Just thought some photos of our little winter wonderland would be fun to share!

“Welcome”

Almost every season of the year the front of our house is totally blocked from the road…during winter you can see things a little bit, although it has to be pretty white and some limbs bent from the weight of the snow!

This is Maggie our Magnolia…well…part of her, she is rather large.  The storm took off most of her top and the branches you see here were also broken from the heavy snow.

I loved getting under the tree (makes a great play place for the children—including this child at heart!)

Where is Cayden?

Just a few more…

Cayden’s first attempt at a snowman!

“Walkin’ in a winter wonderland…”

Some dear friends of ours own Anglen Photography all pictures in this post are their awesome gift and talent reflected.

As you know our family is not and has never been perfect although we are all meant for and perfect for each other! So if a person or photographer can catch us looking decent or make us look like a piece of art then they are gifted! Thanks Ross and Rachel! www.anglenphotography.com (check them out) The premier place in Tennessee to go for any life event you need captured and made timeless!

I would like to think everyone knows of Dr, Seuss and his awesome books of rhyme…one of our favorites is Oh the Places You’ll Go”

When i look at our boys/young men, i get so excited for them! In the same moment i usually cry as Chris and i have experienced so many places together that have brought much joy along with some sad times that often hurt and left scars.  All of these times good and difficult have revealed a way to have a deeper friendship with God, others, one another-including a joy like no other.

So here are the boys, i pray they will go further than we ever have and pray even more that we will have equipped them for their journey.

Connor-age 14…can you believe it?

Cayden-age 2…love him, adore his smile too. He and his big brother with their smiles, make us smile!

Please remember our family in thought and prayer. We are praising God for so many things He has brought us through this past year…It is awesome to have a picture with all four of us present! Chris is doing great. He took some time off of all his adventures, has realized he is mortal, but serves a God that all things are possible with. We have seen marriages healed, people come to know the Lord, folks back in fellowship with local churches and physical and spiritual healing for several in various countries over the past two years of ministry here in TN. and abroad, BUT we definitely know that Jesus gets ALL credit for anything good that has happened here! We were just privileged to observe it happen and journey alongside of the folks involved.

“Call to me and i will answer you and tell you great and unreachable things you do not know.” (Jer. 33:3 NIV)

God was talking to Jeremiah while he was confined in a courtyard…just like we are on this earth…confined…but only briefly. We need to continue to call on Him and allow Him to rule in us, allow Him to define us…allow Him to do the impossible and unreachable things through us, not in our own strength.

If we do this…oh the places we’ll go!

Thought this very interesting…

When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.
Thomas Jefferson

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
Thomas Jefferson

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes.
A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
Thomas Jefferson

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. (today!!!!!!!!)
Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
Thomas Jefferson

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.    (abortion)
Thomas Jefferson

Thomas  Jefferson said in 1802:
‘I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered..’

I love to catch my children asleep and resting so peacefully! Not a care in the world! Every time i get to observe for a little bit, i’m reminded of the rest i find in Jesus…especially when so many things are up in the air and chaos surrounds…when it feels like i have failed Him and others around me, there is peace if i choose to acknowledge it-sweet peace and rest.  Anyone at true rest is beautiful to watch asleep or awake…

Father, thank You for true rest— i pray my trust and rest will be obvious in you as a light and encouragement to others. I hope you have much joy in knowing  my desire to rest in you. You are the Measure of my worth-not flesh or any principality that lurks…You and only You, Lord. Please continue to remind me of You and Your ways and accept what little i have to offer-multiply it and use it for your Glory.

Will you forgive me?

Okay, so that’s four words.  I originally started to type the words- I am sorry.  But while typing I feel that”i am sorry” just isn’t enough…

I/we need to realize when we have done something wrong-be accountable by realizing we are a sad, sorry bunch sometimes! Upon realizing we are sorry, we should feel remorse-sincere remorse, then ask for forgiveness-declare we feel we have wronged another and just say, “I’m sorry that i said or behaved, assumed”… or whatever fits the specific situation…

Why is this so difficult for our human race?

Is it pride? Laziness? Do people really feel they are never to blame that it is always someone else to blame? Seems we accept the lie that the enemy wishes us to take hook line and sinker-ya know the one that makes us think we can do no wrong, it’s always someone else’ fault…we will sacrifice all types of relationships even die for the issue of being the “right one” although in most of these cases both parties have messed up somewhere in the ordeal.

