At the beginning of this year Filipe took the position as youth pastor at our church and from day one on the job we jumped right into planning a retreat for the students. This past week was it-we took 55 students on a Spring Breakaway to a camp in Winnsboro, SC. We planned and prepared for these students to really connect and be able to experience God in a new way.
Looking back I believe they did. It was fun watching them interact throughout the trip. We split everyone up in teams so that the whole week would be a competition among them- there’s something about competition that just gets people excited. We had an “Amazing Race” where they had to drink a “mystery smoothie” (complete w/ spam & sardines-yuck!), chop an onion, and even act out a scene from Star Wars. We also had a Talent Show where each team had to perform (separately or individually). I was amazed at how much they got into it- their creativity was astounding. From guys dancing like Hannah Montana to John Mayer to the “Charlie bit me” act- we were laughing a lot!!!
Even though there was a lot of laughing and fun, most importantly God was the focus in all we did and He really seemed to speak to the students. Andy Wood, our guest speaker shared some important Biblical truths that challenged the students in their relationship with God.
I’m excited to see how the students will change as a result of this week and seek God in new ways. I hope and pray that they would be challenged to do things they may never have thought possible as a result of seeking God and allowing their lives to be directed by His plans for their life. I know that when we commit to God’s plans for our life we will do greater things than we can ever dream up for ourselves.
Check out this video of Lily talking-in English & Portuguese. This was yesterday, Easter Sunday, & she’s eating one of those yummy bunny cupcakes I made.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UxGEdhNJZ8]
Easter- what a glorious day! At least it’s supposed to be right? It’s the day that we, as Christians, celebrate our Risen Savior-Jesus Christ. Because Jesus rose from the dead we are free! Free to live, free to make mistakes and know that everything is going to be okay. Free to die and know that our eternity will live with Him forever.
I must admit that for much of my life Easter didn’t feel like a day where I could be happy and celebrate. Growing up I was scared of the Easter holiday because I would have to sit through those Easter productions. Those Roman soldiers terrified me! To this day I could think back to those moments and remember the fear inside of me as a child as they beat and crucified Jesus. It was a day I focused on Jesus’ death- I think I treated the church service like it was Jesus’ funeral. Serious and somber. Guilty for what Jesus had to go through-and because of me!
But now I realize I was so wrong. Easter is not a day of death, it’s a day of life. It’s a day to rejoice and celebrate freedom! This is what I’ve really tried to focus on this Easter- the celebration. I probably still have a lot to learn about this freedom and how to celebrate it, but this year was off to a good start.
Friday, we dyed Easter eggs with Lily. It was so much fun- especially when she got a little confused and thought the dye was something you drink! (See pictures below).
Saturday I got this burst of domestic energy and spent much of the day in the kitchen making bunny cupcakes. (See pictures below).
Today, Easter Sunday, we went to the Easter service at church and afterward all of our family came over to our house to enjoy a nice family barbecue. My father-in-law grilled and we spent the afternoon outside. We topped it off with a Easter egg hunt for Lily and Nathan (our nephew). What a great family day!
Here’s some pics of the weekend.
Lily getting ready to dye eggs.
Daddy’s a good helper.
Egg dye doesn’t taste so bad.
A masterpiece!
Cailyn joined in on the fun too!
Family Easter Pic
Family
World’s Best Grillmaster!
Lily’s looking for eggs.
Something just hit me in the head…
and it hurt!!! (Filipe hit her in the head w/ a chocolate egg-accident of course!)
The real goods.
Bunny Cupcakes!
I love change! I don’t know if it’s just a personality trait or something I’ve acquired the taste for, but it’s part of me. I change my blog design about every month or so. I don’t like driving the same way to places, when I order food I like getting a variety of things instead of just getting one thing- I tell my husband that my taste buds get bored eating the same thing(weird, I know!).
I understand that it may seem that I’m not content or that I’m not satisfied with the way things are-which is quite possible sometimes-,but I don’t think that’s usually the reason. Since I started really living for God (about 10 years ago) something that’s been really important to me is the need to be growing closer to God. With growth, change is inevitable. A growing baby will never stay the same size, it will get bigger. I’m very aware of my need to grow closer to Christ therefore I’m also expecting myself to change to accommodate such growth. Maybe this is a reason I’ve become so comfortable with change. I often evaluate myself to see what areas need a little improvement- my prayer life, my Bible study, my time management skills- these are all areas I’m constantly working to improve & change. I’ve come a long way, but I still have a loooooong way to go.
