Cole's First Baseball Game

Amazing

Abby is amazing. She always has been. It's the way our God created her. She is the most empathetic person I know. She is the only person I know who physically feels other people's pain and suffering. Since she was little, she would feel such sadness when we talked of Jesus dying on the cross for her sins, because she would actually feel physical pain in the palms of her hands when we talked about it.

She talks to her friends at school about her Jesus. Her goal for 2010 was to know God more, by reading her Bible and praying more.

Earlier this week, I found a note from Abby on my pillow when I went to get into bed. It said:

Dear Mom and Dad,
Come in my room. I might be asleep but please write somewhere the answers to the questions I wrote on my white board.
Love,
Abby

When I went into her room, this is what she had written on her board:
1. How often do you see homeless people?
2. Could I save money to buy Bibles for homeless people, so I can give them to them and tell them, "Read these stories. They are true."
3. Will you help me save money to buy the Bibles?

See, I told you she was amazing.

I've told her that I think we should save money as a family to buy Bibles, and then pass them out along with some sandwiches, in downtown Oly or Tacoma. Any of you locals want to join us?

Birthday Feed 2010

Seabrook 2010

Easter Birthdays

Easter Sunday at The GraceWorks

Easter Egg Hunt/Football BBQ

It may have only been 43 degrees (brrrrr), but there was no dumping rain, hail, or wind, so after the week we've had, we were VERY thankful!

And, yes, Noah was there, too, but playing football with his buddies took precedence over searching for some pastel-colored plastic eggs :-)

Just because...

...he still melts my heart.

Abby's Special Day

Abby was baptized this last Sunday! She did such an amazing job of sharing the gospel message clearly, and of explaining why she wanted to be baptized. She shared one of her favorite verses, which is Titus 3:5, "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy."

Abby has always had such a deep love for her Jesus, and it was so wonderful to see her take this step. We couldn't be more proud of her!

It was our second-to-last Sunday at Emmanuel, as we launch The GraceWorks (Emmanuel's daughter church) in just two weeks. It was bittersweet to have Abby baptized there, where so many people have played such an important part in her spiritual life and growth, knowing that we will be leaving so soon. But, we look forward with great expectations to what God has in store for our family as we begin this new adventure.

Third (and final!) Retainer

Cole just got his new retainer on Thursday. He is doing such a great job with it! His speech is just a tiny bit slurred, but I know that will improve quickly with how well he is already doing.

Noah and Ethan both also had retainers, so we feel like we're kind of experts at it by now. Thankfully, Abby's bite corrected itself when her permanent teeth started coming in, so the dentist feels she doesn't need one.

Another year or so and we'll start all over again with braces! Oh, Grandpa, why can't you just move out here and be our personal orthodontist?!?! :-)