yes I did

I put that cookie sheet right down in the floor for them.  It's covered in little bits of chocolate from me slinging some over pretzels for gifts.  Who wants to waste chocolate?

I think the answer is definitely not two little boys.  :)

where oh where has my little boy gone?

Awww... look at that super cutey cute picture of adventureboy.  Doesn't he just look adorable?  (and older that he should be?)

Not he doesn't play the violin.  In fact, we are lucky he didn't break that thing that day.

So the question is, where is the little brother?  Did he go to the photo shoot?  Yes.  Did he try to run while getting all dressed up like his brother? Yes.  Did he scream and scream refusing to take any pictures because he didn't like the man behind the camera?

Yes.

And that is why he is called snuggleboy.  When he is faced with anything uncomfortable he will latch on and not let go.  He smashes his body into yours like you are the best protection he knows.  It's kinda nice to feel that loved.

Every time I look at this picture I will smile even though I wasn't smiling on that day.  Adventureboy thinks he looks really cool and I agree.  I think he enjoyed being the behaved one that day.  For your information, this is the only copy I have of this picture because we were participating in a fundraiser for a local mom's group.  So no, look at this one all you want but I can't get you your own copy.  Still love you all though!

So now you want to know which little boy was I referring to?  Maybe both!

keeping up

  This is my pretty pink covered iPhone with a cute little pic of snuggle boy.

What I want you to notice is where I have placed my YouVersion Bible App.  I have tried and tried to be better at reading my Bible.  Everyone tells me what works for them but I have never been consistent. I had to put my reminder right there in  between my facebook and feedler buttons.  (If you are wondering, feedler puts all my blogs in one place for me)

This app has kept me in the word daily for the last couple of weeks.  That beats any of my previous records by far!  It's also important because it keeps me filled with scripture for at least a small percent of my day.  I have found I have to be so careful with what I fill myself with on a daily basis or I can easily slip into negative land.  (That is not Mr.HotGuy's favorite place by the way)



So....  I need to share what this app can do just in case you don't know about it. 

 It has the straight forward Bible in tons of versions for you to use.  Some Sunday mornings I just have too much to carry and rely on this during service. 

All of the Plans are there for you to choose from. (tons of these too)  You can bookmark any verse while reading and return to it later.  You can also easily stop reading in any place and make a note connected to the verse and then go over your notes later.  I haven't checked out the live button but surely it does something amazing.  :)

 This  is the plan I am using right now.  It is the one year Bible and  here is a pic of today's reading list.  I just click on the section and it takes me to those verses and then I can easily navigate through all the readings.  It checks them off as I go.  I can always see what I have missed if I don't finish one day and need to catch up later.  This app does allow you to link to Twitter, Facebook, and email.  You can send a link to the verses you are reading. 

 Here is a screen shot of my reading.  You can adjust things like font and text size.  You can also have it read to you through the audio Bible! 









A couple of side notes: 

• Mr.HotGuy says no one else organizes their iPhone screens the way I do.  I must be weird.

• I'll miss snuggleboy being that small next summer.  It won't be the same when he runs around the backyard at full speed.

• This app is of course free, and I do love it, and no I didn't receive anything from them.

• Why did I choose a screen shot of a passage about embalming?  I definitely am weird.

• I know many of you use this app too, so if you have something to share please leave a comment!

thought provoking

Many of you have heard of Operation Christmas Child or even taken part in it.  I think it's an awesome outreach and I was delighted to participate again this year.

If you want to know a little more about this program that sends shoe boxes full of goodies to less fortunate children around the world then just follow this little link.     Samaritans Purse

At our church and I am sure other churches in the area, we all put our boxes up on stage.  WOW!!  What an impact that makes!  This pic is from a church in Springfield but not my own.  However we did the same thing.

That morning, a question came about from a friend of mine.  Is this something we should be doing?

Matthew 6: 1-4  (NIV)

" 'Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.  Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others.  Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.' "

My immediate thoughts were that seeing all the boxes had a huge impact on me.  It made me glad I put the effort into preparing the box.  Sometimes we get so overwhelmed by all we have to get done that a little box can seem like too much effort.  Crazy isn't it??  Seeing all those boxes reminded me that we are making a difference and I need to continue to participate next year.

I mean, my name is not attached to it so I'm not getting praise from others specifically, and my heart is in the right place.  Are we praising ourselves as a church or are we just making a statement reminding us that we have the ability to do something big if we just try?  I think sometimes we fall into thinking we can't make enough of a difference.

So then I found another verse, as I was contemplating Matthew 6.

Matthew 5: 14-16 (NIV)

" ' You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.' "

I've spoke to a friend a little about this question but my point in writing this post is to know what you think!

Dear Readers, What do YOU Think??
Please post a comment if you have insight, other verses that might apply, or just thoughts you want to share with everyone.

Thanks!