The Intentional Life

Every Easter season something different stands out to me more than other years.  Kinda like a theme. This year I keep going back to the fact that Christ experienced Hell .  I think it started when we were discussing it at dinner devotions one night and one of the residents was surprised to hear that Jesus went to Hell. As I sat there and listened to Paul explain the scripture that supports it, I was reminded of this, yet another facet of the huge sacrifice Christ did for us. When I think of Jesus' sacrifice I think about him suffering and being crucified.  That in itself is horrible enough. But when I think that Jesus went to Hell because He took on our sins and became forsaken by God. That just deepens my gratitude for what He has done.  This piddly little post just doesn't do it justice because we just don't deserve it. All we deserve is Hell because we are all sinners and none of us is righteous.  All have sinned and fall short of the...

We have this thing at our house that we go through with Hannah and Maddie whenever they come to us, asking if we think they are pretty, or if we like their outfit, or anything along those lines: "Mommy, do you like my dress?  Does it make me look pretty?" "Oooh, it's very pretty.  It's looks so nice on you.  But what is more important:  pretty on the outside, or pretty on the inside?" "Pretty on the inside!" (we've done this a few times with them) "That's right!  And who makes us pretty on the inside?" "Jesus!"   It warms my heart when they answer with such enthusiasm.  It doesn't diminish their thrill with their twirly dress or their bouncy pigtails, but they can flounce away knowing they have a Savior that can make them pretty throughout even with their dress looks less than spectacular, or their hair hangs limp. I know they are only 3 and (almost)5 but I want to keep feeding our girls this truth, an...

Lifesong for Orphans, the organization that I mentioned in my last post , does this awesome thing where they help fund families adoptions.  They offer adoption grants and loans so that orphans can have a forever home.  How cool is that? Jarod and Molly, friends of ours from church (and former co-workers of ours here at Gateway!) are working to adopt a child from Columbia.   Molly's sister has a bit more about it on her blog, plus a giveaway! They are looking for people willing to help them on their adoption journey.  Click here to see how you can help, and enter her awesome giveaway as well. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing...Psalm 68:6

I mentioned a few posts ago about my personality type .  Along with that personality comes the difficulty with making friends. Well, back up.  I think I can make friends OK.  It's just getting those really close friendships that I find hard. I've had just a couple people in my life that I have felt that I could completely be myself around.  I feel awkward 95% of the time, but with those few people I have felt like I can just be me and can even let my guard down, and still be liked at the end of it all. One of those such friendships has developed over the past 8+ years with a dear friend from church.  Our personalities have their differences. She is SO laid back. I'm, well, pretty up tight.  Anxious.  You know. She's seen my ugly side, heard some of my confessions, and she is still willing to hang out with me. (thank you) Even since I've known her, I've known she and her husband have had a heart for the fatherless and for missions. ...

Here at Gateway we have to do monthly fire drills. Kinda like you remember doing in school. The alarm is pulled when everyone least expects it.  Everyone files out to the 'safety zone.'  Heads are counted.  Alarm is reset. Bada-boom.  Bada-bing.  You're done. Well, our kids kinda freak out because this alarm is REALLY loud.  The type of loud that causes the sound to echo in your ears for minutes after the alarm is shut off.  Which I really am glad for.  I want it to wake us all up if it's needed. So, in an attempt to keep our children from freaking out, I take them back to our apartment, have them stand right outside where they can clearly hear the alarm, but not be smack dab in the middle of it, and when the alarm sounds, ask them what we should do and go through the procedure. Usually this works out great.  In fact, we were off duty once when the alarm went off and all three of our kids raced out the door.  So I guess they ...

February felt like the month of paperwork - filing taxes, registering kids for school for next year, finding a new insurance carrier as ours decided to drop us (hrmph...) amongst other various papers that needed filled out and filed and mailed. Secretly, I enjoy that stuff, but I can allow it to stress me out knowing there are timelines attached. Thankfully, we had some good, non-paper work times between all the paper flying around. Birthdays. Traveling to see my grandparents (it did my heart a world of good.) 3 generational engine building And a first haircut. Thank you, February.  I enjoyed all of it.   Happy 3rd Birthday, Madeline (and her precious Baby Pink Heart)!  Most of these decorating credits go to the 4 year old...  Kids loved Grandma Jane (of course!) and did a few Highlight magazines with her  LOVE this man  Heavy reading ( I think the title was Aeronautical Engineering)  It was just a trim but i...