Filipe and I just started the video series for Growing Kids God’s Way (finally!). We’re having to watch it on our own since the class at church conflicts with the youth service. Monday night we watched the first video about how to teach morality to your children. They taught how that it’s important to explain “why?” (good & bad) to our children so that they can learn how to think for themselves as they get older. As I’ve been thinking about this throughout the week, I’m amazed at the things I do or don’t do without understanding “why?”.
We often quickly accept what people tell us as truth and don’t ask “WHY?” In the political world, we’re constantly bombarded with other people’s opinions of what direction the country should go. Do we really understand what they are saying? Why would universal health care be better? Why do we need to stay in Iraq? Why doesn’t our country have a balanced budget? Why would I want to pay higher taxes?
I wonder if we, when we answer why, would still make the same decisions we’re making today-decisions for the good or bad. Why do I give? Why do I serve? Why do I invest so much time & energy into the temporary & not the eternal? Why do I get emotionally involved in things that waste my time? Why am I so consumed with me? Why…?
Another year has come and gone, and Saturday I celebrated my 28th birthday! I know you’re thinking, “she’s so young!” right! 
Well, in spite of getting older, I had a great birthday weekend, thanks to my amazing, wonderful husband.
Here are a few reasons why…
1. He let me sleep in.
2. He brought me some good ole Dunkin Donuts for breakfast.
3. He watched our girls while I went out to “tea” with some friends for lunch. I love going to this tea place- the first time I went I felt like I had stepped into a little English village. It has amazing food & of course great tea- & its a fun girl thing to do together!
4. He let me relax & take a nap that afternoon!
5. He took me to Fonduely Yours for dinner- which was fabulous as always.
I must say I have the best and most incredible husband in the whole world and don’t know what my life would be like had I not found (& grabbed!)him. Filipe, you are the best! Thanks for a great birthday- it was wonderful!
Well, it’s finally here…the dreaded “potty training” stage. I’ve been putting it off as long as possible because I really have not wanted to deal with this issue yet-diapers are working pretty well:)! But, needless to say, I do want Lily to grow up and master this important skill. The past month or so we’ve been having her sit on the potty before she goes to sleep and when she gets up & any other time she mentions something about “potty”. Now she’s learned to take off her pants & diaper, so I decided if we’re going to be cleaning up messes they might as well be for a reason.
Today was Day 1 and it went okay-I guess- we went through 4 pairs of panties- is that good? Oh well, either way it moves us one day closer to a diaper free world (for Lily that is!).
In the midst of this experience I’m realizing my own impatience and need for control. I can’t control her- and I think it frustrates me that I can’t. I’m learning a lot about myself and how I have to relax and not stress or give up went it feels like its impossible. Its kinda funny the situations God puts us in to learn what we need to develop our character. HE definately got through to me today as I spent my whole day in the bathroom:)!
Lily being sweet.
Lily’s first ponytail.
Cailyn having fun.
Cailyn likes her new bumbo seat. She’s 4 months old today.
This seems to be everywhere lately…I just had to put it on here!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM]
Well, I’ve been doing great w/ my new work out routine. I’ve missed a day here and there, but nothing to get down about. Last week I was a little discouraged because with all the excercise I wasn’t losing any weight. Now, I’m not one to obsess too much about weight- I care more about being healthy and how I look(really, I do!). Lately almost everyone I talk to mentions how I look like I’ve lost weight. I just usually smile and say thanks, though inside I know what the scale really says.
So, the other day I was in the bathroom giving Cailyn a bath and Lily was standing next to me. She happened to be standing on the scale and I looked over and the scale was close to 40-Lily does NOT weigh 40 pounds! After I finished with Cailyn I went back to the scale and noticed that it was set on 10 pounds. I reset it back to 0 and stood on it and was amazed and thrilled- I was only 5 lbs. away from my pre-pregnancy weight! I like that weight loss plan, wish it was always as easy as readjusting the scale.
