Happy 8th Anniversary!

Eight years ago today, my husband and I were joined in holy matrimony. Since then, we have experienced many moves, the birth of three children, new cars, new toys, new jobs... just life in general. Nothing remarkable, except for the amazing grace and mercy God has shown us throughout our marriage. We have travelled valleys and climbed mountains together. We met in 7th grade. He used to sit behind me in science class and would kick my chair. We kept in touch throughout the years sporadically until one day he called me up and wanted to visit. He met me at work and the rest, they say, is history. I have loved this man since that day with all my heart. I am so thankful that God chose him for me. He is my best friend, my one true confidant, and the only person in the world who can tolerate me (inside joke). :) So happy anniversary sweetie! I love you dearly!

Dear Mom and Dad,

Dear Mom and Dad,

I miss, miss, miss, and still miss "you'se" guys, and being home, and the kitties.

Oh yeah, and as usual Shatze woke Mica and I at 6:19 in the morning, 'cause he had to go outside. Other than that I've done my schoolwork, including math, Mom! I had some lovely ginger peach tea with my math (well I didn't drink my math though I would liked it to have disappeared with my tea).

Oh, in science I learned about the Smooth and Cardiac Muscles, or as Sophia says "Muskuls". And after lunch I made some gluten-sugar-dairy-free peanut butter cookies (try saying that five times fast), today, for Grandpa.

Speaking of today, it has been very overcast and dreary.

Well, I need to go and get some other things done today. Can't wait to see you guys!

Love,

Caro:)

P.S I'm not sure if you will see this in London or in Houston, or somewhere in between. :)

P.S.S Why, when starting letters to parents, people always say "Dear Mom and Dad"; why not "Dear Dad and Mom"; you would think think the Dad would be first... does it matter?

Happy 1st birthday, Dominic!

Today is Dominic's first birthday. It hardly seems that one year ago today we first held this little boy. He has brought so much joy into our lives; his sweet smile, loud laugh, chubby hands, and beautiful blue eyes. We thank God everyday for ordaining that this little man be a part of our family and our lives.

We pray that God would be gracious to him, to call him unto Himself. That he would one day repent and believe. That he would be a mighty man of God, one who speaks boldly for Christ, who is an ambassador for the one true God, who loves God with all his being, who rejoices at the truth, and who will be a leader in his home.

We love you, Dominic!

In Christ,

~Micaela

Dear Mom and Dad {Happy Anniversary}

Dear Mom and Dad,

Happy Anniversary!

Thank you for seeing the Lord together in your marriage,

showing us an example of true love.
Thank you for living it out-not perfectly;

for being an example of Christs love for The Church.

We're thankful for you and that you can have this time together.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angel,
but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have all faith, so as to move mountains,
but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give away all I have, and deliver up my body to be burned,
but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast;
it is not arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends.
1 Corinthians 13

Much Love,

Nicole, Elena, Mica, Caro

p.s.
Yes, we know you don't look like this
but we actually didn't have a picture of you on this computer!

Think on These....

Finally, Brothers,

whatever is true,

whatever is honorable,

whatever is just,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is commendable,

if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

Philippians 4

I hope this encourages you as much as it has me this week.

Since I've been studying for some recent exams, I've come across so many dreadful, pointless plays, novels, and poems! Usually, when I'm reading fiction, I'm pretty picky about what I choose. Good thing too, with all of the Allen Ginsbergs and Alice Walkers on the shelves.

At the end of the day the passage above has been very helpful for me, to focus on what it is that I ought to be thinking.

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Dear Dad and Mom,

I think by now your evening is just beginning; I hope you have time to stroll about the cobblestoned streets before you have your dinner.

We miss you here is the U.S.

Talk to you soon!

Love,

Elena

Teen Pact, the weary/fun time

Every year for the past three or four years us and some friends of ours go to this camp called

TeenPact , a Christian camp in Buda, TX (outside of Austin) where you go to the capital and learn about the government, write your own mock bills, etc. Well, we cook for the kids when they get back to the camp for dinner and early morning breakfast. We can always count on having a fun time.

So with that being said, I will show you a little peek of our time there:

Day 1:

Sunday, the day before we left; our Grandpa and Grandma came down from California to visit all the Texas family down here.

On our way to Austin, we stopped to take a break and so Lizzie and I had to stretch our legs. :)

After we picked up Rebbecca we were on our way to Buda, to the camp. I don't know if you can tell but we were packed to the BRIM, with food, clothes, bags, stuff, and people. :)

Immediately once we got to the camp we unloaded the food and set to work peeling 40lb. of potatoes, and mixing a ton of meat for meatloaf.

ALL the snacks that the students bring to eat after chapel.

Green beans!

The good old, worn swings.

Mica, getting all the bread ready.

After dinner we had to prepare the eggs for the next mornings breakfast, I believe we cracked and blended 120 eggs! Even though it tasted good after it was cooked, it did not look very appetizing in big pitchers all blended up.

In the Valley

When You lead me to the valley of vision

I can see You in the heights

And though my humbling wouldn’t be my decision

It’s here Your glory shines so bright

So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown

To be low is to be high

That the valley’s where You make me more like Christ

Let me find Your grace in the valley

Let me find Your life in my death

Let me find Your joy in my sorrow

Your wealth in my need

That You’re near with every breath

In the valley

In the daytime there are stars in the heavens

But they only shine at night

And the deeper that I go into darkness

The more I see their radiant light

So let me learn that my losses are my gain

To be broken is to heal

That the valley’s where Your power is revealed

Let me find Your grace in the valley

Let me find Your life in my death

Let me find Your joy in my sorrow

Your wealth in my need

That You’re near with every breath

In the valley

© 2006 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)