Living Faith Outreach

God just keeps picking little ways to show us how much He loves us! With starting a commission only job it has made for a forced "Christ Focused Christmas". Amazingly enough I started this Christmas season out by telling the kids that this was the year we are focusing on Jesus Birthday instead of getting lost in the greed of presents. I did this to help prepare them for little or no presents. God has once again showed his humor by having our sons be totally excited about NOT doing presents and baking a cake on Christmas for Jesus with us getting them a Christmas gift in January or February after Randy gets some sales made. I'm totally relaxed about the whole thing and able to be nice to the overextended. What a joy.

It is an even bigger blessing when the church we are attending, Living Faith Outreach, had a Children's Christmas Party today during Sunday School and God choose these remote control cars to be their presents. The boys were absolutely delighted and have been driving them as much as allowed. Goes to show yet again, God knows the desires of our hearts ... and gives them.

Maintenance 101

It makes my heart puff up like a marshmallow in a microwave when I see the wonderful dad that God gave our boys teaching them things. It's fun to watch the interaction - the sometimes frustration on Randy's part in forgetting to explain what he means and the joy in the boys faces that they are getting to "do" something with their dad while learning skills for the purpose God has created them for.

I ponder, if it brings me such joy what feelings God must have when we eagerly allow Him to teach us new things in our lives and how He feels when we just don't get what He's trying to show or teach us. The great thing is ... I know He loves us no matter how hard or easy we make it! And He's proud of us no matter what. Wow!

It's Snowing!

Can you believe it! SNOW in SOUTH TEXAS! What a marvel and yet another of God’s many things that He does for us to bring us joy. Josiah & Malachi have been praying for snow … and me being the mom, have kept reminding them that we are in SOUTH Texas and they don’t normally get snow. I’m so THANKFUL He has once again proven me wrong and answered my sons prayers in a way that only He can. Especially since they have been bummed since it looks like we are not going to make it back to Kansas for Christmas since God has allowed us to be stretched with Randy’s job being commission only and people wanting to wait until after the new year to replace their roofs. We know He is taking care of us and will provide … we’re just so good at the worrying that it’s taking a lot more to help us get over that bad habit. His plans will be much better than ours although sometimes hard for us to be open too when we think our ideas are so great. (I wonder if that’s why God put Randy and I together … to remind me that God’s ideas are far greater than any I have and help me to understand the disappointment and frustration He experiences when I try to do it my way instead of His way … which is always SO much better! Once again proof of God’s amazing sense of humor!)

Extended Family Weekend

This weekend our family got to stay over at Corynn & Mike's home so we could watch Reilly & Benny while they went to Mike's Christmas work party. It was a great time of playing. With the wonderful Texas weather we got to go to the park and even played in the creek a little. Thanks Randy for taking pictures ... you even got the heads in!

Grandma & Grandpa Brown Visit

Grandma & Grandpa Brown got to come down to South Texas to see and have an early Christmas with their grandchildren (Corynn, Tyrel & Chelsey and spouses) and great grandchildren (Reilly, Benny, Owen, Brodie, & Kyler) that live down here. They were blessed with getting to spend a couple nights each at Corynn & Mike's, Tyrel & Amber's and Chelsey & Stephen's. It was an added pleasure for us to get to see them too since God brought us to the area. After being with them almost on a daily basis when living in Kansas the past 12 years, this year of being on the road and only getting to see them twice for a very short time was a big change for us. Check out the sleeping Gpa at the mall. What a sight. Should have seen the expressions on the people that saw us put things in his pocket that didn’t know we were related. It was great!

Hanging the Lights

We may live in a 5th wheel but we can still celebrate. The boys hung the lights on our home and helped Randy hang a few lights over at Corynn & Mike's. We just love the "Happy Birthday Jesus Lights"! Can you tell which is our home and which is Corynn & Mike's? Ha!

Remember ... Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Wrapping it up

And the fun must come to an end. The boys are learning how to change the oil on the dirt bike. A must if you are going to have toys! Kim and I are remembering why we enjoy living in our 5th wheels so much as we were getting everything washed, cleaned and stowed away at the house so we can all head back to our "real" home. We definitely are going to need a nap after this! Good thing Randy & Joe are driving home!