My Savior My God

Aaron Shust - My Savior My God
From the album Anything Worth Saying

I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands one who is my Savior

I take Him at His word and deed
Christ died to save me; this I read
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

Chorus (2x’s)
My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior’s always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be

Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring;
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

Chorus (2x’s)

(Instrumental)

Chorus: (2x’s)

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior loves, My Savior lives

Daniel Building a Snowman

Gangsta

Making a snowman with Daddy

Puddle Hopping!

Puddle hopping is one of a child's rights. I feel that every child should play in the rain as long as it is not freezing cold outside. This week we have had beautiful weather. It has been in the 60s all week. The sad part of it all is that we are going to be getting a cold front and all the rain is turning into snow!

When I was a kid I remember playing in the rain all the time. I loved going outside and playing in all the puddles. We had a fairly large back yard that ran at a slight slant. When it rained the water would run down our backyard and fill up in puddles at the bottom of the
yard. It was the perfect place to puddle hop! I also loved when mom would let us go outside the gate. There was a ditch right outside our yard that was dug out to help drain rain water. It would rain down past our house and two of our neighbors houses. I remember putting sticks in the "stream" (as a kid you have no concept of city drainage it was just a stream to us) and racing Andrea's stick down to the end where it would dump into a huge receptical before going underground (to go under a road) only to emerge again on the other side of the street. I used to always be
scared because this receptical was a good 10 feet deep with swirling water. I knew better than to get to close. But up by my house I am sure the water never got more than 2-3 feet deep. Most of the time it was not more than 6 inches to a foot.

It was always a big deal when it would rain so much that the stream overflowed. I loved running out there and talking about how much water there was. My mom was always so much fun letting us run all around in the rain. I also remember that my mom and dad had a rain gauge and they would always measure how much rain had fallen. Most of the time there was less than a inch in there but sometimes there was one to two inches. It was always a big deal on who got to dump out the gauge. Andrea and I would fight about that.

On really rainy days when the sun would go down my mom would set a fire in the fireplace. I loved laying on the floor in front of the fire. Of course one of the things about having a fireplace means that you have to have firewood. Andrea and I had a job to make sure that there was always enough firewood in the storage beside the fireplace. We would go outside and see how many pieces we could carry in at one time. I remember standing outside and saying "Andrea load me up!" She would stack 4-5 pieces on my arms and I would run inside trying not to drop any. I knew that if I did drop them I would get in trouble for tracking dirt all over the floor. Sometimes if we did not get enough wood in before it rained the wood would get all wet and muddy. Then when we put it in the fire it would make really loud cracking sounds. I thought it sounded cool, but mom and dad did not think it was very cool. I think mainly because sparks would fly out of the fireplace and land on the rug, burning a hole in the rug.

One of my favorite things to do with the firewood was to play outside on it. I would climb on the pile of wood. I would also take the wood and make an outline of a house in the grass. I would have a kitchen, bedrooms, and even a bathroom. I used to drag all kinds of toys, pillows and things out to "my house". I would get mad at Andrea because she liked to "walk through the walls" instead of using the "clearly" marked doors. I would play in there for hours. I always found that it was unfair that at the end of the day mom would make us clean up all the firewood. I would get my house just like I wanted it and then I would have to clean it all up and rebuild it again the next day. I did not realize that by leaving the firewood out on the grass it would kill the grass. I just thought mom was being mean! KIDS!

I also remember that we would pooper scoop the yard and the pile of poo was always near the big wood pile in the back. It was really stinky back there! I often would find termite holes back there. I loved when mom and dad would pour kerosene down the termite holes and set them on fire. That was always a highlight. I could go on and on with childhood memories but I will save that for another blog. In the meantime enjoy the pictures of Daniel jumping in the rain.

Thanksgiving Blessings

This thanksgiving we did not have the chance to be with family. It is just to far to drive 12 hours for 4 days. I am thankful that we will get to go there for Christmas though. We did get invited over to a friends house for thanksgiving. The friends that invited us were more than hospitable. They treated us like family and we were there all afternoon. I am thankful for friends like these. It was a real blessing for our family to share this holiday with this
family. I am not sure if they will ever know how much it meant to us. Before we went to their house on thanksgiving Daniel wanted to paint a picture. Here are a few pictures of him painting. I put him in is chair and then went to take a shower. I asked Brandon to watch him for me. When I got out of the shower Daniel was drinking the paint water! Brandon's response was "sometimes he likes to remind us that he is two!" MEN! Gotta love um!

