Meet our Kids

These are our kids. Daniel, Lily, and Austin. It is somewhat of an old picture...but it is my absolute favorite picture of the kids (thusfar). I think it is my favorite because of how rare a moment like this is for our kids. For those of you who don't know us well, our kids are extremely active. They like running, climbing, hanging, jumping, skipping, hopping, twirling, wrestling, etc. all at the same time. If I don't take them outside enough, they will find something inside to do these things on. Some of their favorite indoor activities include (but are not limited to) the following: jumping from one couch to the other; hanging from the top bunk of the boys' bunkbeds; jumping on the beds; wrestling on the hardwood floors; chasing each other around the island in the kitchen; and screaming loudly. All of those things 99-100% of the time bring about some form of punishment. So, we really need warm, sunny days! Because, when they are outside...it's a whole new world! All the jumping, climbing, running, etc. becomes encouraged...and they burn off that crazy energy they have! We had a taste of that spring weather for a week or so, and now I'm asking..."Please come back!!" =)

A Living Hope and A Sure Salvation: Part 1

1 Peter 1:3-5 "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, 4. to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5. who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

May every person in Christ rejoice in the "living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ!" Our inheritance is so amazing that we should be proclaiming it to all the nations!

I am so thankful and indebted to my King for saving and securing my soul. What a blessing to know that my salvation is not tied to my righteousness (which is no righteousness in light of who Christ is and will ever be) but "protected by the power of GOD" (verse 5). To God be the glory forever and ever!

Oh, the difference in children.

I've always heard it. Children are different. Two kids can be raised by the same two people in the same environment and be completely opposite. Well, it's definately true. The last couple of months we've done a lot of "children swapping" between my sister and I. My sister, Kathleen, has 2 kids, ages 2 and 1, (and another on the way I might add) and they all really love each other. So the last time we visited my parents, Lily wanted to stay...so we let her. She spent most of her time with my sisters. Every time I would talk to Lily on the phone that week she would talk about how much fun she was having; and every time I asked her if she wanted to come home, she would say "Not yet." Well, this last week it was Daniel's turn to go to Memphis and stay by himself. He was very excited....especially to stay "BY HIMSELF." He went on Tuesday. I believe it was Thursday night, I got a call...."Mommy...(sniffle, sniffle)...I want to see you!....(sniffle, sniffle)...I miss you!" His little voice sounded pitiful.....and by the end of the conversation, he had me and my sister, Kristina (who is living in Memphis as well now), crying. But of course, he went on to bed that night, and was fine the rest of the time. And now we have the sweet boy back. It does crack us up how much differently the two reacted to being away from home. Next, it will be their turn to endure the challenges of Austin for a week!! Watch out Memphis!

New to the Blogging World

Well, this is my first EVER blog post! My name is Kammy. My husband's name is Jason. We have 3 awesome kids (ages 5, 3, and 2) and Jason is the youth minister at First Baptist Church in Dayton, TN. We love it. Although we feel like most of our time is spent with people ranging from 10 to 20 years younger than us, we wouldn't trade our life for anything...(even an exciting life on the run with Michael Scoffield and Lincoln Burrows from Prison Break)...well...maybe I'll save that for another post. :) Anyway, Jason and I will both be blogging here...I'm sure mine will mostly be about the 3 kids and laundry and mopping and cooking...and whatever else my days seem to entail....and his will be much more spiritually encouraging...(because he is awesome)...but that's ok. I hope you enjoy!

His Life, His Glory

Eph. 5:1-2 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrfice to God as a fragrant aroma."

As I seek to bring glory to God with my life...the more I realize that I can not accomplish this task as long as I view it as "my" life.

1 Cor. 6:19-20 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body."

James 4:4 "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

Letting go of the world is not always easy. Which is strange because we (as Christians) "know" that true joy is only found in Christ. The material things and people of this world will never bring us the joy and peace we have in Christ. So, why do I find myself running after the things of the world? Simply put, I'm a sinner.

"His Life, His Glory" has become the theme slogan of my life. I know I'm not going to follow this statement completely, but I pray that I will give all my heart, soul and strength to that end. May God be glorified in all my words and deeds.

-Jason