compassion...

meet nathaly. she is the beautiful little girl our family has been sponsoring through compassion international for the past year and a half. she lives in ecuador with her family. over the years, God has wrecked our hearts over children who are overlooked and live on the very edge of survivial in this world.

through our sponsorship of nathaly, it has allowed her to be included within the loving environment of a Christ-centered Compassion child development center, which provides supplemental food, heath services, educational support, love…and a hopeful future. it not only brings joy and hope to a child in need, it also brings so much joy to our family.

we faithfully pray for her and her family on a daily basis. we write to her (and she writes back and colors pictures), send her birthday and christmas gifts, and photographs. she knows that despite the miles between us, that we love and care for her in the same way that Christ loves her. it's so awesome to see that hudson knows her name and all about her. he prays for her and looks at her picture all the time on our refridgerator. it's our prayer that he'll grow up knowing that ALL people matter.

we've always realized (as much as we could comprehend, at least) what a priceless impact this could have on a child, but it wasn't until we met a man named richmond wandera that our eyes were truly opened to the fact that what seems so small to us is actually something that has the potential to change a life...maybe even eternally! he is a man that spoke at our church a couple weeks ago. you must hear his story. please take the time to check it out!

Matthew 25:39 – 41 (The Message)
Then those sheep are going to say, “Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?” Then the King will say, “I’m telling the solemn truth: whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me – you did it to me.”

Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
Jesus said,“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

so, why are we sharing all this with you? in hopes that you may consider sponsoring a child...it might just change a whole mulititude of lives. visit compassion international by clicking on the link on our blog to the right.

photo update

CLICK HERE for a photo update!  enjoy!

mighty to save

take a listen to this song.  it's one of our favorites right now and it fits perfectly with our family word - "consumed" and especially with the theme from the Hope Lives book we just finished reading together. the lyrics are powerful and you can't help but be moved to serve our awesome God of hope. 

here are a few verses that came to mind and seemed to be referenced in the song: 

Zephaniah 3:17 

 ¹⁷ The LORD your God is with you, 
       he is mighty to save. 
       He will take great delight in you, 
       he will quiet you with his love, 
       he will rejoice over you with singing."

Matthew 17:20-21

 ²⁰He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

hope lives

We just finished reading a book together entitled Hope Lives by Amber Schooneveld.  This was an unbelievable and life-transforming read for us (as we believe it would be for anyone who reads it).  It’s always refreshing to be challenged in our faith to become more like Christ and, boy, did this book sure do that! 

The main idea is focused around the fact that our God is a God of hope.  He’s calling each of us on a journey to restoration with Him.  Hope lives, and God is on the move.  It challenges the reader to dig deep down inside to find out why we’re still sitting on the couch (or even in a church), overwhelmed and paralyzed by the enormity of the problems of this world instead of being Christ and taking action…going out and being the church to the world in which we’re living.  It is written with the perspective of restoring hope in the world and being Christ to people on the margins of society.      

The book is broken down in to a 5-week journey and each week challenges the reader in a different area.  Here are some quotes/excerpts to get your head spinning:

*The only thing on this earth that’s eternal is people – the only treasure that doesn’t end when the world does.  People matter.  People are the only treasure worth investing in.

*True Christ-like generosity goes beyond just requirement.  And giving isn’t just about money.  Jesus didn’t have wealth when he walked this earth.  What he gave was attention, dignity, love and respect to people as individual images of God.  When I treat people like that, I’m giving them the greatest gift I have to give.

*”Busy” is our banner.  And I think we’re proud of it.  Think of how Jesus lived.  He had many demands pressing on him from every direction, but he wasn’t busy in the same way we are.  What mattered to Jesus was people – listening to them, loving them and helping them.  He was busy with the slow work of taking time to care for people.  He was never too busy to stop and help someone.

*You are rich.  I’m not speaking metaphorically or spiritually, I mean it: You’re rich.  If you’re reading this book right now [and especially if you’re reading it on a computer] you are most likely among the most financially elite in the work and in history.  If you have clean water, a pair shoes, food, and a safe, dry place to sleep – you are rich.  Richer than billions of others.

*I am simply a human, given a different responsibility and role to play on this earth.  God placed me where I am, and he placed others where they are.  The goal isn’t for others to become like me, a wealthy American.  The goal is simply for everyone to have ENOUGH.  What’s your “enough”? 

*God could certainly run this world without my prayers for those in need, but for some reason, he has given me, given each of us, the great honor of affecting change in this world through prayer.   God doesn’t have to work through prayers to restore this world, but He’s chosen to honor me as his masterpiece created to do good works – how could I not pray?

*If I attach the “good things” I’m supposed to be doing as a Christian as external features, like an additional arm stuck in the side of a Mr. Potato Head, I know it won’t be an authentic, lasting change.  Sure, I might persevere for a short time under the motivation of guilt or obligation or routine…Christ is inviting me instead to be transformed by his love. 

*Not only does God work through prayer to change this world, God works through prayer to change me.  When prayer is an organic part of my life, it will change my heart and spark my actions. Sincere prayer will change my heart.  The Holy Spirit will steadily transform and trade my thoughts for God’s.

*It seems that God’s great agenda for my life isn’t that I take this or that particular action.  It is that I am journeying closer to Christ and becoming more like him.  It’s not about doing something; it’s about being something.  As I become more like Christ and begin to know him more, his love and services are an organic outflow of my life. 

