The Nephews

Roasting marshmallows... isn't that what everyone does on Easter weekend?!

Dylan has learned to wink!

Waiting for the Easter story with ressurrection eggs...

Mason blowing bubbles (or tasting them)...

Easter Week

I love Easter! Some of my favorite things about Easter are the beautiful flowers, pink Peeps, visiting with family, and of course, buying a new dress. But the most amazing thing about Easter is what Jesus did for us on the cross. As you prepare for Easter this week, think about God's great love for you as He sacrificed His Son, Jesus, on the cross. He died just for you! This is from James MacDonald...


The Cross of Christ
"For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

The cross of Jesus Christ is the signature symbol of the central event in the history of civilization. Yet, today we depict the cross as common. Jewelers pound it into all sorts of finery so we can staple crosses to our ears and wear them around our necks. Merchandisers manufacture this symbol of unlimited atonement into fuzzy things for our rearview mirrors or decorations for our gardens. From teacups to T-shirts, people have used the cross to corner the market on crassness. Department stores hawk chocolate-covered crosses for Holy Week. Baseball players and businessmen cross themselves before a big moment. The cross itself has become big business, but it was never intended to be some lucky trinket. This is profanity in the truest sense. Is it any surprise we have lost the wonder of what happened on Calvary?

The resurrection of Christ was the event that accomplished salvation and verified Christ's victory over death, but it was the cross of Jesus Christ that showed us the grace of God. Everything that God wants us to know about Himself comes together in those crossbeams.

Our entire purpose in life is to elevate the Cross. Think on Jesus Christ there. In your mind's eye, picture Him stretched out against the sky. What's He doing up there? Answer: He's subbing for you and me. He's taking God's wrath for your sin. He's satisfying the just demands of a holy God. He's paying the price that God's holiness requires so that you and I can be forgiven. In the place where our blood should have stained the ground, Jesus hung as our substitute.

You can't understand the Gospel until you understand this idea of substitution. Jesus’ death was in the place of every person who has ever lived. I am in that line. You are too. Each of us deserves to die in payment for our own sin, but Jesus stepped in and took that penalty for each of us.

A Little Family Time

My family was able to come and spend the day with us on Saturday- despite the snow! We had a great time visiting together and always wish we had more time. We are so thankful for a loving family!

Savannah Getaway

We went to visit Yancy's family in Savannah this weekend. We love hanging out with them, so it was great to have the whole weekend. We had such a fun time! We enjoyed walking downtown beside the river and listening to street musicians, eating warm pralines and bear claws from River Street Sweets, and, of course, Saturday morning's "special" breakfast. Thanks, Paul and Cindy, for letting us visit! Now it's your turn!

Give Thanks to the Lord...

for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:1 I'm feeling very humbled today by God's goodness in our lives. He has continued to show His faithfulness and prove His great love for us. We don't always understand what God's doing, but we know that He's working it all out for His glory and our good. He is good! He is faithful! Thanks for continuing to pray for us and encourage us.

Waffle House of Love!

Yancy and I celebrated Valentine's Day tonight in our traditional way... at Waffle House. It's become our favorite holiday tradition. Notice the heart-shaped waffle and ketchup... subtle, huh? Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Yancy and I spent our first Christmas at home this year. We usually are on the go, visiting lots of family... whom we love so much! But this year, we got to see everyone over the weekend, which allowed us to come home for Christmas Day. Last night, we went to a Christmas Eve service at our church. I think it was the beginning of a new tradition for us. We enjoyed it so much. Today we slept in, ate a big breakfast, opened presents, and watched Christmas movies all day. Yancy kept a fire going all day and we even roasted a few marshmallows. We realized today that this will probably, and hopefully, be our last quiet Christmas. Next year will be a lot more exciting with our little one here and we are so looking forward to it. Anyway, I hope that you all enjoyed your Christmas Day, however you may have spent it. And most importantly, I hope you celebrated the true meaning of Christmas... the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

(On a side note, I dropped the camera and broke it on Saturday, so that's the reason we don't have any pictures. I'm very sad about it!)