Claire's Chapel Program

This week Claire's 3rd grade class presented the chapel program. Claire played the role of Goldilocks in their skit on having good manners!
We are so proud of you Claire! Love those blonde curls!!!!

We are Adopting!!

We are thrilled to share that we are following God's call to adopt from Haiti! We began the journey this week and are so excited to see how God moves in this process!

Please join us in prayer and follow our adoption blog to find out the latest! A link to our adoption blog is at the top left! This will be a long journey and we are so blessed and thankful for your support and love through this process!

To God be the Glory for the great things He Hath done!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We love you so much!

No TV

Well, not really. We did call today and cancel our DirecTv service. After almost 2 years of no TV during the week (kind of), we decided to get rid of it entirely.

Here are the reasons:

1. Most programming for children is inappropriate, focused on dating relationships, and places a high value on a "mean girl" attitude.

2. Most commercials are inappropriate: lack of clothing, women portrayed seductively, highlighting a product we don't want our girls to even know about.

3. It is a waste of time and keeps us from spending real time with each other. Its so easy to opt out and watch a show instead of engaging with each other or give in and let the girls watch a show so that I can get things done. I've done it, I'll admit it, and I'm done with it.

4. But most importantly, Nate and I have decided that we want to be more intentional about following
Proverbs 4:23: Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. There is no way to guard the girls' hearts and allow TV to be regular part of our home. We want to be the ones who pour into their hearts and help them learn right from wrong. The values of most programs for children do not line up with what we want the girls to dress like, act like, speak like, and treat others like. One article I've read asked if you would be willing for the people on the programs to babysit your own children. Absolutely not! So why am I letting them in our home and into the impressionable hearts and minds of our sweet girls?

We do realize that TV can be used in a way that is redeeming and draws us closer to each other and God by carefully choosing what we watch. We still plan on family movie nights!! I love documentaries and know that we will still watch those types of things!

For some, this article will make a lot of sense and make you think and for others it may make you think we are totally weird and have lost it! Both ways are okay!

We've just realized that TV isn't for us anymore. Now.....releasing me from my addiction to my cell phone and computer....that is another story! I have no doubt the Lord is continuing to work on me!

Facebook Makes Us Miserable

My brother in law told me about Tim Challies and I've really enjoyed reading his blog articles and book reviews. Although Nate and I broke up with Facebook almost 4 years ago, this article was a great reminder for me about why we are standing firm and not joining back....although it is frustrating when many groups I want to join won't allow me to because you have to be a member of Facebook first...ugh.....

No hating from me if you are on Facebook, but just want to mainly record these thoughts and his article here as a reminder to me!

Link to article: Facebook Makes Us Miserable