I am trying to remember to cherish the little things of life. 
We just buried our dear grandma Elizabeth Nisly.  Not really our grandma, but one of our dear grandmas of our church.  I guess it's true.  You never really know who is watching you for an example, a piece of encouragement, or a good laugh in my case.  I watched Elizabeth a lot over the years.  I learned an awful lot too!  Seems so strange that she will no longer be there when I glance over at the other side of the church in her special bench. 
Seeing Elizabeth pass on over to heaven makes one think about how short life really is!
She has encourage me to enjoy the little things in life. 
I just have to share a little thing in life that happened here over the past few days. 
I have had 2 little boys with shooting behinds.  (I don't think I've cleaned the carpets this thoroughly in years!)
For two weeks they have had the shoots...and a few out the mouth too!  EWWWW! 
3 days ago I heard............."MOM, MOM"  from the bathroom.  I went a running.  "Yes Reuben?" 
Reuben is 5. ( I was visualizing another blow-out running down both legs.)  "Mom, I pooped solid." (With a great big grin on his face.)  Oh the little things in life!  Then this past Friday, when we were trying to get things ready for a consignment sale and a funeral I hear Simon on the steps going up to the youth room.  "MOM!"  I went running again envisioning the worst.  I get to the stairs and and say "Yes Simon."  He's standing there with thumbs up and says,  "I farted." I sigh.  He keeps grinning.  "And it was dry!"  Simon is 4.  Party!!!!!!  I know, I know, what a gross thing to write about.  But you should have seen all the high 5's and the hugs galor.  There was a major celebration!  If we were that excited about a few dry pants can you imagine what kind of celebration is going on in heaven over a saint coming home? Now I share these together because I can just see grandma Elizabeth head back laughing about these two little guys.  She always laughed with those who laughed and comforted those who wept.
We'll miss Elizabeth.
And if any of her family sees this...just know that we are praying for you all. 
Hugs.
~mama

The coolest thing happened last night. 
We had a basketball awards banquet.  All the teams and their families gathered together to recap the year and celebrate the fun we had together.  This was our first time to attend anything like this with our kiddos. 
Allyson and Mason were given a folder.  This folder had their very own Sabres program, with their statistics for the year in them, a cd with pictures, their letter, "S", for Sabres, a basketball pin and a bar.   Then each coach was to pick one child from each team to give the "Christian Character Award" to.  Would you believe it that Mason received this award for the Jr. High boys basketball team?  WE ARE SO PROUD OF HIM!  
The first thing he said was, "Jeremy deserves this more than I do." 
It's so cool to see "fruit" from your kids! 
So for those of you still in the throws of toddlerhood ...........hang in there.  It will come, just keep perservering!  We thought that these days would never get here.  Guess what, just like all my friends before me said, "It goes by quicker than you think!"  Keep training and keep smiling! 
The other cool thing that happened was today.  Mason got his deer mount back today.  Couldn't wipe him off the ceiling if you tried!    A huge thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for doing that for him! 
We are just a kickin and a grinnin.   
Thanks for stopping by and letting mama brag. 
Hope you have a great day. 
Hugs.
~mama

This past Sunday we were studying the invitation that Jesus sent out to his banquet.  We were looking at the wise and unwise of this passage.  It was interesting to see how Jesus sent out his invitation to those who knew about religion and they didn't attend.  Then after their excuses he sent it out to those who weren't of religion.  He sent it out to the lame, the sick and the poor.  If we think of ourselves as self-sufficient are we of the religion?  If we see the need in ourselves of how we need Jesus to lead and guide us in our life we are like the latter group.  We understood the call of the invitation was to be salvation.  But if you have already received that salvation what is invitation that the Lord is asking us to respond too?  We discussed and decided that he is asking us to stop making excuses for the invitation that may be different for each of us, yet alike.  The invitation is to listen to his still small voice and do what is right in his eyes. (holiness)  Same as it is an invitation to to holiness, yet different, because each of us have things to lay down. 
"If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commmands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you."  (didn't look up reference, sorry.)
The thing is we have to do the listening ourselves.  No one can do it for us and we can't do it for anyone else. 
I just loved the challenge this presented to me this week.  Listen carefully, because HE loves us and wants the very best for us, and do what is right in His sight and there will be blessings.  Oh to receive HIS blessings! 
We are so privileged to serve a Risen Savior! A Living God! 
May God richly bless your Easter Celebrations! 
~mama