Alive in Christ

I have found a new life verse! I have read through Ephesians before, but this time there was a passage that really stuck out and made my soul jump for joy!! I encourage you to go read the whole passage later!

Ephesians 2:4-5 says, But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved.

I just love, "HE IS RICH IN MERCY," all because he loves us! Can you believe God loves us more than we love our own children? He does.  I wish I could fully grasp that kind of love here on earth.  I love my husband and children more than anyone or anything in the world! I think of times, though, when they argue and backtalk-- I just want to leave them right where they stand, walk into another room, and forget about them for a few minutes.  Or say, "Go tell it to your dad!" God loves us so much that he won't ever turn his back on us or walk away! Aren't you so thankful for that? I am. I so wish I had THAT kind of love! Striving for holiness one day at a time.  Even though I will never get there in this earthly body, I am so thankful he is rich in mercy!!!

Happy Monday! Hope you have a great week!!

Johnny's Epiphany

Did you know tomorrow we're going to have an excellent day? Because I already prayed for us and God told my heart He would help us.

This is what I heard come out of the mouth of my oldest tonight as I went in to give hugs, kisses, prayers, lullabies, and what ever else they think they can squeeze out of me. It makes my heart swell!! I have no doubts that we will probably have a great and blessed day, because my childlike faith son prayed it to be!

As I started to walk out of the room, Johnny started to describing how I looked like Two-Face on Batman. "Boys," I thought. He explained that one side of my face was dark, and the light from the hallway shone on the other side and made it light. He went on to explain how it made him think of good versus evil. "We have to choose the light because the dark is always there, too, waiting to block out the light." It seems simple, but it was an epiphany for my almost ten year old. Then, it started to go into Star Wars and the force of the dark side.  Too much to go into detail... Boys, though, right?!?

Before going  to bed I asked if he'd like me to pray with him, and of course- anything to keep me in there longer, he said sure.  I started to pray that the Lord would help Johnny put on the Full Armor of God. As I prayed over each part, I could see his interest starting to peak. Boy, was he full of questions after I said amen.  This week we are going to start a study of Ephesians 6. And for an entire week focus on one part of the armor- until we have done all six.

I urge you to start your day out praying for the Lord to help you put on the full armor of God.  We can't be like Christ if we don't start out our day with Christ.  

First tooth

Justin, 7 years old, FINALLY lost his first tooth! After brushing tonight I was inspecting his job, and I noticed the adult tooth coming in under. He was not happy about momma touching his tooth, but I told him it had to come out to give the big tooth room to come in. He agreed to let me try. One pull, and walla! After a few tears, now he's one happy camper!

Mighty Warriors in the making...

Went on a walk today with all these boys! It's funny how a sticks transform into swords, guns, and knives.

I don't know how God could give his only Son for all the sinners of the world. I know I couldn't. What a blessing these boys are in our life!

Motherhood

I'm kind of a big deal... I'm Johnny, Justin, and Joel's mom. God chose me!! I'm not perfect and it doesn't matter- they love me anyway!

Grace, grace, God's grace... It's the only way.

Pictures

Trying to post these pictures again...

The Elephant Seal

What an awesome experience...

We took a drive to San Simeon in hopes of seeing a few of these pups, the elephant seals. They get their name from the adult males (also called a bull) whose nose has the form of an elephant! Cool, huh? The bull will lift its head a make this funny noise; it sounds like he's burping over and over to me. A bull can weigh as much as 5,ooo pounds. Wow! That's a lot of blubber!!

I was shocked at the number of them lying on the beach- hundreds of them! There were few bulls and hundreds of adult females along with their pups. They are very territorial!! The bulls are especially mean to each other, due to this is their breeding grounds. And, although the moms  have just given birth, they will mate again right away. I read that the fertilized egg will swim around in the uterus for three or four months before attaching to the wall. This allows the nursing mom to not loose too much weight and become weak. It takes 11 months before the mom will birth her next pup.

The coolest thing happened while watching these magnificent animals our creator made- I actually witnessed the miracle of life. I was standing on the peer talking with my dad, just feet away, and we saw one give birth. It took only about two seconds. Right away the mom starts to teach its new born. At first I thought she was crying. But within minutes the baby was mimicking her sound, and it became clear they were communicating. Also, she kept flinging dirt up on her back. In about 20 minutes the pup was trying to do the same. Because elephant seals have so much blubber they fling the dirt to keep themselves cool and so the don't sunburn. I couldn't believe how fast this baby was learning!

An amazing experience.