Daddy

Dad, this is overdue, but since I was traveling back to Washington on Father's Day, I am just now getting time to post a blog to honor you and tell you how very much I love you. You are a picture of the Father Heart of God toward us, His children. Thank you for your unconditional, deep love toward your family and specifically us, your children. Thank you for not giving up on us, but for faithfully lifting us up in prayer and being a "hands on" type of Father. Thank you for your encouragement, your generosity, your wisdom and most of all your passion for the Lord. Your example is an inspiration to all who know you, especially to the 3 of us who call you "Dad." The older I get and the more I learn of life, I realize how blessed I am to have the security of a Father's love and approval every day of my life. Thank you for sticking it out through the hard times, for being there to share in the happy times and for all the times in the future that we will have to make memories. You are a wonderful father! This message FULL OF LOVE comes all the way from Washington State from your oldest daughter who will always be your little girl, "A." Love you with all my heart...

A Day at the Races

My baby brother is so amazing!!! I was just down in California last week on a business trip and was able to extend my stay in order to hang out with my family who I miss so much and to watch my brother (back from college) ride his motorcycle at Thunderhill Raceway near our hometown. Technically these are called track days, not actual races my brother tells me. Ian had a whole cheering section show up just for him. Our immediate family, my uncle, aunt and cousin, Ian's girlfriend Sarah, and our neighbor family across the street all showed up to root him on. Ian is incredible and I'm not just saying that because I'm his sister (really!). It was a blast to pull up to the racetrack and hear the motors of all the bikes speeding around the 3 1/2 mile track. It was even more fun to watch my brother! He rides up to 160 mph in the straightaways and his knee is barely inches from the track on the turns. I've posted a bunch of pics below. It was really hard to get still pics of him racing because he was riding so FAST! (The blur of silver in the picture below is my brother...) I took video of him racing as well, but those are still stuck on my sis's camera. I hope to have them to post soon. That Saturday was the perfect way to spend as a family... good job, Baby Brother! (And thanks for the new spark in my prayer life... :) )

My Anchor

Deuteronomy 33: 27 "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So fix your eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Isaiah 30:18 "The Lord longs to be gracious to you. He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"

Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

Ever had "one of those seasons" in life of discouragement or disappointment? It seems to come at a time when you think you are just about at a place of true contentment... If you know what I mean, this post and these verses are for you. I'm learning more and more that, just like the verse says, God causes everything (even the hard stuff) to work together for the good of those who LOVE Him. Our Pastor Ed gave such a good word this last weekend about Disappointment and I was very challenged by it. He said that we must line up our feelings with Truth (the Word of God), not try to line up Truth to our feelings or emotions. God is my anchor and his Word is Truth and I can find true contentment and peace in that, even in the midst of discouragement. I hope that this helps anyone else who might be going through a similar season of life right now. Take hope that just like in the natural, this season will pass and give way to a NEW season full of life and promise and hope. Thank God for that!

Hubby's Softball Team

Steven and Justin are co-coaching our church's softball team and they are having a blast! The team is doing really well too! At a recent game I took some pics/videos that will be in our church's slide show. They already have 25 guys that want to play next season, which starts in August! I think everyone loves that Steven and Justin of course want to win, but they want everyone to have fun at the same time. It's paying off too! They are 9 and 1 (wins/losses)! I love watching my husband coach. He loves sports, so he is completely in his element right now and he does a great job with managing the team and making this a great experience for everyone involved. I'm so proud of him! Plus, he's really good at sports at the same time, so that's pretty hot! :) Go, Babe!

Stewie

My parents just got a 5 month old Havanese puppy named Stewie and they brought him up to our house on their last vist over Memorial Day weekend. This dog is the best! He has so much personality and was a blast to have around. It made me all the more excited to get our Jack Russell Terrier, Maverick, in 3 weeks. We took Stewie on walks, he rode with us in the car everywhere, he barked at Matt and Mel's pitbull, Tuff, because Stewie completely thinks he's bigger than he really is, he played with Michelle's new puppy, Lily and I think they fell in love... He is so fun! I miss him already!