Easter ~ The Risen Savior!

Easter! For the Christian, it should be a daily celebration. I hope before I leave this earth ~ that is a true statement of my life. I am very convicted over the "Easter bunny" practices. Our youngest 11 yr. old came in and asked "how is the Easter Bunny symbolic to Jesus...i see the presents at Christmas are like the greatest gift God gave the world with Jesus or the presents the wise men brought baby Jesus...but how is the Easter bunny like Jesus?" I was so saddened that i had to tell her that there was nothing related to Jesus in this "bunny theory" that i was aware of. We even searched the "information highway" to see if there was any established relationship between the two unbeknown to me. I was probably trying to soothe my own conscious because i knew that this practice was totally a pagan ritual. My heart was elated that she wanted to see the connection but heavy that my youngest wanted to see Jesus in this particular part of our family's celebration at Easter ~ but saddened that her parents had not sought this avenue before her. That is my job!!! As a Godly parent, I should allow the Lord to lead me to find Him in everything I lead these kids in that He has entrusted to me and their dad.
Jesus' death was a tremendous sacrifice! There is nothing warm and fuzzy about it! Our kids need to realize what a horrific suffrage Jesus endured at their/our expense. I believe these details are often thought to be "too graphic" yet we have unconsciously allow worse to come into our homes via the television ~ and that junk had/has no bearing on their eternal life or awareness of our Savior's willing sacrificial act for them and me. It is not about the gory details but it is about what He endured ~ what length He went to for them/me. For heaven's sake, He sweat drops of blood when thinking about what He was called to do and the thought of being separated from His Father for the first/only time since eternity past. That is BIG! I believe the story of the Crucifixion and the emphasis on the Gospel becomes complacent in our lives and therefore our children are becoming a "little me" instead of a "little Jesus" ~ i don't mean Deity ~ i mean choosing to live a life that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father, which results in us becoming more like the ONLY suitable and sacrificial lamb ~ His son, Jesus Christ.

Moms and Dads ~ we have to know Him intimately to show our kids what that means. Actions do speak louder than words ~ and while works are not a means to obtain salvation, they are definitely product of it ~ the proof is in the pudding, so to speak! We have got to show our children, through our behavior, that our relationship with Jesus is not separate from anything ~ BUT to the contrary ~ it is dependent on everything!

I will stop preaching (mainly at my self) and say Happy Easter to everyone from our house to yours! I pray that over the next year, God will work in my heart and my life and that next Easter will be totally and completely Christ-centered at our house and yours. He is RISEN! Alive! Every day in the life of a Christian should be a celebration of these facts!!! The tomb is empty! How many religions can say that about their god's burial place? Hint, hint...NONE!!! And, because He is risen, we who know Him will rise again on that glorious day when He returns for His people! Get excited ~ after all...we are talking about Eternity...and right now we are just living in the "dash" ~ short, sweet, and a vital opportunity to spread the Good News to others!

Life in the fast lane...

Well, it is soccer time in Pinson ~ woohoo! I really enjoy watching the sport and thank goodness we have two the same age and on the same team! This means only one one schedule to juggle ~ soccer schedule that is. With a family of six there are always MANY schedules to juggle. I am so blessed to have a very helpful husband. Craig is great about pulling more than his share in our busy lives in raising these two pre-teens and two teens. The youngest two are playing this year in Bradford again and excited about the upcoming season. They must be ~ anyone who would practice out on that field in what feels like the dead of winter to me must like it, huh? When/if i take then to practice, i sit warmly in my van with the heat cranked up on high and sing or read. Hey! they are enjoying themselves so i do not feel one bit guilty. The weird thing about soccer is that it will last until late May and I will be sitting in the van with the a/c on then...LOL The girls' team is hoping to have their team name be "Rabid Squirrels" ~ i said "what????" I sure worry about kids these days. Craig hopes they get their wish so we can all buy/wear WEEEEEE t-shirts. LOL
Oh, this was about the schedules of six people under the same roof. Well, I already filled everyone in on the two yougest ~ the soccer is coupled with school, of course. Both have AR books/points each 9 weeks and it is like pulling teeth to get them to read at times ~ especially Shelby. I dont blame her, but it has to be done. I bought a series about a child that was adopted, called Elizabeth Gail, upon the suggestion of a church friend. Shelby's middle name is Elizabeth and her mother's middle name is Gail. Shelby was adopted by Craig and his first wife, Lisa, when she was about 3 years old. She had been with them since the age of 9 months. I figured i had hit pay dirt! woohoo! Right???? But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, Shelby doesnt seem very interested at all. Any suggestions would be greatly welcomed. Amanda loves to read but has herself on such a high reading level that the size of the books for that level has siked her out. We will continue to beat the reading rug until summer...LOL Go Shelby & Amanda ~ you can do it!!!! Thank you Jesus for these two very different 11-year-olds who make me work at being a good mother.
Next is Savy ~ she is so studious and grade-conscience...thank you Jesus! God has blessed her with brains, beauty, and wisdom. I forget she is only 14 sometimes and unfortunately that happens when she is doing 14-year-old stuff :<( She not only loves her books, but loves people and will go to the nth degree to spare someone's feelings ~ siblings excluded...LOL She want to try out for color guard and maybe dance line ~ another grueling schedule to include but i want her to enjoy the fun side of high school as well as the academic side. Go Savy ~ you can do it!!! Thank you Jesus for this child who makes it so easy to be a mom with great reward.
Last, but not least, we have Kyle ~ his schedule is scheduled around the cell phone and girls! He likes them and they like him ~ oh goodness! He is doing good in school ~ not his best...that is the part that gets me. He is so smart but could care less about academics...give him the girls and let him be the class clown. Now, THAT, is his idea of a good time. :<) He puts a smile on my face when no one else can. To hear him immitate some past teachers or friends ~ not in a meanful way ~ it is so hilarious! Thank you Jesus for his humor.
With these four schedules coinciding, we then add work, church, and family. Craig and I teach 1st an 2nd grade Sunday School and Awanas on Wednesday night. I sing in the choir too. These are listed for the purpose mentioning the privileges God has entrusted to me ~ also to note that life can get busy, fast!!! I pray that I keep my eyes on Jesus and never fail to spend time with Him on a daily basis. Afterall, all other things will pass away, but He will not.

