Scripture Challenge: EXAMPLE

Example... one that serves as a pattern to be imitated. 

I almost chose a different verse to put on here, but went with THIS one because I just love this whole Chapter...  Big night for Jesus.  And he takes the time to wash his disciples feet.  Teaches them to be a servant.  And tells them to follow His example.  I think when people know they are going to die and their time has come, the stuff they are telling you is REALLY REALLY important.  The last opportunity to make you understand what their life's passion was or what they hope for you, etc... of course EVERYTHING Jesus said was REALLY REALL important, but I can't help thinking that he reiterated this stuff at the end for a reason.  Anyways, it's good stuff...

The picture.  It's no secret around here that our family are HUGE Tampa Bay Ray's fans.  It's a comical understatement.  We get it from my husband.  When he was a little boy he LOVED baseball.  Not playing, but listening to the Detroit Tiger's games on the radio.  And talking baseball with his grandma.  I tell you, you haven't lived until you've watched that very tiny little-grandma-lady screaming at baseball players to "get it together!"  Ryan grew up loving the stats the most, not so much a team.  Just the game.  So when we moved to Tampa in 1996, there was talk about an expansion team coming our way and he decided the opportunity was too great to pass up, and decided to jump on board, BIG TIME.  And I went along with him, you know, because we are married:)  Good chance I couldn't even identify a baseball at that time.  We spent many evenings attending games, took our brand-new son to his first MLB baseball game when he was just 8 weeks old (um, it would have been sooner, but that was nearly opening day as it was!), he took our babies by himself when I was working (quite the site to see a father toting a 3 year old, plus baby-girl-in-the-snuggli, and diaper bag to a baseball game by himself, i'm sure!), we've travelled all over the country on Official McGregor Baseball Road Trips to see these Boys play... well, you get the idea.  This is one of the things that defines us as a family.  I'm ok with that.  Because we ALL love it.  It's just one small way we spend time together as a family.  This picture is our little crew (well, of course I took the picture, so you can't see me!) heading across the parking lot to Tropicana Field.  My brother got Ryan his shirt for Christmas.  He's been a fan since 1998...  and those kids?  Well, they were BORN Rays fans!  (I may or may not tell Carly that she was named after Carl Crawford... or Carlos Pena.  Depends on who just got a good hit!  "And that's why we named you after him, Carly!!!"  She may or may not appreciate such information.)

Scripture Challenge: QUIET

I'm a little behind on this challenge... but I really enjoy "researching" the words and finding verses.  This was kind of a hard word for me because I have a REALLY hard time being QUIET!  My Mom is COMPLETELY agreeing, and sending up a quick prayer of THANKS to God for giving me a daughter who talks about as much as I do!! 

What I REALLY wanted to use for a picture was impossible as the church no longer exists.  In 1997 and the first half of 1998, I spent a lot of time praying to God for a very specific reason.  Baby.  We were fortunate that it didn't last longer.  A few infertility treatments and 9 months later, we were the proud parents of a darling baby boy!  But I never forgot praying.  And more specifically, WHERE I prayed.  Ryan was teaching at a Christian school at the time, and his office was right off the church's sanctuary.  What an appropriate name.  While I would wait for him to be done each day, I would "sneak" into the sanctuary and just sit there.  It was usually dark, or very dimly lit.  It was quiet.  In fact, the silence was deafening most days.  It is so rare that I find myself in such quiet!  But I know for me, that is what I need to really focus and NOT be distracted.  Quiet.

This picture was the NEXT thing that came to mind... our family member, Miggy.  Enjoying a quiet, afternoon nap.  He just looks so peaceful.  14 years of doing nothing will do that to you, I guess!

I love this verse, but I think it might be one of the hardest verses to actually DO!  I really love the verse that comes a few before:

Delight yourself also in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Black and White Mother's Day

Mother's Day... we are so thankful my parents are home from Israel for a few months!   We had a fun day celebrating Mother's Day and my Mom's birthday, which was actually in March.  Her favorite store is Coldwater Creek and this is what they give you when you purchase a gift card there.  You know, to wrap it in.  Which would have been fine, except my BROTHER chose to "trump" me, by giving her the SAME EXACT gift the day BEFORE.  So then I felt OBLIGATED to at least upgrade my packaging, if I couldn't upgrade the gift.  Childish?  I'm ok with that. 

I'm on a sort of Black and White kick these days... thanks to the K&Company paper pack I got.  And I'm glad this is Mom's favorite store because then I have access to lots of these little boxes and bags to alter! 

Here are her Mother's Day and Birthday cards... the one on the left is actually a paper pack I picked up at Ross.  Did you know they sell scrapbooking/cardmaking supplies?  Who knew?  Over by the books.  For REALLY cheap:)  The card on the right has Stampin'Up! stamps and Basic Grey patterned paper (2nd Favorite!... Um, #1 Cosmo Cricket, #3 K&Company.  I know you were dying to know).

And the card Carly made for her Grammy.  She had fun heckling me for items.  I think she's pretty clever!

*side note: My brother did NOT hand make any cards.  I'm just saying.  Sibling Rivalry NEVER gets old:)