Summer Baptism!

Sweet Summer trusted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior in the fall of 2013.  Christ made a radical and undeniable change in her that was extremely noticeable by those around her.  She went from a stubborn child who tried to get as close to the line as possible, determined to win any disobedience-related "parent-child show-down", to a child whose conscience brought her to tears when she did wrong even with no consequences being issued.  God changed her heart to be completely desiring Him and 100% on fire for sharing his love with others.  Christ is SO evident in her life!  One evening a few weeks ago, while Summer and I were on a date driving to see a dance show at the high school where I teach, Summer told me there was something she wanted to talk about.  She proceeded to share that she would like to be baptized!  There would be an upcoming service at our church, and she wanted to proclaim to the world that she trusted Jesus as her Savior.  How exciting!  She called her grandparents, and invited family, and it was seriously such a beautiful and encouraging evening of worship songs and 11 people sharing their testimonies and proclaiming their decision to follow Christ as Lord.  Below are a few pictures/videos of her video testimony, her baptism (she chose to have Daddy baptize her), and some of the wonderful family and friends that came to support and encourage her!  We are SO beyond grateful, Lord, for all that you are doing in Summer's heart.  Thank you for working in her heart, thank you for letting us watch, and thank you for using her for your glory!

Video of Testimony


Video of Baptism

Duluth

Grandma and Grandpa T gave us an AWESOME Christmas present last year !  They gifted us a stay at Edgewater hotel in Duluth, which has an indoor waterpark!  We decided to save our certificate for this past weekend, because we had heard so much about the Bentleyville Christmas Light Display in Duluth, that we wanted to see it in conjunction with our visit.  It was such a fun family weekend!  After picking up the kids at school, we picked up Paul from work, and headed out.  We ate dinner on the way, and arrived in time to look around the hotel!  We enjoyed Saturday morning breakfast at the hotel, and a full day of waterpark fun!  We cleaned up for dinner, a train ride to Bentleyville, and amazing lights, hot chocolate, popcorn and more!  I love family time away together!  Thank you Grandma and Grandpa T for such a fun Christmas present! 

Fall Fun

Leaves and Pumpkins

Lovin' the gorgeous fall colors on our walk to school

Leaf Raking Fun

Pumpkin Carving 

Our church had a family night where they read the Pumpkin Parable (how Jesus cleans the gunky sin out of of our lives, and carves us to let HIS light shine through) and we carved a family pumpkin :)

School and Friends

Special when Grandma and Grandpa come to school for lunch!

Summer's friends and their moms went to dinner and to see a play together!

Colton, our math and science guy, surprised us with his artistic talent when his painting got picked to be displayed all year long on the wall at Southview.

Kindergartener Larkyn finally got her turn to "disguise a turkey" so he didn't get eaten for Thanksgiving...

Giraffe :)

Summer is loving Destination Imagination, where she and her team creatively solve instant challenges much more.  Their competition will be in February.  Its a great group of kids, and so fun that Grandma and Grandpa K are helping to coach!

Summer and her two Southview besties at lunch

Larkyn was SO excited that kindergarten friend Cora joined us for Wednesday night clubs at church!

Summer and friends

Cousins and Family

When mom was away at women's retreat, daddy taught the kids his pizza making secrets and they loved the new Aladdin!

Date night to Loons Game!

Loving on our Uncle before he headed off to college in AZ

These cousins LOVE each other!  

Top Priority

Jesus is top priority in our house.  First thing in the morning, each school morning, when I go in to wake up each kid, we read his/her Bible and pray together.  BEST way to start the day.  I love their sweet desires to know Him more.  One morning, all three kids were ready for school early.  I peeked in on them and all three happened to be quietly reading their Bibles all on their own, so I had to snap a picture.  Lord, thank you for your work in our family - please continue to bless and protect our family and bring glory to Your Name through us.  Amen.