simply grateful

Reason #3348889 why my life rocks.   Dancing kiddo's on a Saturday morning. 

Ke bo Kae. ¿Cuánto cuesta? Combien? These are translations of some of the first words I learn wherever my travels take me. They mean, “how much?” They are the words that came to mind as I was recently reading Luke 9:55 and following. The title given to that passage of Scripture is “The Cost of following Jesus”. I struggled with the exchange rate on our recent trip to Zambia. Currently one US dollar is equal to 4,838.87 Zambian Kwacha’s. I have been used to exchange rates that are a little easier to convert, for example, 7 Pula for 1 US dollar. So, whenever we were in Zambia it took quite a bit of time for me to think about what the actual cost of something was and if it was worth it. There are many “costs” to following Jesus. In Luke 9:57-62 Jesus gives us three of them. It may cost you your attachment to your home. It may cost you your attachment to your family. It will cost you time and effort as you follow Christ. Notice that Jesus is not telling these to the “spiritually elite”...

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy had his team fitted for their Super Bowl rings on February 5th… the day BEFORE the Super Bowl. It was a bold move he made to motivate his team that seemed to work! The 45th Super Bowl was a great one that we will remember for probably… two or three years. Not to be negative, but how many of us even remember who played three years ago in the Super Bowl? Before an impending battle in The Gladiator, the main character Maximus says, “Brothers, what we do in this life echoes in eternity.” Another great motivational ploy, but simply not true. Only things of eternal value echo in eternity. Bragging rights about Super Bowl victories vanish with a new season. The new car smell is only temporary. The promotion and raise at work only satisfies for so long. None of those things have eternal value. I have heard someone say, “Evaluate your day by thinking what you have done that had eternal significance.” Let me encourage you to take it one step further. In...

18...that is a good amount of anything...18 kids, 18 cupcakes, 18 percent increase, $18 would get us to the movies :)... Today marks 18 years since I really surrendered to God...this is why I am so grateful.  All that I have is because of Him.  Anything good in me is because of Him.  My life has never been the same since this day 18 years ago... My story, like so many others, is a story of one who was transferred from a life of darkness and confusion to a life of light and hope. I grew up knowing about the Lord. I remember going to Sunday School and Vacation Bible Schools. As an adolescent, I participated regularly in a great youth group at church. All throughout my growing up years, I can look back and see ways that God wove His truth into my life through people and experiences. I knew about God and Jesus.  I knew stories. I sang songs.  I even prayed "the prayer", but I didn't know them personally. It was all action and no heart... In high school an...

Not really. :)  I am ok that this snow happened about two weeks ago.  I mean, it is definitely beautiful but I am not really a fan of being cold.  With so many friends around the country getting snowed in, I wanted to share in the fun of snow pictures... The kids were so excited!  They loved trying to catch the snowflakes on their tongues.  Going for rides with Daddy in our laundry basket...er.."sled"  Eating the snow...  Cutest snow angels ever... being spun in circles!   David had fun too... and around...and around...   by my Prince Charming...  Makayla trying to pull Elijah...not so effective!  This is how Karissa rolls... She bends over like a duck to the step...  to get a bite of snow...  apparently she was tired of her hands being cold...but she still looks cold.  Don't worry...we went in shortly after!  This is Mama Petro's favorite way to play in the snow. :)   Karissa was still busy eat...

Here are some of the things I have in the workboxes for the week.  Again, most of my ideas are modified from http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/ and http://www.starfall.com/ . I've also recently added "Teach Preschool" on facebook and there are tons of great ideas every day.       

We have had many comments and questions about the books shown in the blog entry below.  Here are links to the two books we use with the kids: The Bible: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1400308313&dept_id=11375&TopLevel_id=120000&title=The_Illustrated_Bible-ICB The Book on Missions: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932805915/ref=oss_product