Best Day of Her Life

As I sat watching Lucy talking to her horseback riding instructor I could tell something was up.  The smile on her face kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger.  She looked like she could explode with joy.  Then, as the groom walked in with the horse, I knew it was the source of her joy.  Until now, Lucy has been on a pony.  Of course she loves it, but she has also been dreaming of riding a big horse.  Today that dream came true!

Moving On Up from Elizabeth on Vimeo.

Yall, I cannot even begin to describe to you how fun it was to watch Lucy today!  I have never seen her happier.  It didn't take long before I found myself grinning like the Cheshire Cat, too.  It was such a joy to see Lucy having the time of her life.

These last few months of horseback riding have been my best idea yet, I think.  Instead of another toy or something she doesn't really even need or want, along with my parents, we decided that riding lessons would be her birthday gift.  She loved it so much that we continued on for her Christmas gift.  It has truly been the gift that keeps on giving!  Tuesday is our favorite day of the week!

As I watched Lucy today I couldn't get this verse out of my mind:

“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?  Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!  So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets."
Matthew 7:9-12

I saw how much delight I took in Lucy's pleasure at something so simple.  I am sure my Heavenly Father rejoices over my joy in His good gifts to me so much more than that.  I hope that I can always be as grateful and blessed by His provision!

It's Getting Shorter

I think Noah has finally given up on the long hair!

Praise the Lord!!

Touching the Wounds

"Thomas was one of the Twelve. He was called Didymus. He was not with the other disciples when Jesus came. So they told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “First I must see the nail marks in his hands. I must put my finger where the nails were. I must put my hand into his side. Only then will I believe what you say.” 

A week later, Jesus’ disciples were in the house again. Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came in and stood among them.

He said, “May peace be with you!”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen me but still have believed."  John 20:24-29

Happy Easter!

He is risen!

Let's All Be Brave

I've got a really brave friend. Annie Downs.

Her newest book is coming out soon.  You HAVE TO read it!  Trust me.  Annie speaks the truth in laugh (and love).   Her words will leave you with tears rolling down your cheeks, while your side hurts from laughter, as you are nodding your head in agreement.  The Lord is using this girl and His newest word for us is to BE BRAVE.

I am counting the days until it releases!  Until then, you can pre-order the book here.  And you can get a sneak peek at the first two chapters here.

Shapes Project

Little Lu is learning all of her geometric shapes and how many faces, angles, etc. they have.  Here is the poster she made to take to school.  She looks so proud!

The Death

"The soldiers brought them to the place called The Skull. There they nailed Jesus to the cross. He hung between the two criminals. One was on his right and one was on his left.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” The soldiers divided up his clothes by casting lots.

The people stood there watching. The rulers even made fun of Jesus. They said, “He saved others. Let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”

The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him. They offered him wine vinegar. They said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

A written sign had been placed above him. It read, this is the king of the jews.

One of the criminals hanging there made fun of Jesus. He said, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself! Save us!”

But the other criminal scolded him. “Don’t you have any respect for God?” he said. “Remember, you are under the same sentence of death. We are being punished fairly. We are getting just what our actions call for. But this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “What I’m about to tell you is true. Today you will be with me in paradise.”

 It was now about noon. The whole land was covered with darkness until three o’clock. The sun had stopped shining. The temple curtain was torn in two. Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my very life.” After he said this, he took his last breath."

Luke 23:33-46

Hitched

Looks like our neighbor is getting married.

I love how the groom comes with his family to retrieve his bride.  She comes out of her parents' home with lots of fanfare.  It is so fun and romantic!

Out she comes to greet her groom.

An honored friend prays for the couple and their union.

Then they're off to go get married.  The drum and zurna play them out.  Everyone else hops in their cars and falls in line, honking their horns.  Often times the happy couple gives out a bit of money to kids or whomever rushes the car to symbolize happiness and good fortune!

IMG 5144 from Elizabeth on Vimeo.

the 16th

Today is one of my favorite days.  It's my mom's birthday.

Last year I got to be there to celebrate with her in person.  No such luck this year.  :-(  But, you better believe that I'm celebrating none the less.  I am so blessed, SO BLESSED, to have the mom that I do.  She really is the absolute best mom on earth.  And, now that I am older, I can easily say that she is also the best friend on earth!