When i am selfish or hurting within…i hurt people-most times unknowingly-at other times w/shame i must confess i have purposely aimed a cross look or been right out mean before, especially when i was younger…thankfully the Holy Spirit has that awesome power to touch my soul and make me aware—VERY aware just how awful I can be (this is called conviction).  In those unknowing times that my words or frustration hurt another i am so grateful for those who will call or swing by and share the hurt i may have caused so we can work through it.

It appears each one of us have the potential to make a positive impact on society…but this lack of responsibility/accountability and humility renders it’s possessors ugly, unapproachable and ineffective for positivity. Again, i ask, why is this so difficult? The Bible says to pray for our enemies, right?  Okay with that in mind, i have never thought of myself having enemies…even when i have been hurt or upset with someone, no…never felt they were my enemy, but what defines an enemy?  Maybe it is self that is our worst enemy…This would lead me to believe we must pray more to keep our self in check-to discipline our lives more and realize it isn’t about us all the time—Rather life may just be about others, most importantly about what our Creator desires for us and others.

I guess the question of my heart is, are you or i ugly, unapproachable, negative and ineffective by choice? Who do we need to approach with an, “I am sorry”, or a “Will you forgive me?“  Maybe we need to just forgive someone whether or not they ask us to forgive them…

Would it be safe to say we all need to ask the questions— Who do i need to forgive and/or who do i need to ask to forgive me?

I guess it’s time to “Live well, live wisely, live humbly” and not just keep talking about in this post…(James 3)

Over the past 9 mos. or so, i have grown distant w/ many friends and acquaintances, why? I don’t really know, other than some crazy life stuff just came our way and i feel derailed so to speak…I am realizing i have laid back on enjoying friendships while focusing on taking time to just be with Chris and the boys when there was extra time…I also realize this hasn’t been so very healthy for keeping friendships in tact and well for this i am sorry, please forgive me…

Why have rain boots if you never wear them and why wear them if you never stomp in a puddle? I say stomp. Let your kids stomp in a puddle, for that matter, play in the rain peeps, enjoy it!

Okay, so it rained, there was a puddle…i thought, why not? “Cayden you want to splish splash in the puddle?”

His Great Aunt GaNell, bought these boots so we thought we would get her money worth!

Splish!

Splash!

“Come splash w/me mommy!”

Us

Thanks to Lucas Brown in SC for these pics from a while ago…i was expecting Cayden here! We were so excited and so nervous as we had miscarried before this pregnancy.  As i look at these photos, i am full of gratitude to God for the peace i see in our eyes along with the hope and usual pre-baby jitters! God is so good.  He knows just what or who we need and when-His perfect timing makes me speechless…

Connor seems so little and young here! He has grown up so much…literally.

Wow…we are now four, but this was a sweet moment just the “three/four” of us.

“The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances.”

~Martha Washington~

Is it wrong to desire simplicity?

A simple life is described how by you?

For me, you ask?  Seems that i am learning the simple things of life are very complex…so complex that one can only explain that God is in control of it or was behind the creation of it…Most of these simple things are what make me come “alive” inside.

For instance:

The warmth of a single ray of sun landing on a cheek, reminding one that she is radiant, wanted, desired to be around.

A single drop of rain landing on the tip of one’s nose tickling the senses, signaling the body to breathe in that specific holy aroma…in sweet abandon a downpour of love from the Heavenly Father.

A cushion of sand and dirt formed underneath with toes tingling, anticipating of the salty ocean awaiting to soothe and heal- His presence is near.

A gentle hand laid to rest upon my own with affirmation He is with me always, he will never leave…that simple…never leave.

A smile of contentment upon the echo of a child’s laughter, returning one’s heart to the scene of Grace-Grace in crimson flowing as a drape covering, even erasing all complexities and bondage of sin…the freedom love holds

Acceptance within the hug of a faithful friend…one who knows just how complex we are yet recognizes the reach for such sweet simplicity.

A kiss, instead of betrayal… a kiss spurring passion, patience, peace that passes all understanding…a certain place of bliss…hope…sweet simplicity.

~kristina alford~

(This was recently sent to me in an email…really, if so this is amazing…even if 18,000 men didn’t stand still long enough for this photo, the thought of it is very moving!)