty in South Florida. There is tons to do. Caden gets together with some of his friends and we have play-dates at the library, water park, park, or at someones house. He is the coolest little boy I know. He is growing so much.

• He loves to play with his trucks. I think he was born knowing how to make the sound for his trucks.
• He thinks Lauren's hair clips are toys for him to pull out, much to Lauren's dismay.
• He now has decided that everything Lauren has he should have. So he has now learned how to do the "grab and run" technique which works well until Lauren catches up to him.
• He flirts with girls now. He tilts his head, flutters his eyes and gives the ever so cute bashful smile.
• He loves to play outside, play hide and go seek, take walks without holding any ones hand and roll all over Bella.
• He is very good at giving hugs and kisses and has mastered picking his nose.
• He knows where his eyes, nose, ears and mouth are.
• He is happy almost all the time!!!
• He is a blessing from God! God chose us to be his parents and I am so glad He did!!!!!!!!!

Please check in often. I think I know how to do this now, so I will try to update it often.