I love you so much, Mom!  I am so thankful for you.  You are the most beautiful person I have ever met, on the inside and out!  Thanks for being amazing!!  Happy birthday!!

Wild Ride

On Sunday after our home group we took the kids to a super awesome park to try and wear them out a bit.  The weather has been nice and the days are getting longer.  So, the kids are getting squirrelly.  Justin and I were going to be out of town Monday and Tuesday.  As a favor to our dear friends who were watching the kids we wanted to wear them out as much as possible!  This park is the perfect place for that!

IMG 5148 from Elizabeth on Vimeo.

It's tulip time here.  There are tulips in every color all over the city.  They are gorgeous!

The kids had been so good and always do such a great job of helping with the little kids at our home group.  So, I treated them to a some ice cream!

I love my sweet babies!!!

Hair-Stylin'

Lucy is at the age where she almost always want to do things by herself... except when you are counting on her doing something.  Then, of course, she decides she needs help.

Anyhow, one of the things she consistently likes to do herself is her hair.  The other moms at school spend copious amounts of time using all manner of fancy hair do-dads to create completely adorable hairstyles for their daughters.  Then here comes Lucy... with about 3/4 of her hair pulled back into a bumpy, crooked ponytail.  Ask me if I care... HECK YEAH I DO!  But, I'm a choose your battles type of gal, and I am not dying on this hill.  So, junked out hair it is!  HA!

Anyhow... last Thursday Lucy completely threw me for a loop and let me do her hair.  SO I had to go all out, and I had to document it for posterity.  Tell me what you think...

Leavin' On A Jet Plane

Up at 4:30 this morning to head up to the town where we hope to move this summer!  I've got a job interview and we are meeting with some friends in hopes of fellowshipping together next year.  It's a quick trip- just Justin and I.  We'll be back Tuesday night with good news, hopefully!  Your prayers are appreciated!

Sunday Sneak Peek: Hope

Ironically, the word written above this car, umut, means hope.  I don't have much hope for this machine!

Teetering

Lucy tied her toy dog to the other end of the see-saw and went to town teeter-totting!

It was so cute!

Begging

Well, the begging is going fine.  We bring our kids to school, drop them off, and then meet in the PTA room.  Then the moms sit around for a bit waiting for our instructions from the PTA President.  Once she gives us our marching orders we try to head out.  Of course, half of the ladies need one last smoke, someone inevitably remembers that their kid has no lunch or some other random thing that they have to do.  Someone bows out because their mother-in-law is sick.  And so on and so forth.  The entire process takes about an hour.

Once we are finally out of the school everyone sort of looks at each other and asks what we should do.  I try to remind them of what the PTA President asked us to do but it rarely avails much.  So, we just head out willy-nilly.  (As I said, this is one of the more difficult cultural things for a type A personality girl like me!)

In the end, we've been able to compile a lot of donations.  Folks are generally willing to give a little something to help the school.  Although we have literally had shopkeepers hide from us!  These women may not follow directions well, but they sure do work hard.  We go door to door for hours every day!  It is exhausting!  This foreign lady can hardly keep up!  It is funny though, because as we enter shops they like to shuffle me to the front to ask because they think folks will be more benevolent to a foreigner.  So far, my charms are working and the donations are piling up!  Let's just hope I survive my volunteer service!

Quotable Quotes...

Callie (when looking at the weekly menu I just made): "Yay!  You're not making anything gross this week!"

Noah: "Well, I have self-control I just choose not to use it!"

One of students that visited on Saturday: "Do yall be understandin' yo teachas?"  When she asked this everyone busted out laughing.  Then the coach said, "Do we be undersatndin' you?  Try again!"

Justin: "Do you see my bruise?"  He is walking around this flat asking all of us over and over.  He took Lucy to school on Thursday on his motorcycle.  When he put the kickstand down to get off it slid between two cobblestones and sunk.  The bike fell over!  It's a small bike, and neither he nor Lucy was hurt at all.  But it was in front of EVERYONE!  So they were so embarrassed!  Lucy calls it the most embarrassing day of her life!