Reedy River Run 2010

Both Claire and Camdyn participated in the Kids Mile Run this past Friday in downtown Greenville. They both did really well despite the chilly weather and they both received a medal upon crossing the finish line! This was their very first race and we were so proud of them! Way to go Snyder girls! :)

Snow Day Easter Eggs!

With the warmer weather we've had the past few days it is hard to believe that last week the girls were dismissed early from school for snowy weather! The girls had the idea to dye Easter eggs on their afternoon off! Here are some pictures we took of dyeing the eggs and their thoughts about the meaning of Easter!

Restore Conference 2010

My brother in law is a pastor at CrossPoint Church in Clemson, SC and was instrumental in organizing the Restore Conference this weekend featuring Paul David Tripp. The conference theme was "A Quest For More."
Nathan and I along with my Dad, Nancy, and Cayce and Jason all attended. The conference was challenging and motivates me to really examine my life and how I am living it.

Here are some of the take-aways I'm going to be pondering over the next few weeks:

Session 1:
There is a glory war going on inside each of us....raging and battling over who or what will get the glory in our lives.
We were created to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. It will never be about ME! And leading a life where I am the center will only lead to frustration because...it isn't about ME!
So, am I living for something bigger than myself? To deny God HIS GLORY is to deny my humanity because that is how we are hard wired to live.

Session 2: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
We all migrate to the center of our world, a place we were never meant to be. We tend to shrink our lives to our wants, our needs, our feelings. The DNA of sin = SELFISHNESS. How much of the anger and frustration in my life is over God's Kingdom rather than my own wants, my own needs, and my own feelings? What am I making more important that it needs to be?

Session 3: Hebrews 11:1-7, Acts 17: 22-31
How do I live like God is the center of my life? To do this the first step is to believe that God exists. To believe that God exists is to believe (1.) in God as creator, (2.) that God is sovereign, and (3.) that God is my Savior. Believing these three things is not something I do with my brain but something I do with my LIFE!

Session 4: Matthew 6:19-33
We are all also involved in a battle between Kingdom of God vs. kingdom of self. Very few treasures have intrinsic value - most have an assigned value. Intrinsically we are all treasure seekers. 3 Treasure principles: (1.) Everyone lives for some kind of treasure. (2.) The thing that is your treasure will control your heart. (3.) What controls your heart controls your behavior. My words and behavior in all circumstances are always related to an expression of my attempt to get out of that situation what is valuable to ME. There are 2 kinds of treasures: earthbound treasures which are physical things and those things acquired through anxiety bound needs and God-oriented treasures of the kingdom. The earthbound treasure will fade away and has no capacity to satisfy and usually results in in us ending up fat, addicted, and in debt.

Session 5: Galations 5:13-26
To examine the true character of my love for Christ I need to examine the relationships of those closest to me. God's entire law is summed up in one command: Love your neighbor as yourself. Always fix human relationships vertically (with God) first then work horizontally (with person). We are not in this struggle by ourselves - we have the Spirit living with us.

Obviously a lot to think about! I am looking forward to seeing fruit of this conference in my walk with Christ and in my relationships. Thank you Cayce and Jason for inviting us to Restore! :)

More information about Paul David Tripp can be found on his website:
www.paultrippministries.org

Camdyn reads her first book!

Camdyn reads her first book at age 5! We love you Camdyn and are so proud of you!

So Long, Insecurity

I've started reading Beth Moore's latest book titled, So Long, Insecurity. I must admit, I turned the book upside down when carrying it to the check out counter....oh how pervasive insecurity can be! I was insecure while purchasing a book on insecurity. Oh I have a lot of growing to do....
Beth's book offers one definition of insecurity:
"Insecurity refers to a profound sense of self-doubt -
a deep feeling of uncertainty about our basic worth
and our place in the world. Insecurity is associated
with chronic self-consciousness, along with a chronic
lack of confidence in ourselves and anxiety about our
relationships. The insecure man or woman lives in
constant fear of rejection and a deep uncertainty
about whether his or her own feelings and desires
are legitimate."
After reading this definition, I was actually patting myself on the back as I examined myself and thought that most of those tenets really didn't describe me.

Then I kept reading:

"Some of us never seek healing from God for our insecurities
because we feel like we don't fit the profile. We think insecurity
only looks one way, mousy, maybe even inept -and that's not
exactly who we see in the mirror. At least not once the mascaras
on. And it certainly is not the woman we present to the public.
Insecurity's best cover is perfectionism. That's where it becomes an art form."

Oh dear. Yep, this hit me square in the eyes. I am constantly on a path of being humbled at the work God has to do in my life. I am so thankful for this book and for the online community through Beth's blog that is working through this issue together. Lord, help me to believe your Word. Help me to break free from the chains of insecurity. This is a journey I am ready to take.

Think this book might hit home with you too? Check out Beth Moore's blog with details about the online discussion group.
http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2010/02/so-long-insecurity-discussion-group.html

Pop Pop Goes to India

Many of you prayed for my dad on his recent trip to India with the Gideons International. The India Blitz team handed out 453,000 Bibles from January 14 through January 30. I think Dad knew this trip would deepen his faith in many ways, but what I don't think he realized was how it would strengthen mine and all those he met as well. The pictures speak for themselves as to how he impacted the Indian friends he met, however I don't have a picture of Claire offering the prayer she spoke nightly for her Pop Pop, or a picture of Nate and my eyes meeting when we realized she finally GOT it and understood the profound work of God that Dad was doing on this trip. Here was Claire's prayer at age 6: "Dear Lord, Please protect my Pop Pop on his trip and help him to understand their Indian words. Help him to tell them a true word about Jesus. I am really proud of him for taking this trip and I miss him alot and I know my mommy does too!"

Dad I am so challenged by your faith and love of our Lord. You are such an example to me. I love you so much!

Valentine Scavenger Hunt

This is what Nathan and the girls woke up to on Valentine's Day: (each phrase was a clue in a scavenger hunt for their Valentine's gifts!)

Good Morning to you
And Happy Valentine’s Day
Before you open your gifts
There is a game you must play!

Go to a place where you
Will find the next clue
And it will give you instructions
On what you should do.

First, find the only place
Where Rebecca likes to sleep
Under her cushions,
But don’t make a peep!

The garage is the next place
You will go..if you dare!
Look all around
The old orange chair!

Biscuit is quietly waiting
With your next clue
Find him now so
He can tell you what to do!

Daddy probably needs a break
From all of this fun and glee
Your next clue waits where he
Can get a cup of tea!

Valentine’s Day is here and I
Hope you have had fun,
Your presents are waiting in a
Cold place that gets no sun!

A hint from me:
To enter this place you will need a key!

The Valentine's gifts were locked in our walk in attic! The girls guessed it right away! The pictures are of them reading clues and finding their small presents! I love you Nathan, Claire and Camdyn! :)