tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81928797745165199532024-03-13T09:15:49.274-07:00Welch Life : Loving my hubby and Growing in ChristJen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-74387232600569704012011-06-09T09:35:00.000-07:002011-06-09T10:07:30.948-07:00Xander Charles!!<img src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/247857_214597311894730_100000333885974_711808_2087229_s.jpg" /><div><br /></div><div>Alexander Charles Welch is here!! He was born on Saturday May 21st, 2011 at 3:01am weighing in at 7lbs 4oz and 19 1/2 inches long. </div><div>We went in to the hospital on Friday expecting to be induced and for everything to go smoothly, but God once again wanted us to make sure we knew HE was in charge of that, too. The induction started at 3pm and after a few hours of not really feeling much in the way of contractions at all the pitocin was turned up, but after 11 hours I was still at a 5 and the contractions were right on top of each other with out much of a break for me to catch my breath. And so I decided that I was ready for the dreaded epidural. For those of you that don't know, I am NOT a needle person. They frighten me. I am petrified of them. And all for no reason at all. I have always had kind dr.'s and have never had a problem at all. So the thought of having an epidural to me, was more frightening than having a baby without pain meds. That's how irrational this fear is. The anesthesiologist was called and came in and cleaned off a spot on my back to place the needle was reaching for the needle, and then ... Voila! Xander was ready to make an appearance and within 10 minutes he was here and in our arms! He objected to his new surroundings immediately and cried the whole time he was being examined, weighed and measured. We had no doubt of his strong lungs right from the start. </div><div>His first days home were very bumpy and we can say in all fairness that he had his days and nights mixed up. He did lose weight at first and through much weighing and reweighing discovered that he was just not getting enough at each feeding, so we decided to supplement with formula that in true Welch style we have termed his <b>Weight Gainer 2000</b>. He loves it and everyone loves to help out by feeding him and taking part in his gaining weight and getting stronger. There were shouts of joy and much rejoicing when he gained 6.6 oz overnight and everyone had been a part of it. God is good!! I have always been a breastfeeding only gal, but it seems that God is using my sweet boy to destroy that ridiculous soapbox. Who knew?! For truly what is more important, having a healthy and happy little boy or letting him die on my stupid soapbox? When Who is that one that sustains him? God alone! And truthfully, I was formula fed and Voila! Hows that for your paradigm of hope? LOL. Wow. </div><div>He is almost 2 1/2 weeks old and has been loved since day one :) Nolen loves to hold him and talk to him and he dearly loves listening to Nolen's voice. Emma will take him and sit with him in her room and just tend to his every need, she is such a wonderful helper!! Mia has asked at every moment to hold him and take care of him. Ty loves to give him hugs and talk to him, but is nervous of too much holding, since he is so small and squirmy :) Nadia treats him like one of her stuffed animals and will hold him for hours, get diapers, throw them away BUT her specialty is picking the morning outfit. She loves being Xanders fashion consultant. </div><div>Well, all to say he has been a cute and snuggly joy to us all and we are so thankful to God for this little blessing!!</div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-54323886132013434452011-03-15T17:28:00.001-07:002011-03-15T17:38:25.557-07:00Trust . . .<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(45, 94, 174); ">I just found this amazing poem, and it pretty much sums up what I have been thinking about lately... at least on an earthly level. If you're wondering where I am spiritually refer to Isaiah 50:4 :) because of-course God is GOOD and much bigger .</h3><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-en-NASB-en-ESV-18667" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">4</sup>The Lord GOD has given me</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center;"> the tongue of those who are taught,</div><div style="text-align: center;">that I may know how to sustain with a word</div><div style="text-align: center;"> him who is weary.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Morning by morning he awakens;</div><div style="text-align: center;"> he awakens my ear</div><div style="text-align: center;"> to hear as those who are taught.</div></span></div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(45, 94, 174); "><br /></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(45, 94, 174); ">Trust - a poem</h3><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; ">Trust is a hard thing.<br /><br />Trust is allowing someone else to do and be for you. Trust is giving away power and telling secrets and sharing things that you would never want anyone else to know.<br />Trust is using faith. Faith in another person's decisions, and choices, and knowledge.<br />Trust is when you know that the other person would do everything in their power for you if you needed them.<br />Trust is knowing that they will never let you down if they can help it.<br />Trust is not needing to speak, because the one you can rely on is there.<br /><br />Trust is hard.<br /><br />Trust requires being vulnerable.<br />Trust needs to be returned.<br />Trust cannot be fleeting.<br />Trust requires more than a passing glance.<br /><br />Trust is hard.<br /><br />Trust leans<br />Trust waits<br />Trust hopes<br /><br />Trust is hard.<br /><br />Trust is giving a piece of yourself to another knowing it will be safe<br />Trust is giving a piece of yourself to another not knowing if things will change<br /><br />Trust is hard.<br /><br />Sometimes, trusting means you will be disappointed and let down</div></span>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-45890002509915191822011-01-26T20:28:00.000-08:002011-01-26T21:05:33.967-08:00Hearts and Mouths<b><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></b></div>The Heart and the Mouth.</span></b><div><br /></div><div> <b>The connection between these can be no more obvious than with children. They are living proof that what you love is what you talk about and they know it. As adults we can go on and on about something and in the end deny completely that we even like something remotely. Now how is that? Simply we deceive ourselves. </b><div><b>Who or what do you talk about? Are you telling your friends how much you love your husband and children? Are you consumed with the Word of God? Are you stuck in a rut because all you can think to talk about is Christ and his grace to you? Or do all of your friends know your hubby's dirty little secrets? Do they wonder when the last time you read your Bible is? But are afraid to ask? What would you say? Do they know that your children have embarrassing medical problems, but not that your son got all A honor roll or recited all 10 commandment from memory in front of your family JUST LAST NIGHT?! </b></div></div><div><b>I only ask because we can't allow ourselves to be taught by the world how to speak. When Christ spoke to his people he proclaimed truth followed closely behind by grace. And not in a Queen Latifa in your face way. The world tells us to say it like it is, but even then with 'tude. </b></div><div><b>When your children spill their juice at the table this is the best time to show them how their people react. How to brush your teeth, small circles at the gum line. How to react to spilled juice, calmly with grace and wet wash cloths. </b></div><div><b>Are you surprised when your children yell at each other if a Lego masterpiece is broken? Have you ever wondered how they could mimic you so well? </b></div><div><b>Shepherding our children takes patience, grace and more patience mixed with wisdom and bathed in prayer and intense Bible reading. The shepherd knows not only what his sheep need to survive, but also what they like. To they have a favorite type of grass or do you stand over them and tap your foot if they do not eat that patch RIGHT THERE!! Are you willing to carry the lambs if they get tired or do you make them walk till their feet bleed? </b></div><div><b>I am amazed at how a calm reaction easily defuses a potential catastrophe. One of our children was having a pillow fight with some friends and her earring fell out. She was on the last few weeks of her starter earrings so the reaction started out at a high pitch. My husband looked at me with the, "watch what you do here." look and after a deep breath I said," Oh! That's fine. You can borrow a pair of mine tonight and tomorrow I will go to the store and find a new special pair for you." This peaked her interest, and instantly threw 25 gallons of water on that spark that could have taken out a small village! She was happy the rest of the way home and the next day had even forgotten about the promised *new* earrings all together (I seriously could not believe it). What a blessing to be able to calm a little one down with my peaceful voice and easy words! </b></div><div><b>God is so good to put our children in our homes where we can tenderly care for them from the womb to young adulthood. There are so many among us that despise even that grace. I heard to day that it can get as high as 1 in every 4 women commits an abortion. I am so happy to have my little ones safely around me instead of in another home where even the chance or survival is nil. Whay does this say about what is in their hearts?