Tuesday, January 6, 2009

I, I, I, I, I'm Free From Sin...

...is the "ear worm" of the last two days in this Knoxville, TN household of 6!

Yesterday I decided to pop in a cd by one of my favorite musical artists and told my 2 lil' newphews, that I'd just picked up from morning school, that we were gonna skip the Odyssey story this time and jam to some Christian rap on the way home! The beats started knockin' and our heads started bobbin' and Ryan (4) exclaimed excitedly from the back seat..."Aunt Sarah! They just said CHRIST!" I told him that yes indeed Lecrae's music is full of all kinds of good things about Christ and his eyes just sparkled like they always do when he's facinated.

The fun continued as the real dance party commenced in the livingroom when we got home, but I've heard (or sung) the same one line about every other minute since then! William (6) repeated the truth-telling line, and a few others he composed to go alone with it, all through his shower last night! "I, I, I, I, I'm free from sin, and no more chains are holding me!" Of all the words that could be stuck on repeat in our heads I'm glad it's those. It took me a loooong time to realize the profound truth of them in my life...I'll guess I'll always be learning it more and more. Thanks belongs to our God. :-)

The kids say the cutest things, give the sweetest hugs, and yes of course sometimes ignore the first two times I tell them to do something, but my favorite thing of all is talking with them about the God that is apart of everything we do! There always seems to be a natural conversation about Him waiting to happen during a jog around the neighborhood, a game of "Battleship", or after an incident of obedience, disobedience, selflessness, etc. It brings so much delight to get to talk about the True One with such dear children. I also value the lessons on parenthood that I get from watching their parents in action. I'm thanking God for this temporary detour, and wanna be a reflection of Him (through Him).

Here's the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQBn7sGHBM0

Friday, January 2, 2009

December in TX & TN


Brazilian Specialty For My Family--
Hot Dogs with Potato Chips and Sweet Corn on Top!


Badminton in the Backyard


Partial Family Pic


Singing Elves at Houston's First Baptist
Christmas Store


Downtown Knoxville with Nephew William (6)


All the Kids After the Guys Raced Go-Carts (Christmas in TN)


So Much Fun Singing in Mom's Choir Christmas Program!


My Mom's Sunday School Class Prayed for me Weekly and
Sent Letters to Me! It was Super Fun to Meet them, Show
Pictures and Hand Out Brazilian Cookies! I Got Interviewed
by Many Awana Kids for their Missionary Page Too!