Preaching to the Choir

Naomi and Johnathan love the choir at church. The act like they are spotting celebrities when the choir files in on Sunday mornings - "Mommy, look! It's the choir! The choir is coming!" This afternoon they were holding a little choir practice of their own while I took some blog pictures. Listen in...

Did you see the "heavenly" glow Johnathan took on as he sings? I know I think he's a little angel (most of the time!), but it was actually just the sun coming from behind a cloud through the stained glass window!

You can almost hear the harp music, can't you!

What I learned from my pastor... 10-25

Kevin was in Colossians 3:1-15 this morning, preaching about putting off sin and putting on the qualities that reflect Christ in our lives. I always think of my friend, mentor, and partner in ministry, Linda, when I read this passage, because she and I memorized it together a few years ago. Kevin pointed out that making yourself accountable to a brother or sister in Christ is so important in the continual process of putting off old sinful habits and putting on the character of Christ. So it was also meaningful for him that our friend Kendell, Kevin's accountability partner from Casper, was visiting us this weekend!

Kevin shared a fun illustration of this passage with a pumpkin this morning which can be a fun family activity for this time of year. He said we are like pumpkins, and on the inside, we're full of sin - goopy, and, if you ask Naomi, pretty stinky.

When Christ saves us, He begins the process of cleaning out the inside. But it is a process that takes time and work. It requires cutting into the heart with the "sword" of the Word. With the new, clean inside, He puts in His light. He uses his word and His plan to carve character into us. And when He carves out the character, His light shines through us.

This pumpkin is extra joyful!

Singing in the Rain

Sometimes, one of those hard days comes along - gray skies, grumpy hearts, too much to do and no motivation to do it. What to do? Today, we tried just going out in the rain. A little fresh air and some weed pulling helped.

And after the rain comes...

Mud! But that's okay. I'll mop the floors tomorrow.

Roses and Blue Bells

On Thursday we went to Independence and Brenham, where we checked out the Antique Rose Emporium, The Blue Bell factory, and Washington-on-the-Brazos, where Texas declared independence from Mexico.


Milking the Blue Bell cow


Yum! Ice Cream!



With Grandma and Grandpa at the Blue Bell factory

Posing by the "yellow roses of Texas"

We've had a fun with with Grandma and Grandpa Boaz! Naomi and Johnathan have loved showing them around our new home!

What I learned from my pastor... 10-18

My pastor introduced the topic this morning - a little break from Colossians - about spiritual transformation. Then he handed the sermon over to his dad, who also happens to be a gifted pastor! Pastor John (aka Dad) taught from Romans 12:2 and II Corinthians 3:18 and 4:16. Spiritual transformation is a process that takes time and energy. Thankfully, though our bodies are wasting away over time, our souls, when they belong to Christ, are being renewed and stregthened over time. Spiritual transformation requires energy, too - but it is the "renewable energy" provided by the Holy Spirit. We were encouraged and challenged to rely on the Spirit and renew our minds daily, focus on eternal things and use the plentiful "stuff" God has given us to invest in spiritual things, and surrender everything to Him.

Can't get enough of Austin!

It was back to Austin on Monday, but this time we got to pick up Kevin's parents for their first trip to our new home! Thanks to our lovely GPS, we took the World's Most Random Route from Kurten to the Austin Airport, weaving through tiny towns, residential alleys, and vastly unpopulated country roads. It was an adventure, but one that quickly became less fun near the end thanks to my venti caramel macchiato!

First stop: Lunch at Green Mesquite (BBQ, of course). This is probably my favorite BBQ place so far - the pulled pork is fantastic!

Walking in the footsteps of Food Network's Guy Fieri


Yum!

Then we went to Zilker Park to ride the train (our family should get frequent rider miles, or something!)


After that, we took a locals' recommendation to go to the botanical garden across the street. It was so beautiful and very peaceful - or at least it was before our highly enthusiastic children entered it!

Welcome to Texas! The shape of our state is everywhere, from waffles to botanical gardens!


In the butterfly garden

This is a Dr. Seuss tree if I ever saw one!

Naomi was the princess of camera poses on this trip

Just beautiful!

And to top our day off, we went to the Capitol.

Tut, tut... Looks like rain! Or at least a good time for Johnathan to try out his new dinosaur umbrella! (Or as he says, "my berella")

Inside the Capitol building

And outside

Future legislators? I don't know, but they did enjoy hearing the sound of their own voices echo off the walls. That's rather politician-like, right? Wow, they were loud!

Playing in Austin

After Johnathan's doctor's appointment in Austin, we needed a little family play time. Zilker Park is not far from the doctor's office, and it has tons of fun stuff to do.
We had some ice cream at the gorgeous Barton Springs and rode the Zilker Zephyr, a miniature train that goes along the creek. Johnathan was thrilled by the fire truck at the play-
ground and they both loved the ship play area.

After playing, we continued our tour of Southeast Texas BBQ joints by trying out Salt Lick BBQ - very good! In the absence of Naomi's standard chicken nuggets, she tried ribs.

Except for being a bit flabbergasted that she was eating "the bone of a pig," she loved it!