Blessed Week

Here are blessings from my week!

1. Some dear Christian friends of ours came to visit for 2 days! It was so wonderful catching up and relaxing and getting to talk with a Sister-in-Christ and the kids getting to play with friends.

2. Another dear Christian friend of mine emailed about them looking into the possibility of them being near us in the future and I am praying!

2.Yesterday the kids were outside enjoying the beautiful spring weather. I saw Gabriel was riding his bike and Annalina and Ross were running and the 3 of them were having races. I thought that was all it was was racing. At dinner I asked them to tell Daddy what they were doing outside and then I found out the details. Gabriel was playing Mr. McGregor on his bike and Ross was Peter Rabbit :-) and Annalina was Benjamin Bunny. Gabriel was trying to get ahead of them to block them from leaving the garden! Tooo cute! They had a BLAST. Ross came in TIRED! It is a blessing to be able to have the kids home and play like that. That is what memories are made out of.

3.Saturday morning I was in the living room opening the shades for the day and I hear a faint "Mommy, Mommy." I thought it was Gabriel but he doesn' t usually call to me in the morning and I thought maybe he was not feeling well or something. When I got in there he obviously just awakened and said still quietly "I love you your the best Mommy in the world. I also have the best Daddy in the world. I just wanted to say that . . . I just feel like I don't say that about you enough." Ok, my day is made. God's goodness is new every morning and sometimes His blessings come through our children.

4. Gabriel had a day he just didn't feel like going to swim class but he went anyway. But he was anxious to tell me about the class when I came to pick him up. It came time for the relay race and a boy that had never talked to him before (Gabriel is probably the youngest in the class or close to it) said to him "You can do it!" Gabriel was thrilled with this validation and didn't have time to say thank you to him he said because it was his turn to swim. He said as he was swimming he could see that he was not going to win but he swam better because of what that boy had said to him. Later on the side of the pool he said to the boy "Thank you" and the boy said "For what?" and Gabriel said "For the encouragement". He said "Thank you for saying Thank you!" Gabriel was so encouraged and uplifted by that word of kindness. It not only made his class but made the day for him! I am thankful for the blessing Gabriel got and thankful for Gabriel's response to the blessing. He had gratitude.

5. I so much enjoy reading to the kids at lunch time. Now we have it down so we go into Carson's room with him and as I read he falls asleep. There is not much going on in Carson's room (not fancily decorated, etc. well, there is a mess of laundry though :-) Anyway, as we were walking out of the room today Annalina told me she liked being in that room when we read because it made it more easy to imagine things. I loved hearing that. I love how the kids say "Read more, Read more!" We read all the way through Carson's nap the other day! I am loving going on adventures with my kids through books. Do the kids have to grow up? *Sigh*

6. Carson started trying to say two words together this week. That was a blessing to my heart. He is such a cuddle bug. He is enjoying cars and books and his ride on schooters.

Professional Nutcracker Photos

Being in the Nutcracker this past December was absolutely positively a dream come true for Annalina. All the hours and hours and hours and hours of practice definitely paid off. She was sad it ended! I finally am getting some of the professional photos up on my blog. One of the daddies was a photographer and he gave us the right to the photos for almost nothing! Very kind. Some pictures are taken back stage where a lot of time was spent waiting. She enjoyed the friendships made. Here are some of the pictures taken of my Baby Ballerina Doll and Cherubim! The picture of Annalina and the other little girl examining their tutu's was one of the first pictures in the Nutcracker Memory book. Proud Momma! :-) She's already been rehearsing for her ballet recital in June. We look forward to seeing what the recital costume is going to look like this year! Fun things to look forward to!

The Lysne Family Game Show . . .

Here are some cheese ball videos of the kids. Reminded me of a game show!

Now if Carson only won $ for his tremendous acrobatics and athleticism! :-)

I have got to remember to video tape horizontal and not vertical! Annoying to watch sideways!!

The Bird's Nest and The White Dove

This book for some weird reason I was skeptical as to if I would like it or not which is weird considering Lamplighter Books are SOOO good! Well, my "feelings" were very wrong. What an start to the story I thought of Gabriel and even Gabriel realized that it sound like something he would say because he loves to talk war and battles with his Daddy! I've seen them as I am shopping in Costco in another world as we walk because they are into history and lost to the present world! Anyway, here's an excerpt . . .

One day the father walked with them [his 2 sons] into the woods. It was spring time, and the trees were full of blossom. Here and there a flower lifted its head in the sunshine, and here and there a primrose was peeping from the hedge, and from a branch or thicket might now and then be heard the chirping of the birds. The father showed the children a bird's nest, told them how curiously and carefully it had been built, and interested them about the love the parent birds have for their young, bidding them watch how five tender young things which lay in the neat little nest were fed and nourished by the old ones. The children were very much delighted, and still more so when their father, sitting down on a green mossy bank, beneath the wide-spreading arms of a stately oak, said he would tell them a story.

