Isaiah 54:10

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you."

Think about those words.

Revel in the love of God. 

It is too wonderful for words...

God. The creator of the universe. The King of everything. He loves you. 

Forever.

Thanksgiving

"So gratitude should be an every-moment, every-hour, every-day, lifetime event. Will we ever run out of things to be thankful for? Not a chance..."

~Nancy Leigh DeMoss

I am so thankful for everything. My God; for giving me a purpose to live, being able to trust Him completely, in and through everything. And knowing that He can fulfill every desire of my heart.

As far as little things go...here are a couple things I am thankful for;

• the color Fuchsia Pink
• knowing that warmth will come
• the laughter of my family around the table
• being able to sing
• my Bernina
• babies
• my journal
• simply the joy of living life

I quickly asked my family a couple things they're thankful for (the ones that are home right now that is)

Dad-- "Do I have to narrow it to one thing?" My wife, my family and God's word which "is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."

Mom -- For my children--and all being together again

Josh -- "Many things..."  Freedom

Me -- (above)

Esther -- God that is good all the time. My wonderful family. My best friends

Phillip -- Nebraska football/basketball

John --  Sisters

Stephen -- Sports

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness;

 come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is He who made us, and we are His;

we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; 

give thanks to Him and praise His name. 

For the LORD is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations."

Psalm 100

Nebraska and Basketball

Things have been good here in there wonderful state of Nebraska! I love it!

I often think about the ocean and the amazingness of it. The waves, the sun, the sand, the beauty. Then my thoughts will wander to the mountains--the splendor, the invigorating hikes, the completely-take-your-breath-away view from the top. (I really can't decide which I like better) And then I think about where I live--the flat, the gorgeous sunrises, the big open sky, the corn fields, the family and friends who live all around me. It seems boring so "the same" compared to other places...but it's home and though I don't know if it always will be, I do know that it will hold a special place in my thoughts!

Where do you live?!? Yes, this requires a little action on your part--it's not hard, just click comment and tell me about the amazing place you call home.

Yep, we're in a gym! And believe it or not this begins our 11th year of watching basketball. I guess that's what comes when you have 7 very athletic brothers. All of them that live at home--5 of them--are in basketball this fall. And I'm excited to cheer for them.

There has been many a game when I've cheered myself hoarse. Buzzer-beaters are. the. best. If you have never experienced one you truly don't know what it means to watch basketball. Granted they are few and far between, but when they come...ahh!! Good times!

I do enjoy sports. And watching them is fun, especially when I know someone who's competing! Now watching random guys on a TV screen doesn't really do much for me--except HUSKER football--oh, yeah!

Anyways, basketball is the one sport that I actually understand fully--I think. I will hopefully be doing a couple posts on basketball, but don't hold your breath:)  But I am anticipating some good games this year, and of course every game is better when you've have the bleacher-buddy that I've got!! She. is. the bomb. She knows basketball better then...well, any other girl I know, and she makes a great personal wikipedia in that regard!!

"I have set the LORD always before me. 

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices...

You have made known to me the path of life; 

You will fill me with joy in Your presence, 

with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." 

Psalm 16:8-11

Abby

Happy Birthday, Abby!

For all of you out there who don't have Abby for a sister--you're really missing out! She was the very first addition to our family, and she set the bar high:)

I remember Betsy and I (Abby's younger sister) scheming for hours on end, attempting to 'match' Caleb and Abby together. Thankfully God was able to work in spite of our efforts, and I am forever grateful!

Abby really had to put up with a lot, as far as Betsy and I were concerned. We spent lots of time together and somehow we were always asking favors of Abby...would she do our hair, read us a story, let us use her sock doll furniture, borrow her books, wear her earrings. Her clothes were always cuter than ours and, more often then not, I would wear Abby's in order to match Betsy.

Did she complain? Never.

She encouraged creativity and bent over backwards for us. She adopted me as a sister and I've loved her ever since! :)

Abby, your children are blessed to call you mother, and I'm blessed to not only call you sister--but my friend!

Love you, Abby!

"For it is God who works in you

 to will and to act according to His good purpose." 

Phil 2:13

Yelena Joy

 Happy 2nd Birthday, Yelena

I remember when you were born. You melted my heart, and continue to do so every time you smile.

Baby, I pray for you. I ask that God would be everything to you. Your life, your smile, your joy, your world. Your big blue eyes are so precious--would they be filled with the light of Jesus.

I love you, my lil' niner bug!

"And this is my prayer: 

that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

 so that you may be able to discern what is best 

and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—

to the glory and praise of God." 

Philippians 1:9-11