Funny....but also a good lesson!

Today our golden retriever Zoey put her head in a garbage can......and when she pulled it out..the lid stuck around her neck! Now because I couldn't pull it off very well...she had to leave it there until Ken came home for lunch. All in all it remained there for almost three hours.

During those three hours I watched her try to maneuver from here and there occasionally bumping into things, she wasn't very happy either....kind of a sad look in her eyes and she laid at my feet. I sat there thinking of this contraption around her neck and the burden it brought her....but there was nothing she could do about it....until her Master came home:)

It reminded me of the burden of sin that hangs around our necks like a big contraption. Not only our necks....but our whole being!!! I thought of things like alcohol, drugs, lying, stealing, cheating, violence, and the list goes on. All of these things remind me of garbage...and we stick our noses(lives) into the can....sometimes it gets hooked around our necks....and we can't flee it until the Master frees us.

Jesus is the one who paid the price for our sins....who by his death and resurrection gave us a way to become free from the burdens that weigh us down!! When we ask.....He will remove the garbage cans....and lids.....from our lives and forgive us from our sins. In obedience and out of love for our Savior......and our Father God....we must learn to keep our heads (and lives) out of the garbage cans of life!!

I Love Surprises!!

I was able to pull off a birthday surprise on Ken today!!! Thanks to his boss David, and our sons and daughter-in-laws!! The plan was for everyone to arrive around 1:00....and to figure out a way to keep Ken home after lunch:) Thanks David for helping me out with that!!!

Everything went smoothly...and Ken was very surprised when the caravan pulled in!!! I even kept the info from Joel....in fear that he couldn't keep a secret!! He was as shocked as Ken.

The guys enjoyed target shooting out back with their hand guns...and us girls visited inside while the kids did an arts and crafts project. Heidi and Emily helped me with the extras like snacks and dessert, and we ordered pizza! I just loved watching the day unfold the way it did:)

Celebrating my Husband....the Love of my Life!

On January 22 Ken turns 53 years old-

I don't know quite where to begin....but let me share this...Ken to me is the most caring, loving, kind, generous, handsomest man in the world!!!

We have shared thirty one years of marriage together, raised three amazing sons, and experienced life with joy as a family. I don't know what I would have done without Ken's love, encouragement, and faithfulness during the difficult days after my diagnosis.

He has taken me to the doctors, helped me with everything, stood by me through ALL of my fears, and prayed for me with his whole heart. Ken makes me laugh, keeps me going, drys my tears, and builds me up in character EVERY day! I wouldn't be me without him~~~~we are a team~~~servants together~~~~happy to share our days, months, and years side by side.

I praise God for the blessing of a godly husband......a man of integrity......the leader of our home...a wonderful example of a father.

I love watching Ken interact with our grandchildren!!! Especially the little girls since we didn't raise daughters:) I am excited to witness these relationships with the kids as they grow up...waiting to see the special times unfold.....enjoying God's plan for our lives until He comes or calls us home.

Updates From Baptist Haiti Mission

For those of you who would like to read updates regarding the recent devastation in Haiti....here is link for the Baptist Haiti Mission who is posting up to date news and prayer needs: http://www.bhm.org/bhm/lang-en/haiti-earthquake-news-and-updates.html

Happy Fifth Birthday Andrew Nichols!!!

Happy Birthday to our grandson Andrew!!

What a precious little boy you are and we can't believe you are "five" years old already!

Andrew is very active:) He goes to preschool three times a week, he is a Cubbie in the AWANA club, and is very helpful with his brother Jonathan and twin sisters Kirsten and Rachelle!!!

In his five years he has lived in Wyoming, Michigan, and will soon be moving to Wisconsin.

We treasure the times we can spend with him...and look forward to watching him grow up and to see what special plans the Lord has for him!!