Spring Pictures

I decided to put the girls' Easter dresses on and try to get a few pictures. They both loved putting on their pretty dresses. As soon as they put them on they started twirling and dancing.











Happy Spring and Easter! Just wanted to share a few pictures of the girls. We have been enjoying this beautiful weather so much. It's funny how I am starting to think a little differently. Just trying to really enjoy and appreciate all the beautiful things that happen in the spring, knowing that we won't be around here to watch spring arrive for at least a couple of years. However, I have been told by a few different people that Kapsowar is one of the most beautiful places there is. I think there are flowers there to enjoy as well. I feel very blessed to be getting to go and serve in such a beautiful setting. I know we will be leaving behind a lot of things, but I feel like the Lord is giving us some things to look forward to as well.

I just started the Beth Moore bible study on James about a week ago. Yesterday I was doing some of the homework and there were a couple of verses that really got my attention.

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

First of all, I feel like I am in constant need of wisdom from the Lord. So this verse is encouraging to me. He gives to all "generously". However, Beth Moore pointed out that there is a condition to receiving this wisdom. The condition is that we have to ask in faith without doubting. If we don't ask in faith, expecting the Lord to provide the wisdom we need, then we will receive nothing and be unstable in all our ways. I know I am guilty of praying this way at times and it was a great reminder and challenge to PRAY IN FAITH, and EXPECT God to give the wisdom we ask of Him.

When I picked Braelyn up from preschool today her teacher told me "She is definitely a singer." Apparently she serenades them often with her musical talents :). One of the verses I hung in Braelyn's room when she was born was Psalm 71: 8 and 15... "May Braelyn's mouth be filled with Your praise and tell of Your righteousness, declaring your glory and salvation all day long." I love to hear her sing praise songs in the car and at church and even on the toilet! :)
I should also say that there has been a lot of rudeness and bad attitude flowing out of her mouth as well lately. We are preaching "obey with a good attitude" and "speak kindly" a lot right now. So, the other morning we were driving to church and talking to Braelyn about giving some of her money as an offering at church. We have just now started to introduce her to the idea. She won $10 for her dessert she helped make at the chili/dessert cookoff last weekend. So we asked her how much of it she wanted to give to God and she said "All of it!" (She was confused about how she was going to give the money to God because she can't reach that high in the sky :)) And then in the car we were discussing how giving our offering is one way we can worship God, and aaron asked her what were some other ways that we can worship God, and she said "By obeying Him". And it just thrilled and surprised my heart to hear her say that. I really was not expecting a "correct" answer. And honestly I wasn't even considering that as an answer in my own head.....but it was a great reminder to me that my obedience to the Lord is not just something I "should do".....but it is worship and it is pleasing to my Heavenly Father.