Books I've Recently Read

I've never really been a reader. Throughout school (college) I had the mindset that since I didn't even have time to read the textbooks that were assigned to me, then I certainly didn't have time to read for pure enjoyment. I couldn't even get through the gripping accounts of cellular processes in molecular cell biology (input sarcastic tone here), how could I possibly try to add on a book that had nothing to do with my grade whatsoever. Well, my life has changed quite a bit since college. I've found that I love to read...even more than watching TV...which is quite the surprise, as my parents like to remind me that the only thing I've wanted since I was 2 years old was a TV in my room. Maybe I'm becoming more and more like my mom. I remember my mom curled up with a good book and chips and salsa, while the rest of the family rotted our minds on TV. Now I'm beginning to see what was always so fascinating in the pages of those books.

Here's a list of the books I've read recently, most of which I got for Christmas (books were the only things on my list). I would totally recommend all of them. The Jesus Freaks books are not a new read, but made the list because I like to go back and re-read some of the stories. They really put your life in perspective.

"Same Kind of Different as Me" Great story of how God uses you if you just do what he asks.

"The Imam's Daughter" Oh my goodness, you have to read this. This book is moving me to action. I can't sit back and live in my own little world anymore.

"Jumping through fires" Great story of how God orchestrates the events in our lives and how He uses people to further His kingdom.

"Tortured for Christ" A MUST read for anyone that claims to be a part of the body of Christ. You can't sit back and do nothing. Pray for the persecuted church. Pray also for their persecutors to come to know Christ by the example of agape love demonstrated by the very people they torture.

"Jesus Freaks I and II" Amazing testimonies of God working in the lives of people that truly gave their lives to Christ. Life is not about me.

Little Bible

We were getting stuff ready to send to "our boy" in Africa and Jordan decided she wanted to give him all of her books. Here's a picture her getting them ready:) Since we couldn't really send him all those books, Jordan decided to give him her most special book, her little Bible. I pray that little Bible will be instrumental in the life of "our boy" and that he will learn of his Father's love and salvation through Christ Jesus.

My Sweet Girls!

Rylie's cheesy smile is too much!

Another Snow Day!

Yes, that is Rylie's mitten on the ground. She is incapable of keeping them on. In every picture, she seems to be wondering why her hands are so cold!

Impromptu Photo Shoot: Rylie

Rylie was a bit more cooperative...however, there are no pictures of her smiling...I couldn't get her to smile and hold the camera and get a clear picture at the same time. Taking pictures of children is a little challenging!

Impromptu Photo Shoot: Jordan

Here are some pictures of Jordan as I was trying to learn how to use my camera. She was willing to sit in the chair, but that's about it:)

Doing Something

I have said in the past that I want to have a heart for others and then do something about it. Well, we finally did something about having a heart for the lost in Africa. Justin and I have started to sponsor a child from DRAWN FROM WATER, an orphanage in Ethiopia who’s mission is to rescue and provide the best possible future for children who have been deemed “mingi” and sentenced to death by their tribes. Some of our friends are also supporting this ministry, including Rick and Kendra, and Pat and Melissa from AlasktoAfrica. Here is a picture of the little boy that we just started to sponsor. Our donation only covers a tenth of what he needs and there are many more children that need sponsored. I was so excited to get started, I even made and ordered a photo prayer book (with my cool iPhoto software) that I can go through with Jordan and Rylie and pray for each child as we look at their picture. We even went out today and got some gifts to send him. We are praying that Musse will give his life to Christ and that God will use him for His glory. We pray that through his suffering, God would show Himself in mighty ways. We ultimately pray that the tribes people will be won for Christ and that no more children will be in need of rescue. Praise God for Musse's life and the lives of all the children in the orphanage. Praise God, also for the people He is using day in and day out as they serve these children. We pray for God's power and strength to continue in the fight.

Snow Ice Cream

The first snow

Jordan was anticipating getting to play in the snow all day today when we got home from school. She really wanted to build a snowman, but the snow would not cooperate...so we (I mean Jordan) made snow angels instead:)

Rylie was not too sure about the actual playing part, but she was intrigued by the white stuff.

Rylie begged most of the time to "slide" in the swings.
Yummy snow...Jordan will eat it just about from anywhere...

Aaahh, hot chocolate to warm ourselves up:)

Rylie 1.6 years old

Rylie is growing up so big! I wanted to write a little post about what she's been up to at a year and a half. Rylie still has her spunky personality...she is really a lot of fun to play with! She also lives up to her last name---MOODY! She likes to do everything her big sister does, so it especially helps when Jordan does what she's supposed to:)

"CHEESE!!!"

Rylie likes to bring me her pictures and say, "look...pretty!"

Some of Rylie's favorites:

1. her blanket! Can't sleep without it

2. babies

3. baths

4. wrestling--she says, "lay down!" and pushes your face

5. brushing her teeth (but not when mommy or daddy try to do it)

6. movies!

7. eating--likes just about everything but bread and bread-like products, totally the opposite of Jordan

8. washing her hands--really just playing in the water

9. playing with her big sister

10. rides in the stroller at school--if the teachers are only going to take the infants, they have to distract Rylie and sneak out without her noticing, or she gets very upset!

Some things about Rylie that I don't want to forget at this stage of her life:

Rylie loves to give kisses, and she's really good at it! She also says "I love you" in the cutest possible way, making the sign "I love you" with her hand (that could also be be misunderstood as a rival gang sign in the wrong company). She's a pretty big people person, and will pretty much go to anyone willing to give her some attention! She loves to sit in your lap and "read" books. She's becoming much more cuddly and loving as she gets older, especially with her blanket in hand. As I write, she's becoming a master at using the fork and spoon. I love it when something little goes wrong, but she very dramatically exclaims, "OH, NO!!!" And, over the past few weeks, she's had a vocabulary explosion...a skill that has helped dramatically decrease the fits of frustration in communicating wants and needs. She's also learned that when she cries, she must cry in her room because her parents are not going to listen to it. Rylie even appears to be on the verge of potty training, but I'm not quite ready for that yet:) Rylie makes me smile and thank God for his gifts every single day. She is my sweet, sweet girl and I love her so much!