Okay, gotta stop there.  We could go on forever about how great this book is.  If you’re looking for a “good read”, be careful, you’ll get much more than that if you pick this one up – you’ll be transformed into having a whole new understanding of what it means to live like Christ.  Hopefully you’ll consider taking the “journey”.

addicted

if you haven't noticed, we (or should I say "I") take a TON of pictures! seriously, it's an addiction! but really, there's nothing better than getting the "perfect" shot, right?!?!  rebekah says the boys probably hear the "clicking" sound of the camera in their sleep!  i truly enjoy capturing every moment...especially knowing that we can look back on them and remember exactly what life was like during these incredible days. they grow up way too fast and we don't want to miss a second!  i seem to be taking a lot more lately so we wanted to share them with you.  

CLICK HERE for the latest picture update. 

ten months...

hi all!  can you believe greyson is 10 months old today!?!  watch the video below to see what he's up to now...

leave us a comment and tell us what you think! 

tractor time...

(click on image to enlarge)

updates...

it's been quite some time since we've updated our family photos for you (other than christmas, that is).  we have tons of photos from december (before and after christmas) and january that we wanted to share with you.  CLICK HERE to see our updated slideshow.  

it's been awhile since we've given and update on the boys so here it is...they're still as precious as ever and keeping us busy!!  greyson will be 10 months next week.  he was at the doctor last week for his well baby check up and is 23 lbs and 29 inches long.  he still has such a sweet, lovable, laid-back personality and nothing really phases him.   he's certainly keeping up with his brother!  he loves all sorts of food (goldfish are his favorite) and doesn't let the fact that he only has two teeth stop him!  he loves to walk around...of course, with the help of his walker or anything that will move...but we have a feeling he will be walking soon.  he's very quick to get from one place to another and is literally into everything.  he's such a joy!  

hudson is such a great big brother (most of the time!) and it's fun to see the boys interacting more.  they are sharing and "playing" together now more than ever.  hudson still has a major love of music and grooves to any beat he hears...seriously...he's go some talent! :)  he loves to count, sing, and say "happy birthday" to mommy, daddy, and baby jesus.  we've had lots of birthdays in the past few weeks!  he's grown into such an amazing little boy and always brings so much joy to our home.  please continue to check back as we'll keep you posted on all the latest with our family. 

consumed more...

if you've read our previous blog post, you'll know that the inspirational word we've chosen for our family for 2009 is "consumed". coincidentally, our church began a new sermon series this week entitled "consumed" that will continue for the next 5/6 weeks.  how great is that!?!  you can visit our church website at www.rivertreechristian.com to check it out if you're interested or listen to the podcast.  

anyhow, this week we sang a new praise-song entitled "consumed" (again...perfect, huh?).  it's originally sung by the praise band at central christian church in las vegas.  the lyrics are unbelievable and we wanted to share them with you.  we'll be posting these in our home as our prayer as we strive to consume all that God offers to us and to become fully consumed by Him. you can check out the video on youtube if you CLICK HERE!

"CONSUME"

consume all that i am, 

consume all i will be

now until forever, 

my heart will live for Thee

consume all that i am, 

consume all i will be, 

now until forever, 

my heart will live for Thee

breathe into my soul, 

come and make me whole,

flood Your spirit over me.

burn in me a flame, 

bring glory to Your name

i'll forever sing.  

amen!

Our Word

A friend of ours has inspired us to pick a word to encompass a vision for our family in 2009.  What a great way to give us focus and direction daily in such a simple, yet powerful way!  After thinking and praying about a word that truly represents our desires as a family for ‘09, we’ve decided on the word – CONSUMED.  An awesome word, don’t you think?  This word serves much meaning to us as we, as believers, constantly need to be living in the reality of CONSUMING all God has offered to us – for free, not to mention…His Son, salvation, forgiveness, life, a personal relationship with Him, freedom from sin, to name a few.  Living in this world, we so often get CONSUMED by the things of the world, yet what we really should be CONSUMED by is Christ.  If we lived in this reality, we’d all be extraordinarily different people, wouldn’t we?  Our minds would be CONSUMED with only what God desires, not with what “we” desire.  We'd be more concerned with what God thinks and less of what others think.  We’d be more sincere, polite people and less judgmental.  People CONSUMED more with giving, not receiving.  People who feel more compelled to serve and not just be served.  We’d put others before ourselves…always!  What we CONSUMED with our finances, would always be God-honoring.  We’d have more compassion for people on the margins of society.  Heaven would always CONSUME our thoughts (Col. 3:2).  Our minds would be completely transformed!  Wow!  That’s SO what we desire for 2009.  

Here are a couple verses that have been very inspiring to us.  Hopefully they will be a blessing to you too!

“Let heaven fill your thoughts.  Do not think only about things down here on earth.” ~Colossians 3:2

“Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshipping him with holy fear and awe.  For our God is a CONSUMING fire.” ~Hebrews 12:28-29

So, that’s our word.  We wanted to share this with you in hopes that maybe you may be inspired to do the same.  We can’t wait to begin this journey together as a family! We have a couple songs that are close to our heart and related to being CONSUMED, but we’ll share that in another post.   Blessings to you all!