</b></div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-59779891302135760172010-12-17T20:56:00.000-08:002010-12-17T21:28:29.993-08:00Merry Christmas!!Well there has been so much going on here and still more to happen, that I though this would be a great time to catch y'all up :) <div><br /></div><div>We have officially had the last day of school for the year (yea!!) and it was filled with parties and cookies and presents and all sorts of festivities. Titus had his birthday party for Jesus where he decorated cupcakes and blew out unlit candles (he is 5 after all). </div><div><br /></div><div>Mia spent her last day painting (she was thrilled) and decorating cookies and having a wonderful last day with all her friends.</div><div><br /></div><div>Emma watched a movie and decorated cookies and had fun with her dear friends one last time :(</div><div><br /></div><div>Nolen ate cookies and got to have his little sis sit in class with him for awhile, thus convincing her to skip pre-k through 4th grade to go straight into Mrs. DeJongs 5th grade class. The littlest 5th grader, as we like to call her. She has Nolen and all the other 10 and 11 year -old boys wrapped around her pinky finger. </div><div><br /></div><div>Scott had a great day and came home unable to see through all the gift bags and stuffed with all the end of the year fare. He spent the rest of the day Christmas shopping and helping to get the food gathered together for our church Christmas celebration on Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><div>I went to class parties, subbed in Scott's class the last hour of the day, finished up most of our Christmas shopping and wrapping and took Titus to the wedding rehearsal where he is the ring-bear. </div><div><br /></div><div>Can't wait for tomorrow :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-84854639081837469472010-11-09T15:20:00.000-08:002010-11-09T15:54:07.867-08:00A hard lesson learnedThis last month has been . . Lets's just say it's been eye-opening. I will back track. <div>Starting with the middle of September I have been sick. There have been a few days sprinkled in there of wellness, but few and far between. </div><div><br /></div><div>And I have to say wellness with a loose translation, think Charlie Brown version of Much ado about Nothing and you will be close. </div><div><br /></div><div>Moving on . . .</div><div><br /></div><div>I have had 3 viruses and a bacterial sinus infection and now that I am recovered from those my body is the equivalent to Haiti in the aftermath. So now I am taking meds to recover some semblance of normalcy. Like being able to taste and smell, hear out of BOTH ears and not break out into a coughing fit at the drop of a hat. Oh, and I would love to stop "purring" as my husband calls it when I breathe. Yes, that would be nice. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just so you don't quit reading and think this whole post is one big pity party I should probably move on (just remember this is the back track part).</div><div><br /></div><div>I have had a lot of time to sip tea and think about what God is trying to get across to me, there has to be a point, right? I mean I'm not dead, Thus far and no farther. Like in Isaiah when The Assyrians destroyed, pillaged and plundered their way to Mt. Nob at the very edge of Isreal and God reminded them that they were merely an ax in his hand, but He wields the ax. All of this is just an ax in His hand and He is wielding it for a reason. </div><div><br /></div><div>I realized that in the midst of the flurry of activity that is really my life I take a LOT for granted. </div><div><br /></div><div>*Like all of my senses, </div><div>*that my husband will pick up the slack and stay out of the whirlwind when it's in motion, or get hurt. </div><div>*That doing is more important than time spent and </div><div>*that I have it all under control, all the hats are fitting and the plates are spinning beautifully</div><div>*Like sleep</div><div><br /></div><div>Well I have realized that I was off. Way. Off.</div><div>I can now smell coffee and taste garlic. Have you ever realized how wonderful each taste and each smell are? I have relished each new pin prick that has come my way, THANKFULLY!</div><div>At one point I was so sick that Scott had to totally take over, Everything. And yes he was still working full time and coaching football. I am not the only one that can do my job. None of us are. It's a gift and I need to be thankful for it. He is an amazing husband and very patient with me and I need it. I need LOADS of patience. </div><div>It is a blessing to hug my children. Something I couldn't do for a couple days since I was so sick and contagious. At one point all I could do was sit on the couch and sip tea with them and listen since I couldn't talk at all. For days. So God taught me to listen and be thankful for them individually.</div><div>The hats fly off and the plates shatter, but that's good they are just a distraction when I should be thanking God for what I have and cherishing it while I do. </div><div>Sleep is just now rearing it's head in my life. I have been with out it for so long that I have been surprised by it's sneaking up on me. Today I woke up and said, "Scott! I didn't wake up in a coughing fit all night!" This was the first time in I don't know how long. I was so sleep deprived long before I was sick because I would take my time after everyone went to bed and finish everything up, getting me to bed way too late to be happy, healthy or productive the following day. God has brought me from square one, where I need even an hours sleep unhindered to a full night with a thankful heart. </div><div>The theme is thankfulness and it is what He calls us to be. Some of us are just more thickheaded than others and need to be given a harder taskmaster. Twice the bricks in 1/2 the time. Yowch.</div><div><br /></div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-52222956868994419892010-10-14T20:27:00.001-07:002010-10-14T21:12:04.286-07:00Voila!<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.summitpost.org/images/small/667110.JPG" /></div>And just like that Fall is creeping on the scene and summer is behind us. Nolen, Emma and Mia are deep in the trenches and loving school. Ty has started pre-school and spends most of his days forgetting that it really is school and tells me how much he loves his new friends. Nolen is almost done with football and Scott with his first official year of coaching is thinking about next year already. Emma and Mia have figured out a system that works for piano practice and are loving it. Our house is all a flutter as we talk about think about and pray about the *new* baby. Nadia keeps telling us how she can't wait to see the baby because "it's so tinsy and tincy". The leaves are indeed changing on our street. <div>And with them I am reminded that there is a season for it all and each has it's own beauty and pain as well. The chill of winter with this thrill of parking your 4X4 on an embankment to "save the plowed spaced for the older people". The new life of Spring with the stark stinging winds. The sweet drip of Watermelon juice off the chin of summer and the biting pain of the first sunburn of the season. And the initial frustration of a full closet of Fall with tank tops hugging fleeces and cords to the fun of watching Single Wing while wrapped in fleece. </div><div>Lately I have been watching The Biggest Loser. The participants have eaten themselves to a place where their bodies are about to give out. They are sick and dying. The trainers are pulling them out of their graves and they are still complaining. How can someone in so much pain (overworked knees, backs, hearts, lungs) rebel so much while they are being helped? Sin is ugly. And it twists the reality that is there to the reality that we see. <i>"Why do I have to give it up? It's not hurting anyone, right?" </i>Wrong. When you are Christian you have been bought by too high a price to allow anything to come between you and your Savior. </div><div>A friend of mine recently contracted a case of Mersa. It went undetected. It grew. It flourished. By the time she went to the doctor there were no medications that would help, no iv antibiotics that would even touch it it had to be cut out completely. As soon as it was gone it was gone completely, no sign of it remained and the healing process was moving along faster than all thought possible. </div><div>This should be our response to sin in our lives. Repent. Run the other direction. Thank the Surgeon and leave the hospital. Is there a case of Mersa in your life? Repent and Voila!</div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-60652121245591882482010-10-02T13:43:00.000-07:002010-10-02T13:46:15.671-07:00Homemade yogurt, in the crock potI found this on www.passionatehomemaking.com and I am so going to try this :)<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; text-align: center; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><img height="375" width="500" alt="feb-16-pics-350" src="http://www.nourishingdays.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/feb-16-pics-350-500x375.jpg" title="feb-16-pics-350" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1336" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(239, 241, 225); border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; display: block; max-width: 594px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); border-right-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); border-bottom-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); border-left-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; text-align: center; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: smaller; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Edited on 10/5/09 to add:</em></span></strong><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: smaller; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> Since posting this I have also discovered that you can make raw yogurt on your counter top, without the use of a crock pot or yogurt maker. All you need is a starter and the super clear directions that come with it. Not only is it easier since you simply leave it on your counter top, but you also retain the benefits of the raw enzymes! You can find culture starters <a href="http://www.nourishingdays.com/?page_id=1761#starters" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; color: rgb(91, 120, 168); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">here</a>.