Growing, Growing

Life is all about growing.

 

Are we growing strong and tall, pointing to what is true and noble?

 

Or are we growing down into darkness and our life is twisted and hidden?

 

Sometimes it is a combination of both.

 

We grow and point to heaven and the Creator of all.

 

We are excited about living and loving.

 

After several disappointments we grow a little less straight and tall.  

 

Then we might lose our way and a part of our soul twists away from the light.

 

Yet, the story isn't over, there is hope anew.  

 

As I face this day, I want to push towards the sky and grow strong and true.

 

How about you, which way are you growing?

Amazing trees at Park Creek Camp
 

Nathan's paper

This is a paper Nathan wrote about his camp experience. I wanted to share it with you! Lisa

This year at Park Creek I had a great time. Although it took a long time to make it up there it was worth it. On the way up, I was the crazy one in the car. I told jokes, played funny music, and was down right hilarious. When we got to camp, I found a spot right next to my best friend Creighton. As the kids keep arriving, I knew it would be a great week.

My tribe, Children of Thunder, had some great memorizers. All through the week, we were neck to neck with another tribe, The Flaming Chariots. The first day I said all my dailies and 1 bonus. By the end of the week I said all 3 bonuses which were Psalms 92:12-15, Romans 8:5-11, and Isaiah 55. With the help of the rest of the tribe we won.

The classes we had were amazing. John Hull and Luke Anderson taught the first one which was all about Body parts that help us thrive in the kingdom, like our mouths, ear, etc. Lance Osborn taught the second one, which was all about Joseph and how he thrived even in his hard situation. The sermons at morning and evening service were amazing. All week we learned about thriving and how to do it. I learned a lot at camp this year and I will keep it with me forever.

Rec. was a great part of camp. At rec. time we played volleyball, basketball, and so on. Some other games were capture the flag, obstacle courses, and tug a war over a mud pit. All week in rec. only two people were hurt, me and a friend named Brandon. That is what I did this year at camp. I had fun, learned a lot, met new people, played and had fun, memorized a lot, and so on.

Forgiveness Like None Other

This short story was written by our oldest, Sarah, just because it was in her heart. It makes me cry when I think of what Jesus did for us. I hope it touches you as well.

Forgiveness like None Other

Falling, I’m falling into a black murky darkness that surrounds my very soul. No sounds, no life, and no feeling of the body that was once mine. It is a great burning blackness, completely cut off from all other humanity. It is void of all things and it is pressing upon my mind cutting off thoughts and memories. The joyful times spent with family and friends are disappearing and great pain is filling my whole head. I hear a haunting voice saying, “You did not follow me or keep my commands, depart from me and take your place in the lake of fire.”

It is then that I wake up. Sweat pours down my face blocking my vision and falling into my mouth. My sheets are drenched and my pillow sopping with my perspiration. I slowly climb out of bed and look at the alarm clock. The thick red numbers blare into my face, it is two-o’clock in the morning. I open my window and take a deep breath relishing in the crisp coolness of the early morning air. The sounds of crickets comfort my soul and fill the night with their glorious music. I bring my hand up to my face and wipe my brow when a haunting image comes into my minds eye.

A bruised, bloody, man slowly walks down a narrow street jam packed with thousands of people. A procession of soldiers dressed in red follow in front and behind him. He stumbles under the weight of a huge, coarse, wooden beam. His knees clotted with blood come crashing to the ground and he groans. He slowly brings his hand to his face and wipes the sweat from his face.

I’m back in my room shaking from the experience. I can’t get the hurt and betrayal in the man’s face out of my mind. But there was something else on his face that my mind just can’t grasp. Something, in his eyes that will drive me insane until I find out what it was.

I crawl back into my bed shaking my head and hoping that the rest of my night will be spent in dreamless sleep. I pull the purple quilt under my chin and cuddle into the warmth of my soft green sheets. I put my head down on my blue flannel pillow and am instantly plunged into another dream.

This time the bloodied man is stumbling up a steep hill with labored steps. I can tell he is finding it hard to breath because of the great heaving in his chest. The parade comes to a halt on the top of this hill. I shudder with an involuntary reaction to this gruesome and haunting hill. There is a presence all around me that feels like millions of tons of energy straining to get out of a locked up area. A battle seems to rage as my body is pushed and pulled to the pushing presence of beings that I can not see. I watch as the disfigured man is thrown onto two wooden beams laid out on the ground. I try not to scream as the guard pounds nails into the man’s hands. The man cries out in great pain again and again as the other nails are pounded into his two hands and his ankles. The crudely made cross is thrown into the ground jarring the man’s body. The man hangs there gasping for breath while people mock and taunt him. They are saying things in a language that I do not understand. The man looks up to heaven and cries, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” My body shakes with tears and anger as I watch this horrible event. He whispers softly, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do!” And then he dies.