"Oh do, papa, " said both the children together, "we will sit down here upon the grass. We do love your stories so."

"Yes, my children," he answered, "and glad am I to have such willing listeners.

What shall it be?"

"Tell me about the wars," said one, "tell how brave the soldiers looked, and how gallantly they all behaved; tell us about sieges, and battles, and victories, some good old story of the fighting days gone by." . . . . . "but I love to hear about heroes and conquests, and you don't find heroes among green fields and sheep-walks."

"Are you sure of that?" asked their father. "But Papa is it not a gallant thing to lead an army, to ride upon a grand white horse, as our prince does, and with a long sword by our side, and a gay plume in your cap, ride out at the head of a strong army, to meet the enemies of fatherland? Is it not a gallant thing to lead on your men, and sword in hand to rout the foe? And is it not a pleasant thing to come back amid the blessings of all people, and to hear them telling the story of your courage and daring, and saying he is a true hero? I am sure you cannot doubt, dear papa, the value of all this."

"But my dear child, " the father answered," it is quite possible to be a hero, and to win a great victory, without a fine while horse, and feathered cap, and blade of steel. There are many heroes in the world who who will never wear a cross or star of some grand order, and yet have won more earnest battles than the bravest soldier in the field." What, papa, win a battle without a blow; be a hero without a struggle?"

"No, not without a struggle. What I mean is this, that to act and speak as we ought, is sometimes a greater struggle than to charge at the head of a troop, or command a field battery; and that he who fearlessly does right when there are greater temptations to do wrong, is as true a hero as any soldier that ever carried a sword." "I should like to hear of such a hero, papa."

And so comes the story that had my kids riveted as to how the boy in the story would respond to the difficult situation he found himself in.

Well, now for The White Dove. This book is quite short and is about a little girl that has a brave and vallant father and how this little girl shows love by giving up her most loved possession to a fatherless child and what happened because of that sacrifice. It is a story of self sacrifice, love, and humility. Great story and great lessons.

The Flag of Kindness

Last weekend when we went to the antique store Gabriel found a flag very similar to the one above except it wasn't made of paper. He LOVED the flag and wanted it for his room but it just wasn't in the finances right now. Annalina saw how much he loved it and the next day made him this flag so he would have one! Too Sweet!

Our Annalina has changed so much over the past weeks as she has allowed Jesus to mold her and change her and has started learning to die to her own desires. She is human and doesn't always respond correctly but she is a drastically different person than a month ago. God doesn't ask or even expect perfection but abiding in Him and gradual maturity. Annalina also recently asked again to fast for her unsaved Great Grandma. So she fasted for a breakfast and prayed. She said "They would call us if something happened". I assured her that relatives would call us if Grandma Ames received Christ! I would love to see this petition come to fruition.

Point Pinos Lighthouse and Pacific Grove Beach

Babe has been up to his eyeballs in school work these days and especially with his thesis coming due this coming quarter. Right now he is between quarters and he decided to take the weekend off with us. We had a great time. On Friday we went to an antique mall which the kids really loved! For dinner we went to Bubba Gumps which Ross especially enjoys but we all do too. Friday night we played games and had a blast. Brian and I were pleasantly surprised how well the kids could come up with definitions for Balderdash! As we expected though Annalina would giggle when her definition was read! No being sneaky for her!

Saturday we went to Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove. I had never been in a lighthouse before. The lady in there had lived in the lighthouse with her husband MANY MANY years ago. After the lighthouse we went to the beach and the kids enjoyed finding shells but mostly throwing rocks in the water. The waves were HUGE that day and it was fun to watch them rolling in. Probably the highlight for Gabriel's weekend was playing the on going board game of Axis and Allies with Daddy. They spent many a hour playing that!

I am thankful for the weekend we had together as a family before this last push for Babe at school. Babe and I commented on how nice it was just to hang out for the weekend.

Ahh, Spring is Here!

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.

~Charles Dickens

Here in Monterey spring actually arrives early with the flowers blooming and beautiful sunshine, which is wonderful! We made a trip down by the water and let the kids ride on the sidewalk for a few hours. They had a blast since we don't really have a place to do that at our house. It was a treat! The sun was shining bright. It got chilly especially as it was later in the afternoon. The kids had races but mostly just had fun being on wheels! I am so glad spring is here. There is something wonderful about spring. God knew what He was doing! Imagine that!

Hawaiian Doughnut Dance

Annalina and Ross are great at going to imaginary worlds. Last night they were playing what I believe they call "Horsey and owner" Annalina was going around the house on all 4's and every once in awhile rearing up and waving her hooves and neighing and jumping off furniture. Ross fed her out of something that looked like a miniature trough.