</em></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; text-align: left; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">I have tried other methods for making yogurt, but this is by far the easiest. I originally got this idea from <a href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-can-make-yogurt-in-your-crockpot.html" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; color: rgb(91, 120, 168); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Stephanie</a> and use her basic recipe. Making your own yogurt is a frugal way to get some good probiotics into your family.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; text-align: left; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Here is the cost savings breakdown for us:</strong></p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 12px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: url(http://www.nourishingdays.com/wp-content/themes/leviathan/images/bullet.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; height: 28px; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Before: we would buy organic plain yogurt from Trader Joe’s: <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">$3/quart</strong></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: url(http://www.nourishingdays.com/wp-content/themes/leviathan/images/bullet.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; height: 28px; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Now: I make it out of our grass-fed raw milk from the farmer: <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">$1.75/quart</strong></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: url(http://www.nourishingdays.com/wp-content/themes/leviathan/images/bullet.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; height: 28px; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Savings = $1.25/quart </strong>x 2/week<strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> = savings of $2.50/week = savings of $130/year</strong></li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; text-align: left; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Trader Joe’s is the cheapest organic yogurt you can find. The health food store sells it for $4.50/quart. For me, it is definitely worth the savings to do the five minutes of total work involved in making yogurt in the crock pot.</p><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 24px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(91, 120, 168); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><u style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Crock Pot Yogurt</u></h3><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Recipe notes: This recipe uses a 2 quart crock. In using a 4 or 4 1/2 quart crock I found the yogurt to have a bit of a "springy" texture. I was able to alleviate this by heating the milk an additional 15 minutes for a total of 2 hours and 45 minutes.</em></p><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 12px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: url(http://www.nourishingdays.com/wp-content/themes/leviathan/images/bullet.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; height: 28px; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Turn your crock pot to low and pour in <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">1/2 gallon of milk</strong>.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: url(http://www.nourishingdays.com/wp-content/themes/leviathan/images/bullet.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; height: 28px; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Heat on low for <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">2 hours and 30 minutes</strong>.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: url(http://www.nourishingdays.com/wp-content/themes/leviathan/images/bullet.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; height: 56px; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Once 2 hours and 30 minutes have elapsed turn your crock pot off and unplug it. Let the milk cool in the crock with the lid on for <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">3 hours</strong>.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: url(http://www.nourishingdays.com/wp-content/themes/leviathan/images/bullet.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; height: 56px; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">After 3 hours remove 1-2 cups of the warmed milk and place in a bowl. To that add <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">1/2 cup of yogurt</strong> with live active cultures and mix very well.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: url(http://www.nourishingdays.com/wp-content/themes/leviathan/images/bullet.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; height: 28px; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Pour the yogurt-milk mixture back into the milk and whisk thoroughly.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: url(http://www.nourishingdays.com/wp-content/themes/leviathan/images/bullet.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; height: 28px; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Place the cover back on the crock and wrap the entire crock pot in a thick bath towel or two.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: url(http://www.nourishingdays.com/wp-content/themes/leviathan/images/bullet.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; height: 28px; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Let it culture overnight, 8-12 hours.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: url(http://www.nourishingdays.com/wp-content/themes/leviathan/images/bullet.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; height: 56px; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">In the morning stir yogurt (if desired) and store in glass quart jars or a container of your choice.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; background-image: url(http://www.nourishingdays.com/wp-content/themes/leviathan/images/bullet.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; text-decoration: none; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; height: 28px; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">For optimum texture, refrigerate for at least 8 hours before using.</li></ul></span></div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-77906079313188341292010-10-02T13:04:00.000-07:002010-10-02T13:29:42.940-07:00Non-marking soul<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >As I was helping Ty put his shoes on this morning I read the bottom of his shoe : </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >Non marking sole</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" >. And I thought, " Wow, wouldn't it be horrible if we had the same type of label on us?" Let me explain...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >When you weave in and out of your day and through the lines at the grocery store, latte stand and in and amongst your children and their friends what is the mark on them left by </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >your</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" > soul? Do you leave the people you meet better than you found them, or is there no </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >mark</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" > that you were there at all? Do you have a non marking soul? Or are you so filled with thankfulness that you leave a wave of smiles behind you? I went through a shy phase, worried that I would call someone by the wrong name that I never said a word to the children in my children's classes when I dropped mine off. Well, I decided that in the midst of my selfishness I had to stop. This is a golden opportunity to pour out the grace that has been poured into me. I want a marking soul. Now I throw out genuine "good to see you today"'s and hugs whenever I can. These children need to know they are a needed and wonderful part of the school around them. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The headmaster of their school greets every child that comes in with a "Good morning!" and he knows their names! My son did remind me that he does go home at night (good to know he doesn't think he lives at the school!). In the midst of changing and uncertain times for these children an adult that cares about them and wants them there can make a huge difference. Even the hug that you give your daughter's best friend can say more than you think. How about , "Good job making friends! She sure is a good choice!" Any extra amount of love poured in will yield great results.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >We have great friends that my children have adopted at various stores that we frequent. A clerk at Costco that doesn't know the Lord will feel themselves pulled with a force unknown when a child freely speaking of their love of Jesus pours out an extra dose of love to them, completely unwarranted. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Even the full heart of your pastor after your children run up to him after the service to say, "thank you" and give him a big hug. It makes a big impact. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Call the people that help you by their names, they usually have name tags.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Be thankful, verbally.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Love your children's friends, especially if it's a friend well made. One that is a true friend to your child. