Autumn Colors

These pics were all taken the same day :)

And, because I can't help it, pics of my marvelous boys too :D

When You Have A Cold...

Maybe you'll be lucky enough to have a mama crazy enough to let you lick out the empty honey jar while lying on the couch...

Or maybe you'll hang out on the exercise machine just cause you'd rather not lie down but you really want something to lean on...
Or maybe, when your littlest boy says it sure would be nice to have some toast with his tea for breakfast, then a moment later says hot soup to dip it in would be even better; you decide that making bread and soup would be a fantastic way to spend the morning... ;-)

Ephesians 1 in The Message

I, Paul, am under God's plan as an apostle, a special agent of Christ Jesus, writing to you faithful Christians in Ephesus. I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.


How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people--free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free--signed, sealed and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.

That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the Christians, I couldn't stop thanking God for you--every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask--ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory--to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him--endless energy, boundless strength!

All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

Another Week, Another Race

We had a fun time watching the cyclocross races today. It started out raining, after the first two races the sun came out to warm us. Nate says of this first pic, "I'm still smiling, must've been the first lap." Which it was :)

The mud was very sticky, followed by stretches of gravel which stuck to the mud and built up on tires and other parts. There were a lot of broken bikes today. Many of the racers carried their bikes through the stickiest stretches.
Third lap, walking instead of jogging, getting tired.

Cowbells, along with shouts and various other vocalizations, are used to encourage the riders on to greater efforts. Some serious bell ringing going on here...

Brannon amused himself with trying to break open horse chestnuts on the pavement

The second race proceeded a bit faster than the first, with faster riders and a more packed track.

Love that smile :)

Third race. I loved these lines: the riders, the numbers, the fence posts, and more numbers.

A good friend of came along for the morning. The boys definitely enjoyed his company

A little rest anyone?

Trying to keep up with the big kids...good thing he had that little lounge...and good thing Zach will wait for him ;)

Bear in the lead

Over the barriers

Finding entertainment

Of course, hills equal sliding...especially if it's wet out

Finding agates

My fav pic of the day as far as photography goes...love the flying mud and the bright jersey. Not a bad second place finish either, especially for being up most of the night.

Beautiful smile

And last but not least, the results of sliding down muddy hills. Hopefully there's a towel in the car to cover the seat with... ;-)

Halloween Outreach Pics

We didn't actually take pictures once the people started flowing by, but we did get a few pics of costumes and setting up the canopy etc.
Me and my highlander--
Bear and Danita getting the "encouraging words" booth ready

Don and Danita came as the king and queen representing the King of Kings. I wish I had a pic of the full get-up :)

Tracy was my pirate buddy. Treasure hunters!

Elizabeth, Zach, and Lydia

The pirates hanging out together. Apparently Nate kept trying to get a candid and we kept walking away. The trials of being a photographer *sigh*

Special thanks goes out to Matt (sorry it's to the back of your head;) and Emily (who's pic I do not have) for all your hard work setting this whole thing up!

Enjoying our Heavenly Daddies touch before we get started.

We handed out lots of candy, hot chocolate and cider. Told lots of people how much the King of Kings, Jesus loves them, saw many faces light up in the encouraging words tent. Saw two physical healings. Enjoyed marvelous fellowship with one another. And spread a lot of Light around. Good times :)

Cyclocross Pics

Being the end of October it was a costume race. Nate went as a hula girl, courtesy of his mom's costume stash. Somewhat to my surprise most of the men wore feminine costumes. There was a cheerleader, pink bathrobe and curlers, ballerina and others. Slightly disturbing overall. But funny...
Wrecked and lost the skirt a quarter of the way through the first lap

A friend of ours, Don, dressed as a hillbilly

Joshua went up to him before the race started and said "I see you are dressed as a farmer" He was duly corrected.

The caveman is the only other competitor in Nate's class, gender and age group

His name is Jess McCloud and Nate is scheming to convince him to race in a kilt, I think because he wants to wear one and would like the company

Good thing little boys have grandmas to provide them with lots of snacks on such occasions ;)

Watching the second race

I had to leave before the third race because of a tired Joshy. Nate got a few pics.

I think Bear was the only one wearing a costume in this group. Captain Pistis (pistis is the name of their cycling team).