Uncle Randall

There are some looks that Daniel gives that look so much like his Uncle it is amazing. Here is a good example. This afternoon I went in to tell Daniel it was now time for nap and found him in his toy box. Looking back at this picture I think that he looks like Uncle Randall. I am not sure what about this picture makes me think that. You can tell me if I am totally off!

Handsome Boy

Family

Family is such a blessing from God. Here is Daniel and his Great Grandpa Jones. I am so thankful that the Lord has allowed Daniel some time to get to know Grandpa.

Daddy

I am so lucky to be married to such a good man. Brandon is such a good husband and father. I love these two pictures of Daniel and Brandon. I am amazing watching the two of them together. I know that in the future there will be many ball game watched together, and many daddy Daniel moments. I love having a boy. Daniel is a such a blessing. I cannot believe how fast he is growing up!

School Days

I know that it has been a LONG time since I updated. Sometimes I feel that what I have to say cannot be all the intresting. When I am in the mood to write I am usually not home. I am really struggling lately with being a working mom. I had a bad day at work a couple of days ago. To top it off I went to ask Abby (Daniel's




teacher) a question. Daniel saw me and ran over to me and wanted me to take him back to my class. I was so stressed out so I told him not right now. He is crying "Mommy me me me" I hate that. I just started crying. I want to be Daniel's mommy not anyone elses caregiver. I just wanted to hold my baby take him home and be his mommy. I am not sure how much Daniel would like that though. He LOVES going to "school" Everyday he gets so excited when we drive up to the daycare he yells "MY SCHOOL!" He throws a fit every day because he does not want to come home. He is learning so much and is able to do so many things. He paints and does art almost everyday. He is learning songs and doing circle time. When I think of the positive things about the job it doesn't seem so bad. I am glad that tomorrow is Friday. I am looking forward to next wednesday because I have 4 days off. Of course that will make it harder to get my butt out of bed and go to work. Well at the request of Aunt Andrea here is a much needed update and picture of my dear sweet Daniel.

Happy Halloween

Daniel is all dressed up as Thomas the Tank Engine. Happy Halloween to all of you! Isn't he so cute!

Daniel's Daycare

I decided that it was time to post pictures of Daniel's classroom at his school. He loves going to school everyday. He has so much fun with his friends. He has 12 friends enrolled in his class but most days there are 8-9 of them there. One of Daniel's favorite things to do at school is play dress up. Here is Daniel playing dress up with his friend Alisia.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my
strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights
of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when
strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in
the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took
on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of
love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to
save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath
of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the
ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He
rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's
curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is
mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of
Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of
man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He
returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ
I'll stand

Apartment Drama

This past Sunday I decided to do some cleaning behind my fidge and stove. I had no idea what I was getting into. When I pulled out my stove I cried. It had not been cleaned since the last tenants. It was sooo gross. It took Brandon and I hours to clean up this mess. We thought that all of our apartment drama was over. We were wrong of course. Last night we had friends over for dinner. When I walked in the kitched I saw a HUGE bubble in my ceiling. I had to second guess myself on whether it had been there this whole time or not. Brandon got up on a chair and touched it and it was full of water. We called the apartment manager and he said that he could not send anyone out that night be we had to wait until morning. Two hours later the spot at doubled in size and we slowly spreading all over the ceiling. The last thing I wanted was for that thing to bust and for that nasty water to be all over my stuff. So Brandon and I decided to pop it. Oh boy was that fun! Enjoy the pictures!

I'm dreaming of a white Halloween?????

Okay when I moved to Michigan I was not expecting that I would have to deal with snow this early in October. It snowed over an inch today. The kids at the daycare loved it but I thought that it was a bit obnoxious. Although I have been told that this is rare for around here. I guess it does not alway snow in October which is good news for me. I feel like I did not even have a fall. Today this girl at the daycare came in and was very upeset. When I asked her what was wrong she said " I thought that Haloween was before Christmas." I thought that was really cute.

Well I know that I am bad about blogging. When I think about blogging I am usually so tired I cannot think. Which is where I am at right now.

Joys of worship through song

There is one song that when I hear it whether it be on the radio or in church that I cannot hear without getting teary. It has the same effect on me everytime. I just love the truth that rings through each line. When I hear it I think through my life, and the lives of my family members and it brings me to a point of humble prayer. Here are the lyrics for those who may not know this song. Even just reading them is powerful to me.

Blessed be your name.

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name

I have been thinking about this song since we sang it at church this morning. It is funny how songs can bring out so many diffrent emotions. There is a hymn that everytime I hear it is hard to sing it without remembering Kenya. I can just hear the kenyan people singing it and it is hard for me to sing without wanting to do so in a kenyan accent. And when I think of the words again am thrown back into a state of humble prayer. This time for the Kenyan people and for my parents as they try to raise support to go back and continue thier ministry there.

