Thankfulness

I haven't been able to post pictures because my camera broke. So, I recognize I have 2 choices...1. grumble and complain that I haven't been able to capture moments since Easter or 2. be grateful my warranty covered the break and in a few days I will be snapping away again...

1 Thessalonians 5:18 God says, "give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." There are many other scripture verses that also talk about giving thanks, and rejoicing in all things. Being thankful is easy to do when things are going your way, or something fun or exciting is happening. It's easy to be thankful when your child has learned something you have been teaching or your husband does an unexpected act of service or.....fill in the blank... but are you thankful when things don't work out the way you had hoped? Are you able to find something to be grateful for in the midst of a trial or an upset?

I am thankful for dishes it means we have eaten food and there are mouths around me to eat it. I am thankful for clothes to wash because it means we had some to wear. I am thankful for a house that didn't end up selling because I know God's got a great plan and the time is not now. (plus He gave me a fun new neighbor.) I am thankful for friends and family that surround us daily.

I am not sure what circumstances you are facing today but I do know that your glass can be half full. I know the One who made you........ and his plans are good for your life. I know that Satan has come to steal, kill and destroy and when we focus our energy on our lack, or we let a bitter root shoot up we give the devil a foothold. But when we operate out of a grateful heart with anticipation as to what the Lord has around the corner or right there in front we get the opportunity to live the abundant life He so desires for us to experience. There is much to be grateful for! I pray that your eyes may be open to all that is good in your life, I pray that your heart would meditate on these things and that your soul would be refreshed in the joy of the Lord!

Blessings and prayer,

Kirstin

Bike riding #2

Here we are a few days later and I wanted you to see the confidence that has been built up in our boy. Our dear friends the Bentley's rode to our house today and we all rode to a new park a ways from our house and Caeden rode beautifully. Here he is riding around the park, very exciting!

Happy Easter!!!!!!

Easter Egg hunting for Caleb and Olivia and.......
Caeden and Ella. We had a wonderful celebration at the Murphy's with 20 of our closest family and friends. It was a fantastic day with delicious food and great camaraderie. :)
On Good Friday I took the boys to the Prayer Garden to look at and reflect on all that Jesus went through to cleanse us from our sins and give us abundant life. Caeden and I started going when he was 6 months old...this was our sixth time, unbelievable.
Here we are at church...the most important part of the day for us! The whole service was full of celebration and excitement! We had a lot of our friends join us too, and Jay did a fabulous job of leading a team of 6 instrumentalists and 7 vocalists.... we had powerful worship! God we sure love you! Thank you for your plan of redemption, You are good!!

Bud Bud and his bike

We started official bike training with out extra wheels this week. This is first day trial in the back yard. Tonight Caeden made it all the way home from Altadena Park by himself, yeah Bud! We are so proud of you!