Unity & Prayer

"I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:20b-23.

I was reading this the other day when I noticed for the first time ever that Jesus says, when His people are one THEN the world will know that God has sent Jesus. The "if" "then" nature of that verse struck me. When believers unify, then the world will see Jesus. I was, and still am, very struck by this.

In that same Bible study time I ran across this video series that illustrated this very truth. It's interesting to me how God lays truths on my heart and then faithfully brings things related to that very same topic over and over. (I need MUCH repetition to learn!) Right now, He's continually showing me the power of prayer and unity. This video illustrates its power. I hope you're inspired to forgive and pray fervently after watching it. I know I was. 





 If my people who are called by My name, humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

first days!

 Here's my Jacker on his first day of fourth grade

 Here's Drew on his first day of 6th grade!!  He's in middle school!!  I can't believe it!

Here's Nick who is NOT my little boy...He's finally taller than me.  He is starting his sophomore year.  I can't even believe how big he is.  I've only got three more years left! 

I love my boys!

Psalm 77: a reflection of my heart

Last night we heard from some dear friends of ours who have been fostering a couple girls now for a year and a half. They were told their court date to terminate parental rights had been cancelled and they were instead working the girls back into the home. Having been involved with them for over a year and being friends with the foster parents, I can say with all assurance that going home is NOT a good idea; and in fact would be a tragedy for those girls and a complete failure of the foster system to protect them. These are girls we have grown to love, have prayed for and helped care for so this news was upsetting to say the least. I woke up this morning with this still looming and weighing heavy on my heart. I just cried out to God on their behalf. How can He allow them to go home? How can a family sacrifice so much for them just to have them ripped out of their lives? Its beyond my comprehension. As I was pleading for them I went to Psalms, as I always do, to find my psalm to pray for the morning. This is what God gave me. (He is so good!)

I cry aloud to God,
aloud to God, and He will hear me.

² In my day of trouble I sought the Lord.
My hands were lifted up all night long;
I refused to be comforted.

³ I think of God; I groan;
I meditate; my spirit becomes weak.

Selah

⁴ You have kept me from closing my eyes;
I am troubled and cannot speak.

⁵ I consider days of old,
years long past.

⁶ At night I remember my music;
I meditate in my heart, and my spirit ponders.

⁷ "Will the Lord reject forever
and never again show favor?

⁸ Has His faithful love ceased forever?
Is [His] promise at an end for all generations?

⁹ Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has He in anger withheld His compassion?"

Selah

¹⁰ So I say, "It is my sorrow
that the right hand of the Most High has changed."

¹¹ I will remember the LORD's works;
yes, I will remember Your ancient wonders.

¹² I will reflect on all You have done
and meditate on Your actions.

¹³ God, Your way is holy.
What god is great like God?

¹⁴ You are the God who works wonders;
You revealed Your strength among the peoples.

¹⁵ With power You redeemed Your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

Selah

¹⁶ The waters saw You, God.
The waters saw You; they trembled.
Even the depths shook.

¹⁷ The clouds poured down water.
The storm clouds thundered;
Your arrows flashed back and forth.

¹⁸ The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind;
lightning lit up the world.
The earth shook and quaked.

¹⁹ Your way went through the sea,
and Your path through the great waters,
but Your footprints were unseen.

²⁰ You led Your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

 I thank you dear Father for hearing my cry, and the cry of others. Thank you God that Your way is holy and that no god is great like You. I praise you for You are the God who works wonders; and although my spirit is weak and I am troubled, I know that you are here, walking beside me, the girls, my friends, …but Your footprints are unseen.

Vacation Day #5

On the last day of our vacation, we went to Waterworld.   I didn't take the camera as the heat and water could have ruined the camera.  I will say it was a great park!  It was huge and had tons of fun slides.  Addies hates the water and spent most of the time on the towel.  She screamed when we tried to take her down a little kiddie slide, she was afraid of the little kiddie fountains, and she hated the waves in the wave pool.  The rest of us had a great day, and someday she will learn that the water is fun!  We'll try again next year!

We had a great vacation!!!! 



Vacation Day #4

 On day #4, we went to Elitch Gardens, an amusement park...which my boys LOVE!!

 Just one of the rides at the park

 One of the many rollercoasters there.

 Addie liked riding in her little red wagon...and drinking pop.

 Here she is riding a kiddie ride.  She really did like it, although the photos don't seem to show that! She kept asking to go again!

She seems to be thinking..."What are my parents thinking?!"

 Addie & I on the trian.  Her favorite thing was the merry go round.  She loves horses and riding them made her very happy!!  I didn't get any pictures of that  :(

Vacation Day #3

 On day #3 of our vacation, we went to the Museum of Nature & Science.  We went through a special pirate exhibit they had on display.  There we learned about real pirates and saw treasures salvaged from a pirate ship that sunk over 300 years ago. 

 Looking at pirates coins

 Nick tried on all the pirate stuff from the gift shop. 

 Here are all of my mateys.  Notice Jack, Drew, and Addie put their coins in their eyes and tried to act very pirate-like for the photo.  Very nice.

 Pirate coins...not real, from the gift shop.  Everyone got a coin! 

 This museum is well known for their vast collection of dinosaur bones.  It was impressive.  Here are just a few shots of the bones we saw.

 We all went to the 3D IMAX video, "Under the Sea" at the museum.  Here we are with our 3D glasses.  We're so cool!?!?

 In the wildlife exhibit, Nick decided to try on "deer ears" to see how much better he could hear.  He said the improvement was remarkable. 

(I almost stole them in hopes that he would listen to more than 50% of what I say.)

Addie looking at the Albatross birds.  They were nearly as big as she was!  We had a great day, and learned a ton too! 

(One of the most interesting facts I learned was when the ancient egyptians mummified people, they took a long hook, stuck it up their nose, and pulled their brian out through their nose.  Oh yes...useful information!!!)

Tomorrow...Day #4

Vacation Day #2

While in Breckenridge, we had to go give the alpine slides a try!!!

We then road the chair lift to the top of peak 8 and did some hiking.  The views were absolutely breathtaking and we really enjoyed the 55 degree weather!

Addie was really sleepy...we don't think she felt very good at such high altitudes.  She wasn't herself at all!  She didn't talk or even wiggle...very out of character!

There she is sleeping...You can see the snow on the hill behind us!!  Mark did a great job hiking with a 26 pound baby on his back at high altitudes.  We loved the gorgeous views and fun trails!! 

Day #3...tomorrow!

Vacation Day #1

 We decided that since we weren't going to Korea this year, we'd go on vacation to Colorado.  We spent our frist couple days in Breckenridge.  Here are photos of day #1.  We stayed in a two bedroom Condo in "Tannhauser."

 We ate at a little outside restaurant just off of Main street in Breckenridge.  the weather was perfect!  It was 68 degrees this day! 

 We had a little music to go with our dinner!

 Addie was just playing around.

 The waitress gave the kids Wiki-stix.  The only "kid" who played with them was Nick.  I took photos to prove this!

Here is one of Nick's creations! 

 Here are the boys by the river that runs through Breckenridge.

 Up to no good!!!

Day #2...tomorrow!!!