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Pray for grace and for God to open up your eyes to opportunities every day for God to give you a marking soul.</span></div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-84736321038806140502010-09-22T20:36:00.000-07:002010-09-22T20:54:57.411-07:00Pray for a hurricaneTime to get uncomfortable. There is nowhere in the entire Bible where God says to his people whom He created and loves dearly, that he wants us to me nice and comfy-cozy. Or most importantly that in that state we would EVER be serving Him as we ought. The last few months have been swimming with the theme <i><b>BE UNCOMFORTABLE . </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Each morning of my life i wake up with a plan in my brain of how I want the day to go and just as quickly that plan is ruined. By either my own lack of foresight or the sinners I live with. The goal is to wake up saying , "Ok, God! What's on the agenda for today. Make me ready!" and then move forward with a song in my heart. </span></i><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">I have slowly (how long have I been a Christian!?!?) been choosing to be uncomfortable to put what I believe on my feet. </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Do I love Jesus? OK love widows and orphans. Find them, seek them out before they seek me. Be perceptive. </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Do I love Jesus? Submit lovingly, thoughtfully and intelligently to my husband whom I WANT to lead me and to make the TOUGH choices for my family. And be thankful when he gets uncomfortable and does it. Even with the coaches who think it's manly to refer to the wife I just want to get away from. </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Do I love Jesus enough to fill my coveted spare time intentionally serving Him? Make a call rather than make a cup of coffee. Go to a Bible study where I am stretched and encouraged to grow rather than staying in my comfy clothes at home. </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Every time I get uncomfortable I am rewarded and right afterwards I forget and am reluctant to do it again. The flesh is weak and the memory is weaker. We are called on again and again in the Old Testament to remember the good that God has done and to tell our children. God is faithful to hold us and sustain us even in the hurricane.</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Pray for a hurricane. Sometimes we need it more than calm.</span></i></div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-3154523300325813732010-06-05T20:00:00.000-07:002010-06-05T20:15:24.291-07:00Commencement, Calling and Courage by Scott Welch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRP-3yxUAO7zxMsaefBTBc09cKfPDafXH-c4PPaOgYPJg8KtB0JHgJu5AvYurHI-sS6xYnjehybyiYDIyREA2V-d9idhsLrY_MeFhWP4Im0h-K7AWoXKNZm934Y2rGbPdidaoUvvIxegeo/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRP-3yxUAO7zxMsaefBTBc09cKfPDafXH-c4PPaOgYPJg8KtB0JHgJu5AvYurHI-sS6xYnjehybyiYDIyREA2V-d9idhsLrY_MeFhWP4Im0h-K7AWoXKNZm934Y2rGbPdidaoUvvIxegeo/s320/IMG_2125.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479493320729573554" /></a>Here is the amazing commencement address given for the 5 young men graduating from the River Academy in 2010 by my wonderful husband. Ponder and enjoy :)<br /><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Today I want to talk about words. </span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Language is a funny thing. The English language started somewhere between Germany and Rome. It visited the land of the Anglo-Saxons and eventually made its way to the British Isles. It has seen its battles and has its wounds and scars. And though, like real life, the evolution of language never breaks the species barrier…it does evolve.</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">One of the things that we have seen even during our lifetimes is how words lose and change their meaning.</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">How about couple examples…Ladies, have you ever gotten a permanent? Where is it now? Have you ever seen a jumbo shrimp?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:.25in"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Words change.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Being somewhat of a language buff myself. I never like to see the old, good words disappear to make way for words like: Pwned, schooled, punked, wikied, googled.</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">So today I would like to talk about 3 very important words that have lost their meaning. Three words that I believe need to be remembered, three words that I think need to be remembered specifically by men. On that note, we have five young men graduating today. This speech was written with that in mind. So…three words.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"></span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><u><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Commencement, Calling, and Courage</span></u><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Commencement</span></u></b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"> – In the dictionary, Graduation and Commencement are Synonyms. Strangely enough, they mean the exact opposite of one another. Graduation means to complete a course of study and to be given a diploma. But commencement means to begin something. Literally, today is the beginning of the rest of your life. You have been told where to go and what to do for the last 18 years, though with increasing freedom and responsibility over the years. But now you can choose where to go and what to do with your life. Of course, being wise young men, you get direction from your parents, and the godly people in your life, but you are in charge of your own life now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Which leads me to my next word…</span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Calling</span></u></b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:";"> - Here is the question that too few men are ever asked. It is this question…What is going to be the guiding principle for the rest of your life?</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Will it be the search for the American Dream? Lots of money, a nice car, big screen TV.</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Or will you use this new beginning to plan how you are going to best impact the Kingdom of God? This world needs young men like you. Young men that have been educated well, raised well by their parents, have a good head on their shoulders, who care about the needs of others.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We need you guys to be the leaders of other men. We need more men who are more concerned about their relationship with God, than they are about how cute they look in girl pants. Men who will step up, man up, and live lives that advance the Kingdom in a mighty way. My encouragement to you is this: Use this day, this day of commencement, to plan how you can be leaders in the Kingdom of God in such a way the other men follow you. Whether you become a Doctor, Director of Human Affairs, Hydro-mechanic, Electrician, Teacher, or whatever else you do, you can, like each of your fathers have, use your calling to give honor to God and be a leader.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Everyone dies, No getting around that. And on that day everyone will look back on the days of their lives and ask…did I waste it?</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Men, choose today to live the sort of life that you will be able to, like Paul, say to Timothy say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” And then Dan, Connor, Andrew, Troy, and Nate, then, there is laid up for you, like there was for Paul, a crown of righteousness.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">So now for our last word whose meaning has been lost…Courage.</span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"><o:p> 3.</o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Courage</span></b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:";"> – We live safe lives in the 21<sup>st</sup> Century. We are careful not to rock the boat. We are leery of pushing buttons. We are careful not to exhort one another or they might be offended. Men, We need to stop being safe. Being a Christian must be risky or it isn’t being a Christian. We need to be reckless with how we serve the body of Christ. Do not be fooled…A life truly lived for the glory of God will be a life of sacrifice and persecution and courage. The world needs men like you, but at the same time, the world never stands for men like you.</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Ask Jesus, “In this world you will have persecution, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Paul was beaten, stoned, left for dead, chased, and ultimately killed for Christ.</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">In the book of Acts, Stephen preached one of the greatest sermons ever preached and was stoned to death. And Jesus stood to receive him. That is a life of courage.</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">I don’t expect that will happen to any of you in modern America. But live in such a way that no one would be surprised if it did. Live in such a way that, like Paul, you see your life as Christ and your death is gain.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">And that takes courage.</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">I want to finish with a few words to each of you as you are sent out into the world:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">Dan, how it is possible that you are 6 feet tall and still the shortest in your class, I don’t understand. But, at least you’re taller than me, that probably worth something. You always play at about 110%. I love that about you. And you know what, Dan, you might not have won all the awards and scholarships, but I tell you this…you are honestly one of the hardest working young men I have ever met. And I mean that. You’ve succeeded at times when mortal men would have accepted failure. And you have lived up to the Aumell name. And that is a great accomplishment.