I’m struck with the shock and amazement of the words that had just come from this man’s voice. He was asking God to forgive these cruel violent men to forgive the wrong that they had done to him. The tears fall from my eyes like a waterfall. It was then that I realized what was in the man’s eyes as he was walking to his death. It was forgiveness.

I know what I’m going to do with my life and what decision I will make. I will choose to follow the king of kings, lord of lords, and almighty God. What choice will you make this day? Will you choose to accept the great gift of forgiveness that this man called Jesus offers you?

~ Sarah's random thoughts ~

Hey everyone!

My mom thought it would be cool if I did something on here so yeah!
I turned 15 a couple months ago and am TOTALLY syked about getting to drive! My dad's already trying to teach me! I find that the hard part is letting go of the clutch while pressing on the gas! Oh well, I'll learn!
I am currently working on my second semester as a freshmen in high school! The classes I am taking consist of; Honor's English, Honor's Algebra, Honor's Earth Science, Personal Finance, Physical Education, and Computer Aided Design! I love my school and have lots of friends that I love doing things with!
I got to go Ice skating for the first time because of NVVA a couple months back and it was a blast! I LOVE hiking down here at Red Rock Canyon it's so pretty!
(like the title says this is TOTALLY random)
I have been thinking a lot about what I'm going to be and I definitely want to go into the Medical Field! Either to be a nurse or a dental hygienist! I also want to take some classes in Interior Design!
I can't wait till Park Creek Bible Camp and am positive that this year is going to be the best year yet! Well that's about it!
Hope this wasn't too crazy, but if it was that's just the way I roll! ;)

♪♫ Sarah Elisabeth Racine ♪♫

Eve in the Garden

This is a description I wrote about what it might have been like in the Garden of Eden. It also reminds me to think about what heaven will be like!

A breeze rustles through the trees, reminding you of peaceful windswept days.
As you look around, you see brilliant flowers in the most beautiful colors.
Hydrangeas that are so blue, they are almost violet.
Roses that you smell even before you see their lovely buds.
Every color imaginable is around you, yellows, purple, reds.
A wolf softly walks on deep layers of grass, but have no fear
The creature nuzzles you and then keeps walking.
The sun shines brightly, but not enough to make you squint.
And the trees, tall and stately with every imaginable kind of fruit.
Luscious oranges full of juice, the sweetest apples you ever ate
Banana trees laden down with their sweet, soft fruit.
All for you to eat and enjoy.
There is no death, no fear, no filth.
All is clean, cared for, at peace
Best of all, God the Father is there, He walks with you, He talks with you.
As you lay down at night, all is well, only peace, love and contentment.
No sin, no fear, no danger, every need is met, everything is wonderful.

~Lisa~

Catch-up

Well we won't talk about how long it took me to get on here. Let's just say that I really like Facebook. However, what is the point in having a blog if you don't use it. I enjoy many other peoples blogs, so it is time I get busy with my own.

We are doing well here in Las Vegas. God continues to bless the church with new souls to teach and help. Our city isn't very good though, more crime and murders everyday it seems. This week a few blocks away from our home, a man was killed. It makes me especially thankful that God is watching over our family and His church, even in a wicked city. We do love our "winter" weather though. Nice with only long sleeves needed, walks, biking, scootering, etc. We can do it all right in January.

Sarah is doing great in high school, yes, she really is in high school. It is a virtual school, k12 as is Nathan. She continues to improve with the piano, she takes after her grandmas, they all play well! Nathan is taking 2 high school classes and is doing so well. He went on his first hunting trip this year which was a big highlight for him. Now he wants to gain weight and get stronger. He is going to be tall and skinny, just like my dad. Everybody else is watching their weight, but not Nathan, he cheers when he gains! Deborah is our prolific writer of stories and poems. She is growing up and learning what it means to be a young lady, which isn't always fun! She is still so full of life and fun! Stephen is doing very well too, he loves to read, the Bible and Boxcar Children are his favorites. Thanks Grandma for sending those library sale ones to us! He is ready for baseball to begin next month too.

John and I are busy as usual, but it is a good busy. He continues to work in the Operations at UPS, and for the Church at Las Vegas. 2010 was full of new conversions and lots of teaching. His health is good, he keeps plugging away with his enthusiasm about Jesus, and powerful preaching. I am enjoying school with the kids, I learn so much. I also have been teaching the ladies class and the young ladies here in Vegas which is a pleasure for me. I continue to hunt for good bargains wherever I can get them. Coupons, forthemommas.com, bread store, etc. It is a game for me to stretch that dollar as much as I can. I may not make money for my family, but I sure save my husband a lot of money.

So that is how we are. A little late in coming, but I will do better. God bless each of you in 2011.

The new library in Cheyenne

Cheyenne's library won 2008 U.S. Library of the Year, and I can see why. John's mom volunteers on Fridays and we have always loved libraries. These photos are on the children's level. A giant gear mechanism, which Stephen played with for 1 1/2 hours with no distractions. They have this huge chess game. John, Nathan & sister Lisa had fun playing chess. What a library!