There Is A Fountain

1. There is fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.

2. The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away.

3. Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power
’Til all the ransomed church of God
Be saved to sin no more.

4. E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be ’til I die.

5. When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save.

Music is such a wonderful way to worship the Lord. I had been thinking about these songs since our worship service this morning. I always enjoy worshiping our Lord through music.

Monday Blues

I was told that it was time for an update. I am not sure that I have to much to say. I do know that this weekend has gone by way to fast. I always have the Monday blues on Sunday night. I know that I have five more days of work before I get a break again. When I was in Jr. High we did a musical and sang a song that went "It's monday all over again and it feels like the week is never going to end. It hits me every seven days without warning, it keeps me praying for saturday morning..." WOW I cannot believe that I remember so many words to that song. But I do know that I have to work so that we can survive! This last month has been a challange for our family. I do not want to complain because the Lord has taken care of us. It just is hard when there always seems like something. The latest thing is that our Bank from Kansas is charging us a $6 fee for not using the bank account enough. I know that is our fault we should have just closed it out. We just forgot that they would charge us. The thing is that there is not $6 in the account, so now we have to mess with that. I know $6 is not much but it is more than we have right now. Our bills are higher the first couple of months as we are hooking things up here. We have a much lower income than we did in Olathe. We are adjusting to things being a bit more expensive around here. We are praying that we get back on our feet soon. I am really looking forward to the day when Brandon is out of school and we actually have a decent income. But in the mean time I will praise the Lord for building our faith. When you are not sure when or how you will be able to pay bills and then the Lord provides you really learn to trust him. Well, I need to go and put my dear sweet baby to bed. We have to get up early and be at the daycare. I am so thankful for Daniel. He brings so much joy to our lives. He really makes you notice the little things. He gets excited about the smallest things like, elevators, and Mac and cheese! Children truly are a blessing from God!

Long Week...

This week has been a long week. I am so glad that it is Friday. I think that my body has finally adjusted to working 40 hours a week again. I have also gotten used to getting up at 6 am. I am not so sure that Daniel has though. He is such a grump in the mornings. We have pushed his bedtime back to 7:00 to try to help him not be so tired. It seems to work a little bit. Once he is awake, Daniel really loves going to school everyday. He has a lot of friends and his teachers say that he is such a good boy. I was worried about how he would adjust. He is in a class with kids who are all older than him. I did that on purpose because I felt that they could teach him how to talk and potty and things like that. The kids in the other class are bewtween 15-22 months old. I felt that he would do better in the older class.

I have been fighting off a cold all week. That has made this week long. I am looking forward to a night of nothingness and a morning of sleeping in. Tonight Daniel is sleeping in his twin bed for the first time. He is so excited about it. I have not heard a peep from him since we put him down. He is getting to be such a big boy.

Well I am rambling on about nothingness. I just have not updated this in a couple of days and thought that I would write a little about my week.

Pictures of our apartment and the campus.

I have been meaning to send everyone pictures of our apartment. Here is a picture of our living room, standing in the dining room. The big curtain is our glass doors that go our to a balcony.








This is a picture of what we see when we sit on our balcony.













This is a shot of my kitchen.

















Here is the other side of the Kitchen. I love the size of this kitchen. The only thing that it is missing is a dishwasher!













Here is our dining room. This shot was taken from the living room. The door to the left (that you can barely see over by the metal shelves) is the door that leads into the kitchen.












This is Daniel's room. It is small, but big enough for him.



















This is one shot of our living room. Our living room is huge and so we put Brandon's work station behind the couch. We can fit five bookshelves in here! I am standing in the Dining room taking this picture.












This is our bedroom, not much to see. There are two closets which is really nice.













Here is another shot of Daniel's room and his toddler bed that he has been sleeping in.














This is our really ugly bathroom. I wanted to make sure that you could see the nasty floor!

















This is what our apartment looks like from the outside. Our apartment is the balcony to the left on the second floor.













This is Brandon's "carrel" ( I call it an office) in the library. He shares this which one other guy. The other side of the "carrel" looks like Brandon's but the desk and shelves are full of books. I am sure that is what Brandon's will look like in a couple of years.













This is a shot of the campus. This is on our side of the street. Most of the campus is across a major road that they call the Belt Line. This is the walkway that you take to get to the other side of the road.











This is the crosswalk that you have to use to get across the road. Traffic hardly ever stops on this road, so this is the best way to go.













Another shot of Brandon's "carrel".