Dave & Willy's

We are very thankful for the relaxing evening we had yesterday with friends! After a delicious supper, the kids had fun playing outside
on their great playground...

5 year old Emma

3 year old Sarah

and 5 month old Madelyn!

Sunday

We enjoyed being with Amy & her family between services yesterday, at Mom's. Steve was especially exuberant, of course, with Amy back for the weekend! (Timmy said when he saw this picture: "He's ALWAYS with her whenever he sees her!") Sorry, have to tease just a little.... :) It was good to have Kevin & Carole & their kids with us again too, home from the sunny south! Thanks be to God, our Keeper, for traveling mercies on many of our friends & family recently!

It's Really Spring!

We're enjoying a mild spell! Daniel just marched out decked out in splash pants, all ready for the mud back there -- and I could tell him to leave the door open! Nice to have some fresh air in the house again. Thanks be to God for His great faithfulness!

“While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Winter and summer,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”
Genesis 8:22

Ralph bought me these "Long-Life Tulips"at Costco a couple weeks ago, and they opened a few days ago. They are supposed to last
a couple weeks because they are still attached to the bulbs,
which are sitting on a couple inches of water.
A neat idea! And, of course, they can be planted next fall.

Three Kings

The boys were royally attired this evening...

Isn't it cute how kids really get into things!

TImmy & Andrew enjoyed memorizing this little poem this year:

Work
Anonymous

Work while you work,
Play while you play;
This is the way
To be happy each day.
All that you do,
Do with your might;
Things done by halves
Are never done right.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily,
as to the Lord and not to men,
knowing that from the Lord
you will receive the reward of the inheritance;
for you serve the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3: 23-24

Playdough

Here's a great way to keep ten kids occupied for an hour or so!
We are so thankful & pleased to have Mark & Trish moving onto our street this week. What fun!! and so convenient!
...lots of hard work for them now, though.

Rachel's bears are playing chess.

Maria's snowman (by the way, the kids were out enjoying a snowfall again today)

"Self-Counsel"

It's about time to review some notes from the Biblical Counseling Conference we went to last month.

I'm starting out with some notes from a seminar entitled "Self-Counsel," in which we were reminded by the speaker,
Kevin Carson, that we are to be examining our hearts & lives daily with the penentrating light of God's Word. Naturally, we drift away from Christ-like character, convictions, & conduct. In order that we might live godly, we need daily reminders from those around us -- we must "...exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Heb. 3:13)

Until Christ comes, we are to purify ourselves!
Beloved, now we are children of God;
and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,
but we know that when He is revealed,
we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself,
just as He is pure."
1 John 3:2,3
Here are some helpful practical steps:
1. Choose a problem to deal with:_____________
2. Think about your reasons for choosing to deal with this particular problem in your life right now.
3. To determine your understanding of the problem biblically,
find 3 or more passages that deal with the problem, as well as 3 or more passages that deal with the solution. ("Don't forget GRACE!") (Begin memorizing at least one of these!)
4. What would meaningful headway in this problem area look like?
(Be very specific & concrete.)
5. Be accountable to at least 3 people, who will faithfully ask you questions. (Give honest answers to them!)
6. Keep a journal to track your progress, noting helpful passages, failures & reasons for setbacks, ways to change, etc.

Some searching questions were asked: "What does God want to change in your life? Where is God working! What are you DOING about it?" (THIS is when change actually starts to take place, for until you correct it, you have not changed!)

And here's an encouraging reminder from Paul Tripp another night, speaking on Romans 7. Though our sin is a law, a war, & a prison -- "Who will rescue me? ... I thank God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25) -- there's hope! Christ has come, and He has purchased our redemption. We need the rescuing grace of the Messiah! He broke the power of sin. He was willing to suffer and die, that we can know radical transformation of life. In Christ there is hope. Praise Him!

Frozen Waters

By the breath of God ice is given,
And the broad waters are frozen.
Job 37:10

The American Falls are spectacular in winter as well.
Amazing what the "breath of God" can do!

Rainforest Cafe!

It was Mom's great idea to come to the Rainforest Cafe
for a fun lunch at Niagara. (She's been wanting to take the kids
ever since their birthdays last summer, but it never worked out
until Saturday, which was the perfect opportunity!)
Quite the amazing restaurant! It's worth exploring.
And the "Tribal Feast" that Ralph & I shared is worth trying, too! :)
We watched this cute 1-year-old monkey for a while.

Their snakes & other creatures moved around, and were quite "Scary!" for Daniel at first. He had to hold on tightly to his daddy...

...trumpeting elephants...

"Hi, I'm Bruce!" This actually was a real, live baby shark (about 2 feet long) -- there were two of them in the aquarium! Not too ferocious though -- in fact, they barely moved while we were there.

Niagara Falls!

Yesterday we went to Niagara, with Mom, Charlene, Louise, & Ashleigh. Thanks for making it happen, Mom! It sure was a treat!

The kids loved their swims in the hotel pool!

On the way home this afternoon, we stopped at John & Betty's to see sweet little Joanna. What a blessing from the Lord!!

Our Favourite Pastime!

Rachel just started her first book by G.H. Henty!
Great historical fiction...

Timmy picked up this book today, & plopped into the nearest convenient "seat." :) When I came back to him an hour later, however, he'd moved to a more comfortable chair... and finished half the book!