When your God is the King of Heaven, and Spontaneity Is Your Friend

... you will go where He sends you on a moment's notice.  We are off to Canada for a week to help Impact World Tours in Kingston, Ontario.  Andrew got a phone call from John Ross yesterday, asking for him to run audio for the Tour there.  It has all worked out; both the $ and the time off of work-- well, I say, "worked out", but I know that it has all been God's hand at work.  I have to admit, I was a little worried at first that Andrew would be going by himself, and we would be apart for our 3rd Anniversary.  But I could hear God clearly in my spirit, telling me to not worry about it and to leave it alone.  It is amazing to me that the finances have been completely covered, in one day!  And a friend is coming over tomorrow before we leave with a cooler full of food for the trip!

   This is going to be my first missions trip!  I can't tell you how excited I am, because my whole life I've longed to go on one and here it is!  At last! 

   Andrew is saying its going to be a lot of work.  Of course, I try to imagine what that is going to look like, exactly.... but I can't really, except thinking that it'll mean not seeing a whole lot of him for a few days.  But I'm so excited thinking about the difference it'll end up making in the Kingdom, so it'll be okay.  It'll be more than just okay, actually!

   I'm already charging my camera battery : )  We are leaving tomorrow evening, and returning the following Tuesday (the 8th).  We are taking the children, of course, renting a car, and driving 27 hours, nonstop.  It is a good thing for Andrew that I LOVE to drive! : )   

   Please pray for the Lord to do amazing things in the hearts of the people there!

Sun Bathing

Today, while the children were taking their naps, Andrew and I took our own nap on the living-room floor and let the bright sunshine wash over our skin.  It felt so amazing.  It wasn't quite warm enough outside to sunbathe, so it ended up being a very nice substitute.  I feel entirely ready for summer now; but alas, snow is on its way tomorrow : (  

Some more pics

A scarf and hat set made by Oma

A scarf and hat set made by Oma

Almost a smile

Sitting for a few seconds to catch her breath : )

More Climbing Pics

Almost to the top -yes, he did whoop it! Of course.

The guys had a great time!

So did we : ) Now off to home, celebrating with Strawberry Shortcake!

Happy Birthday, Andrew!!!

Today Andrew turned 26! I surprised him by finally taking us to an indoor climbing gym, where we spent about 3 hours tonight. Cody came with us, and his wife baby-sat for us, so it worked out perfectly.... we all had a ton of fun! Right now my forearms are the most sore : ) This wasn't the first time for the guys, although it was for me. It was fun to see them tackle all the "impossible" holds. We would certainly be happy to undertake this as a regular sport!

Prepping for the climb

The instructor showing us the ropes : )

Andrew showing us how its done

About to be my turn!

Oh, this is fun!

Little Helper

He is Risen!!

Sleeping Little Boy

(Please excuse the pink pacifier : ) Somehow all his "boy" ones seem to get lost the most, so we end up digging into Marcail's old stash)

I See Again

    Tonight I saw some of the rehearsals for our Easter Productions on Sunday.  There are musical pieces/dramas showing various miracles Jesus performed, the betrayal at the the Garden, His crucifixion and death, and His resurrection from death.  I was pretty much crying the whole time : )  Sometimes it is easy to take everything He's done for us as just another everyday event, especially for someone like me who has grown up hearing all the Bible stories.  

     It is so refreshing to all of a sudden take it at face value, like a slap of cold water in the face and "re-see" it all over again, with the shock of that depth of Love and that depth of pain;  realizing the Passionate Love the Father had for us, to put Jesus on the earth in our form for the sole purpose of becoming the sacrifice of the world, and the Hope of our lives.  It really is amazing! 

    I found myself sitting there, just longing for the day when I will finally see Him face to face.  I sometimes wonder what that will be like... I realize He is Lord and have a picture in my mind of falling on my knees in surrender and adoration... but what I want to do more than anything, is to run into His open arms, bury my head in His chest and strong embrace, laughing, and crying, and think, "At Last! At Last!"  It is going to be incredible!  

Goin' Crazy With the Salsa!

You'll have to excuse my faces.... she was rubbing it in like it was lotion : )

A Few Pics

She was screaming with laughter here...

There's just something about a baby boy. I can't explain it, it's just incredible. He's so playful and cuddly; he totally melts my heart, and I can't help but kiss him and hold him. Maybe it's just because he actually lets me hold him : )

He's still got that "Baby Smell," (the nice kind) : )

Here's the stray Abercrombie model I found : ) I 'm so glad I got to keep him!

Just a cute pic of our little girl!

Eyes and BellyButtons

Kisses and BellyButtons

Sweet Kisses

Such a Girl

I've Been Bit by The Baby Bug

I know it sounds crazy, but I've gotten the baby bug pretty badly... I want to have another adorable Makinson baby.  If it wasn't for April's wedding in May, and the bad timing it would be for Christmas plans, I'd probably be pregnant already : )  But I still think we're going to wait till mid summer- that should be soon enough, and I think I can hold out that long.

Happy Kids

"If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes."

This is what we were told when we moved here about 3 years ago.  So far, its pretty true.  Yesterday we had almost 70 degree weather, as sunny, bright, and perfect as it can get.  This morning I woke up to snow and ice, blasts of icy cold winds and the fog is so thick I can't even see the sky!

'van Eats

He seems to be a little more picky with what foods he likes than Marcail ever was.  He's still pretty good about it, though.  He does like his sweet potatoes and corn, which is what he's eating here.

He couldn't get enough of that wonderful stuff!

This is his angry face because it was all gone! : (