Lloyd and Amy

We are so excited for our good friend Lloyd who is marrying a beautiful girl named Amy. I thought I would tell you a little about Lloyd and the impact he had on our lives.

Lloyd and Bill were partners in crime in high school. I've heard them tell some funny stories about their time in Chemistry class. Lloyd is also responsible for teaching Bill how to dance...have you seen Hip Hop break it down lately?!

I met Lloyd when I was dating Bill in college. We hit it off right away. His fun-loving personality was infectious! After Lloyd became a Christian he chose every opportunity to share the gospel with us. One time he came to visit us at our apartment in Philly. He questioned & challenged us and loved us by sharing truth we so desperately needed. Lloyd even sufferred through sleepless nights on a horrible pull-out couch with a bar sticking in his back and our new kitten Pina attacking every foot movement he made. (Now that's loving your brother for sure!)

I also remember Lloyd bringing me into a room at the Roth's home, sitting me down and posing the question "Christina, have you thought about whether you would be in heaven if you died tomorrow?" At the time I said..."Sure I'll be in heaven. I'm a good person!" It was then that God began to do a work in my heart.

So thank you Lloyd for loving us and sharing the precious gospel message with us...for it is our greatest need...salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. We will pray for you & Amy as you start your life together as one, reflecting Christ's love as you love one another.

The Brandywine Zoo

We had a terrific weekend...the weather was beautiful and we had a blast. Friday we went to the Brandywine zoo in Delaware. It was so much fun. The zoo is really small but perfect for our kids and they had a great playground nearby that had all new stuff. Here are some shots...

On Saturday we went to the pool and had a picnic at the Rodgers home that evening.(We always LOVE the chance to get together with Andy & Paula & their kids). Sunday was church and more time at the pool. Madison did flips off the diving board & Adrienne practiced her swimming under water. Yesterday we spent more time at the pool with the Kelly family and then came back to our home for a BBQ & a game of whiffle ball. It was very busy but a blast having Bill home all weekend. Today it's rainy...a perfect day to finish up schoolwork & do wash....hmmm....weekends go way too fast...even the long ones!

Memorial Day

As I sit here in my cozy home at my new computer typing, with happy kids tucked into bed, my husband close by, I can't help but think about how many young men & women are away from their families and cozy homes and also how many families will never see their sons, fathers, brothers and sisters again. These soldiers are fighting for me. They are fighting for my husband and for my kids. They are fighting an enemy that seeks to kill me & my children, my family, & my neighbors. An enemy that will stop at nothing...in the name of a false god.
So tomorrow as I am enjoying a picnic with my husband, my children & my friends, I will remember how much my freedom cost and not take for granted all that I have & all that I have been given. I will remember the story of the soldier who threw his body on the grenade to save his brothers next to him in the line of fire. I will remember the story of the soldier who lost his life attempting to retrieve his fallen brother's body from the enemy. I cannot comprehend the courage these men had. Let us never stop praying for our soldiers in Iraq & Afghanistan, and also for the families who have lost loved ones.
"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8)

George Muller

Madison & I are reading the book, George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans by Janet & Geoff Benge, for her 1st Grade History/Bible curriculum. I was a little worried at first glance of the book, no pictures, long chapters & alot of big vocabulary. But as we started reading it we soon realized that it is an amazing story about the life of a Christian hero.

George started an orphanage for all of the homeless children of Bristol England. Cholera had killed many parents, leaving their children to roam the streets in the 1830's. His orphanage grew to 300 children & the amazing part was that George never once asked for any money...not one penny from the congregation he lead, from friends, family...no one. He only asked God to provide. George prayed for everything...even food to feed the orphans. Page after page of the book describes how God answered every one of George's prayers to provide for these children.

One morning, all 300 children were in the dining room waiting to eat when one of the workers ran up to George & said, "It has happened. The children are all ready for breakfast and there is not a thing in the house to eat!" George went to pray a simple prayer, "God, we thank you for what you are going to give us to eat, Amen".

Not a minute later, a knock came at the door. It was the baker who woke at 3am with the thought that the orphanage needed bread. He baked the bread that morning & delivered it to the children. Soon after, a milk truck broke down right outside the orphanage & in order to fix it, all the milk had to be taken off the truck & was donated to the orphanage. So the children ate warm bread & drank milk all because of God's love for them, His faithfulness & because of the faith of George Muller.

WOW! What faith this man had...completely trusting, never waivering. I'm inspired by it.

"And without faith it is impossible to please HIM, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Hebrews 11:6

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Update

Happy Monday everyone!

I just wanted to give some updates on our addition & other stuff. We met with the mortgage guy this morning & he is currently working with an appraiser to see what our home is worth now & estimate what it would be worth after the addition is complete. We are patiently waiting confirmation on a construction loan & hoping it will all begin soon. I've been online looking at various bathroom stuff to figure out what I like & what falls in our budget as far as tile & fixtures.

The kids are all enjoying the new swings we got this weekend for the tree & swingset and they are all currently healthy.

Bill & Madison saw "Prince Caspian" on Saturday with the Rodgers' and had a good time. We also had dinner at my latest favorite place. (Don't Laugh) Pizza Hut Bistro. I love that place! The spinach artichoke dip is awesome & the baked pastas are really good! I recomend Chicken Florentine with bowties, chicken & spinach...yum!

