BURN THE SHIPS

Brodie has been experimenting with filmmaking this past year.

In his latest project, Burn the Ships, he explored personification giving us a chance to really think about

what God's Word has to say about sin and fear vs. our freedom in Christ as sons and daughters of the King.

Burn the Ships: alludes to certain famous incidents in history where a commander, having landed in a hostile country, ordered his men to destroy their ships, so that they would have to conquer the country without the option of turning back due to fear.

How often is that me?

How often am I tempted to fear or look backward when my eyes should be fixed straight ahead on Truth?

"Your word is truth."

John 17:17

How often do the comforts of familiar entice me even though faith asks me to step into the unknown and follow Jesus?

"And without faith it is impossible to please him."

Hebrews 11:6

How often does sin prey upon our weaknesses and beckon we fall again?

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand firm."

Ephesians 6:12-13

It's a spiritual battle which Brodie really captured in his video.

I'm thankful for how the Lord has used creative process this week to teach me new things about Himself and myself and compassion for others as we all work through struggles this side of Heaven. In a world that swirls with the forces of fears and failures, may we listen to the Voice of Truth and take hold of the victory that is ours through Christ Jesus!

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."

Galatians 5:1

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,

but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"

Romans 8:15

NOT JUST SIBLINGS...

{BEST FRIENDS}

I'm so thankful for how the Lord has used this chapter to encourage even more of that!

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

Proverbs 17:17

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY NOVA!

My little Nova is 10?! How can it be?

It feels like yesterday you were my little peanut perched on top of my belly, pregnant with Boden.

My how time flies...and I have cherished every minute with you!

Nova, you are the sweetest, most meek and precious soul. Daily, I am thankful for you as my daughter and my friend.

Your mellow, gentle spirit is a constant joy to be around and our family is truly blessed because of you!

I thank God for you, Nova, and for these wonderful 10 years I've had the privilege of

being your mommy and watching you grow in your walk with Him.

We love you more than words can say, Nova Jade.

Happy 10th Birthday, Beloved Daughter, Friend!!

"Blessed are the meek."

Matthew 5:5

SALT

Who would have thought we would be working with Himalayan pink salt?

We definitely didn't see it coming.

But God did.

And He has a plan.

He's brought us the opportunity to not only work together as a family with salt...

But to really stop and consider what His Word says about salt.

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt,

so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Colossians 4:6

What is the purpose of salt?

What does it mean to be the "salt of the earth"?

When we charge ourselves to BE SALT we realize that we have the opportunity here in this world to generate a thirst for Living Water, to nourish others with the Word of God, to maintain our "flavor/saltiness" in order to be effective, and to contribute in a positive way to the lives of those we encounter. We see that salt sitting on a kitchen counter doesn't season food to taste better. It must serve its purpose, be employed. It must do something. In these ways, and many others, we've found our new salt project to not only be a way for our family to work and serve together, but also to learn more about our role as Christians in the world.

We are the salt of the earth.

And that's a privilege.

"You are the salt of the earth."

Matthew 5:13

BRODIE'S MUSIC AT COSTCO

This is not an uncommon sight.

He does it every time.

Every time they have the pianos, that is.

Brodie is magnetically drawn to the piano display at Costco and it started back when he first began to play. Something about the acoustics, the magnitude of the space, the crowd...it all energizes Brodie, which I'll admit I can't relate to at ALL, but for whatever the reason, he loves it! It's normal to be walking along with Brodie shopping and then suddenly hear his fingertip melodies echoing throughout all of Costco only to realize he has veered toward his calling and begun to play. Before long a crowd begins to form and people start to gather and enjoy and I can see that Brodie's music has a way of invoking emotion in others and apparently not just me because I'm his mom. He moves people with the notes he plays, every single one a gift from the Lord to him and for us and for Him. I pray all the time that Brodie's music will bring glory and honor to God and that's just what it did last night once again as Brodie played at Costco.

"For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be glory forever. Amen."

Romans 11:36

HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY ELKA!

Finally, a birthday that seems (about) her age. There's something about 14 that seems more grown and Elka definitely is. In the past 2 years, our little Elka has become a woman before our eyes and her heart continues to amaze us more with each year!

Elka is:

compassionate

encouraging

servant-hearted

willing

generous

humble

easy-going

artistic

creative

fun

funny

loving

joyful

thoughtful

tender

patient

sensitive

willing

kind

God fearing

an excellent friend to all

a blessing as our daughter

LOVED

14!

Elka Sue, we LOVE you!!

You serve others with all your might all day, every day. You fear the Lord and love His Word. You have compassion for others that leads to action consistently. You don't take yourself too seriously and exude humility constantly. Elka, you're such a wonderful sister, daughter, and friend! You make us all laugh...often. You are "up for it", sweet, and FUN!!

(b-day date)

Elka, we praise the Lord for who you are in Him and how He has grown you over the years into
such a rare and precious treasure. You are beautiful both inside and out and you are deeply loved!!

Happy 14th Birthday Elka!!

xoxo

"She is far more precious than jewels. She works with willing hands. She reaches out her hands to the needy.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Proverbs 31:10,13,30

2019...A YEAR OF REGROWTH

When I think about the life cycle of our family tree, it's clear that 2018 was a year of:

PRUNING

"Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away,

and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

John 15:2

Praise God for His (albeit painful at times) pruning process!

I remember pruning our fruit trees in our beloved home on the hill and often they looked a bit marred at first glance...even barren, stricken, forsaken. But they weren't. Because the following spring brought fresh, new, budding potential in the form of promising regrowth. Every time. God uses pruning to prepare for regrowth and eventually a more fruitful harvest in time.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time

we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Galatians 6:9

As I've reflected on the process of pruning we endured through 2018, I'm encouraged as I consider the cycle of our family tree. I'm prayerful as we say hello to 2019 and look forward to regrowth and in His time...a more bountiful harvest from a healthy family tree with roots that sink deep into Him, saturated in the love of God. I know that is His desire and so I want it to be my desire too. So I ask Him over and over to knit my heart to His and fill me with His desires as I delight myself in Him this new year.

May 2019 bring:

REGROWTH

Healthy, pruned, nourished, potential for harvest in the form of God's will through regrowth and in time may that blossom to fruition in new and beautiful ways that bring glory and honor to Him as we aim to bloom right where we're planted.

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Isaiah 43:19

May the pruning of 2018 not leave us discouraged (2 Corinthians 4:9) , but rather encouraged by the loving pruning process of our Father. We know He means for it to bear good fruit and as an avenue to know His nurture and grace even more fully and so we continue to place our hope and trust in Him, knowing He has a good plan, knowing He knows what is best, knowing that He loves us and walks with us, leads us and guides us as we step out into 2019...a year of regrowth.

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit."

John 15:8