Zeke's First Day- Preschool

This was Zeke yesterday.  That poor caterpillar!  

Ben's Grandma gave me this bowl.  I have one like it except it is turquoise with white and now I have white with turquoise.  Love it!

This is Zeke's first day of preschool this year.  He is going two days a week just like last year.  He enjoys it so much.  He picked his clothes out and "gelled" his hair especially for this day.  He was so excited!

Here they are... growing big.

If I only could explain what I feel when I look at this face!

The girls.  Same class.

Zeke and his nap mat.

Love is a Verb

Love is that baby that wakes you in the night
Love is the hug to a neighbor going through divorce
Love is an open door to children
Love is a yes to a favor asked by a friend
Love is watching your child walk toward independence
Love is letting someone struggle when it is in their best interest
Love is supporting your spouse when they are too weak to walk
Love is a meal made for another with pretzel sticks they prefer
Love is a gentle answer when stressed
Love is a mature thing- a God thing
Love is a verb.

First Time in Sand

Romy's first time in sand.  I thought she'd eat it, but she didn't.  She seemed to really enjoy it!  

Gwen- First day of First Grade

This is Romy the other day at an apple orchard.  The kids went to a day camp there to benefit missions.  

Today Lugi came to our back yard.  We love hawks.  They are majestic.

My girl started 1st grade today.  Grandma took her to school and we were not emotional about it.  She is thrilled and happy especially that she has a locker.

She is a beauty.  Lord, help me to guide this one!

Oh my goodness... this baby... she crushes me underneath the weight of her cuteness.

God Speaks

1. God speaks thru the Bible - Is it clearly right or wrong?  (Psalm 119:133, James 2:10)
2. God speaks thru prayer - Have you prayed and waited for an answer?  (James 1:5, Luke 18:1-8)
3. God speaks thru the Holy Spirit - Is God's Spirit telling you “No”?  (Acts 16:6, Romans 8:14)
4. God speaks thru praise music - Have you meditated to Biblically-sound music?  (Colossians 3:16)
5. God speaks thru circumstances - Do you have a legitimate opportunity?  (Acts 16:7, Colossians 4:3)
6. God speaks thru who God made you - Are you an "eye" trying to be an "ear"?  (1 Corinthians 12:17-18)
7. God speaks thru Bible direction - Has God spoken to you in the word?  (Jeremiah 32:6-8)
8. God speaks thru your spiritual leaders - What have they said?  (Hebrews 13:17)
9. God speaks thru other spiritual counselors - What have they said?  (Proverbs 11:14)
10. God speaks thru your desires - What do you want to do?  (1 Corinthians 16:12, Psalm 37:4)

These aren't the only ways God speaks to us.  God speaks to people through creation, conscience, the cross of Christ, dreams, etc.  But the 10 ways listed above, along with their Bible references, are a good place to start.

Gwen's note