Beautiful Day

That song reminds me so much of our time spent with our children. This week was no exception. What a wonderful, crazy, busy week we had with them. I can't remember having more fun with Sierra and Pierce than we did last night. Of course, Brett wasn't fully aware of ALL the activities we had planned until he got home. I've learned, if we spring it on him, he doesn't have time to think about how tiring it might be...and at the end of the day, when we're tucking them in bed, he looked at me and said, "I love you", we have a wonderful family, you know that? I was so waiting for, "have you lost your mind" haha

We built gingerbread houses, decorated gingerbread people (animals & babies), and then wrote Santa a letter and drove the kids to Bricktown to put it in The Oklahoman's Santa Mailbox. On the way, we sang songs and acted silly. It was SO much fun.

We will attach a few of the photo's making gingerbread people. Oh, I forgot to mention, in between all these activities, we had a class project we worked on with Pierce. He had to make a family quilt square. We included a picture of the family, a Christmas Tree, snow and lots of glitter! He was very proud of his project. It will be displayed at school with all the other quilt squares.

What a great end to a beautiful week!
KB

Family

Today was a great day. I told Brett this morning that I used to dread the holidays, but since we've been married, they have been the best holidays I've ever had. Today was no exception. Even though we had to make several trips, it was a very relaxing day and we got to spend with Brandon, Lindsey, Megan, Heath and Hudson. We are very blessed. Tomorrow we will pick up Sierra and Pierce and spend the next week with them. We are taking them to see Santa arrive tomorrow evening and light The Oklahoman Christmas Tree. They are very excited! This year, one of the Life Church bands will be singing Christmas Carols at the lighting ceremony, so that should be really fun.

Hope everyone had a great day. And please don't forget those less fortunate. There are so many people right here in Oklahoma that need our help and prayers.

Blessed are those that can give without remembering
and receive without forgetting.
-Author Unknown-

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thankful

This is a week to be thankful. I am thankful everyday when I wake up. I've got a great husband, four beautiful, healthy children, the world's best grandson, and a wonderful job. But most of all...we have God in our lives. And just recently, we've become a part of a new Life Group. These are the most amazing group of people and we look forward to group every week. Man, sometimes I almost feel guilty about having so many wonderful things in our life. Then I stop and realize...God is Good.

I hope everyone who reads this blog has a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving.

You cannot do a kindness too soon
because you never know how soon it will be too late.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

KB

"Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things...outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory." - Warren W. Wiersbe
KB

Love Is An Action

Today was one of the most rewarding days of my life. Life Church organized a Block Party in the heart of Downtown OKC. The day started early...we met at Life Church at 8am. We carpooled with our Life Group...they are SO awesome. On the way downtown, we stopped at WalMart to pick up some hair clippers. Once we arrived, there were hundreds of people from all the Life Campuses wearing blue shirts that read - Love Is An Action - Block Party 2007. We met in a field, prayed, read scripture and then we each received a bracelet to give to a homeless person to let them know someone loves them and is thinking of them. We all walked together to the block party location. It was incredible. A man named Tim,purchased an old crack house and decided he wanted to make a difference. Let me tell you, today, Life Church made a difference in a lot of lives. It was one of the most incredible things I've ever experienced. We unloaded semi-trucks full of clothes, blankets, toys, water and almost everything you can think of. People donated and purchased these items...it was amazing. The homeless lined up inside for haircuts, food and there was even an area set up for photos. Someone brought a backdrop and took photos of families. I overheard one woman say she had never had a family photo taken before. At one point, Brett and I were sitting on a pew inside the building and one of the guys (the brother of our Life Group Leader) started praying, passionately with this man. Come to find out, this homeless man (probably in his 30's) told him he was on his way to commit suicide. They hugged afterward and you could tell, the man just needed someone to care. As the day went on, we served lunch, helped people pick out clothes and personal items and listened to one of the Life Church bands sing praise songs. I think the thing that touched me the most, were the children. There were tons of children, of all ages. We took three garbage sacks full of Sierra's clothes and toys. We saw one little girl walking across the street with Sierra's backpack. They were so happy to get anything. But most of all, to have people love them. I don't think I've cried as much as I did today. Brett was amazing...he is one of the most generous, giving people I have ever met. He walked up to men sitting on curbs and talked to them. He put his arms around people and told them he loved them. I'm a very lucky person to have Brett in my life.

Today was just the start of more to come. We've made a commitment to do this more often. Not to wait until someone else organizes it, but to take the initiative to go downtown ourselves and let people know they are loved.

KB