My Little Shutter Bug

Today was such a delicious day. I was literally soaking in the warm balmy sunshine this afternoon. While Sophia and I were hanging out in our camp chairs, Scott took a few pictures. Then I thought it would be fun to give our little point and shoot camera to Sophia so she could go have some creative moments. She ran around the yard, delighted to have the control of the camera and took some pretty good shots...

The Scooter

Louis continues to grow and change each day and it always surprises us how fast it all has gone by. Right now his new thing is scooting around on the floor. He does this really crazy thing where he does a push up and lifts one foot off the ground and then tries to scrunch his knees up to start crawling but he never seems to get really far with this acrobatic attempt at crawling. He's doing things the hard way I guess (like his mama). He is ferociously gnawing on EVERYTHING in sight but still seems to show no signs of teeth coming in which is really just fine with me! There is nothing so scary to me than nursing a teething child! He still has the sweetest smiles and just loves to be around people. He is a very soothing sweet balm for me and I thank the Lord for him everyday. Sophia is totally in love with him still and is such a super helper. She will run and get clothes, monitor diaper changes, entertains him and makes him laugh. It is such a joy to see the two of them together. If any of you have see the cartoon Ruby and Max this is how I'm guessing the two of them will be in a few years! Sorry no photos of him doing his scooting but its hard to get him in the moment with out him turning to check out the camera....

one thousand gifts

I just finished reading this book and I truly believe the Biblical truth weaved through this woman's life story is changing the way I live my day to day life. I know that may sound dramatic but I really believe the Lord has used her words to bring about real change in my heart. So with that said I am recommending this book to anyone who struggles with worry, fear, anxiety and discontentment. These troubles have really taken a toll on my heart at times and I've always wrestled with these besetting sins. Here is a wonderful tool to move you past the mundane and into the joy of giving thanks.

WORRY

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
January 29, 2011
Dear Aimee,
Worry

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." --Matthew 6:25-28, 31, 33-34


Try this: Go back over these verses and count how many times the Lord uses the word "worry." You'll discover in the span of these few short verses that the Lord Jesus repeats six times, "Do not worry." Talk about driving home a point!

The Lord was wise in repeating His warning so many times. He knows the devastating effects of worrying, how it can corrode your faith like acid. Worry robs you of joy; it steals your hope.

What is worrying you today? A deadline or a diet? A car payment or a gloomy medical report? Repeat one more time your reading of Matthew 6:25-34 and personalize it by putting your name after each time the Lord commands (notice, it's not a suggestion): "Do not worry."

Lord, I admit that I'm so prone to worrying about things that happen in my life. Help me today to trust You. Receive glory as I turn from my anxiety and turn to You. Thank You that Jesus has given me this solemn warning not to worry.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org

Something in the water

This song made me happy today!

The Enemy's Strategy

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
January 17, 2011
The Enemy's Strategy

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
--Psalm 139:14


This morning I was having a rough start getting out of bed. My paralysis was giving me fits. I shook my head and growled, "This body is a pain... I hate it!"

Why was that so awful? Because the Enemy has a deep hatred of my flesh and blood and all I was doing was agreeing with him. He gets a charge when I bad-mouth my body. And he would like to get you to do the same.

Why? Because your body, even underneath wrinkles or fat, and despite the ravages of illness or old age, is made in the image of God. Your heart, mind, hands, and feet are stamped with the imprint of the Creator. Little wonder that the Devil wants you to be ashamed of your body!

This morning I had, once again, to plug my ears against the lies of the Tempter and remember that I am "fearfully and wonderfully made." I rehearsed the old, familiar truth that God has a plan for this flesh and blood of mine. That's why the Devil considers my body a threat-he understands that when I yield to God my body, albeit paralyzed, my feet and hands are powerful weapons against his forces of darkness.

The Devil is only a fallen angel. He is a deceiver. He is doomed for destruction. And until then, he has one goal in mind: your spiritual defeat, emotional malignment, and physical frustration. If he tries to get you to agree with him today... don't.

I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, O Lord.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org

Half A Year Old

A Snowy Monday

What a beautiful snowy day we had yesterday. We had no snow Sunday night when we went to bed but then bright and early Monday morning SNOW! Its been such a joy to see neighbors walking down the street, out talking with one another, kids building snow men and people driving by pulling friends on sleds. Scott whipped together a homemade sled for Sophia and walked her around the yard in it while Louis and I watched on taking in the frosty sights. Today we took our sled for serious sledding down a hill behind Ace Hardware. Sophia wasn't too sure at first but loved it after just a little while.

One of the things I love most about these days are all the memories I have of being in the snow as a child. My brothers use to throw snow right at my face and stuff it down my neck (or was that my Dad?) which always made me really mad! We would go ice skating on the lake by my grandparents house in upstate NJ and watch the men fish in their little huts out on the black ice. I remember one winter going dog sledding around the frozen waters of Lake Placid. I remember thinking about explorers who crossed this frozen country with dog and sled a hundred years ago. Of course I remember the days off from school, when my mom seemed just as excited as we did, sipping hot chocolate after a good tussle in the snow, and the crazy sledding hills we use to climb as kids trying hard not to knock into someone as we careened down the hill. One of my most favorite memories of being out in the snow is the quiet stillness of walking at night, laying myself down in the softness and letting snowflakes melt on my face while I took in the cool crisp air. Since moving down south 5 years ago we've seen little to no snow, but this year it has been different. I am so thankful for the chance to be out in the snow making new winter memories with my little family.

Christmas Cheer

Here are some of the out-takes from our Christmas photo...


I think she was wondering "how many more pictures are you going to take mom?"


He doesn't look too happy


Now she doesn't look so happy


All's well that ends well...even if it is blurry.