Celebration week!

April is a very busy month for our family!
My husband's and daughter's birthday fall within two days of each other
with our wedding anniversary sandwiched in between.
This year our second daughter turned 18!!

Who got to spend her 18th birthday in California?!?
This girl!!

You heard me right.
CALIFORNIA!!

She and her oldest brother were able to travel with a group of youth
 and some Moms from our church to a youth conference at

West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, California
for three days.
The second day of the trip just happened to be her birthday!!

On her actual birthday, they took the group to Six Flags Magic Mountain!!
Say WHAT?
So much fun!

While Ashlyn and Grant were in California,
my husband and I were able to get away on a fun overnight for our anniversary!
It was actually the annual deacon's retreat that our pastor hosts,
but it was a "Win-Win" for us!!!
Dinner, breakfast and lunch was provided

at a lovely Christian campground in East Texas
complete with horse back riding on the second day
 which was also my husband's birthday!!
What a unique way to celebrate 22 years of our married life together!!

Texas Bluebonnets

Part of the cultural experience of living in Texas,
besides football, Mexican food, Whataburger, and Blue Bell ice cream,
is the annual spring arrival of our state flower!!

We never know exactly when the bluebonnets will bloom,
but it's roughly end of March to middle of April!
They only last for a couple weeks, and are at their peak

about a week after you first see them pop up.
These wildflowers are prolific along the highways up the embankments,

and you have to be careful to watch for cars parked on the shoulder as

entire families try to get pictures in the bluebonnets.
This year, they were spectacular on Easter Sunday

so there were lots of cars parked as people got their pictures together!

This year, it seemed like the bluebonnets were especially vibrant and lush!

Reminded me of God's grace!
Splashed around with wild abandon at no expense to ourselves!
We simply enjoy the beauty!

"Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,

Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace.
Grace that is greater than all my sin."

 

Below are some family pictures through the years

 that we have done in the bluebonnets.

 

The Living Last Supper 2018

This year, during the week of Good Friday and Easter
our family was super busy participating in our faith community's

presentation of The Living Last Supper.

Two years ago, I had the distinct privilege of directing this same drama,

but my role was more behind-the-scenes this year.
My husband resprised his role as the Apostle Peter,
and each of my children were happy to be helpers in any way they could.
We had late nights and busy days, but this ministry is always worth it

and we love watching it all come together and bring glory to the Lord.

You can watch this performance in its entirety here.

Resurrection Sunday 2018

"....to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,

 to give unto them beauty for ashes,

 the oil of joy for mourning,

 the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

that they might be called trees of righteousness,

 the planting of the Lord,

 that He might be glorified."
Isaiah 61:3

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again

to a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..."
1 Peter 1:3

We have so much to celebrate on Resurrection Sunday,

and this year was no different!
Such a blessed day full of family and friends

celebrating new life and hope in Jesus

and His power over sin and death!
Hallelujah, what a Savior!!!