GOTCHA DAY

Gotcha Day is a pretty special day in our house.  It is the day we celebrate the day that a Chinese official put a precious little girl in our arms and we announced to her... "we Gotcha forever".  We became her forever family on December 10, 2002.  

Every year we celebrate this day with the Medonis family.  Their little girl was in the same group of kids and in the same orphanage as Karis.  We traveled with them to China and share a special bond with them because of this experience.  

I thank God Almighty for His blessing of Karis.  He chose her for us and us for her.    He is definitely in the adoption business, both in human families and His spiritual family.  I am glad He adopted me too.

Record of Sins

Did you know that if the Lord kept a record of sin no one could stand?  (Ps. 130:3) This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible.  I fall so short everyday and my sins are many.  I cannot reach the "perfection" requirement.  I am grateful My Savior does not keep a record of my shortcomings and out and out sins. 

It confounds me that some teachers teach that all our sins are stored up (at least the ones we have not asked specific forgiveness) for us to answer for one day even in heaven.  In my Beth Moore study (Stepping Up) this week, she addresses this issue.  She says "Imagine what heaven would be like if, when you get there, God raises the door on your storage unit of sin and brings out one memento after another representing each sin.  For me, that would not be heaven.  It would be a descent into hell."  And it would for me too.  Romans 8:1 promises that there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ.   Jesus promised to take our sins away but of course we still experience earthly consequences and discipline for them.

Colossians 2:13-15:  When you WERE DEAD in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ.  He forgave us ALL our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

Isn't that the best news you have heard all day,...no, all week,...no, EVER.  That, my friends, is GRACE.  A sweet, sweet word.  Because of His grace, He forgave ALL our sins, not just a few of them, not just the ones before today, not just the ones we remembered and asked forgiveness.....no, ALL of them, past, present and future.  PRAISE GOD.

Ps. 32:1-2:  How happy is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How happy is the man the Lord does not charge with sin, and in whose spirit is no deceit.

And if we have been on the receiving end of  such an incredible gift of grace, shouldn't we willingly, quickly and happily extend that grace to those around us, and do that "when they are still in their sin"?

Where have you been????

I know I haven't posted in a long time so that lends the question, "Where have you been"? Well,the answer is simple,  very busy with the kids and home school.  We haven't really had anything specific that has been happening, just your typical school days and weekends full of fall chores.  

We do not typically take a fall break but last week we did take a couple of days off.  Chris and I enjoyed some time together without our kiddos for a few nights.  We went to Cages Bend campground in Gallatin, TN.  Fall camping is fantastic.  Since we were so close to Gallatin and Hendersonville, we hit a couple of movies and did some early Christmas shopping.  Christmas shopping is one thing my man loves to do for his kids.  Sometimes he enjoys it too much and therefore, spends too much.  BUT, the weather, company, movies and shopping were all wonderful.  We took advantage of our time without the kids to see a movie called "Fireproof", starring Kirk Cameron.  You remember him...the Growing Pains kid.  He did a fabulous job.  The movie shows the difference in a worldly marriage and a godly marriage.   This movie will not win any awards but those who see it will hopefully be rewarded.  

Please don't think I have abandoned you.  I will post again soon.  Thanks.  Have a wonderful fall day.

CAMO Everywhere!!!!

I don't see any boys...do you see any boys?  Where?

Yes, this is my son!!!  I am so proud of him.  No, I don't care for hunting, don't really understand the fun of hunting. 

BUT

it is fun to see your child do something he enjoys.  He has been wanting to hunt for a long time.  Since Chris does not enjoy the sport, it is hard for us to find ways to accommodate his desire.  He has completed the hunter safety course and has his license but no "kills" under his belt.  

This was a juvenile dove hunt in Hartsville.  It was lots of fun for Jordan and even Chris said he had a really good time too.   

Another step toward manhood.

Lane's New Room

Lane in his loft bed.

His rock climbing wall up to the loft.

The "cave" under the loft.

My son, Lane, lives in a closet.  This particular room started out as Chris' and my closet when we first moved in our home 18 years ago.  Yes, it was a walk-in closet but still a closet.  It measures about 8 X 8. He has been complaining about wanting a new room.  Well, Chris and I are finished adding on to our house so we did the next best thing...we redid his room.  And he loves it.  If any of you know my man, you know he can do just about anything he wants to do.  In a casual conversation last weekend, we brainstormed a few ideas for his room.  A few hours later, Chris was at Lowes buying the lumber he needed to build my son a new bed.  It has turned out so cool. He has a loft bed.  To get in the loft, he climbs a "rock" wall.  In the "cave" under the bed, we put some cool Christmas lights around the bottom of the bed.  We reworked the shelves for his clothes and toys and added another shelf above his bed for his birds.  Target had these neat floor chairs on clearance so I got two of those so he can play his games or watch a video.  He has enjoyed his new room and shows it off every chance he gets.  It's really great.  

Next room to do....a teenage boy, Jackson.  Any ideas?????

Yellow Star

I took the kids to Cookville to enjoy a play.  I had gotten an email from my county homeschool group about this play.  It was called Yellow Star, written and directed by Mary Evelyn Notgrass.  I had thought that this was the mother of the Notgrass family who has homeschooled her children and has written curriculum that I have used with my boys, Tennessee History. WRONG. It was her daughter. Not only did she write this play, but she also wrote the words and music to the songs.  The songs were beautiful and glorified God.  The story was amazing, interesting, historically accurate and pointed to Jesus, the Yellow Star.  The story was set in France and she included several French dances, songs and games that children played in the early 40's.  The four Nazi solders even spoke German.  Another most impressive aspect is that there were over 60 actors and every one of them were home school kids, no adults.  

From my understanding, this was the 10th annual production of this Homeschool Dramatic Society.  I am so excited and look forward to the 11th annual production.     

The picture above is Mary Evelyn Notgrass.  She also played the role of the housekeeper.  She can act too!!!!!

Beginning of the End, Pt 2

On Sunday, the Matt Weaver family rented a pontoon boat at Defeated Creek.  Our family and the Beards packed up and drove down there (about 10 miles) to hang out on the pontoon boat.  It was fun.  We soaked and bobbed a lot.  

The water was great.  It was pretty clear too.  That is my husband's legs you can see in the water.

Of course, we took Poochie. 

The kids had fun jumping off the pontoon boat.  Here is Karis and Hope holding hands and jumping.

If ever there is any game of any kind, you can be sure that Jack will want to be part of it.  All the kids played UNO.  

Several of the kids tried to learn to ski.  Here is Micah.  It didn't take him long to get the hang of it.  He was up by the fourth try.