My favorites

My two favorite words that I just don't want to change.....ever!

Mia language:
Lellow
Fighterfighter

More soccer pics!

I just can't resist bringing my camera to the games, so of course, I can't resist posting them! I'm so stinking proud of how the girls are playing. Juliet has a team of about 9 girls. Most of which do not come to practice regularly and it's pretty much the first year for all of them. Jules and two other girls really stand out and are really learning the game and how to get in and take the ball! Jules is learning more about defense and is really good at both defense and offense. I'm really not sure which one she's better at! Although she was a bit bummed that she didn't score a goal this game, she said the she was still asking God for strength to do the best she could out there!

Mia has a team of 6 girls who are awesome to watch them. I'll have to get some video up here soon. Meems went out this weekend strong. She had a huge scrape on her knee from eating it on the sidewalk the day before. She hates band aids, so she played her game with a fresh wound! She still went after the ball like a true soccer player! She scored yet another 2 goals this game!
GOOOOOOAL!

New do's!

Our girls now look much older! Jules wanted a haircut, while Mia wanted her hair, "cut long".... meaning she didn't want it cut! But once she saw the style on Juliet, she had to have the same do! They look absolutely adorable....if I do say so myself!

Check out the girls!

Two....Count 'em....TWO
Goals a piece!
Regardless of the 105 degree weather, the girls each scored 2 goals in their games this weekend!

Girls Night Out!

The girls and I had a fantastic time at the game the other night. We had cotton candy, popcorn, hot cocoa, Cracker Jacks and the A's won in the 9th inning! Then the most amazing fireworks show ever! It was a great night! Just what I could have asked for!

Juliet's turn

I'm thinking the fact that Mia asked her teacher about God gave Juliet the courage to do it too. She was praying for her teacher the other night and the next day (Friday) she asked her if she was a believer. Jules said that her teacher does believe and asked her why. Jules told her that she was happy she believes and that she had prayed for her. When her teacher asked why, Jules replied, "Just because."

I'm so incredibly proud of my girls for stepping out. They are truly becoming the people that God has created them to be. They have that "childlike faith" and are incredible ministers of the Lord.

Do you believe?

Wednesday Mia asked her teacher if she believed in God! I'm so proud of her. We've been talking a lot about it after our nightly devotions. The girls both want to talk to more people on their campus about Jesus, but they are timid. It is totally the enemy who is the cause of their fear, because we have never talked about being afraid to share Jesus. In fact, they pray for Amiga Jen all the time and the people she is able to minister to in India.

When I came home on Wed:
Mia: "Mom! I asked my teacher if she believes in God!"
Me: "Really! What did she say?"
Mia: "She said that she does!"
Me: "That is so cool Mia. Did you say anything else?"
Mia: "I told her that I was glad!"
Me: "I'm so proud of you for asking, Mia! That's great!"

Communication

Mike and I recently had a really rough week with some situations. We went through some sad times and God really brought us through. I talk a lot about our communication and how hard we work at it and the pay offs of that hard work. I tend to get very frustrated with some people and their lack of communication, but I was hit hard in the midst of our situation.

One morning last week I was driving my commute into work worshiping and praying through a river a tears. We had been hurt deeply. We were both just crushed by some things. I was listening to Misty Edwards "Servant of All" and I realized that I have completely fallen short in my communication with Jesus. I mean, I pray all the time. I talk to him all the time. I feel that I am obedient and I know when he's talking to me. I love to intercede for others. Intercession is one of my spiritual gifts and I just love it! BUT, I have not been listening. It's not like I have not been hearing him, it's that I haven't been having a conversation with him.

I kept singing over and over, "I wanna be with you where you are." I sing this to Him all the time. But He was singing it to me this time. The part in the song where she sings, "You've got to go lower, if you want to go higher" makes so much sense. We have to get on our knees, lower to the ground in humility in order to get higher and closer to Him. It's that simple.

So with this situation -- I have been dealing with it for nearly 15 years. I've been hurt on and off for 15 years. I seriously thought I had given it go God several times. But as I look back, I have prayed and wept and wept and prayed countless times and yet I have formulated my own thoughts and words and emails that I would like to say/send in response to these hurts. I never have done it, but I have always thought, "If I just let them know how it feels". And then God puts a bandaid on my heart and I move on.

This time God spoke loud and clear to me. He said, "Are you going to let me take care of it this time, Jeni? Are you going to let me handle it this time?"

It was the first time in 15 years that I physically heard his begging. I laid it down and was immediately covered in peace. Many times since this moment, I have tried to pick up the hurt and anger again, but I make the choice to know that God can handle this situation without me! Go figure! As a matter of fact, he can handle it better without me! And it's amazing how the hurt is gone. I know He's done something. I don't know exactly how He has handled it, but I trust that He has.

A day on the river

My brother was in town for a few days so we decided to go rafting. The weather was perfect in the upper 80's. We had a picnic, then hopped on the raft and headed down the river. Cal was very unhappy with the life jacket, but he adjusted and had a great time. We can't wait to go again. We may have to hit it a few more times before the cool weather comes.

View Album

Get your own

O - R - E - O

We were sitting at the table after lunch when Mike decided it was time for the initiation! Each child has had their special time with Daddy and his beloved OREOS. It was now Calvin's turn!