Enjoying Nice Weather

Last weekend, we had some really nice weather. It was in the 70s. So we took the kids outside to play. We even took a little walk. Here are a couple pictures of the kids.




















Julia loves the flowers on my azealea bushes.




















Chris loves to swing!




















Julia and I love to pick little spring flowers
to make into crowns.

My Kids in Their Easter Clothes

I didn't get a chance to take the kids' pictures last Sunday. We just got our family picture. So today, I got the kids up and got them all dressed up for pictures. I'm not much of a photographer, but I gave it my best shot. I want to put their single pictures on here, but can't figure out how to turn them around. So, they will get put on here at another time. Rick will have to help me. Here are a couple that are already right side up.















Here are my kids in our easy chair.














My "Little Man" dressed up in his Sunday best.

Thoughts About "The Singer"

The last couple years, I have tried to make it a habit to read "The Singer", by Calvin Miller, around Easter time. It's a great read! Not only is it easy to read, but it also brings a freshness to your mind about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. I cry every time I read it. If you get a chance to read it, I encourage you to do it.
The first time I heard of it, was when Mr. Anthony, one of my teachers from Penn View, read it for devotions in our Music History class. I never forgot it, and after I got married, I had Rick get it for me on E-bay. Here are a couple things I love about that book.
This is about his baptism in the river, when his ministry began.

Then the River Singer waded out
into the water and beckoned with his hand
with his hand. Slowly the tradesman followed.

They stopped waist-deep in water.
Their eyes swam and
They waited for the music to begin.
It did.
(here's the last part of it.)
...................
Then over that thin silver
stream the thunder pealed, and
a voice called from the sky above...

"Tradesman! You are
the Troubadour! Go
now and sing!"

Here's another piece of the story. This is the conversation between the high priest and the people.

"Look at him,"said the masquerading
World hater, pointing to the
Singer. "Does he appear to be a Holy
Singer? Where are his prayer book
and candle? If he had come to
worship, would he not have brought
along a scroll of ancient truths?
If his song is from Father-
Spirit, why did it not come to us
through the Grand musician?
He wears no robe, he has no beard
like other holy men. Where is his
pointed hat? He was but a tradesman
in the northern hills. He
never studied music like the Grand
Musician. Is it reasonable to
suppose that God would give a tradesman
a song that he withheld from those
who keep his very Shrine?"

The Grand Musician rose and sang.
Infirmly at first, but gaining
confidence, he sang the Anthem of
the great Shrine.

It's just so sad that Israel had the Son of God right there with them, but they could not or just would not see Him. Let us not make that same mistake. Let's serve Him and love Him all of our days.

The way Calvin Miller writes is so intriguing! You can read through this book in just an hour or two.

Turning To Christ For Strength

Talking to Jesus always helps me get through another day. I start my day by asking for "strength just for today." With two toddlers running around, I have to take things one day at a time. When I come up against things I feel I just can't handle, I stop and pray. I find myself remembering this little song my mother and I learned several years ago. Here it is.

I Talk to the Lord
(author not known)
Sometimes, my way grows weary,
With trials hard to bear.
I talk to the Lord about it.
He hears my every prayer.
Chorus
I talk to the Lord about it.
Oh, yes, He is a friend indeed.
I talk to the Lord about it.
He knows just what I need.

When days are dark and dreary,
And burdened down with care,
I talk to the Lord about it.
He hears my earnest prayer.

Relaxing With a Book

This picture is of my kids, during one of their peaceful moments. Those are few and far between, it seems. They both love to look at books, so they called a truce.