Katelyn is 3!

Katelyn turned 3 a couple of weeks ago. She actually got to have 2 parties this year. He actual birthday was while we were on vacation with Dan's family, so we had a celebration then.

When we got home, we had another party for my family and Katelyn's friends. They had a ball! My parents bought a bouncy house and slide combo and we put up a little kiddie pool and the kids went to town. I must admit that the game Elefun was by far the hit of the party.

Everyday Blessings

Do you ever just sit back and think about all God has blessed you with? In Middle School this past week our Sunday school lesson was on Job. I thought a lot about the blessings in his life, yet how they weren't the basis of his worship of the Lord. So often we (or I should say I) let the little trials (and sometimes big ones too) get in the way of my worship. It's so easy to take the focus off the Father and put it on the problem. That's so not where it needs to be. When I do that, I become selfish and self-centered and I can't truly worship when I'm focused on myself (well I do worship, but I worship myself instead of God).

God is so good to me and my family. Is life easy? In one word, NO. But that doesn't change the face that God is so gracious. It might not be materially, but we have a healthy family, we live near our extended family (which many in ministry cannot say), we have wonderful friends and co-workers. It is more than we could ever ask for or deserve. One of the things I shared with the girls this morning was how God doesn't bring the trials in our lives, but He does allow them. They might be horrible, but God is using those horrible things to make something good. he promised in Rom. 8:28, and He CANNOT lie. That's a huge comfort and peace to me.

I say all of that to make the point that God has shown me that there are blessings even the middle of a trial. It can be easy to look over if you're not paying attention. inners with friends, evenings in the park with your kids, time spent with parents/grandparents, witnessing 41 decisions in a church service on a holiday weekend, and that's just today! Hearing your daughter tell you she loves for you to read to her at night, listening to her pray for her "best friend who was wearing a red shirt," even her complaining she wants to wear a different outfit to dinner (at least she has more than one option).

I challenge you to take a few minutes and think about those little blessing in life. I'd love to hear (well, read) some of the things you're thankful for.