Who Turned One?!

"Who did?"

"Ummm... I'm thinking..."

"Was it me?"

"Mom keeps trying to get me to eat all that healthy stuff, but I LOVE Doritos!"

"Mom also says I need a big boy haircut, so I said, 'Sure!'"

"...and just to prove they existed, Mom took a picture of my curls."

"The haircut was all right, but it was a bit scratchy..."

"...so I got a bath! Yeah! I LOVE baths. But Mom says I'm a stinker because I always want to stand up in the tub. None of her other babies did that... but I do lots of things that her other babies never would think of doing (like swishing my fingers in the toilet, and climbing in the bathtub with my clothes on, you-get-the-point)."

"My big brother Judah coached me through my first birthday party..."
"Here's my littliest cousin- isn't she just a cute kitty?! I take good care of her."
"...and here's another shot from my party. My uncles thought they were pretty good at fuse ball until they played against my daddy. My daddy can do anything!"

"Opening presents took a little help from my older siblings and cousins."

"...and I wasn't quite sure what to do with the flame in front of my face- but I did want that ice cream cake that Mommy made."

"We're such a blessed bunch, aren't we? That's me in the middle of them all."

"Daddy & Mommy say they love me very much, even if I'm such a stinker. They are thankful to God for all the busy months I have been a part of their lives. Their prayer is that I can soon confess with my heart and mouth the meaning of my name, 'God is my salvation.'"

Staff Party

Last Saturday our family had the privilege of gathering with Daddy's staff for a delicious dinner and fun time.
Our kids really enjoyed all the attention and meeting lots of new faces...

Our friends, Slava & Inna...

Boys and their toys!

Judah spends hours building 'howers' out of Duplos, but it took a bit of help from his big boy Daddy to create this 'hower'. Here he is just a second before indulging in the temptation to knock it down- notice the look on his face!

And here's our littliest boy growing way too fast. Next week he will be one already!

Anyone else?

Grandchildren bring out the best in you...

Forever in His Arms

Duane's cousin Matthew passed away this morning after a long and painful struggle with deteriorating lungs from Cystic Fibrosis. Matthew suffered so much, and has been such an Godly inspiration on submission through suffering. Below is a picture of Matthew taken on Christmas Day with his younger siblings.

If you wish to read more about his testimony of submission through the recent months, visit his blog: http://rememberingmatthewcooper.blogspot.com/

At the end of the first part of his book, John Bunyan concludes the story of Christian:
"Now I saw in my dream, that these two men[Christian & Hopeful] went in at the gate; and lo, as they entered, they were transfigured; and they had raiment put on that shone like gold. There were also those that met them with harps and crowns, and gave them to them; the harps to praise withal, and the crowns in token of honour. Then I heard in my dream, that all the bells in the City rang again for joy; and that it was said unto them, "Enter ye into the joy of your Lord." I also heard the men themselves, that they sang with a loud voice, saying, "Blessing, honour, glory, and power, be to him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever".

Now, just as the gates were opened to let in the men, I looked in after them: and behold, the City shone like the sun: the streets also were paved with gold; and in them walked many men, with crowns on their heads, palms in their hands, and golden harps to sing praises withal.

There were also of them that had wings; and they answered one another without intermission, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord!" And after that they shut up the gates, which when I had seen, I wished myself among them."

This evening I am wishing myself to be among Matthew and the heavenly hosts, gazing on our precious Lord and Savior, face to face. But we are yet here on earth, shall we not live for Him?! Please pray for Matthew's family in the days, weeks and years to come.