04/14/09

Here is another horse from that day with my Daddy. They were so cute. Mikayla enjoyed being near them.

It has been a VERY interesting last 24 hours and I'm just going to leave it at that for now. lol Hope you have had a very blessed day!!

04/13/09

Here is a little foal from the clinic where my Dad works. It was hiding behind its mother. Last week during our break we went on a couple of hauls with Dad one day so I was able to capture these horses.... for Mikayla. :) I actually used "layers" on this photo (for my PS user friends) so tell me what you think. Can you even SEE the texture I added? lol.. This is all so new to me so I am learning.


It was back to school today. It wasn't a bad day considering I had to get back up at 5:00 am!

You know... it is really bad when you covet your children's Reese's eggs from their Easter baskets. Thankfully, my lovely Mikayla felt sorry for her mother and let her have one. It is a good thing I try to stay away from those types of things because I have major issues if I ate all of the things I would LOVE to eat....

Here are a few of those addictions I have had throughout my life:

Hostess Ho-Ho's
I could eat a whole box of 10 at one sitting when I was little!!!! These were a childhood favorite... and, technically, they still are but I have to resist.

Double Stuff Oreos
Oh, goodness.. just take them away from me now...

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Well... you already read above that this addiction hasn't gone away.

Hershey Kisses
I used to eat so many of these because they were small and think I was "OK"... it wasn't until 3 years ago when one of my best friends, who also works with me at school, had to take my bag away from me and hide them because I had eaten so many!!!

Snickers Bars
These were my college friend. I ate these things most everyday at the 10:00 hour in the morning. (Where I went to college the 10:00 hour was always "open" for clubs and such on M, W, F so we commuters would all go hang out together in the "Cate Center" and I would have my pick me up.)

For now, that is all my memory is bringing up as these were my strongest. One thing.... my Mom used to have to HIDE these items from me (especially the Ho-Ho's and Oreos) because I would eat so many.

Guess which one of my children inherited this same issue? I'll give you a hint... farming wants to be the occupation of this child. lol

04/12/09

Matthew 28: 5-6
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Happy Easter everyone! Christ the Lord is risen today... Hallelujah!! Through His Resurrection we can have eternal life because not only did He give His life for us, but also He rose victorious from the grave!

Did you know the word "Easter" is only mentioned ONE time in the Bible? Here is the verse:

Acts 12:4
And when he (King Herod) had apprehended him (Peter... disciple of Jesus), he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Maybe that is something you knew and maybe it is something new. :)

Here is the third verse to "Crown Him with Many Crowns" so fitting for today!!!

Crown Him the Lord of life,
Who triumphed o'er the grave,
Who rose victorious to the strife,
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing,
Who died and rose on high.
Who died eternal life to bring,
And lives that death may die.

04/11/09

I must say that I do not think I have ever sung this song, but when looking for words today I thought they fit this time so well. It was written by Samuel Wesley, Sr. - the father of John and Charles Wesley. This is the only known surviving hymn from him as their house burned down and all of his devotional poetry and hymns were lost. Enjoy!

Behold the Savior of Mankind

Behold the Savior of mankind
Nailed to the shameful tree!
How vast the love that Him inclined
To bleed and die for thee!

Hark, how He groans, while nature shakes,
And earth's strong pillars bend!
The temple's veil in sunder breaks;
The solid marbles rend.

'Tis done! the precious ransom paid!
"Receive my soul!" He cries;
See where He bows His sacred head!
He bows His head and dies!

But soon He'll break death's envious chain,
and in full glory shine;
O Lamb of God, was ever pain,
Was ever love, like thine?

04/10/09

I chose this tulip today because it is red. Red symbolizes the blood that flowed from my Savior's body to cover my sin on this day some 2,000 years ago.

It is Good Friday.

This morning in my devotions I read about why it is called Good Friday. Most people would think it should be called "Sad Friday" or something of that nature. Truly, I have never thought of it in that way because I know without this Friday... and this coming Sunday... my sins would not be covered. Because of what Jesus did for me on the cross, it is GOOD!

I think back to a devotion I read a couple of weeks ago. Since Pilate is the one who "officially" declared that Jesus be crucified on this day so long ago, I thought it was fitting to ponder this today on "Good Friday."

John 19:5
Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

Pilate wanted to evade the responsibility of trying and sentencing Jesus. But instead of honestly refusing to have anything to do with His condemnation, Pilate sought by evasion simply to get clear of the case. He could not do it, however; for each time Jesus came back and stood before him waiting for his decision.

One of Pilate's questions a little later than this was, "What shall I do with Jesus?" - a question he was compelled to answer in the end. Jesus stands before every human soul, as He stood before Pilate, demanding reception or rejection, and every one of us must answer this same question. The question may be postponed, but we cannot get it off our hands. We may send Jesus away, be presently we find Him back, standing again at our door. Every soul must sit in judgment on Christ, and give a decision.

Look on a little. Here we see Pilate on the judgment-seat, and Jesus standing before him to be judged. "Knowest Thou not that I have power to crucify Thee, and power to release Thee?" Awful power for any man to hold! The scene closed, and Jesus went to His cross. Pilate soon fell into disgrace, and in a few years committed suicide. When he stood before the throne of the Divine Judge, into whose eyes did the poor guilty Roman look? Ah, what a reversal there was! Once Pilate was judge, and Jesus stood at the bar; now Jesus is judge, and Pilate is before Him.

Jesus stands now before sinners, meek and lowly, asking to be received; but the scene will soon be changed for those who reject Him - they will be hurried away into eternity, and the Judge before whose bar they shall find themselves will be the same One who stood so long, patient and loving, waiting to save them.

- J. R. Miller

04/09/09

A tulip I captured at school.... it was beautiful.

Thirty years ago today I accepted Christ as my Savior while in the second grade. What a road and journey it has been becoming more like Him these last thirty years. I have come so far, but know I have farther to go! How fitting this anniversary is right before Easter. :)

04/08/09

Pine cones... male and female, just so you know. We are seeing a lot of pine pollen these days. Most people think that is what causes them allergies, but it is the pollen you don't always see, the pollen for hardwoods, that cause people so many issues. Here are a couple of shots of them. :)


I have heard this before, but this past Sunday our pastor told the story again. I honestly do not know if it is true, but it has a great message nonetheless.

Albert Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it. The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it." Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, "Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are....No problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one." Einstein looked at him and said, "Young man, I, too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going!"

I know who I am and I know where I am going. Thanks to my Savior Jesus Christ I have a ticket for Heaven because I accepted Him as my Savior.

Do you know where YOU are going?