My Dad listens to a local radio station called KOA 850 when going to and from work. He listens to it mainly because of the frequent traffic reports, but there's a show on there called "The Ride Home" that he listens to now and then.

Dad had to go on a business trip to California last week, and Mom decided to come along and make it a 20th anniversary trip. They weren't quite alone since they had to take Gideon with them. ;) Anyways, on the flight back, they sat next to a lady, Louis, who was also from Colorado and had spent the week in California. She was telling them how she had lived in California all her life, and had only been living in CO for about 6 years. She got to talkin' about how people recognized and knew her when she moved out here, and Mom was like, "How did people know you??" She said that she was a radio broadcaster. And then Dad's like, "Which radio station do you broadcast?" And guess what? She broadcasts on KOA!! My dad like totally freaked out; he couldn't believe it! So the next day, Dad gets this call from one of his co-workers, and the guy's like, "Who did you sit next to on the plane?" He said that Louis was talking about a couple with 10 kids, and goats, and all that. As soon as he heard that, he knew it was Dad. :)

So...I thought it was pretty neat that we were mentioned on the radio! But I won't leave you without a link to the broadcast!!! Here it is! Just listen to the first 10 minutes or so. :) Enjoy!

God is so incredibly awesome! He isn't like the Greek god Poseidon or the Roman god Jupiter. Nor is He like like a more modern-day god such as Buddha or the prophet Muhammad. No, the one true God is nothing like them! He is personal. And what does that mean? It means that I can actually have a relationship with Him! Can you believe it?!? The only God in the world that you can have that with! Wow. Such a relationship is almost impossible to describe! Think of your BEST friend...one who knows almost everything about you and with whom you share your innermost thoughts and feelings...now think of that relationship being 10 times greater! That's what is like to be friends with God! I tell Him my doubts, fears, joys, sorrows, strengths, and weaknesses - everything. And He never let's me down. He's never too busy to give a "listening ear" or a "helping hand." It's true that I can't see Him, and you may wonder how I could have such relationship with Someone who is invisible. I admit, I don't fully understand it myself. But, somehow, He makes His presence known in a way that is too inexplicable to describe. He says to be still and know that He is God.(Psalm 46:10) When you're looking for Him, you will find Him.

But lest you think that this is a one-sided relationship, let me tell you a bit about what God does. When I'm done talking to Him, and I actually listen for a change, He will start speaking to me in different forms and ways. Maybe it's a Bible verse, something a friend says, an answer to a specific prayer, or just something altogether out-of-the-blue type of thing. He will test and push me to the limits. There is never a dull moment with God! He takes you on the most adventurous roller coaster ride of your life! (with a few stops here and there ;)) He will chastise me when I need it, and yet loves me like nobody else in the world. He is so great and mighty. He can make something happen with a whisper, and it’s done. Yet, He knows every inch of my heart and soul and understands my feelings. He tells me to come boldly unto His throne, that I may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:16) How can any other god compare?

But I also don't want you to think that I have a picture perfect life, and things always go my way. Haha...that would be the overstatement of the year! There are so many times I get mad at God, so many times I ask Him, "Why are You dong this??" and "What do You think You're doing?!?" And, yes, there are even times when I feel that God is against me. But the funny thing is, God just picks me up, ignoring my kicking and screaming, and carries me in His arms along the beaten path until I finally realize that He's been by my side every step of the way. My despairing cries start to calm, and the Lord puts me down and holds His outstretched hands towards me. I look up, and I start to smile and accept what God has put in my path.

I’m sure most of you have seen babies. They’re cute, sweet, and cuddly, right? But have you ever held them and just gazed at them and really appreciated what precious gifts from the Lord they are? Well, in case you haven’t, let me see if I can paint a picture of my five-month-old baby brother, Gideon.

He has the cutest, little face with fat, round cheeks. Bright blue, curious eyes with beautiful (yes, I said beautiful) long lashes. A button, little nose, and a mouth that when it frowns you just want grab him up and comfort him in your arms; and when it smiles, with his cute stub of a tooth sticking up, you just want to gobble him up! He has light, soft, wispy hair that blows this-a-way and that-a-way when you blow on it. And his hands, oh, his hands can fit right in the palm of mine. He’ll usually bunch them up into a cute, little fist or sometimes, he’ll wrap a tiny finger around one of mine and hold on for dear life. He has the most infectious laugh and the most heart-breaking cry. And watching him fall asleep is like watching a little bit of heaven. He’ll start to slowly open and close his blue eyes until he gets into a deep enough sleep to keep ‘em closed.

What’s really neat to think about is that Christ was once a baby. When I’m holding Gideon in my arms and putting him to sleep, I think about the most precious gift of all born so long ago. And it makes me wonder what He looked like. I sure hope God keeps a scrapbook album!

Click here to watch the homeschooling video. :D

I was reading Erica's post, who lives in Nebraska, about the postcard she sent to Lisa, who lives in Australia. :)

Erica was talking about how God works in the small things. Little things that we don't think twice about being a blessing to someone; but God uses them in the most amazing ways. Just a little note or card, a smile, or a kind word. All of those things could bless someone's socks off!! And, who knows, maybe God will use those little things to give hope and new meaning to someone's life. I think when we get to heaven, we're going to be astonished by how many people were affected by the little things we did that we thought were nothing. Here's a story I've written called Little Things that I think goes well with this topic:


I knelt in my room praying out loud.

"Oh, God, why does it seem I do so little for you? I know some who are able to give so much and do so many things for others, and are respected by many. But I, Lord, am only able to help a few and give very little. How can I be as useful as them?"

Then I heard a voice call my name. My eyes searched the room, but I could see nothing.

The voice said, "Have you so little faith?"

I suddenly realized it was God.

"But Lord...."

"Let me show you one of the persons you have helped and of the little you gave him."

An image flashed before my eyes, and I saw a friend who had lost both his parents a few weeks ago; crying silently and holding a card I had sent him. It told how sorry I was for his loss and gave him some comforting words and Bible verses. He stood there reading it over and over again- like it was the only possession he had. He then got down on his knees and started thanking and praising God for a friend like me. Tears came to my eyes. "Lord, I had no idea that it would mean so much to him."

"Go and continue to help the few you know and give of what little you have. Because someday you will find that you have helped people you never even realized you helped, and what you gave was all that was needed."

Then the voice was gone.

It felt like a wonderful dream, but I knew it had happened. Peace and joy were overflowing in my soul. I decided to take a walk. I got up, put on a jacket, and started walking down the road. I soon saw an old woman who was having trouble crossing. I rushed to her side and as we walked, we chatted a little. After we had crossed the road, she looked at me and said, "I never knew someone could be so kind to take an interest in me and help me the way you did." I smiled and started walking home.

"Thank you Lord."