The New Kids

There are four...

... they are precious.

What a snug little nest! Curio is such a good mama. :)

The Wonder of New Life

The dear little "Kitty Mama" birthed her second litter of kittens in the early hours of thismorning! They are all doing quite well.
It's an incredibly precious sight... a small mound of fuzzy bodies, all brand spanking new, each with a whole nine lives ahead of them.
I hope to have pictures posted before too long!
Always,
me

Temporary Hospital

Dear Friends,
First off, I want to apologize for not having posted the promised pictures yet. We do have some very... er, um, interesting ones from the state tournament. They might not be what anyone is expecting. ;) Those will come soon (I hope), so keep checkin' back!
I would really appreciate it if you would keep our family in your prayers, as nearly everyone here in our house is sick. Several of the little ones are battling with croup, and have also been running steady fevers for the last couple of days. Thankfully, Joshua was well enough to return to school today! Megan is just all-over feeling crummy, and so is our dear Mama. Daddy is struggling with a bit of a head cold (as am I), but it hasn't stopped him from going in to the office.
Last night, Megan told me that I am not allowed to get sick because I have to keep taking care of the rest of them! :) I guess it's good practice for being a nurse someday.
I need to get on with the new day...
Blessings to you all!
In Christ,
ashley l.

State Tournament

Hello All!
Just thought I'd let you know that tomorrow and Saturday the Rolla Royals volleyball teams will be playing in the state tournament! We are heading down to Springfield early in the morning. Varisty will play all day Friday (our first game is at 9am), and the JV will play during the day Saturday.
Hopefully I'll come home with pictures to show. :)
Always,
me

Basketball and My Brother

Sorry about the horrible color of these shots! I was not actually at this game, and the person who took the photos was experiencing some camera trouble.

Josh, the point guard.

"It's all I do. Everyday." ~ Colin W.

Alida, Sherry, Twila, Colin... you guys are amazing. Thanks for being my classmates! (not that you have a choice. lol)

When God Ran

Almighty God, the great I Am
Immovable Rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings
Might conqueror, and the only time - the only time I ever saw Him run

CHORUS:
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again"
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
"Son, do you know I still love you?"
He caught me by surprise - when God ran

The day I left home I knew I'd broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time - it was the only time I ever saw Him run

And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again"
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
"Son, do you know I still love you?"
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran - I saw Him run to me

BRIDGE:
I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He'd been waiting for this day
I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again"
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again

He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again"
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said "Son", He called me Son
He said "Son, do you know I still love you?"
He ran to me and then I ran to Him
When God ran

This is from the CD by Phillips, Craig and Dean called "Restoration" - it's one of our family's favorites! The music to this song is wonderful, and the lyrics are so meaningful as they speak of our Father's amazing love and forgiveness.

Little Guy

Climbing stairs is hard work for some!

A Name Only God Knows ~ by Max Lucado

"Can't say I've given a lot of thought to my given name. Never figured it made much difference. I do recall a kid in elementary school wondering if I were German. I said no. 'Then why do you have a German name?' I didn't even know Max was German. He assured me it was. So I decided to find out.
'Why did you name me Max?' I asked Mom when I got home. She looked up from the sink and replied, 'You just looked like one.'
Like I say, I haven't given much thought to my name. But there is one name that has caught my interest lately. A name only God knows. A name only God gives. A unique, one-of-a-kind, once-to-be-given name.
What am I talking about? Well, you may not have known it, but God has a new name for you. When you get home, he won't call you Jamie or Stephanie or Carlos of Juanita. The name you've always heard won't be the one he uses. When God says he'll make all things new, he means it. You will have a new home, a new body, a new life, and you guessed it, a new name.
'I will give some of the hidden manna to everyone who wins the victory. I will also give to each one who wins the victory a white stone with a new name written on it. No one knows this new name except the one who receives it.' (Rev. 2:17)
Isn't it incredible to think that God has saved a name just for you? One you don't even know? We've always assumed that the name we got is the name we will keep. Not so. Imagine what that implies. Apparently your future is so promising it warrants a new title. The road ahead is so bright a fresh name is needed. Your eternity is so special no common name will do.
So God has one reserved just for you. There is more to your life than you ever thought. There's more to your story than what you've read. There's more to your song than what you've sung. A good author saves the best for last. A great composer keeps his finest for the finish. And God, the author of life and composer of hope, has done the same for you.
The best is yet to be."

The Heart of Jesus

"Jesus was a teller of parables on this earth, and his stories reached into the very heart of his listeners. Can you find yourself in the parable of the lost sheep? Are you one of the ninety-nine, safe in the fold of faith? Or are you the wanderer, the stray, the outsider?
This one lonely straggler, stumbling in the darkness with jumbled emotions and mounting fears. With wistful eyes and tear stained cheeks, you walk aimlessly. Uncertain of your path, you wish for the shepherd's guiding staff.
Limping, you long for the shepherd's gentle touch.
Then your ears turn at the sound of a voice, calling your name.
Relief floods your weary heart as the shepherd lifts you onto his shoulders. Tears of gratitude fill your eyes as he tends to your bumps and bruises. The Scripture says that we all, like sheep, have gone astray.
But Jesus calls to us, cares for us, and carries us home."

~from Experiencing the Heart of Jesus by Max Lucado

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"He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and my sheep know me. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."

~ Words of our Master from John chapter 10

Youth Group Service Project/Party

Hello and welcome to the Birthright mailer, here at my grandma's house.

1.

2.

3.

Don't ask... it was one of those weird guy games.

Hard workin' guys...

supervised by Mrs. Stickler :)

A game of "Spoons"

Dinner in the garage

Nice, Leon...

Hi Kelsey!

How many people can you fit around a coffee table??