Praise the Lord! You always pray that your kids will grow in the Lord and i believe this is truly witnessed through observing a servant's heart in the behaviors of your children. I encourage parents to spur their children toward opportunities of service. Read a friend's blog and get ideas how you can prompt your kids to develop an "attitude of servitude." One of our friends was in great need of cleaning "trolls" ~ our two oldest wanted to help. Savannah (affectionately known as "Savy" to us) helped 2-1/2 hours with laundry...why is it that we cant get her to do her own??? LOL And then there is Kyle who went mainly to play with the "Saber"...LOL He did help with many tasks. Hopefully, this will attitude will overflow into our home??? LOL I promise, i had no hidden agenda and they volunteered without me asking. Thank you both ~ from your mother's heart...a sincere thanks! I take no credit for Kyle and Savannah's heart for service ~ just want to make sure God gets the glory and encourage other parents in this area as well.

Well, here we are, our 2nd Christmas together! Wow! A lot happened in 2007. Craig and I celebrated our first anniversary; Eric and Jessica married, and Justin and Chelsea's wedding was emphatically the most beautiful picture of Jesus I have ever seen portrayed! The kids are all growing up so fast! Kyle got his permit ~ ALL POINTS BULLETIN TO ALL DRIVERS IN THE PINSON-TRUSSVILLE-CENTER POINT AREAS!!!...LOL We will survive! hehe The youngest two are growing into young women and fight like cats! I pray that this will cease for my santity's sake. Kyle and Savannah are too close in age for their own comfort. Each are trying to define their space. Savannah needs "girl" time and Kyle need "Savannah" time. Hopefully, they will learn to respect each other's "space" and let this lesson flow over into all relationships in their lives. Both are doing great in school. I pray that they find a physical activity for the necessary outlet we all possess. That, alone, will create some time in their own circle without the other looking on. Most of all, i pray with all my heart, that they grow in the Lord in 2008 like they have never known. This life has little stability to offer and they need to know the only true stable One! My mom says, in their time it will come, and in my head i know that...but my heart years for them ALL to avoid Satan's traps and deceit and be spared some tragedy ~ some tragedies are inevitable.

Oh the woes of "teenageville!" We have a house FULL of these unique indivudals. Kyle is the oldest, 15. Then, you have Savannah, 14, and the two youngest, Shelby and Amanda, share the tender younge age of 11. Talk about raging hormones! LOL Kyle has already experienced the onset and offset of his first teen relationship. They made such a cute couple, but for reasons not divulged to "mom" they have decided to part ways. Destiny was very good for Kyle. She is a precious young lady and loves the Lord...something that Craig and I were very thankful for in the time that this tender relationship lasted ~ 6 months! That is eternity in "teenageville!" Destiny won a local beauty pageant at school and will go on to do great things, as we are sure of the same of Kyle. I hope they learned from their time together and hold no animosity for each other in any way.

the Beginning of the Taylor-Chandler Clan

On August 4, 2006, seven people became one big family. Craig, with 3 children, and myself, Electa, with 2 children of my own, married in a ceremony performed by our pastor and friend, Tim Evans at Centercrest Baptist Church. The wedding was a gift from my sister, Anna. Our thankfulness to her cannot be put into mere words. This monetary gift, which she bestowed so gracefully, was beautiful and memorable. All children participated in the exchanging of vows, as well as Craig and myself. My father, John Shourd, read from God's Word with reverence and sincerety. The Taylor-Chandler Clan had been established!

Our oldest, Eric, was already venturing out on his own at the time of our wedding. However, just weeks before the ceremony, Craig was given custodial parent rights of his two girls ~ our two girls! PTL!!! There are six of us in a 4 BR 2-1/2 BA home. It is a little tight at times, but we are adjusting. I am so thankful to have the large family that i always dreamed of. The two children i brought to the marriage had lost their father to illness in 2001 ~ they were estatic to have a Godly man in their life who will fulfill their desire for a dad in such a tender manner. Craig's children (now "ours") were in desparate need of a mother. Thank you Lord for entrusting them to my care.