We are looking forward to June when Madison begins Swim Team practice and we celebrate her 7th birthday (can you believe she's 7!!). We also will be traveling to Lancaster a couple times to celebrate my neice's Sarah & Amanda's birthdays! Speaking of Sarah...she'll be turning 1 & here's a cute picture of her.

Trigger Thumb

Also known as Acquired Thumb Flexion Contracture. As you can see by the picture Matthew has a thumb stuck in about 30 degrees of flexion. No wonder the poor boy started holding his fork & spoon in an under grip instead of the normal way...poor thing cannot straighten out his thumb! I noticed it last Saturday at breakfast with my parents. The strange thing is ever since he was born I would notice him always moving his thumbs in weird ways. Almost like he was trying to stretch the thing out.(I guess that's why he never became a thumb sucker like his sisters...probably could not get it in his mouth). When they are little their hands are always clenched & then as they grow their hands are so chubby, parents usually don't catch it until around 18months or so. The basic problem is the tendon that allows the thumb to bend gets stuck (in simplest terms). We will be going to CHOP (Children's Hospital in Philadelphia) in June to see a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Matthew will most likely need surgery to correct the problem. We'll keep you posted after we see the doc. Happy friday & thumbs up!!

Trip Home

We returned home late Saturday night from our trip home to NY. It was hard to say goodbye to Grandma but also nice to be with the whole family. We had many opportunities to talk with cousins, old friends and neighboors who came to pay their respects to Grandma. The kids did well but started to get sick towards the end of the trip...lack of rest and change in weather didn't help.

Here is a picture of my sister, brother and I with our Papa. I cannot comprehend the grief he must feel. He has been telling my dad & Auntie Jan that he is ready to "go". When I ponder that I remember something I read recently. Because we were created by God, and for God's purpose, our real home is not this Earth...but rather our home is heaven. It is the place we were created for. It is natural for us to long for Heaven...for the place where every tear is wiped away, there is no more pain, no more suffering, no more saddness.

Here is the link to a great book by Randy Alcorn called "In Light of Eternity". http://www.amazon.com/Light-Eternity-Perspectives-Heaven/dp/1578562996

It describes heaven from a biblical account & it talks about heaven in great detail...much more than our own imaginations provide...(heaven is not a place where we float around all day with angels playing harps...it is so much more!) Check it out if you have the time. In the mean time let's continue to pray for my dad, Auntie Jan & my Papa.

A Tribute to My Mom

We are leaving today to travel to my hometown, Grand Island NY for my Grandma's funeral so before I left I wanted to post a little tribute to my mom for Mother's Day this weekend.

The word that comes to mind when I think of my mom...Devoted. She traveled to all of my gymnastics meets to cheer me on (even though she hated watching beam). Her & my dad drove many miles to drop all 3 kids off at college and cleaned all of our dorm rooms before we moved in. She put together hundreds of care packages to send to us all while we were away...complete with homemade stuff & all the treats she knew we liked. After I gave birth to each of my children, she came to stay with us for atleast a week and even 2 after I had Matthew & had to go back into the hospital. She cooked, cleaned, did wash, changed diapers, kissed booboos and was a means of grace & comfort to me during rough post-partum days. She taught me many things about being a good mom...even all the little songs I still sing to my kids. She also sends gifts to the kids at every holiday...yes every holiday...complete with outfits, shoes, toys & treats.

I could go on & on about my mom. So let me end by saying...

I love you mom. Thank you for your love to me & my family over all these years, and for being devoted to being a mom & a Gege! The lessons you have taught me whether by words or by actions will be passed on to my children & to theirs!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!!

My Grandma

My mom called me today to tell me the very sad news that my grandma died this afternoon in her sleep. I wanted to post a little picture of her & my Papa. I have many fond memories of her mostly from when I was younger. She was always so happy to see me & my family and never hesitated to tell me that she loved me. Meals at her home were so big that I could never eat past the first course...macaroni, but always seemed to have room for dessert...(only having difficulty deciding which one.) Hospitality came easy for grandma, and she was never satisfied until she knew you had atleast 2 helpings of everything. Grandma also loved seeing our kids...even in the end when she had trouble remembering their names. I will miss my grandma and I am grateful to the Lord that he showed her mercy in her last days. We will be traveling home to Grand Island Tuesday night for her funeral.

It's All Over!

Well it was exciting to see the Sixers make the playoffs when it seemed impossible mid-season. They did well considering they are such a young team...but I'm sorry to all of you who whole-heartedly are sad to see the season end...I cannot share the same feelings cause...I GOT MY HUSBAND BACK! Yay!! No more early morning TV hits or late nights out at the game or practice.

As I type this though I am inclined to mention what a blessing Bill's job is to us. The fact that I can stay home with the kids...the fact that we can support 3 growing kids, have a nice home, 2 cars, and be able to eat out & see a movie every now & then...is a blessing. The fact that Bill loves what he does and is able to do a job which uses his many gifts...is a blessing. Funny how it's always easier to see it that way when It's all over.

POTTY TRAINING UPDATE #2 It is all over as well...Diaper season is over...and can I get a big YES & AMEN!!! Matthew now tells me when he has to go & runs to the potty & does it all by himself! No accidents yesterday & I cannot explain the delight in my heart! Yes, delight. Any mom who struggled through potty training knows what I mean. I am blessed by how easy it was & thankful that the Lord heard my prayers...Yes He even answers potty training prayers!! Here's a shot of my son...the BIG BOY! Have a great weekend!!