Twenty Years From Now....

I've started visiting my face book page more lately. Michael and I both have added many new "old" friends to our pages. I also joined my high school reunion group on face book since my twenty year reunion is this year....even still as I type it, I can't believe it's been twenty years. I'm amazed at the journey called my life and what the last twenty years has brought. For Michael and I both.Good and bad it's been amazing. The very fact that we arrived where we are, together with three amazing children still takes my breath away. Even though I do feel older and wiser at the same time I still feel a lilttle like the young girl who graduated with so much possiblity and hope for the future. I still have hope for my future, but since my priorities have changed I see myself evolved from someone who as a young 18 year old often does, thought I was the focus of my life. As I'm older..and wiser....a little grey and more weather worn I know the focus of my life is not me. What I mean by this, is not that I should ignore me and my needs, I just should not be so focused on them that I don't see the big picture, what's important. Just as soldiers don't focus on just themselves, they focus on the mission and what is best for the mission. So I guess you could say I have discovered my mission, my focus. Christ is my focus. I see HIM in Michael and the kids. I see Christ in my friends and my family. Christ wants us to have a relationship with Him first so that we can have better relationships with others. He will love us through eachother. Hopefully this is coming clear , as I'm sharing my heart. I feel I've seen a glimpse of the larger picture of life. My perspective is limited therefore I must rely on my faith to see me through and guide me.Today in our morning devotion Rick Warren (purpose driven life author and pastor) wrote....The fact is, God is not limited by time. He’s able to be in the past, the present, and the future all at the same time. Think of it like this: if you were in the Goodyear Blimp looking down on the Rose Parade, you could see the beginning of the parade and the end of the parade all at the same time.

So here I am thinking through my day, my mission, my focus. I'll do the dishes and the laundry because it is needed to help run our house, but that will not be my focus. I will not stress if I don't finish the laundry or my todo list. I know that in twenty years I won't ask myself "Why didn't I wash and fold more clothes?" So thinking on these terms, I decide to read to the kids sometimes when I should be washing...because in 20 years they will no longer be little and I don't want that part of the "parade" to pass without me truly noticing every detail that I can, every wave and smile and laugh out loud.

So twenty years from now where will I be? Prayerfully growing old with my sweet husband and family in the center of God's will!

The photos above are of our fun lately in this "parade" we call life! Just like any parade do your best not to step in the horse poop if you can help it!

This is the day....to dance

This is the day....God has made. Everyday begins with this! The possibilities are limitless. So many days in the past, I know I have woken up and not realized what that day would bring. Sometimes good and sometimes bad. What I have to keep reminding myself is that...God made that day, what ever happens, HE has allowed. How exciting to know our days are overseen by the designer of the universe. The really cool thing about it is that eventhough HE is almighty, He allows us a choice to choose how we spend our time, our day. He didn't want robots He desired relationships with us. I'm not trying to be "preachy". I've just been praying for the Saunders family a lot and of course when something so devastating, such as a house fire, happens to such precious people everyone always has that thought " Why did God allow this to happen?????". I truly believe there is a purpose for everything and God allows these things to happen for reasons we can not see today, but in the days, months and years ahead it will be evident what good came from something seemingly so bad.

Romans 8:28 says: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

The Saunders family...are without a doubt a family of God, they demonstrate God's love everyday in their lives. God has a plan, He has a purpose.

So today....the Snyders purpose?????...we should all know....we have one. Today I see my purpose, three sweet little one's are depending on me. One handsome soldier looks forward to coming home to dinner and his three "high volume" children :-). My most important purpose I know...is to allow the Lord God to LOVE through me. ....and right this minute it's time to get Creighton and Marilyn fed and dressed and to Marilyn's ballet class.... I guess this is the day to dance!!!!!

The Saunders Family....

Yesterday my friend Linn lost her home to a fire. Her family is an amazing family who demostrates God's heart each and everyday in their daily life. My heart is so heavy for their loss. Thankfully no one was hurt in the fire physically, but I cannot imagine what it must be like to no longer have a home...in the course of a few hours watch your house and all it's contents go up in smoke. All the kids and Linn had to leave in such a hurry in their pajamas....I am applying their family for X-treme Make Over Home addition and if you are led I ask that you do the same....I made a video to introduce them to you.

Please mute/pause my music player before you watch the video so you can hear the music on the video.
If you would like to read Linn's family blog go to:
http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/
if you want to enter them for extreme make over go to:
http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=apply

Prayers NEEDED

A special " prayer sister "needs our prayers. She and her family were such prayer warriors for us, while we were asking God for a miracle to bring Creighton home.
Our friend Linn and her family had a house fire this morning. Please keep their family in your prayers. They are an amazing family with such a heart for God and hope for the orphans. God truly works miracles in their lives and ministers to so many of us through their example and their lives.
Here is their blog:
http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/

My heart is heavy for this that they are going through today. Please pray with us for them!

Only the Lord knows!

Don't know for sure, but Sonoma might be a great place to retire...right? Can't hurt to enter! we Love our quarters that the army provides us, but who knows where we will be blessed to grow old...if the Lord allows.....only God knows! The sky is the limit! It's all a great adventure!

Happy New Year!!!

What a Happy New Year it is! Michael and I had a wonderful anniversary and we are all settling in as a family of five. Creighton continues to transition to our family wonderfully (praise God!) He is still sleeping great and eating well. He says Mama, Daddy , eye, nose and eat. He also says agua, no and goal!

Lydia and Marilyn are also adjusting well to the transition and are loving another playmate in the family.

Tomorrow we will get back to the regular scheduled ativities. School, Chapel, ballet and all the fun that day to day brings.

Did I mention we love the chapel here at Fort Leavenworth. God has truly blessed us with a body of believers and wonderful Christian fellowship. I absolutely LOVE singing in the praise group and it truly blesses my life. Thankfully the kids love the child care at the chapel so that makes participating much easier. I start a new year with a heart full of Thanksgiving , for all God has blessed our family with!!! God is good!