Thursday, April 24, 2008

Something in the water?

In February 2004 we went to Phoenix, AZ. Nine months later Alex was born.
In February 2008 we went to Phoenix, AZ. Nine months later ____ will be born!

The due date is one day before Alex’s birthday. Alex says it has to be a brother because sisters are no fun.

Marie-Anne

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Children's festival

Yesterday was the Children’s Festival. When we arrived at Alex’s surprise we saw crowds of people, inflatable fun houses and rides. The first thing Alex ran to was the playground! We just laughed and let him play for a few minutes then asked if he wanted to ride a pony. Alex rode a brown pony. He loved it! Alex fought a knight and won! It was so funny to watch, and I guess all that light saber training paid off. He played in an inflatable play place that was set up as an obstacle course. He went through that three times. Next Alex rode a plane ride. He was having so much fun that he didn’t even notice us waving. Alex and I rode a train. We all got snow-cones as we left.

Marie-Anne

Friday, April 11, 2008

Tales of Glory toys

Today I was pleasantly surprised to find Bible toys at Wal-Mart. The Tales of Glory toys are from Focus on the Family. They were on clearance for $3 each. My mom bought Alex all except Noah’s animals. After I showed them to my husband I bought all except Noah’s animals and Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (I bought the last one for Alex) for the church.

Tonight Alex acted out the Bible stories as I read the books that came with the toys. Then I read some of his other Bible stories and he acted them out as well. Frank and Alex are playing with the toys now. I am so very glad that we got these! Instead of being Buzz Lightyear Alex is playing with Moses and Pharaoh.

The Jesus has long hair, but He also does in most coloring books, puzzles, and books.

http://www.one2believe.com/

Marie-Anne

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Conference

It’s that time again! Conference is next week! Every year we go to Missouri for New Testament Christian Church’s annual Conference. It is always a wonderful time of fellowship with friends and growing closer to God. It always comes right when we need it. I can’t tell you what a blessing it is. While we are in service Alex gets to play with friends.

This year is a little different because we don’t know if we’re flying or driving. We have tickets of course, but American Airlines has been cancelling flights all week. All I know is one way or another we are going. If we fly we are planning on going to the St. Louis zoo on Friday.

Marie-Anne

BOOKS!

I love to read! Growing up I read mostly fiction. Lately I have been reading more and more nonfiction. Some books I’ve read recently include Courtship After Marriage, The Total Money Makeover, Created to be His Helpmeet, Home Sweet Home School, The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, and The Witch of Blackbird Pond (I didn’t say I was only reading nonfiction).

Some books I will be reading in the next month or so include The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, A Love Worth Giving, The Millionaire Next Door, Confessions of a Happy Christian, The Treasure Principle, Jane Eyre, and The Home School Journey.

I’ve passed my love for books on to Alex. He’s constantly surrounded by books. He owns hundreds and we go to the library at least weekly. We read fiction and nonfiction. I sometimes get books that are slightly above his level- that’s why his vocabulary is so good. We let Alex see us reading books, and of course the Bible too. Alex has several Children's Bibles that we read from as well. Reading is very much a part of our family activities.

Marie-Anne

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

The Rejected Accepting the Rejected

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
In ancient Sparta, every new-born male baby was brought to the elders of the village, in which it was bought for inspection. The elders determined whether or not the child was physically strong enough to endure the rigorous and intense adolescent military training mandatory for all Spartan males. If the baby was found defective the parents would take the child to Mount Taygetos, which translates to the Mount of Rejection, and abandon him to die. On occasion, a Helot, a sub-citizen, who was only a little better than a slave would find these children and take them home, adopting them as sons.
We too, in our natural state, are found defective, for there are none righteous before God. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Our sin separated us from our Father, without hope, and rejected and exposed to death. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Yet, our only hope is in Jesus Christ who was likewise rejected, for Hebrews tells us, that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected. We can be scooped up out of despair and rejection but only from the Rejected. He willingly was rejected: endured the cross, despising the shame. The best part is that He has brought us home and adopted us, making us joint heirs with Him and made us presentable to God His Father.