Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Spring is here . . . .

This year we took this kids to the river outside of town for our
 Spring Cherry Blossom Pictures.
It was cloudy and looked like it could rain at any moment.
We were able to get some pictures of the kids and the beautiful country of Japan!

 
 
 
 
Cristy, Noah (14), Rachal (13), Jonah (10), Eli (8), Mike

 

Rachal 13 years old

 
 
Jonah 10 years old


 
 
Eli 8 years old


 
 
Noah 14 years old


Noah "looking manly"
 
 
 
 


Saturday, March 23, 2013

A good ol' foot washn'

Easter is coming quickly.  In preparation, I have been reading in the Gospels about the weeks and days leading up to the cross.

Last Sunday Mike preached from John 13. 

Jesus is washing the disciples feet.

Let me say that again ...

Jesus is washing the disciples feet.

As we were reading through the verses.  I was drawn back to verses 6-10. 

Then cometh he to Simon Peter:
and Peter saith unto him,
Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
 Jesus answered and said unto him,
What I do thou knowest not now;
but thou shalt know hereafter.
 Peter saith unto him,
Thou shalt never wash my feet.
Jesus answered him,
 If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Simon Peter saith unto him,
Lord, not my feet only,
but also my hands and my head.
Jesus saith to him,
He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet,
 but is clean every whit:
and ye are clean, but not all.

At first Peter does not want Jesus to wash his feet.  Jesus explains that if He does not wash Peters feet, then Peter can have nothing to do with him.  So then Peter says, "OK Lord, don't just wash my feet but wash all of me."  The Lord then explains that Peter is "clean, but not all."  Peter is saved.  His sinners have been forgiven.  He has been washed by blood of the Lamb.  Peter does not need to washed all over again. (once saved always saved)  BUT Peter does need his feet washed.

What does that mean?

What does that mean to ME?

Everyday we live in this dirty {sinful} world. 
Everyday we walk around with dirty {sinful} people. 
Everyday we let self {sin} get in our way - get on us.

Snapped at my husband {got a little dust on my feet}
Bragged to a friend about how awesome I am {got a little dust on my feet}
Told a little lie {got a little dust on my feet}
Looked at that car my friend drives and wished it was mine {got a little dust on my feet}

The list could go on.

I say my prayers.  I ask for forgiveness, but how long has it been since I sat down and asked Jesus to wash my feet.  To just sit there and let the One who died for me, take a rag and a bowl of water and wash my feet.  To wipe off the dust and dirt of this world.  How long has it been since I really thought about what this means?  Tears come to my eyes now, as I picture my little feet in the nail scared hands of Jesus. 




Wash my feet Jesus. 
Wash away
the selfishness,
the pride,
and the sin
I walk around in. 
Wash my feet and make me clean.
Amen





 

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Adventrues is shopping!!!

Saturday afternoon, Rachal and I went out for some "Girl Time".  We headed up to Mr. Donut for a snack and then over to Eco Mall to do some shopping. 

Eco Mall is a resale shop.  They have everything and anything that someone else does not want.  Growing up we always spent our Saturday mornings going to yard sales.  I love the idea of finding a good bargain.  A good deal. Just knowing that I found a treasure.
 
One mans junk is another mans treasure.
 
Well Saturday afternoon we found a good deal. 
We found a たこやき (takoyaki) maker.
 
Being from Texas, we all love tacos. 


These are Texas tacos.
 
In Japan they love TAKO too.
 
This is Japanese tako.
Octopus!!!

Here are some pictures of our first try at making たこやき・
 


Turning them over is very tricky.

 
 
Disclaimer: 
We did not use octopus this time. 
We used hot dogs and cheese. 
Baby steps, people. 
Baby steps.
 
 
On our way home from the Eco Mall we stopped at the store for a few groceries. 
Milk, bread, juice . . . .
 
We stopped at another store on the way home.
We came outside and found that a big black crow had taken a bite of our bread.
 
This crow had a great time eating our bread.

He ate through the store bag,
the bread bag and
then enjoyed taking a bite from all 6 slices of bread!!
What a little stinker!!!