Look who's got glasses

Savannah got her new glasses today... A little earlier than we had
expected.

Xmas Wish List

Like Father Like Son

Andrew has had my old Blackberry glued in his hands since I gave it to
him last night. It won't call, it can't go on the internet and it
won't send anyone messages... But, it plays games and takes pictures,
which for a 9 year old is quite enough. And, I'm sure it will be used
as a Star Wars communication device, too. :-)

Sent from my iPhone

Foamy Fun

Savannah has always loved bath time... It cracks me up how long she
and Andrew can stay in the bathtub playing. Oh, to be a child again :-)

Sent from my iPhone

iPhone Happiness

We did it - Laurie and I finally got our iPhones yesterday. And all I can say is ... "WOW!!!" it sure isn't taking me long to be convinced that the iPhone is by far the BEST phone made. My fingers (thumbs, actually) are having to get use to typing on a touch screen rather than little keys, but I don't think it will take me too long to get it under control.

in the mean time - if you get an email or text from me that appears to have some strange spellings... Just know my thumbs are still learning to walk. :-)

Of course, the kids think the best part of us getting our iPhones is that they get our Blackberries. Well, sort of. One has been reduced down basically a toy only. The othe one has been reduced to our home phone. We're eliminating our landline and transferring the number as another cell phone line. We'll be saving money without the landline but the kids will still have access to a phone if needed.

I've been spending quite a bit of time since last night setting up my phone and downloading apps. Love the variety of "stuff" I can get! But, it's time to take a break from it for now to get some work done.

Autumn Clematis in December

Alexis... Quite the Ham for the Cam

Sweet Day At The Beach

Happy Mama

Nothing makes Laurie happier than time in the sun.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

We Have Arrived In Florida!!!

Woo Hoo!!!

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

"Though Troubles Assail Us"

I love BSF... 12-years ago I could NOT say those three words. In fact, I detested BSF. My excuse was that it reminded me too much of college... i.e. Bible college. Sitting through classes on specific books of the Bible like Acts, Isaiah, Romans, Revelation. Or series of books like the Epistles of Paul, Life of Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Or classes on Christian theology, Christian worldview (ah, good old IDS... also lovingly called I-D-Test), homiletics, Greek, History of Restoration Movement, etc.

Don't get me wrong... I loved attending Bible college at Lincoln Christian University (f.k.a. Lincoln Christian College & Seminary). But, just 10 years after graduating from Bible college I had a very difficult time sitting in a weekly "Bible study" that resembled my Bible college classes.

Fast forward 13 years... I wouldn't want to be anywhere else on Monday nights except at BSF.

This year we're studying the book of John. Weekly I'm being challenged by the notes, questions, discussion time and teaching time... every week one or more points, questions, answers, SOMETHING is timely to ME.

But tonight... it was a hymn we sang immediately before the teaching time. Actually, "we" didn't sing the hymn... They sang, I listened.

I listened to a hymn??? Usually I laugh at the singing of 300 year old hymns at BSF... ALL verses... too slow... old english. BORING!!!

Though troubles assail us and dangers affright,

though friends should all fail us and foes all unite.

yet one thing secures us, what ever betide

the promise assure us, "The Lord will provide."

The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed;

from them let us learn to trust God for our bread.

His saints what is fitting shall ne'er be denied

so long as 'tis written, "The Lord will provide."

When Satan assails us to stop up our path,

and courage all fails us, we triumph by faith.

He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried,

this heart-cheering promise, "The Lord will provide."

No strength of our own and no goodness we claim;

yet, since we have known of the Savior's great name,

in this our strong tower for safety we hide;

the Lord is our power, "The Lord will provide."

John Newton, 1779

I have to be honest... It's not that I detested BSF 13 years ago. I detested being confronted with truths week after week.

Thank you BSF... Thank you John Newton.

Mother Hen er... Dog

Hard to tell but that would be the dog giving the cat a bath - specifically cleaning her ear out.