Silent Sunday - Beach Days

Beach Day 3 and 4 Maybe

Yup. That is right. I haven't finished posting pictures from our beach trip last year. And we are already (or at least I am) thinking about this year's trip!

Some might be duplicates because it has been so long since I took them!

We went to the beach during the day once or twice. But we made it a point to walk on it every night at sunset. Nothing beats a great beach sunset . . .

Sledding in GB

One of the other things I definitely wanted to do when we were in Wisconsin was take the kids sledding again. When we were in GB the last time, they had sooooo much fun. This time it was suggested we go to Baird's Creek which is where I would going snow skiing when I was in high school. I was super excited to take the kids to a place I would hang out at when I was NG and LM's age. I have so many great memories from that place.

I owned my own skis and we would go on a week night or on a Saturday. The hills weren't all that big and we would ski without poles. It had a tow rope and it was super cheap. All my friends would be there and they had a lodge or chalet you could go into and warm up. Just so many great memories.

Anyway, we got to the creek and it was just how I remembered it. Except now they had a place where you could tube sled and it was huge! We paid a couple extra bucks and we could ride the tow rope up to the top. The kids never stopped. They would come up the rope and run to go down again. Especially EG. She was not the least bit afraid. From up top of the hill, we could see her grab her tube and run for the tow rope to do it all over again. Daddy and I had a great time going down as well! Definitely thrilling!

I had a chance to walk through the chalet and head over to where the skiing use to be. That night it was mostly snowboarders. I didn't see one single skier. Things change on the slopes as well, I guess.

I think the kids would have gone up and down and up and down until they could barely walk. But the hill closed at 8 and we still had not had dinner. Gpa and NK had come out for a little while to watch us sled. But then left to gather us up some great bread and hot soup and it was waiting at their house for us. Perfect ending to a perfect night. . . .

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! The following are some words of Truth from a song we sang this morning at our amazing Easter service. I am soooo grateful that Easter ain't about the bunny. I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive forever. Hallelujah, amen . . . .

Let the children sing a song of liberation
The God of our salvation set us free
Death, where is thy sting? The curse of sin is broken
The empty tomb stands open, come and see

Let my heart sing out, for Christ, the One and only
So powerful and holy rescued me
Death won't hurt me now because He has redeemed me
No grave will ever keep me from my King

CHORUS
I'm alive, alive, alive, hallelujah!
Alive! praise and glory to the Lamb.
I'm alive, alive, alive. Hallelujah!
Alive! Forever. Amen

Sweet Sleep

Last night we didn't get home until after 10. And this happens more than it probably should. No wonder she doesn't sleep all night in her bed. We have worked out a deal that if she stays in her bed all night for 7 days she will get a fish. That was almost a week ago. And it hasn't happened.

I think now she said I don't have to lay down with her at night. And she will sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor when she comes in in the middle of the night. Renegotiating the fish deal.

When we were traveling many years ago, she fell asleep on the couch of the hotel room, with her booty straight up in the air. I guess the bonus of this is, she can fall asleep anywhere. I love her . . .

In Prison

Yesterday I had an amazing opportunity to sing with our church choir at a woman's correctional institute nearby where I live. It was a little disconcerting standing in the courtyard waiting to get in. High chain fences topped by Constantine wire. Hearing the clang of the locks on the double doors we would eventually have to go through.

I just wasn't sure what to expect. But, as I stood there my mind and heart going a mile a minute, God reminded me that there was no difference whatsoever between those women and me. Just a sinner saved by the grace of God through the blood of Jesus Christ, God's own Son. In God's economy, as He looked down on us, all praising Him together He did not see a difference. He saw His creation worshiping together.

The message was so clear. We all our sinners. We all have fallen short of the glory of God. But, through our acceptance and belief in the life, death, burial and resurrection of Christ, we are saved. And we will spend an eternity together. No matter what are past looks like. We have the common bond of the blood of Christ.

It really was so amazing to worship together through the universal language of music. After the concert, so many of them thanked us for coming. And we had the opportunity to pray with them. I was grateful to have been given the privilege with such an wonderful group of people . . . 

Christmas Eve eve

A tradition that the kids have enjoyed has been spending Christmas Eve eve with Sissy. They have great fun because they watch movies and make cookies. I have great fun because it is a night I get to be Santa's helper . . . .