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">Troy, I never got a chance to play you in tennis, so we can just assume that I probably would have won. The fact that people say I look like Andre Agassi might have helped me. Since I have known you, you have always been wise beyond your years, except maybe the Pokémon stage of your life. You were always the quiet one. But videos have been leaked to prove that you are not always as reserved as you seem. Your parents have raised you to be a Godly young man, and I know you make them proud.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">Nathan, my expert witness and pre-trial attorney. Being the youngest in the class, you had a lot to live up to. You have grown a lot over the last couple years, spiritually and physically, and you have brought something needed to your class. Your views on church got me thinking but your views on how many analogies to put in one paper…not so much. Don’t despise your own youth, you have plenty of time to get life all figured out. And when you get life all figured out, please tell the rest of us.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">Andrew, I have gotten a lot out of our time playing rugby. Especially the black eye and the busted jaw. But on top of that, you are one of the most accomplished young men I know. You always bring your A Game … in more than just rugby, but no one ever knows because you are of the most humble young me I know. You came to my son’s football game to cheer him on. He will never forget that. But more than that…you have had that impact on tons of kids at The River Academy. You are a man among men and I hope the young men left at the high school were paying attention to your example.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">Connor, A lot of girls are very sad today that you are graduating. Of course I am talking about the 3<sup>rd</sup> grade girls at the River Academy. Your sense of humor has made this last year such a hoot. You are a leader and everyone knows it. You care about other people and make a point of making sure everyone is included. The first Walsh to graduate. I am sure your mom is out in the crowd crying right now. But they are happy tears. Cause she and your father have raised you well.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";">Class of 2010, Men. You boys are a breath of fresh air. I can’t tell you how proud I am of you guys. Congratulations. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-84891547437655089082010-05-26T13:29:00.001-07:002010-05-26T13:59:18.446-07:00home stretch!<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.revolutionmontreal.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/bike-race.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are officially on the home stretch at the Welch house. School is almost up for the year and we are leaving for Florida right after that, so it is indeed upon us. Nolen has graduated to father's independent right hand man. He is big enough and strong enough to mow the lawn by himself without us lording over him and he has even procured a summer mowing job with our neighbor! He will be making money! For all of his favorite things like duct tape and air soft what-nots. Emma is growing up so fast that I am often wondering where my little girl went! She LOVES her people and will be your biggest ally, unless the dispute is within her family an then she is the peacemaker. She has spearheaded the campaign to free the girls room from the fetters of the bunk bed and has succeeded. The beds are separated and there is a sweet little desk between them and she is in heaven. Now to paint, tear up the carpet and paint the floor, and get new bedding, but that too will come with time. Mia is also in a state of bliss over the decimation of the bunk system and every night exclaims "I love my *new* bed!" Her bed actually never moved, it's just missing it's top. Too cute. She just finished researching river otters for a school report that she's writing up and giving to the grandma's and grandpa's for Grandparents Day. She loves school and all her class mates and the prospect of summer both excites and sadden's her intermittently. The prospect of a huge old slip and slid at grandma's in Florida does console her, though. Titus is finished with his first year of BSF and only has 2 more weeks left of bible study. He has matured sooo much over this year that I can't believe it. We have prayed this boy from Tasmanian devil to Knight in shining armor. He loves cars and especially car tracks and has perfected the art of their construction always dreaming of new ones. Now he's hoping to find one where the cars jump off a jump into a dinosaurs mouth. Anyone? He and I have had some great conversations about sin and death and how to help Nadia and protect her (she is definitely his test subject). Nadia is growing into a little lady and I know when we go down to Florida she will keep everyone in stitches with her silly sayings and dances. If we have just the right hoppin' music in the car she begins to swing her bent arms back and forth and dance with a BIG smile on her face. She and Ty have had some hilarious conversations in the back seat. I need to post some, I'll keep my ears open. Her siblings are wrapped securely around her little pinky finger and believe it or not, ESPECIALLY Nolen! When he comes home she runs to him shouting, "Nolie! You'z home!" and he searches her out for those sweet little 2 year old hugs.</div><div style="text-align: center;">With the lure of Florida in the distance we are pushing on to finish strong. The school year's not over and there are still tests to take and papers to write and lunches to make and we still need to be up by the crack of Dawn. God is good and we are still running the race and fighting the good fight, for another couple weeks.</div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-8719971787723344182010-05-25T08:56:00.000-07:002010-05-25T09:05:14.168-07:00Love this :)<img src="http://uarrange.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/nod_girl.jpg" /><div>This picture is so perfect for my girls :) I love the white painted floor and the floral carpet and the robins egg blue walls and the petite little night stand and the peaches and cream bedding, all the wonderful pillows and the gauzy curtains with the vintage door knobs as hooks :) Even the notebook on the floor with a pencil reminds me of Emma, always writing. to change what we have to this would involve paint and lots of it as well as *new* bedding. We have a desk that we could paint cream . .. hmmm . .. And the cute rug! Where would I find it? Just thinking out loud. Suggestions?</div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-31200436500639732642010-05-10T11:02:00.000-07:002010-05-10T11:13:21.303-07:00My Mothers day Lesson<div style="text-align: center; ">Today was <b>that</b> day. The day I have prepared for every year for 11 years. Mothers Day. I have meticulously planned and prepared and readied my home and each and every year.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><b><i>Only. To. Be. Disappointed.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center; ">And it was all my fault. I had no faith in my amazing husband to pull off <b>one day</b> with out my hands in it. In my children to Love me and Shower me in thanks with out <b>my</b> direction. Like a director I put everything on the stage and then placed the actors in their positions with the script in their hands and with HIGH expectations required Oscar winning performances. "Why?" I would ask myself. "Can other families make mothers day special without their mothers telling them what to do?"</div><div style="text-align: center; ">So this year I decided to have no expectations and just see what would happen. I didn't take my children to make flower pots for me at Big R, like I usually do or go to help them pick out cards for me or any of it.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><b>I just woke up.</b></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Sunday morning I woke to a<b> QUIET </b>house. This alone bizarre and strange and even slightly spectroesque. I walked down stairs, opened the blinds ~ truck, hubby and Emma gone. hmmmmm....</div><div style="text-align: center; ">The other 4 were still asleep so I hunkered down on the couch to wait :) Emma rushed in the door with a big smile and a bright yellow bouquet of flowers! (yea #1) Hubby was following right behind her with my grande caramel macchiatto. (yea #2) Emma then went to rouse Nolen, Ty, Mia and Nadia for the present opening! They all made me cards and Nolen even made me a beaded bookmark for my Bible :) Their thoughts were so kind. They all made me swear not to lift a finger for the rest of the day. Then there was a town hall meeting (that I was not allowed to be a part of) to solidify the plans for the day. We all jumped in the car in our church clothes and headed out. We ended up at one of my favorite places, Apple Annies a massive antique store that is bigger than Target, and has a 50's diner inside. We looked around for a couple of house and ohhed and Awwwed over all of the great bits of Amaricana then headed over to get something to eat. Nolen and Emma were insistent on buying us all fun drinks so we got to try something more 50's ish for a change. We had huge burgers and laughed and took tons of pictures :)</div><div style="text-align: center; ">Next we headed to Leavenworth for a day of exploring the Bavarian shops. We tried on hats at the hat shop. We examined all of the toys in the toy store. We scrutinized the bikes in the bike shop for one to fit Nadia and Mia. The girls and I breezed through the Kitchen shop and then we walked down to Blackbird Island for a nature walk. We walked around most of the island and landed at a small old fashioned playground hidden in a small glade. It was one of the warmest days we've had so far (70*) and it was sunny. Scott started a rousing game of <i>throw the stones into the puddle </i>(amazingly enough it had rules). The children played Pooh Sticks on the bridge and Emma created a game for us to play on the various stumps that consisted of us all pretending to be statues and with various rules and such :) Nolen tried to spear a fish with his walking stick, the fish laughed. My children had so much fun together playing and laughing, creating memories the will last forever. Not contrived, but real. I was walking with them all at various times during the day and we all talked and walked holding hands. They showered me with love and affection and I was PRESENT with them rather than directing them. We then headed home and after a few stops got home at 7ish tired and happy. My tank was full to over flowing and I didn't have to plan anything. Today was favorite.