Thanks for your Prayers

Just wanted to let you know that Russell's interview went well Thursday night. We really don't know much more than that. We will just sit and wait again and keep seeking God's will for this situation. There are two other men being looked at as well, so it could be a little while before we know more.

We are not stressed over this at all. We are just going with the flow and walking through the doors that God puts in front of us. Trusting that He will close them when it's not right.

Thanks again for your prayers - keep them up. I'll keep you updated as always.

Here We Go Again.....

Once again, we find ourselves in the midst of possible change. We aren't exactly sure what it means but here we go again. Russell submitted a resume to Ocean Park Baptist Church out in Jax Beach. He really was not anticipating anything to come from it. Last week, they called and asked Russ for some of his sermons on DVD. He obliged, again, anticipating nothing. They called last night and Russ is one of three men they are looking at for Senior Pastor. Their Pastor is retiring this June. Russell has an interview with the committee this Thursday at 7 pm.

Our heads are spinning! We didn't expect to be in this position again so quickly. Russ has settled in and was anticipating teaching again next year. Like I said, we don't know what this means or where it will take us. Please just once again pray that the Lord will give us wisdom, discernment and clarity!!!! As always - we will keep you informed.....

Russell and I are "Great"!

Okay - so Marc and Sam are going to have their first baby in August. Which will make me an Aunt for the first time on my side of the family. Well, meet Corrie Bush. She was born Feb 9 and has made me a Great Aunt! Of course I just got this title by marriage - Russell is really the Great Uncle as she is the daughter of his nephew and wife. Anyway - isn't she pretty?????

God is good!!!!

God is so good as to answer our prayers. Thank you so much for them and for your notes of encouragement concerning Anne's face. Anything having to do with the face is so scary. As you can see - she is doing fine. Yesterday when she woke up - it was like night and day. I think it's going to heal up very nicely. Of course, I've driven her crazy keeping the anti-biotic ointment on it. Thanks again!!!!!

My Poor Anne Girl

Anne had an injury with the neighbor's dog today. We thought at first that it was a bite, and I got panicked at first with the blood, but we know now that it is just a scratch. The dog just got a little excited. She's a little swollen tonight. Please pray that this will heal up quickly - with no scars on her pretty little face.......

Thanks!

Christ - Our Ultimate Sacrifice!

As we continue to study Moses in BSF, I am amazed at how I have done this study twice before and yet keep being so affected by the things I am learning. I guess we all need reminders of God's great love for us.

This week we talked about the Day of Atonement and the sacrifices made over and over and over and over again by the High Priest. The Day of Atonement was the one day a year where the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, where God's presence was, and make atonement for the sins of all the people. If he didn't carry out his duties just as the Lord commanded, it resulted in death! Can you imagine the pressure!?!

I have been struck by the thought of all the blood. Now, I know that sacrifices are bloody and messy - but I guess I thought it was somewhat contained. But how can the blood really be contained when in reality, our sin cannot be contained? Our sin affects everyone and everything around us. Adam and Eve's sin in the garden affected the whole world! Everything in this world is tainted by sin.

This week I realized that the beautiful, ornate garments that the Priests wore - they had jewels and precious stones. They had gold woven into them. They were sprinkled with blood! The tabernacle itself - The Israelites spent months sewing and building and making it just to God's specifications. Once a year it was sprinkled with blood! The beautiful Ark of the Covenant and all it's gold - sprinkled in blood! Blood was everywhere! Blood stains! Blood turns black after it sits for a while. Blood doesn't come out! But blood was necessary in order to be forgiven of their sin. The cost of sin is death - physical and eternal death - whether it be an animal, or us, or Jesus Christ. Something has to die. What a messy ordeal.

I am so thankful that Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice! That he came and died in my place. That we don't have to make these kind of animal sacrifices anymore. Even the animal sacfrifices didn't work completely. They weren't perfect! The priests performing them weren't perfect. We could NEVER live up to God's standard! But, because of His great love and mercy for us, Jesus became the final sacrifice for all of us. He was perfect - without sin - and so He could be the final priest and sacrifice. I still sin and God takes that sin very seriously. But, because I have given my life to Him and trusted Him as my Lord and Savior, when He looks at me, He sees the blood of Christ and I am forgiven! Halleluia! What a Savior!

I was listening to this song on the way to BSF this morning and I thought about how easily we justify our sin. But even the smallest sin that we attempt to justify is rebellion against God. It's so easy to go along and think that we are doing "okay". This song reminded me that I'm not okay, but that God loves me unconditionally! Why? Because He is a God of great grace and I am His child!

Click on the title to hear the song......

Never Been Unloved
Micheal W. Smith

I have been unfaithful
I have been unworthy
I have been unrighteous
And I have been unmerciful
I have been unreachable
I have been unteachable
I have been unwilling
And I have been undesirable

And sometimes I have been unwise
I've been undone by what I'm unsure of
But because of you and all that you went through
I know that I have never been unloved

I have been unbroken
I have been unmended
I have been uneasy
And I have been unapproachable
I've been unemotional
I've been unexceptional
I've been undecided
And I have been unqualified

Unaware - I have been unfair
I've been unfit for blessing from above
But even I can see The sacrifice You made for me
To show that I have never been unloved.
It's because of You and all that you went through
I know that I have never been unloved

Congratulations Shanon!

My girlfriends and I put together a baby shower this weekend for our friend Shanon! We have been praying about this baby for quite a while and it has been such a blessing to be able to watch all that God has done to answer our prayers. We are so excited about this little guy coming!
Anyway - I thought I'd share some of the fun stuff we did!Her husband, Jon is a pilot. So naturally, the nursery is being done in airplanes. I made the cake to match the quilt.Emily and her mom worked on the Diaper cake and these great flowers made from baby booties! How cute are they????We got a bunch of plain onesies and decorated them with fabric markers. How fun is that?Again - Congratulations Shanon and Jon!