Friday night Austin's friends stayed over and were actually extremely well-behaved. I mean, four 4th grade boys here at one time and the house was still standing and all breakables intact! They had a good time and I enjoyed overhearing some of their conversations! SOOOO different than 4th grade girl conversations. They were insightful and funny and completely boyish. I ate it up!
Saturday Austin went to a birthday party Saturday afternoon and we spent the evening with my family on Saturday evening. The kids put on a "play" that they "wrote." (Actually, I think they are writing it as they went, which made it even more wild!) They even suckered Aunt Em into using her thespian skills from high school to play the "mean lady who was head of the orphanage." That was the funniest part. These "play performances" are becoming a habit when they get together. We'll send out notices on the next one...you don't want to miss them!! lol
Sunday morning was church. I have to tell you, the message was truly phenomenal....really. For those of you who are not affiliated with our church and may be reading this, here is a brief tidbit. Bro. Steve Willoughby is a missionary to Singapore (and other parts of Asia). He was diagnosed with 2 brain tumors, a tumor in his chest and a blood clot in one of the main veins in his neck (I am using layman's terms), then had a stroke a few months ago. He and his wife have 3 children. Two weeks later, his wife was diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer and had to resume chemo. He spoke about what it was like to experience fear and doubt in this world...even as a child of God. He talked about not just having faith in God, but CONFIDENCE is His love for us. Here is the scripture he used:
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. John 4:17
It was such an experience for me to hear that scripture through his story and the revelation he underwent while experiencing these occurrences in his life.... bottom line...when we have CONFIDENCE that HE LOVES US....God who created this universe LOVES US, we will be okay. Life is not fair, sometimes not fun, and at other times absolutely devastating..... BUT, He LOVES us. It's that simple. He spoke how if we live daily at the judgement seat of Christ and have confidence in His love for us, than we have the power and ability to fight the fear and doubt that this world and Satan pounds us with. You know, the more I talk here, the more I am finding myself rambling and doing that message zero justice. So, I will shut up for now... I just couldn't bear to hear the words he spoke and not share them with others in hope that others can get the revelation about the amount of power and strength that comes with having confidence in God's loves for us. I find so many of us have fears that at times consume us, belittle us, and physically/emotionally/mentally drain us.
Okay, I'm stepping down from my "preaching podium" now and going to go return to my world of craziness and nonstop adventures, but with a new outlook on this world and the battles that come my way.... I will NOT live in fear and I have CONFIDENCE that I am loved....I hope you will, too.
This is where we found Austin when they were playing hide and seek.
I was attempting to get a group pic... how typical is this!
He was just sitting back and taking it in...oh, and eating his "peanut butter spoon."
Keaton trying to find a way around the baricade to make it upstairs!
Chillin' with Aunt Em
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