13 Random Moments....

...in 2013. Yes, I know I'm a little behind since the year has already been for 21 & 1/2 days but hey, it's good to remember the good times right? I think so.

 

 The moments of sitting around the table talking with family...

 the most adorable moment of Haley & Colson...

 

The time I went to see my sister with friends & we went to a coffee shop... 

 The time when Micah plays with Colson...entertaining I tell you! 

The moments when we played in the snow with friends beacause we could.

The time we randomly decided to go eat fried cheese curds & cheesy tater rounds right before making supper...

That moment when your trying to stay occupied while traveling....

Walks in the beautiful outdoors with the sisters & the brother...

That moment when we step inside the door after a random trip to DQ & decide that a picture is in order..

Conversations...

This picture makes me laugh every time I see it. You see, I am not overly given to hugs etc... & Rhoda loves them & somehow our expressions just make me laugh. And laugh. It's so original! :)

 And we have breakfast with friends...

Time spent with surprise guests... :)

 So there you have it. A few of my favorite pictures from 2013. 

The End.

A touch of Grace & Mercy

I'll call her Stacy. I walked into a room and there she was. A beautiful young girl in her early teens. She looked completely helpless and unattached from reality. In her eyes you could see a deep ocean of pain, distrust, depression, lose of purpose in life and anything else you care to throw in there. She told me she had no friends. That she didn't need any friends...she didn't want them. That she was on probation for having done something 'silly'. She told of a lot more pain and past and while she said she wanted to go on to nursing because she's good with people you could still tell that she didn't trust them. But when asked if she finds it hard to trust people after what her life has held she quickly replied: "Oh I trust people".  As I looked at this young girl the reality of what is considered normal for so many kids today slowly begin to sink in. They survive. Steal & get caught for it & then lie to talk themselves out of it. They try their hardest to cover their pain & their lonesomeness by putting on a fake front that is supposed to appear confident and self sufficient but under it all you can hear them screaming that they want out. They are begging for Truth and real Love. For a touch of Grace & Mercy.

Stacy's mother didn't want her and she decided that she would live with her brother & his wife, some friends of ours who live just minutes away. Several days ago my Mom saw her and couldn't believe how different she looked. In was all over her face. It shone in her eyes and changed her whole appearance. It's called Grace, Forgiveness, Mercy.... it's what happens when a lost heart meets God. It's what happens when a person comes in personal contact with the reality of grace and mercy and they realize what it means for them. I have already been inspired by this young girls passion for truth and for God. Just looking at the situation she came from and thinking about how much she has to learn about living in general could make a person think that she'll never go far. But I can't wait to see what God has in store for her. 

Because....

...Even before we are born God has a beautiful dream for each of our lives. Even YOU. He knows what our future will look like and He wants to lead us through it. He wants us to trade our plan of a future for His. Part of His dream for every one of us is that we would experience and live lives that are marked significantly by the touch of His grace and mercy. That we would allow Him to accomplish His work in our lives. 

Ultimately that our lives would bring Him glory!

"Your life as a Christian should make unbelievers question their disbelief in God."

Christmas in 2013

So it is. Today is the first day of this new year which is 2014 and I am blogging about an event from last year. You would think I am way behind but it is comforting to realize that I'm only a few days behind.... For Christmas my family was in Iowa with my Moms side of the family and since I also have a brother & sisters living there as well as amazing cousins I would definitely say it was time well spent! 

Everyone was at Grandmas house on Christmas day for a big amazing lunch...

we generally eat in the garage since there is around 50 people...

Rhoda & Allison

There were plenty of pies for everyone...

In the afternoon there were games to be played....Some of which caused people to be so desperate for answers that rafters suddenly became eligible to be a piece of furniture! ;) I won't mention any names...

There were conversations.... there's always lots to talk about you know. :)

 A few people got tired apparently...

Then there were 5.... (there's 3 more of us not in the picture)

It's me, Alli, Naomi, Mary and Rhoda

Stories for some of the youngest grand-kids by one of the oldest ones...

It has sorta become tradition for us girl cousins to spend a night together when we're all around.... there were 7 of us this time but we didn't happen to get a picture. Sadly. The above is some Triple Chocolate Mocha Biscotti that I made for the evening.... since there is always coffee you know! 

Rhoda and Chels

 Somehow I just really like this picture....It kinda shows the difference in Rhoda's & my personalities...(if you don't know us it might be hard to see. :) )

So there you have it. A few pictures from my Christmas. I have tons of posts running there course through my brain but they just haven't come to life on here yet. I almost hesitate to say what I am about to say next...but when I was writing down some goals for 2014 I "happened" to mention blogging more. Yes I did. I won't tell you though how often I hope to because...well...just because. You see 16 posts in one year doesn't exactly lay the ground work for some exciting, extraordinary change around the corner.... and 16 posts was the outstanding "record" for 2013. 

I hope y'all had an amazing Christmas. I hope that it was Merry & Bright and that the new year will bring  many adventures and exciting, life changing experiences for the good!

The End.