Happiness

--A sky full of sunshine and a good math grade.

--A potted flower

--A "new" dress from my favorite store. (Where else but good will?)

--A day at the park

Source:Pinterest

--Movie night: Up with Dug the dog

--A photo shoot

--A photo shoot gone wrong!

--Colorful toys

--A baby sister to hug and kiss

--Nature trails


Life's been amazingly joy filled. Each unique blessing contributes and reminds us of how loved we are. Thank God for His sufficient grace. With music lessons, school, tennis, fellowship, we've been scurrying and hurrying every which way. Yet we seemed to always find time to remember the simple precious blessings that shower over our schedule. The bed time prayers, sibling giggles, bear hugs, fort making, and photo shoots. I've been enjoying learning songs that spring recitals bring, reading Jane Eyre, experimenting with manual mode on our camera and trying my hand at a little card making. 


What makes you happy?

Christ is Risen!

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun's eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail, the Lord of earth and Heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

 Charles Wesley, 1707-1788 (via)

Easter Preparations

                                          >>Hard boiled eggs

                                        >>We used natural egg dye this year!

                                                >> Blown eggs on the door

                                   >>>  Medallions...Inspiration from here

                                                        

                                           >>Blown egg trees

                                                   Medallions & Eggs

We're getting ready to celebrate Easter with both sides of our family. We've been planning, preparing and decorating. Here's a peek of the decorations strewn about our home.

Fearing God

  

I've been learning each day, the grace of God and his mercy. 

I've been learning what the fear of the Lord really means. 

So what does it mean?

One definition of fear is:

 4.reverential awe, especially toward God: the fear of God. Synonyms: awe, respect, reverence, veneration.

Fear is reverence and respect for God. "Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him." Psalm 128:1 God is our Creator, our Father. He deserves every degree of respect, awe and fear we can give.

God is our judge. He rules our eternal destiny. He holds our lives in His hands. So in order for us to have true fear we need to understand His commands and be in obedience to them. "Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided." Proverbs 16:6  

 In order to be obedient to God's law we need to understand love. We are not only obeying God with our actions, but through our heart. Deuteronomy 6:5 "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." 

So here it goes. When we fear, we obey, when we obey, we love, when we love, we trust. It's a beautiful circle. When we truly become saved by grace we'll begin to understand what God expects of us.We'll not only be obeying, we'll want to obey, we'll be obeying through love, and we'll truly trust in God's plan for our lives, what ever that may entail.

 ^"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

   all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

   To him belongs eternal praise." Psalm 111:10

 These are just some thoughts that have been running through my head.

What has God been teaching you?

 

Bee-day

 Today is my sister's 16th birthday. There are six April birthdays and Abby's starts it off.

Happy Birthday, Abby.
You're a beautiful person.
You're clever and funny.
You have a thrive for life.
You're creative and inspiring. You have the best ideas.
You are an expressive writer and a funny writer.
I always enjoy our late night talks.
I love being around you and spending time with you.
Thank you for making me laugh when I am sad.
 I love you. xo

  Love,
Your sis