A boy & his train

“Santa” sent this to Cayden through Mr. and Mrs. Whitenack this year, we are so thankful for thoughtful friends.

~Christmas 2011~

19 Christmases and counting!

December 19, 1992 He asked me to be his wife, i said, “yes!”

April 1995 & December 2006, our 2 blessings from above were added!

~Alford Family December 2011~

Here we are, looking forward to the next 19!

~Happy Anniversary~

 

 

18 years of being one with this man who loves God, who is bold, courageous for Him! He invests in and loves me + our boys with such passion...We are blessed! Happy Anniversary Chris!

 

~here i go thinking again…~

So, yes…i do take time to stop and think. I often catch myself thinking on a topic too long. Have you ever done that? It is easy to do, ya know, dwell on a topic too long. What is worse is when i start talking about what i’m thinking.  That can get rough for sure! I have a friend who says i ramble. The same friend at least says i ramble with a destination- i eventually get there! Anyway, i’ve been thinking on prayer. What is the definition of prayer? It interest me that prayer is an avenue in which we can hear from God, however most people who pray are talking at God or to Him versus talking with Him having pauses long enough to listen to what He has to whisper to the heart.

How do you pray?

I long to get better at listening to His voice rather than my own. It seems more often than not that i am ready with a long list of thoughts, needs and wants versus a gratitude list revealing my awe, fear and respect of what He has already given! Even more so i should come more often in silence waiting, listening to what His thoughts are.

Maybe the scripture “Pray with out ceasing” I Thes. 5:17, actually means listen without ceasing…???

~it’s winter time~

It is that time of year again, Winter! I’m a beach bum so much that if i could ask the Lord to place our home in Heaven on the beach there i just might, however since i was a little girl something about a good snow fall speaks to me! It is said no snowflake is identical to another…wow! I love how right after a snow storm that occurs in the middle of the night or early morning hours there is a silence, not an animal seems to be stirring. A soothing peace is the only whisper as imperfect landscape is hidden in snow if even for a few hours until the sun kisses the air with its warmth. Something about this calms my own soul, it gives me hope about my imperfections being covered by Jesus’ love and obedience on the cross.

We have had more snow here this year than what we have had recent years, i must say it has been beautiful though a bit crazy seeing how the children have been out of school so much! 2010 is gone and we are well into 2011 now! But here are a few pics from our winter!

Alford Family December 2010

in front of “Maggie” our Magnolia tree

 

Snowbuddies!

 

and of course…snow angels!

 

As God allows us each new day, we are growing closer to him as individuals and closer to each other as a family.  I pray we will be given many years as a family to grow and be challenged, to share fun times amidst the everyday struggles that some families go through…maybe just maybe we will learn how to seize the day, the moments in time when our souls are open to God’s beauty and His friendship. Whether we dance with Him in the garden while full of roses in bloom with birds perched viewing our meeting on a tree’s branch, or walk on a path covered in soft blanket of white silent snowflakes-He is 100% present and longing for us to want to be with Him. I’m so thankful for his blessings that are many and unique like the snow flakes in our 1.6 acre winter wonderland…I am in wonder and awe of Him!

It’s winter time and cold, but my soul is warm and cozy in His presence.