Mark's Pre-K Graduation

Alyssah watching Mark.  She did great the whole time!

Mark had his Pre-K graduation ceremony on May 18, 2013.  We had a great day celebrating our sweet boy and seeing some of the things he and his classmates have learned this past year.  I'm thankful that many friends and our family could be there with us.  These are a few pictures that our friend Matthew took for us.  Thanks for making the day easier on me and bringing your camera! :)

Alyssah wasn't feeling the picture taking but at least we got these shots of us as a family :)  Love them!

Proud parents!

He is really looking forward to Kindergarten.  I'm a little nervous but excited for him to go to "big school". 

Here's to my smart, handsome, "cool", generous, loving, helpful, encouraging, loving, and fun 5 year old!  I look forward to all the things you will learn this next year and the things you will teach me as you continue to grow into the awesome little person you are.  I love you, my sweet Mark!

Part 1:When Culture Shifts

Can you believe I actually got back to this so soon??  Haha!  I'm so excited about sharing with you about this message series.  For those of you who read that are part of my Highlands family, you have heard this but I know you agree it's worth hearing again ;)


Some believers think that we are in the end times and after this series I agree.  Pastor Chris wanted to bring us this message so that we have an idea of what we are up against.  This is the 1st of 6 posts I will be making and hopefully you will get something out of them.

Series text: Daniel 1:1-6

When Culture Shifts

...will you?

Daniel 1:7

1. It will try to rename you.
-It will try to change your identity from what God created you to be.
-God has a redemptive name to put on you.

Daniel 1:8 "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way."

2. It will try to tame you.
-When culture shifts, you better know who you are!  Culture will try to shift your convictions.
-People with no convictions are most susceptible.
-People do things because everyone else is.

Daniel 1:11-14
*anytime the Bible mentions the number 10, it is indicative of a time of testing

3. It will try to claim you.
-There will be a moment of pressure.
-When culture shifts, never give in to the pressure.
-God's way is best. (v. 15-19)

Ten Times Better

Daniel 1:20 "In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom."

Will I change the world or will the world change me?

Will my identity come from God or from the world?

Am I going to set the culture or reflect the culture?

We don't need to be a thermometer.  We need to be the thermostat!

I will be back on this next week :)  I hope you are having a fantastic week!

*Fun Giveaway*!

hey hey blog peeps!  I have not forgotten about you or blogging about the Daniel Series messages from church last month...just been busy busy!  I will try my hardest to get to that tonight so hang in there!  It is coming, and I promise you will be blessed by it!

Today, I wanted to let you all know about a giveaway opportunity :)  Because who doesn't love free stuff?!?  Head on over to a blog I read and check it out!

http://therowefam.blogspot.com/2013/06/find-joy-in-journey-giveaway.html

Have a beautiful afternoon!

K :)

Shift

I love this verse!  We recently had a series at Highlands about the shift in our culture and how to live Godly in an ungodly age.  So many things of this world can be distractions and focus changers.  We, as God's children, need to be informed on how to be the difference and the light.  I got so much out of each of the 6 messages.  I want to do posts about each of them to share with yall.  Who knows how many people will actually read them, but I hope that whoever decides to read them will get something out of it.

I hope to stay on track with this...I will prob start it tomorrow and wrap it up by next week.  Stay tuned for that ;)

I also need to do some family updating...I will post soon about my Mark's pre-K graduation, and tball will be wrapping up this week as well.  We have enjoyed tball, but I am going to be glad to have that free time back since it's such pretty weather outside now.  I want to start being able to take walks with the kids and do other things after work.  It's such a fun time of year!

I'll be back soon!  Have a blessed Wednesday :)

Slavery

Yall are probably thinking, What?!  another blog post today?!  I'm trying to stay more in touch with the blog world and keep it up.

I have a video to share with yall today.  It's only 3 minutes long, so please take a moment to watch it.  It's powerful and moving.  It's why I have joined Freedom 21 here in Auburn.  To learn more about Freedom 21 visit the website here.  Slavery does still exist today.  There are 27 million men, women, and children that are enslaved today.  And it's not just in other countries...it's here, closer than you think.

This video was made by the END IT Movement.  Click here to go to their website.  I promise you won't be the same after watching.  Let's end this for good!  Let's shine the Light of Jesus on all of these situations to abolish the slavery, sex-trafficking, and bondage that happens everyday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMyExi2q-ZI&feature=youtu.be

What a week!

This week has been so emotional for our country.  I cannot stop thinking about all the people in Boston and it's communities.  And this morning I found out about Texas.  How do you get past something so tragic?  I have never been in a situation like that but I hope they know Jesus b/c I know I couldn't do that without Him. I have been praying so hard for the families of victims, the victims, and for the weeks and months ahead of rebuilding what has been shattered. 

My Jesus Calling reading today was about the Peace we have through Jesus and His Presence.  It begins with "Peace is my continual gift to you" and goes on to explaining that He gives us "sufficient Peace for the present when you come to me by prayer and petition with thanksgiving". 

I pray that God will wrap His loving arms around all of those people.  I pray that they draw close(r) to Him.  I pray they receive His Peace...it is the constant in the chaos of this world.  We have Hope through Him that we can overcome these kinds of things if we stay continually connected to Him, to the One who gives us His Peace.  He is the Light in the darkness we face day after day.  I am thankful He is on my side, and that nothing is too big for my God!

Please join me in praying for Boston and also for Texas.  Pray for our country.  Pray for those who have selflessly cared for those wounded.  Pray for our President and all those who make important decisions.

Pray.

Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Hebrews 4:16
"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Weekend review

These pictures are a little out of order but oh well!  We had another great weekend :)  It was pretty laid back but I love those every now and then.  We started the day with Mark's tball game.  Our friends, Jill and Matthew came up for the day to visit and stayed for church on Sunday.  It was great seeing them and getting to spend time with them.  We don't get to see them nearly enough, so it's always a special treat to have them visit.

We went to one of favorite places for lunch, Schlotzsky's.  I'm so happy it's back in Auburn.  I could eat it every day ;)

We ended up just walking around Tigertown and browsing a few stores.  Of course the kids loved going to Petco.  Mark asked for a fish about 10 times, but luckily I didn't give in.  We have enough going on at our house right now, and we have a bad track record with fish lately.

The day was perfect! We all wanted to be outside to enjoy it.  I think the kids played on this guy for at least 30 minutes ;)

Alyssah was trying to feed it the wood chips.  She got so frustrated when the mouth wouldn't open! haha!

We headed to get ice cream before going home.  Christopher met us there.  He loved the men's conference, and got back in time to visit with us at Bruster's.

Hanging out at Bruster's while the adults were talking.  They were being so sweet and listening so well.

I tried to get a picture of her in front of the tiger, but she would not be still...

We ended the night by eating dinner at Loco's!  The kids loved the fried pickles, but who doesn't ;)

We are blessed beyond measure. So thankful for true friendships and family.
Hope all of you had a good weekend. Have a wonderful week!  Be back soon :)