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><b>Lesson Learned. </b></div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-91081073236292671292010-04-20T09:16:00.000-07:002010-04-20T09:31:39.332-07:00The state of your counters<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2503/3746332005_b841e1ff3a.jpg" alt="cottage living kitchen by junkgarden." /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are so many wonderful things about a clean house and ESPECIALLY a clean and managed kitchen. This one is filled with all sorts of sweet treats and beautiful things that are both needed and glorious. Jars filled with coffee, beans and flour. How thorough is that? Cutting boards Espresso machine, springy towel ~ All the things needed to run a a home cheerfully with your family in mind :) What do you have on your counters? Are your counters piled high with dirty dishes or food that needs a home or papers from school or things that just need to be thrown away or put away? Mine are, and I also have the Vita-mix to think about. I love having it and would love to use it more, so I keep it out. Because, frankly if I leave it in the cabinet I will readily forget about it and then one day proclaim, "Oh! Yea, the Vita-mix!" Then It becomes a new day :) *sigh* I once heard in a sermon the preacher proclaim that the state of your room reflects the state of your heart. Then as a side thought say, " Now I know all of you stay-at-home-moms with preschoolers will want to immediately run home and clean your rooms, but this is not for you. " I can say that the state of your kitchen does reflect how you're doing. It does me. I LOVE the look of bare clean counters, but wonder why mine are always full and crum-filled. Each day is new and there is grace to start again. So I'm off to clear the counters and fill them with what will bless me as well as my family, sweet, beautiful and useful hopefully they will stay that way for longer than a day :) </div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-7546327522861107362010-04-15T15:07:00.000-07:002010-04-15T15:08:00.224-07:00Come to this amazing event :)<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); "><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:Baskerville;font-size:6;color:#653234;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: Baskerville; color: rgb(101, 50, 52); ">CHORAL EVENSONG</span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:Baskerville;font-size:6;color:#cf7a2e;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: Baskerville; color: rgb(207, 122, 46); ">April 17, 2010, 7PM</span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-Bold;font-size:85%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-weight: bold; ">Saturday, April 17, 2010</span></span></b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-Bold;font-size:85%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-weight: bold; ">Grace</span></span></b><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-Bold;font-size:85%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-weight: bold; "> Lutheran Church</span></span></b><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-Bold;font-size:85%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-weight: bold; "></span></span></b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-Bold;font-size:85%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-weight: bold; ">1408 Washington St</span></span></b><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-Bold;font-size:85%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-weight: bold; ">.</span></span></b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-Bold;font-size:85%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-weight: bold; ">Wenatchee</span></span></b><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-Bold;font-size:85%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-weight: bold; ">, WA</span></span></b><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-Bold;font-size:85%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-weight: bold; "></span></span></b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-Bold;font-size:85%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-weight: bold; ">7pm</span></span></b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-Bold;font-size:130%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-weight: bold; ">Join us for</span></span></b></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-Bold;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-weight: bold; ">Evensong </span></span></b><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; ">as the joint</span></span></i></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; ">choirs of Trinity Reformed</span></span></i></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; ">Church, Moscow, ID and</span></span></i></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; ">Trinity</span></span></i><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; "> Church, Wenatchee,</span></span></i></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; ">WA sing works by Thomas</span></span></i></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; ">Tomkins, James McMillen,</span></span></i></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; ">and Herbert Howells</span></span></i></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; ">accompanied by Erich Knapp,</span></span></i></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; ">organist.</span></span></i></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; ">Meet the choristers and</span></span></i></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; ">others from the community at</span></span></i></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; ">a Light Reception immediately</span></span></i></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><i style="font-style: italic; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:HelveticaNeue-LightItalic;font-size:180%;color:#6f7b8a;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: HelveticaNeue-LightItalic; color: rgb(111, 123, 138); font-style: italic; ">following the service</span></span></i><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial; "></span></span></p><p class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; "><span style="line-height: normal; font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial; "> </span></span></p></span></div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-33828392432664875612010-04-08T15:49:00.000-07:002010-04-08T15:57:55.595-07:00Twins for the day :)<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tx128hiFF6I/S7vCk9W6oNI/AAAAAAAAnOc/QAANmSODWhY/s512/IMG_0147.JPG" /><div>My dear daughters were waiting for this day for a long time :) They talked and talked about how on Easter they would be twins for the day!! Everything had to be the same, dress, sweater, tights, shoes, hair, clippies the whole nine yards. They hoped people would forget they were 2 years apart (almost exactly) and think they were twins, not be able to tell them apart. They were gorgeous and it was a sweet and joyful day. They hunted for eggs and shouted at the top of their lungs, "HE IS RISEN INDEED!". They were mixed up almost every time and they had huge smiles and knowing glances were shot back and forth to each other all morning and afternoon. I loved it, too. I always wished that I had a sister that I was so close to , who could dress the same and confuse people. I always wanted a twin, truth be told ( and curly red hair and blazing green eyes, but that's another story :). Another sweet day for the memory. God is good.</div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-459489727420956142010-04-07T09:03:00.000-07:002010-04-07T09:04:14.498-07:00Can't wait for these days!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxn_iuu87u7HxejeplOFG0YS9kEPW8izsHaffwdnwi4VPRxOsHRPUSwWID70ozEFnsrLX1-Cqm2vWp-NbF0y4GsiIf7L40D5PPhwXxPLNawemFEB526KzjbsvzaaTHHJQ6w3opWaEvDjxo/s1600/IMG_4394.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxn_iuu87u7HxejeplOFG0YS9kEPW8izsHaffwdnwi4VPRxOsHRPUSwWID70ozEFnsrLX1-Cqm2vWp-NbF0y4GsiIf7L40D5PPhwXxPLNawemFEB526KzjbsvzaaTHHJQ6w3opWaEvDjxo/s320/IMG_4394.JPG" /></a> </div>Nolen and Mia at our favorite spot in Wenatchee. Pleanty for sand soft grass, water and a beautiful view of East Wenatchee across the river :)<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IYP7PM_MgQOHpCkK0m4m_OY0S2jQn_iQtpezjrJ6iPy6nu01-k12_JAC33AY0slA8Ohd1HXEAL449ebO6mzPDXnt1ITVBfbemJvbXqp8DIoj6BhXyx0GxBf7jf7giQv8wGjMB1wd6ZnV/s1600/IMG_4404.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IYP7PM_MgQOHpCkK0m4m_OY0S2jQn_iQtpezjrJ6iPy6nu01-k12_JAC33AY0slA8Ohd1HXEAL449ebO6mzPDXnt1ITVBfbemJvbXqp8DIoj6BhXyx0GxBf7jf7giQv8wGjMB1wd6ZnV/s320/IMG_4404.JPG" /></a> </div>Mr. Ty puffed up and feelin' manly<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdDG8QridGrwEYkYoFkFeXGhPmks188NpmyeReCkvV-0HPy-PAJ1WjfrUHB0nmiDULOXZz9ZA742oV1EHSmKK2OlPCzeNAOyBdyE2wWRyWKPeOHbPr4kow9dk7l6ecnw5lOinSOjpO6TH/s1600/IMG_4428.