So, I've decided where to go to this summer (but I can't tell you for safety reasons) and now I have to come up with the money. This year, in addition to selling on CafePress and my Etsy store, I'm trying something new. I've baked cookies and I'm going to place them at local businesses. People can have cookies in exchange for a donation to help my summer intensive fund. We'll see how it goes.
Happy
Birthday
Daddy!!!
You are the best Daddy ever, we wouldn't trade you for anyone. You are a great example of a husband and father. We appreciate all that you do for us. Thank you for showing us what it means to walk with the Lord. We love you.
I just wanted to let everyone know that Joshua has started an animation blog. Click here to see it.
Happy
Valentine's
Day !
Let all that you do be done in Love. ~1 Corinthians 6:14
In October and November, Heather Sweet took some pictures at our studio for her photojournalism project. Here are a few that I played with. To see the originals, check out the ballet photo album. I really like "behind the scenes" pictures of the ballet world. Heather got some great shots.
I saw this commercial during the superbowl and I thought it was funny. The monsters at the end are a little weird but seeing these guys try to do ballet is worth the craziness. They're actually not that bad even though they did tweak the choreography.
This is what's it's really supposed to look like.
Sorry I haven't posted for the last two weeks. I've been really busy and and distracted lately.
Right now, I've been making some big decisions about my future. They've been tough decisions to make and have solicited a lot of tears and worry. Throughout this whole process, I've felt like God has just been saying, "Trust ME". And I've tried to trust Him and yet somehow it wasn't working. It wasn't working because I was trying to trust with my own strength and I just needed to be reminded that without Him, I am nothing.
After one of my tearful discussions with Mommy and Daddy, Daddy suggested that I read my Bible. Well, the Lord knew exactly what I needed to hear that night and the first chapter I decided to read was Proverbs 16. These verses really popped out at me.
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established (v. 3)
The mind of a man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps (v. 9)
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord (v. 33)
I still don't know what my future holds and I can't say that I won't worry about it. But I do know that whatever happens, God is in control and it's all part of His plan. It's only my job to trust Him and to use where He takes me for His glory.
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all of your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
~Proverbs 3:5-6
The day after Christmas, we left to go to Pittsburgh. We visited Aunt Mary and checked out the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker. I met Jordan, a friend from Joffrey South who's in the graduate program, and had breakfast with her. After staying there for 3 days, we headed to Erie to visit Nana, our great grandmother.
When we got there, she was having her daily walk. She wanted to show off and so she did a little extra that day. After that she looked us all over and she said "I'll take this one" and pointed to Jonathan. She took Jonathan's hand and we walked (she scooted in the wheelchair) around so she could show us off. We took some pictures in the hall and finally coaxed her to go back to her room. In her room we told her each of our names. She told me and Jonathan "Don't forget". She said that it was good to see us and then we left.
Walking through the nursing home, made me not want to get old. But getting old is inevitable. And whatever age we are, we can still find ways to glorify God. As we get older, we also have the opportunity to grow closer to Him. Each breath we take brings us closer to where we will spend eternity. It is up to us to use those breaths wisely. We can use them for ourselves or for God. I don't know how I'll spend my last days but as I grow older, I want to keep glorifying God no matter what.
From our visit to Nana, we got a hotel and visited Aunt Sis, Grandma's sister. Then we made our way over to Ohio and met Jonathan's pen pal, Peter. After that we came home. Our trip accomplished a lot, we had time together as a family, saw new places, and met new people. I hope your Christmas break was relaxing and that you are ready for a great 2009.
Happy New Year!
Here's a snapshot of what Christmas looks like in our home.
Every year, Gran makes all of her grandchildren matching pajamas. This year's pajamas had penguins on them and that was the theme. We watched Happy Feet and had a white elephant gift exchange. Here are the highlights.
Eating goldfish. Just like penguins without any hands.
Caleb enthusiastically receives candles in his white elephant gift.
Joshua carefully chooses his gift. (and he chose well–an itunes giftcard–sadly, it was taken)
On Christmas Eve we always go to Grandma and Grandpa's. We ate lasagna for dinner and then opened gifts. Cutter probably had the most fun when he attacked everyone with silly string.
The aftermath of Cutter's attack
Cutter
Hope you had a Merry Christmas as well!!
Merry
Christmas!!!
"Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ, the Lord." ~Luke 2:10-11
Rebekah Diaddigo 