Let's see how this goes.

I've wanted to post a bunch of pics for a while, so I'm attempting to post a couple of slideshows today! There are a couple of movie clips included in the slide show, but now my challenge is to figure out the best way to post an individual movie...any suggestions? (Blogger movie vs. some other app?)

Braden took TaeKwon Do Jr. this past winter/spring and really enjoyed it. He and his buddy did well, as they were the youngest in their class! The class was offered at a church in town. Three high school students taught the class and did a fine job keeping these guys on track. The coolest thing about the class, in addition to teaching them skills, discipline & respect...they focused on worshiping God and doing their best for Him. Very well done!



This weekend, we ushered in the summer season and we are so happy that it's nearly here! Right as we were "closing up shop" at our garage sale, my parents drove up. They had JUST arrived after their drive from Iowa for a visit. They have impeccable timing...this is rare in our family, but we'll take it when we can get it! :-)

We are so thankful for them & the memories we get to make with them. They are nature lovers and help to foster our boys' love for the great outdoors. I'm telling you what, my mom can find the details in nature and point them out like no other. I love it. My dad just "loves a little fresh air." Apparently, we don't have that in our house! lol! It was so fun to explore with them at the parks we visited.

After shopping a bit at a nursery with my mom, we went fishing at a metro park, hiked at Hocking Hills, then had a cookout with some neighbors. Now I'm fighting a bit of a sinus infection, which usually happens after we go, go, go. But it was well worth all the running and late nights to have quality time with our family.

Comfortable

Man, I'm terrible at this blogging thing lately. We actually have had quite a bit going on and we're really loving the life that Spring brings. This past week, on top of normal routine, we enjoyed a 5K, golfed a round & sang our hearts out for Jesus! :-) Braden sang in Life School Musical, the children's musical at church that they've been working on for about 4 months now. All the kids did an awesome job and the women that directed did a phenomenal job also. They always do! The musical was about a girl reluctantly moving to a new school and learning that the key to life is Jesus, not the comforts of the places she keeps moving to. Pics to follow...we have video but I have yet to tackle that on the blogosphere.

This isn't too exciting, but we've been cleaning & organizing machines in our garage & basement. We are trying to purge our place of clutter and stuff that we have WAY too much of. I long for a more simple way of life...without clinging to the things we think we "need" to have. We tend have a crazy mentality that having things makes our lives easier/better. That is such a bunch of hooey (Love that word from my sister's dialect). We are trying to teach our boys how to live thank-FULLY without HAVING so much. I think this will be a life-long process, unless we relocate to the jungle and leave it all behind. ('Til God moves us there, that won't be happening!) We'll just keep being thankful to live in a country where we CAN but don't HAVE to have these things.

Not entirely related, but making me think about our efforts and "does this really matter right now," I love This post. It's a great reminder of seeking what God's wanting to do in our lives...even in the details of our not very exciting activities. Are we hearing Him in whatever we're doing? Hmmmm......

His Grace is Enough

A couple of weeks ago, we were all taking Braden to school and a favorite song came on called "Your Grace is Enough." Generally, the kids are dominating the music choice in the van, but today, Brent and I had a voice! Amazing!
I ran in a friend's house to drop something off and Brent and Brooks had a nice little conversation about "Your Grace is Enough." Brent usually sings loud enough so that the rest of us don't have to be heard. The boys think that because he sings it that loud, it must be his favorite song. So the guys were discussing whether this was in fact one of Brent's favorites. They both agreed that it could be a favorite. :-)
Later that day, the kids and I were at the zoo. They were starting to get a little tired and they usually kind of slip into their own zone. As we were walking by each animal home, I kept hearing Brooks singing. Finally I said, "Watcha singing there, Brooks?"

"I shingin' my favrit song. Your graaaaace is enough....your graaaaaace is enough....your graaaaaace is enough....your graaaaaace is enough....." and he just kept singing it.

I loved knowing that he is listening and something is sticking. Our prayer is that he will always remember that God's grace is enough for him. It's so easy to get caught up in what we think works to give us significance/purpose in life. I am the first to get all that confused & jumbled. But after a while, it's so clear that my idea of what works, isn't working so well. It's so obvious that there's got to be One Single Source out there to define our worth and what we're about...can't be ourselves, as that is all so relative.

Thank you God for giving us worth through your grace...your undeserved love toward us. Help us to rest in your grace that is enough!

Story of Audrey Caroline

The story of Audrey Caroline Smith is not one that will die any too soon. It's clear that Audrey's family trusts in God's purpose for her story. (Thank you to Jenny for passing this along to me! I feel compelled to pass it along, b/c it's so moving.)

This couple, Angie & Todd Smith (from the group Selah) have been walking a dark path for several months, but they testify that they have not been alone or abandoned by the same God that walked with us through our loss. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how Angie & Todd talk in the first video about God redeeming the loss of Audrey. That is His business....redeeming losses.

The first video is an interview that was used by a pastor in the Nashville area during the series he was preaching. (It's about 25 minutes long) The second is one that Angie posted on her blog. When you have some time, sit down to watch & read and bring a box of tissues.

Smith Family Story from Matthew Singleton on Vimeo.

Bugs!

We have some new pets around the house these days. The boys are raising ants! :-) They received an ant farm for Christmas, so we sent away for the ants. A few days ago, we received our ants in the mail. They came in a little test tube. I think 12 of them were alive, but some didn't make it through the tumultuous trip in the mail.
It actually is really fun to watch them make their tunnels or whatever you call ant homes. We've feed them hamburger meat & banana so far. What a trip! Thanks to my brother's family for the gift...it's a great idea! My SIL is always finding great ideas for the kiddos...she's so creative and is great at fostering kids' love for creation and thinking outside the box.