Special Olympics 4-15-09

Psalm 127:3 (New International Version)

³ Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.

Wow...I have never had such a wonderful day of fun and smiles! Being at the Special Olympics meet was such a blessing and a privilege. Seeing the kids who come in last smile and be just as happy as the kids who come in first is an awe-inspiring thing. So much joy, laughter, smiles, hugs, and sheer determination. Here are just a few of the many photos I took. The hugs are my favorite...that's what it's all about.


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Happy Easter!

John 20:10-17 (New International Version)

¹⁰Then the disciples went back to their homes, ¹¹but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb ¹²and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

¹³They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"

"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." ¹⁴At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

¹⁵"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

¹⁶Jesus said to her, "Mary."
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

¹⁷Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "

I hope you and your families have a blessed Easter. He has risen, and in doing so has given all who believe eternal life. Praise God!

Here are a couple of pics from church today, one of my boys and one of Andre and his friend, Mackenzie. Isn't she beautiful? :)

Dry Creek Cemetery

Psalm 107:20 (New International Version)

²⁰ He sent forth his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.

I've always had some strange fascination with old cemeteries. Not like a macabre, goth-girl, want-to-go-wander-them-at-night-and-see-ghosts kind of fascination, but I have just always loved to wander through them in broad daylight, looking at the headstones, trying to form stories of the deceased in my mind. Their dates of birth and death are there, along with their names, so I try to fill in the dash between the dates with what I imagine their lives to have been like. Maybe it's a bit weird or crazy, but that's OK. ;)

This particular cemetery is Dry Creek Cemetery on 1565 just outside of Poetry. It's very small, and secluded in the neatest little area surrounded by old trees and wildflowers. Lots of irises and indian paintbrushes dot the landscape during the spring, but not quite yet as there were not any out today. I've photographed things here before and thought I'd return today since it's close by and it's pretty cool to see. It's also nice and quiet, and nobody bothers me there.

I think I might start a little personal side challenge to find other little cemeteries this spring. I'll post them up as I find them and see if I'm the only weirdo in the bunch.

On another note, have a wonderful and blessed Easter. He has risen!!

Finally...Soccer Returns!

Song of Solomon 2:11
See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.

I've enjoyed the rains and I know we needed them desperately...but it sure did put a crimp in the soccer schedule!! We've had FOUR rainouts. In a row. The boys were SOOO ready for games to start up again! We played our second game Thursday night and our third game this morning. In both games, J.P. scored 2 goals. He's a beast at this game! Here are some shots of their hard work!