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdDG8QridGrwEYkYoFkFeXGhPmks188NpmyeReCkvV-0HPy-PAJ1WjfrUHB0nmiDULOXZz9ZA742oV1EHSmKK2OlPCzeNAOyBdyE2wWRyWKPeOHbPr4kow9dk7l6ecnw5lOinSOjpO6TH/s320/IMG_4428.JPG" /></a><br />Emma is trying to grow her hair out, but amybe I can convince her to get it this short again. I just love little girls with cute pixie cuts :)<br /><br />The weather is finally moving out of the realm of freezing and into nice yet untrustworthy. Last week it rained like there was no tomorrow, then it warmed up the sun cam out and it was one of the best days we've had in a long time. It did snow on Easter, but only a few flakes that didn't stick. Fleeces with Easter dresses?! Wrong . . .<br /><br />I have been reading a great book on the Christian home and making it a place of respit and repose for your family as well as a ministry tool to your friends and neighborhood. Some of my favorite parts so far:<br /><br />p.8 ". . .can't (our homes) be places where our children feel as though they're in another world where dreams and hard facts are celebrated? Who wants to be normal? Everyone else is normal. This knid of different is good."<br /><br />p.9 " The hour glass has been upended. You have one chance at this... the message here is not shame and blame. But it is urgency. Focus. Purposefulness. Intentionality. Care.<br /><br />p. 10 In a grace-filled Christian home there is salvation. There is frogiveness. There is hope. Genuine happiness. There is purpose there. Powere there - for parents as well as children. This kind of grace affects everything that goes on inside this home.<br /><br />p. 15 "Culture friendly" can't be on our family's priority list. That builds nothing in our homes and takes us nowhere. "Different" schould be on that list.<br /><br />p. 53 The most important people in your world come through thah door and when they 're inside your home, it's your job to surround them with love.<br /><br />p.56 And remember you goal as a parent isn't perfection. It's transparency.<br /><br />p.63 This parenting thing is serious business, and there's no one on Earth in a better position - or better qualified than you nad me to do it right.</div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-89377971537051631832010-02-12T10:19:00.001-08:002010-02-12T10:19:14.702-08:00Pre-Valentines date<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIx-swHV_Djq8ISMNvO1bntDAFcWxsSYhIV7D1ZNGhqs4n0efXvatlh9age9lsuLKOjhJBms_Y5YSdMMjrwX97Yr95tqcl0ALggKu_avdjZKwF0uTBtH4oifdqXOQAHrg18I3bFGoM0bh/s1600-h/IMG_2796.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIx-swHV_Djq8ISMNvO1bntDAFcWxsSYhIV7D1ZNGhqs4n0efXvatlh9age9lsuLKOjhJBms_Y5YSdMMjrwX97Yr95tqcl0ALggKu_avdjZKwF0uTBtH4oifdqXOQAHrg18I3bFGoM0bh/s320/IMG_2796.JPG" /></a> </div><br />Hubby and I went out with some wonderful and hilarious friends last weekend and had so much fun. Scott and Corey solved all the worlds problems (and in one night, too!) and Noelle and I shopped :) I came away with a book by Thomas a Kempis (SIGH), it had to be a book, right? It is great, a bit too convicing and evcouraging to be bought on a date night, but oh well. We went up to Leavenworth and had dinner at Visconti's. It was really relaxing, and I found myself wondering how much we were missing out on by not inviting more of our friends out on double dates with us .. .<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-76765775101684180992010-02-09T07:47:00.000-08:002010-02-09T08:15:54.458-08:00Mia, Ty and Nadia<div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tkGzfbKq03l7cpGL354VZC7Ssk3Izab_LLn_PKclTolop-VArLCljeTnxPNHqvQHm1NZb9dh-T-L5B2PAWdBnLNGGn8RhZIsMdOjrAEFFplkZ0QzECt8QlRMrhoWwkCXfDmd47XBYMVa/s1600-h/IMG_2737.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tkGzfbKq03l7cpGL354VZC7Ssk3Izab_LLn_PKclTolop-VArLCljeTnxPNHqvQHm1NZb9dh-T-L5B2PAWdBnLNGGn8RhZIsMdOjrAEFFplkZ0QzECt8QlRMrhoWwkCXfDmd47XBYMVa/s320/IMG_2737.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Mia Elaine at her BEST!</div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3n0SiGnW8QOlSMl2A9y0QpL7n2ROMr12n7n2-qT4PiXSZkoRvlHRrXY3l90YNR8p4DFwTkNenC0zQtKXH3yptvcFviQOUkTTsYr3F422Ob0FExJWPUNa5U8bkqo7z8UQVtbCqX7V0wERN/s1600-h/IMG_2771.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3n0SiGnW8QOlSMl2A9y0QpL7n2ROMr12n7n2-qT4PiXSZkoRvlHRrXY3l90YNR8p4DFwTkNenC0zQtKXH3yptvcFviQOUkTTsYr3F422Ob0FExJWPUNa5U8bkqo7z8UQVtbCqX7V0wERN/s320/IMG_2771.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet Nadia</div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYofMTkp7a0OoyoPAkPZ9cKOUDPygJVBQsL5ESFuivbi8vdvgp_MrNa_CEWGt2VoZM-2Hq9y2gM2DGS1KsIHhyphenhyphentvh-JTgun3zHlauszNh4Urkw9pmIUvJJ48UHjAN9epcVdgU_5z1keyI/s1600-h/IMG_2772.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYofMTkp7a0OoyoPAkPZ9cKOUDPygJVBQsL5ESFuivbi8vdvgp_MrNa_CEWGt2VoZM-2Hq9y2gM2DGS1KsIHhyphenhyphentvh-JTgun3zHlauszNh4Urkw9pmIUvJJ48UHjAN9epcVdgU_5z1keyI/s320/IMG_2772.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">She just loves this kitty shirt. It looks a lot better outside in this picture then it does in reality. She loves to stand on the window bench and look out the window for puppies at the park across the street. When she actually see's one she gets REALLY excited :)</div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdYNoWBrLqGizhRGYx9FjZA8n8Y5hOXXtR2-p9fhacVNiOr_yjshoPXrKXcMDwZXk87rp1ACAjCeP1b7p0rzsWVWs1JjVDAI17Q8T_xHHAVQDoXUo_Bj6uRiIvYOA-kewZVsFv5Yg-lta/s1600-h/IMG_2773.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdYNoWBrLqGizhRGYx9FjZA8n8Y5hOXXtR2-p9fhacVNiOr_yjshoPXrKXcMDwZXk87rp1ACAjCeP1b7p0rzsWVWs1JjVDAI17Q8T_xHHAVQDoXUo_Bj6uRiIvYOA-kewZVsFv5Yg-lta/s320/IMG_2773.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;">Here's Ty with his Big Thumbs Up (or BTU as Scott calls it.)</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div><br />Our 2010 started out pretty slow. We have been really healthy (except for a few sick days for hubby) and have been deep in the trenches of Mock Trial season. This simply put means we don't see Scott as much, and I spend a lot more time at the school picking the children up.<br />Nadia and Ty have become such great buddies lately and can't bare to be separated. Each Wednesday and Thursday morning we go to a bible study and afterwards when I pick them up from their classes it's like a big family reunion! With shouts of, " Titus!!" and "Nadia!! I missed you!!". You'd think they never saw each other, rather that just a mere 2 hour separation. It honestly brings tears of joy to my eyes every time. It really is nice to know that your children really do love each other :)<br />Nolen, Emma and Mia are plugging away at school. Time is here to gear up for the Elementary speech meet. So we've been choosing between poems, scriptures and fables. Emma always wants to do the poem that Nolen did last year, which she does well, but each year we try to get her to be excited about something else (to no avail). Why ruin a good thing, eh?<br />The top picture of Mia is so <b><i>her</i></b>! She is always the one to bring that spontaneous smile to our gloomy days and is always ready with the big hug to cheer you up. She will be the one volunteering to help no matter what the problem is :) Love that sweet girl!Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-62501998356578435242010-02-08T21:07:00.001-08:002010-02-08T21:14:02.251-08:00Prayers of an Excellent WifeThere are few books that I would buy after knowing about them for less that a minute, and this one definitely fits within that category. I was brought to tears by some of the prayers that I read and encouraged by the small sections that I read out of the introduction. There is an explanation of why the author wrote it in the beginning that was amazing, one that shuffled the deck and landed the aces on top. The prayers are just what I was looking for for my hubby. They are precise and full. If you LOVE, respect and truly want to help your husband on the level that only prayer can then this book definitely belongs on your bedside table. You can download it for free or you can order your own copy for under $5. Mine is in the mail :)Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-38950348454537470872010-02-08T20:56:00.001-08:002010-02-08T20:57:55.602-08:00February 8th Evening . . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBYumkOrGQWtpA8ODcEf_pcIb5Il4cSwjrCMH8hmewBSzOeIfcsRQwSugITbI7w5m7eR_sRZIVEnLhznK6o00fxA-TK-k_IlsBI9zGoA21n3U4IlTHFeAsjNtZQz69cAf8ZCU5LPAfw9l/s1600-h/IMG1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBYumkOrGQWtpA8ODcEf_pcIb5Il4cSwjrCMH8hmewBSzOeIfcsRQwSugITbI7w5m7eR_sRZIVEnLhznK6o00fxA-TK-k_IlsBI9zGoA21n3U4IlTHFeAsjNtZQz69cAf8ZCU5LPAfw9l/s320/IMG1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436103463544202226" /></a><br /><br />Matthew 1:21 <br />He shall save His people from their sins.<br /><br />Many persons, if they are asked what they understand by salvation, will reply, "Being saved from hell and taken to heaven." This is one result of salvation, but it is not one tithe of what is contained in that boon. It is true our Lord Jesus Christ does redeem all His people from the wrath to come; He saves them from the fearful condemnation which their sins had brought upon them; but His triumph is far more complete than this. He saves His people "from their sins." Oh! sweet deliverance from our worst foes. Where Christ works a saving work, He casts Satan from his throne, and will not let him be master any longer. No man is a true Christian if sin reigns in his mortal body. Sin will be in us-it will never be utterly expelled till the spirit enters glory; but it will never have dominion. There will be a striving for dominion-a lusting against the new law and the new spirit which God has implanted-but sin will never get the upper hand so as to be absolute monarch of our nature. Christ will be Master of the heart, and sin must be mortified. The Lion of the tribe of Judah shall prevail, and the dragon shall be cast out. Professor! is sin subdued in you? If your life is unholy your heart is unchanged, and if your heart is unchanged you are an unsaved person. If the Saviour has not sanctified you, renewed you, given you a hatred of sin and a love of holiness, He has done nothing in you of a saving character. The grace which does not make a man better than others is a worthless counterfeit. Christ saves His people, not in their sins, but from them. "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." If not saved from sin, how shall we hope to be counted among His people. Lord, save me now from all evil, and enable me to honour my Saviour.Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-473377736879320242010-02-08T08:10:00.000-08:002010-02-08T08:11:58.639-08:00February 8th morning . . .Matthew 1:21<br />Thou shalt call his name Jesus.<br /><br />When a person is dear, everything connected with him becomes dear for his sake. Thus, so precious is the person of the Lord Jesus in the estimation of all true believers, that everything about Him they consider to be inestimable beyond all price. "All Thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia," said David, as if the very vestments of the Saviour were so sweetened by His person that he could not but love them. Certain it is, that there is not a spot where that hallowed foot hath trodden-there is not a word which those blessed lips have uttered-nor a thought which His loving Word has revealed-which is not to us precious beyond all price. And this is true of the names of Christ-they are all sweet in the believer's ear. Whether He be called the Husband of the Church, her Bridegroom, her Friend; whether He be styled the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world-the King, the Prophet, or the Priest-every title of our Master-Shiloh, Emmanuel, Wonderful, the Mighty Counsellor-every name is like the honeycomb dropping with honey, and luscious are the drops that distil from it. But if there be one name sweeter than another in the believer's ear, it is the name of Jesus. Jesus! it is the name which moves the harps of heaven to melody. Jesus! the life of all our joys. If there be one name more charming, more precious than another, it is this name. It is woven into the very warp and woof of our psalmody. Many of our hymns begin with it, and scarcely any, that are good for anything, end without it. It is the sum total of all delights. It is the music with which the bells of heaven ring; a song in a word; an ocean for comprehension, although a drop for brevity; a matchless oratorio in two syllables; a gathering up of the hallelujahs of eternity in five letters.<br />"Jesus, I love Thy charming name,<br />'Tis music to mine ear."Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-48425416014675530892010-02-07T17:15:00.000-08:002010-02-07T17:17:52.023-08:00February 7th evening . ..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR7IFD2K4VfGUI1hZkPPkAW9Pl_50HyPsTDMuqos4dqQ9NnuvsVV6I3_-0NBXSWchqjfKsIUBtvkOTGKs-ci8YxEw0-MBEUowom6ySPC7RFAsIXdIapnDrqr3xtxvHGM8uwwCxa37eQyT/s1600-h/Sunset.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR7IFD2K4VfGUI1hZkPPkAW9Pl_50HyPsTDMuqos4dqQ9NnuvsVV6I3_-0NBXSWchqjfKsIUBtvkOTGKs-ci8YxEw0-MBEUowom6ySPC7RFAsIXdIapnDrqr3xtxvHGM8uwwCxa37eQyT/s320/Sunset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435675523945767442" /></a><br />Revelation 11:12 <br />And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither.<br /><br />Without considering these words in their prophetical connection, let us regard them D as the invitation of our great Forerunner to His sanctified people. In due time there shall be heard "a great voice from heaven" to every believer, saying, "Come up hither." This should be to the saints the subject of joyful anticipation. Instead of dreading the time when we shall leave this world to go unto the Father, we should be panting for the hour of our emancipation. Our song should be-<br />"My heart is with Him on His throne,<br />And ill can brook delay;<br />Each moment listening for the voice,<br />'Rise up and come away.'"<br />We are not called down to the grave, but up to the skies. Our heaven-born spirits should long for their native air. Yet should the celestial summons be the object of patient waiting. Our God knows best when to bid us "Come up thither." We must not wish to antedate the period of our departure. I know that strong love will make us cry,<br /><br />"O Lord of Hosts, the waves divide,And land us all in heaven;" but patience must have her perfect work. God ordains with accurate wisdom the most fitting time for the redeemed to abide below. Surely, if there could be regrets in heaven, the saints might mourn that they did not live longer here to do more good. Oh, for more sheaves for my Lord's garner! more jewels for His crown! But how, unless there be more work? True, there is the other side of it, that, living so briefly, our sins are the fewer; but oh! when we are fully serving God, and He is giving us to scatter precious seed, and reap a hundredfold, we would even say it is well for us to abide where we are. Whether our Master shall say "go," or "stay," let us be equally well pleased so long as He indulges us with His presence.Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-24727058373429972612010-02-06T09:46:00.001-08:002010-02-06T09:48:22.571-08:00February 6th morning . . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIbjaiHoJ4bGHu3IjicUqYeyyo7HSwJgZysBUp5maAEj84si7nt05m0J9-Ew0LHpTRh3J4vQ6aeQfROGmW2J0KovSur_LNZsc1dRJfwgV-mINQsEo-eKsjEbs0eyqKHP2M89mfireqNEW/s1600-h/Smokey+Light.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIbjaiHoJ4bGHu3IjicUqYeyyo7HSwJgZysBUp5maAEj84si7nt05m0J9-Ew0LHpTRh3J4vQ6aeQfROGmW2J0KovSur_LNZsc1dRJfwgV-mINQsEo-eKsjEbs0eyqKHP2M89mfireqNEW/s320/Smokey+Light.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435188742227435266" /></a><br />"Praying always." — Ephesians 6:18.<br /><br />THAT multitudes of prayers we have put up from the first moment when we learned to pray. Our first prayer was a prayer for ourselves; we asked that God would have mercy upon us, and blot out our sin. He heard us. But when He had blotted out our sins like a cloud, then we had more prayers for ourselves. We have had to pray for sanctifying grace, for constraining and restraining grace; we have been led to crave for a fresh assurance of faith, for the comfortable application of the promise, for deliverance in the hour of temptation, for help in the time of duty, and for succour in the day of trial. We have been compelled to go to God for our souls, as constant beggars asking for everything. Bear witness, children of God, you have never been able to get anything for your souls elsewhere. All the bread your soul has eaten has come down from heaven, and all the water of which it has drank has flowed from the living rock—Christ Jesus the Lord. Your soul has never grown rich in itself; it has always been a pensioner upon the daily bounty of God; and hence your prayers have ascended to heaven for a range of spiritual mercies all but infinite. Your wants were innumerable, and therefore the supplies have been infinitely great, and your prayers have been as varied as the mercies have been countless. Then have you not cause to say, "I love the Lord, because He hath heard the voice of my supplication"? For as your prayers have been many, so also have been God's answers to them. He has heard you in the day of trouble, has strengthened you, and helped you, even when you dishonoured Him by trembling and doubting at the mercy-seat. Remember this, and let it fill your heart with gratitude to God, who has thus graciously heard your poor weak prayers. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8192879774516519953.post-73164130335557402892010-02-05T07:59:00.001-08:002010-02-05T07:59:30.460-08:00February 5th morning . . .1 John 4:14 <br />The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.<br /><br />It is a sweet thought that Jesus Christ did not come forth without His Father's permission, authority, consent, and assistance. He was sent of the Father, that He might be the Saviour of men. We are too apt to forget that, while there are distinctions as to the persons in the Trinity, there are no distinctions of honour. We too frequently ascribe the honour of our salvation, or at least the depths of its benevolence, more to Jesus Christ than we do the Father. This is a very great mistake. What if Jesus came? Did not His Father send Him? If He spake wondrously, did not His Father pour grace into His lips, that He might be an able minister of the new covenant? He who knoweth the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost as he should know them, never setteth one before another in his love; he sees them at Bethlehem, at Gethsemane, and on Calvary, all equally engaged in the work of salvation. O Christian, hast thou put thy confidence in the Man Christ Jesus? Hast thou placed thy reliance solely on Him? And art thou united with Him? Then believe that thou art united unto the God of heaven. Since to the Man Christ Jesus thou art brother, and holdest closest fellowship, thou art linked thereby with God the Eternal, and "the Ancient of days" is thy Father and thy friend. Didst thou ever consider the depth of love in the heart of Jehovah, when God the Father equipped His Son for the great enterprise of mercy? If not, be this thy day's meditation. The Father sent Him! Contemplate that subject. Think how Jesus works what the Father wills. In the wounds of the dying Saviour see the love of the great I AM. Let every thought of Jesus be also connected with the Eternal, ever-blessed God, for "It pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief."Jen Welchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270655658463692144noreply@blogger.com0