I don't know what storm you're going through...

Last weekend at my church, we had Keith and Kristyn Getty. The Lord has blessed this Irish couple to write modern day hymns that in their words "teach the faith" and "create a more timeless musical style that every generation can sing, a style that relates to the past and the future."

The words below are one of those very hymns. I don't know what storm you are going through but...

"Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer"

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.

Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.

Music by Keith Getty; Words by Margaret Becker
Copyright © 2002 Thankyou Music

70% off at Restaurant.com

If you like to try new restaurants and/or just like to save money, check out restaurant.com. This is a cool website (nationwide) where you can get $50 gift certificates for $20, $25 gift certificates for $10, and $10 gift certificates for $3. There are some restrictions like minimum purchase amount, Gratuity added, Dinner only, etc. that are disclosed on the website (definitely check out before purchasing!)

Well, until 1/31, they are offering 70% off! So, a $25 is only $3! A $10 is only $0.90!. Just use the code SUPER at the checkout and you will get the 70% off, plus a free $15 Dale & Thomas Popcorn Promo Gift Card too. Check the offer out here.

I just purchased a $25 and a $10 gift cards for only $3.90! I wouldn't say that there are a lot of my favorite restaurants that are listed but it's worth checking out from time to time, especially for a few new ones that I would like to try.

Happy shopping...and eating!

More Snow pics...

My favorite picture of Blue in the snow...can't you just feel the enthusiasm?

This is the snow that was still left on the deck on Wednesday night. Some "untouched" snow still remained, believe it or not!

Around 3 inches left even after a day of sunshine! I was SO glad to still see snow since it usually melts so quickly.

It's starting to melt though. These pictures were taken this morning as I was leaving for work. It was so pretty with the sun coming up. I'm sure a lot will be melted today though since the temps are a little warmer.

Guess what happened at our house last night?!?

I'll just let Blue tell you...

IT SNOWED!!!

Never too cold or too much snow to play frisbee!

Hey, what's this stuff on my frisbee?

A Precious Life...5 years young

So, you know from other posts, that I read (and get hooked on) people's stories that I don't even know through blogs or carepages. Well, a couple of years ago, I found carepages through a story on CNN about a teenage boy who had cancer.

Through his page, I found the Larsons. The Larsons have twin boys, Caden and Coleman. When Coleman was 2 1/2 years old, they received a diagnosis that would change the lives of their family, friends and many people who would never meet them. Coleman had MEDULLOBLASTOMA which resulted in a tumor the size of a tangerine embedded in his cerebellum. The Larsons decided at that moment that they would do whatever it took to help in the treatment of Coleman. So, they tried many different types of chemo, surgeries, prescriptions, etc. AND much prayer and faith in God that no matter what the outcome, God would be glorified.

I have often said that through this journey, I have seen that Coleman had more faith in God than many adults that I know. He had ongoing conversations with God. He knew that God was with him through all of the treatments, hospital stays, and times his body was hurting.

Well, this past week, God decided that it was time for Coleman's time on earth to be over. I can't help but think that God was PLEASED when Coleman entered into the gates of Heaven! And, I can't help but think of the huge smile that was on Coleman's face as he saw his new home, free from "pokes" and chemo and hospitals and hurts!

During his celebration service on Saturday, this video was shown. I couldn't help but post so you can see the picture of a precious family. If you think of them, please pray for them - Scott, Peggy and Caden. Even though their hope is in GOD and they know that they will see Coleman again, they are still sad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnDx26D_JuA

To read more about their journey, go to http://www.carepages.com/carepages/ColemanScott.

Bull Fight in Zapote

Apparently around the end of the year, Costa Ricans enjoy going to Zapote to see the bull fights. This is a big fair type event with food vendors, games, concerts, etc. AND the bull fights. For the very adventurous...or STUPID...you are able to get into the ring and join others in the bull fight.

When we were in Costa Rica at Christmas, we saw this on tv and then later in our visit, we walked down to this area of town and saw men waiting in line to be able to join in the festivities. Well, because we left town a little early, we weren't able to go but Miriam's parents and sister went! They had some extra time later that day and decided to see what the fun was all about.

Some friends who are in Costa Rica went too (another day) and have some GREAT videos on their blog - HERE.

This is why my parents are learning Spanish...

to share Jesus with these kids...and their parents!

Finally, some pictures!

BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing

We're HOME!

So, I have had way too much unpacking and washing going on here today. I also had to take the dogs to the vet today too. The day before we left, Blue cut one of his paws pretty bad. Yeah, Christmas Eve in the ER Vet isn't too fun. We got him some meds and left him in the care of Mike's parents and hoped for the best. Well, it didn't heal up very good so I took him to our vet to get a check up. The vet recommended for us to go ahead and get some stiches for Blue but to wait until Monday so there would be plenty of time for them to evaluate him. Oh well...we tried!

After a crazy flight and a stay over in Miami, we finally arrived at RDU around noon yesterday. Yes, I said a stay over. We left Costa Rica over 1 hour later than planned and so our long layover became less than 1 hour to make it through immigration, customs, grabbing bags, going through security (AGAIN!) and RUNNING to our gate that of course, was at the VERY end of the terminal. We got to the gate in time to see the walkway being pulled away from the plane...not a fun sight! So, we ended up staying overnight in Miami and taking the next flight out which wasn't until 9:50am. But, we still made it home.

What a fun time in Costa Rica! Just being able to see Mom and Dad was great but then they had so much fun stuff planned for us too. We were able to go to Quepos and Manuel Antonio (BEAUTIFUL beaches) for a couple of days, visit with their host family and have dinner, go to La Paz and see beautiful waterfalls and fun animals, get to swing through the jungle on the canopy zip line tour, visit a coffee plantation, go to Sarchi and see the beautiful and ornate handmade furniture and ox carts, tour San Jose, eat plenty of beans and rice, and sleep sometime during all that!

I'm trying to get pictures uploaded and posted and check around with Mom and Bec for their pictures too. Over all, it was such a good time! We definitely enjoyed everything we did and wouldn't have wanted to trade any of our days, except maybe the overnight stay in Miami...but who else of you got a free hotel stay on New Year's Eve?!?

As they say in Costa Rica, "Pura Vida!"