Training

On Saturday I had the opportunity to do part of the training for the team going from our church to New York City on a mission trip this summer.  I shared about the "why" of missions.  Why do we get involved in missions and why should be care about going out to reach the world.  The obvious answer that we can point to is the fact that we are commanded by Jesus several times to go out and reach the world.  Yet I believe that more important is that fact that as Christians we are called to be Christ-like in our lives.  If we are to emulate Christ, we cannot escape from the pattern of going out to reach the world.  The entire Bible is one long story of God's desire to reach people.  God is constantly sending his messengers to the lost throughout the Old Testament.  This culminates in the event of God incarnate coming to earth for the sake of people.  Not only that, but when Jesus began his ministry on earth, he left his earthly home and went out to reach the people where they were at.  It would have been easier and more comfortable to take up residence in Nazareth and send out word for people to come to him.  But that isn't what he did.  He continued the precedent of going out to seek and to save the lost.

A Royal Tea

On Saturday the girls and I attended a Royalty Tea at church.  It was for all moms and daughters.  We had our picture taken, ate great food, and enjoyed the testimony of a mother and daughter from our church.  It was fun to spend the afternoon with my wonderful girls.

Finally

So, finally, after spending 5 months in dispatch answering 911 calls, my doctor said I was to the point where I can return to work on patrol.  Yesterday I spent the majority of the day running around getting back all the equipment they took away when I went on light duty.  I went to pick up my car which had been sitting in a parking lot for the last 5 months.  Of course they battery was completely dead, so they had to replace that.  I guess it isn't good to leave stuff in your car powered on that long. 
As I was reorganizing my mobile office, I found that apparently a mouse has taken up residence in my car as I had to clean mouse poop out of everywhere.  I was kind enough to leave a granola bar in there for them to eat and this is the thanks I get?  

Mother's Day

The kids and I made a tasty meal of beef burritos with rice, beans, and guacamole for Holly for lunch.

We also got Holly an MP3 player so that she could listen to the Bible in French that we downloaded.
We are all so blessed to have Holly in our family.  She is an excellent wife and mother.

A big deal for us

First grade completed?

 Check!

Third grade completed?

Check!

Fifth grade completed?

Check!

All subjects and grades accounted for.  Yea, we've made it!  The end of our 2nd year of home-schooling is upon us.  It has been a great year filled with memories of projects, books read, and challenges conquered.   I thank God for this opportunity to spend my days with 3 amazing kids.

Kittens!

A few weeks ago we began to notice that our cat was looking a little fat.  We haven't had her fixed, but she is a little over 2 years old and never got pregnant despite having several male cats around.  Well last week we began to be able to feel the little kicks inside, so we began to prepare for kittens.  Then, a few days ago, Gabby noticed she wasn't looking quite as fat, so the hunt was on.  The kids quickly found them in a little nest in the weeds next to the house.

 

Yard Sale

As we work towards moving we have looked around the house and begun to notice how much STUFF we have accumulated over the last few years.  We have slowly been working on getting rid of most of the unnecessary things.  We have wanted to have a yard sale, but those of you who have been to our house understand that where we live isn't exactly conducive to getting people to stop by.  First your suspension is tested by the 3,000 potholes after you leave the road, then you have to cross the bridge which we rebuilt, then you have to drive up over a giant rock and make an immediate 90 degree turn, then you have to make your way up the hill through the washouts and over the water bar which will high-center a car without a lot of ground clearance.  Sooo, needless to say we were so thankful when some of our friends in town offered to let us invade their yard for the weekend.  We were able to get rid of about 2/3 of the stuff that we took over and the kids had the opportunity to hone their sales skills hawking cinnamon rolls.