Anyway, a few Saturdays ago they set up the playroom with tablecloths, tent, etc. and made up the "Hawaiian Doughnut Dance". I have no idea why they called it that but Babe and I got a kick out of it. Ross will "Love" this video clip when he is 18! :-)

Conversation with My Daddy

My Dad called yesterday because he was doing a study on a word in Scriptures and as he was studying he thought of me and that what he was reading might be of help to me. He gave me a call and talked through it with me. I love my Dad (my Mom too!). They are both encouragers in different ways. Anyway, I want down all this because it was so good. Anybody who reads this will know one of my greatest flaws but that is ok. I am human and we all have them. I have struggled with this GIANT since I was a child and that GIANT is fear. I love the perspective the following quote puts on servitude and fear.

In a discussion on Philippians 2: 7 which states that Christ took on the "form of a servant" (servant/doulos) it was noted that "when Christ takes on the form of a slave (Dell Johnson prefers they said 'servant' because a servant has a choice and is voluntary whereas a slave is choiceless...choiceless Christianity is Constantinian not New Testament where preaching is the method of persuasion, assuming the power to choose), he enters into full solidarity with mankind in its subjection to sin, law and death." "It is the form of the servant that exactly describes Jesus Christ's incarnation in the deepest abasement."

The discussion continues "Thus the Lord's form as a servant unmasks the nature of the unredeemed man as a 'doouleia." The sin of man's flesh is "man's obsession with the illusion that he can make or maintain his own life and freedom with reference only to himself and in his own power. That which the Greeks regarded as the highest form of freedom becomes in the N.T. the source of man's abject bondage. Man, bent in upon himself, obstinately waves God's help aside and busies himself in running his own life in his own strength, trusting in his own resources, and falls into the grip of fear (Romans 8:15, Hebrews 2:15). He trusts in the tangible and is subject to the 'bondage' of mortality (Romans 8:21).

I like the next discussion that says so appropreiately "Hence, the redeemed are called upon to 'serve one another in love." Yes, because Jesus said by this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you love one another. Love, meaning serving, requires the release of our "obsession" with ourselves so we can focus on others.

These thoughts by R. Tuente in an article on "doulos" (Page 592ff) are from volume 3 of The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, Colin Brown, Editor, Zondervan publishers. 1971.

Dinosaurs of Eden-By Ken Ham

We are becoming a bit of Answers In Genesis junkies when it comes to learning about Creation Vrs. Evolution. The kids LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the DVD's they put out teaching them truth about the creation of the world and what false ideas they will come across in the world.

My parents gave us Dinosaurs of Eden. I thought this book was really good. The kids knew a fair amount of the dinosaur parts because Ken Ham is the President of Answers In Genesis and of course if you listen to their Dvd's then there will be material repeated. Also, in Gabriel's Sub Club Bible club he has been teaching his way through a creation dinosaur book with Annalina and Ross and probably twice while I was reading this book Annalina told me she learned that in Sub Club, which is great! I still thought it was an excellent book and an excellent review of important scripture. Even the review at the end of sin and it's consequences I thought was great.

Today we were in the car listening to Buddy Davis music (again from Answers in Genesis) and the song was about the teaching a child so they can defend their faith and not fall to untruth. Babe and I told Annalina that song was a reminder to myself and Daddy when we hear it to teach our kids about how to defend their faith whether it be about the creation of the world or the Bible. Annalina said "I don't think you need to worry about me or Gabriel about creation. I think evolution is dumb." I am thankful for that but the training will continue so she knows how to verbally and intelligently refute it. I know they are on their way to that due to the help of Answers in Genesis! I LOVE THEIR STUFF!

Babe's Promotion

Today Babe got to have his pinning on of his oak leaves since he made Lieutenant Commander. The kids were excited to go over to Daddy's school and be a part of the ceremony. We are excited for the pay raise. :-) Just kidding, we were really happy of his promotion and especially that we got to all be there as a family to support Daddy. The kids knew Daddy picked them to pin on his new rank and knew that was very special, Mommy pinned on Daddy's last rank.

After the ceremony and standing around chit chatting we went for an outdoor lunch on Naval Postgraduate School grounds. They have a really good place to eat and it is a treat when one it is nice enough to sit outside and enjoy eating and 2 we get to eat with Daddy at his school!

Some people really micro-manage their careers in the military. I really like Babe's attitude . . . he does his best and prays and leaves it to the Lord. His boss on the ship got frustrated with him for not "controling" his career more and I mean freekishly controling. Babe's view is this . . .

Psalm 75:5-7

⁶For promotion cometh neither from the east,

nor from the west, nor from the south.

⁷But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

We're thankful today for Babe's promotion and celebration with family!