Running to Jesus

A few weeks ago our family received the news that a favorite family member had been taken to the hospital due to very high blood pressure and dehydration. 

I read the news to the family once I had read it from a Facebook post. 

Within a few seconds I turned my head and started to call out to our son, Ryan, to ask him something about his school work.

This is what I found him doing, with tears streaming down his cheeks...

He ran to Jesus.

What a huge wave of gratefulness swept over me! 
Praise the Lord! 
He gets it! 

Then I thought about it...
we as missionaries could work ourselves out of a job if we could just get people to grasp this concept! 

We see spiritually hungry people turning to 
drugs,
alcohol,
sadly, even suicide.


Why do we worry,
why do we struggle,
why do we fret,
why do we search endlessly for someone who understands our problems,
why don't we just run to Jesus!?

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

A little love flowing through our home!

On the actual Valentine's Day we were a little busy taking care of a new convert that had to make several visits to the hospital. So, for us as a family that meant that we would have to make up for not being able to celebrate Valentine's Day on the 14th . 

No problem! I enjoyed the more relaxed schedule!

Here are a few ways we showed our love to one another this year.

On the 14th, while my hubby and I were gone on one of our hospital trips, the kids made us a giant cookie,

in the shape of a heart, of course!

Then for lunch the next day, I surprised them all with these...

made from good old hot dogs, cheese, and ketchup!

Friday night before bed the kids were telling me how they wanted to make us breakfast on Saturday morning. They did just that complete with candle light, menus telling us that they only serve scrambled eggs with ham and cheese, coffee, and orange juice, and waiters (our sons).

It was really sweet!

Then, for the "Corny Valentine" award, I left this on my hubby's desk...

Corny, but I happened to put his favorite candy inside there so he was happy!

Finally, for Sunday I made these for the kids....

These are fun!

 I Love OUR Family!

Love is...

...when your husband writes your initials on the side of an old Russian house with a pressure washer.

He Loves Me!

Yes, I'm a pretty "lucky" gal!

A Date with my youngest little love!

Our youngest son, Timothy and I were able to go out on a date. He was so excited to get to spend some time alone with Mom. I have really enjoyed these special dates that we planned after making the kids these DIY scratch off Valentines last year. We have enjoyed a year's worth of dedicated time spent with each of them. It has been so fun and we have made great memories in the process which was exactly the results I had hoped for in using these Valentines!

Timothy had been anxiously awaiting his first trip to our newest American restaurant in the city, TGI Fridays.

Timothy anticipating his meal coming soon!

Mom and her wind-blown hairdo! 

Timothy had it all figured out by the time we arrived at the restaurant. 

He wanted to order barbecued ribs, french fries, a hamburger, onion rings, a banana milkshake, and an ice cream sundae! That was it and nothing more! Ha!

I talked him down to barbecued ribs with french fries and a few of Mom's onion rings that would come with her sandwich. For dessert one of us could order the milkshake and the other would order the sundae for us to share. He agreed! 

Don't you love his hat hair!?

Boy, did he enjoy those ribs! 

He ate every one right down to the bone!

Our TGI Fridays has a motorcycle out front too!

On these special dates I try to answer,"Yes!" to as many "May we do this"s I hear! So, to my surprise my giant little boy was SO excited to ride a Christmas train the mall had set up for the holiday season. I was excited that the Grandpa conductor let Mom ride for free!

Special memories!

He is my "baby" and will be too big to ride this next year so why not!?

The next activity on the agenda was for Timothy to be able to play on the pirate ship playground in the mall. He played all by himself, checking every now and then to be sure Mom was watching, and enjoyed every minute of it!

My brave pirate at the helm!

As his brother and I did on our date, Timothy and I went to the arcade and played a few games for some more fun. He enjoyed all of it except Mom beating him terribly at Air Hockey! Sorry, I just can't let you win, even if you are adorable! 

Next was a stop at his favorite fountain. I am not sure what it is about this fountain but Timothy has loved it ever since he first laid eyes on it.

Recently, they placed a restaurant around the fountain so it is harder to sit next to it.

A growing boy gets hungry quickly so we had to stop and buy a little more ice cream. Mom was still full from lunch! He enjoyed sitting in Santa's chair while munching on his "snack".

Beautiful tree and a nice set up for Santa, but we never saw him there!

This was the funniest impulsive event we did together to complete the day. We sat in the massage chairs that are placed in the middle of two halls in the mall. Timothy thought this was great fun!

The best part is that I caught his reaction of video. 

Hope you enjoy it.

Praise the Lord for a fun and safe day. I pray he will never forget the memories we made together!