Family Fun Fotos

 Some photos from Jefferson and Jaya's recent visit over Christmas/New Year...

At the Park

Jaya pushing his dad on the swing :)

Jefferson pushing Jaya and Marnie on the swing

At the Beach

Denver and Jaya in action

Jaya making a splash

Marnie, Jaya and Jefferson

On their Overnight Hike

Denver, Jaya and Jefferson went on an overnight camp/hike on the east coast

Jaya decided he liked holding his big cousin's hand rather than his dad's :)

Denver making sure Jaya doesn't fall off the edge

They made it! (Jaya and Denver)

A blast from the past: Jefferson and Denver after their overnight camp/hike -   11 years ago

On the Way to the Airport

Denver and Sophie took Jaya to see the goats at the school farm

and the chickens

And now I'm in recovery mode.  I'm not use to having an active, talkative 6-year-old in the house for a week :)) 

But I'll be back soon ...

xx

The Good Shepherd (devotional)

 From Behold the Lilies ...

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." - John 10:27

The Good Shepherd does not lead aimlessly.  His goal for His sheep is green pastures and still waters.  The pathway to the goal may lead through dry, brown pastures and by turbulent waters.  If the sheep become tired and stay in the unpleasant places, it is their fault.  They are not listening to the shepherd's voice as He calls them to move on.

Although this world is not our place of rest, our shepherd wants us to come to a place of rest in Him.  As we pass through struggles and adversities, His calm voice calls us and invites us to rest in Him.  When we respond to the Shepherd's invitation, we find the green pastures and still waters in our relationship with Him.  The waters of our unsettling circumstances may still roar and uncertainties may still abound, but they become less and less threatening as we listen to the Shepherd's voice.

Other voices may beckon.  Some voices tell us to give up or give in, and some tell us we are following the wrong guide because the way is uncertain.  But as we keep following, we learn that we can follow the Good Shepherd with perfect confidence even if the way is uncertain.  Hearing and following His voice above the roar of the storm always leads to a place of calm.

We must pay careful attention and not allow other things to drown out His voice.  If we do, we will be lost in a storm or starve in the dry pastures.  But Jesus will lead us to vast green pastures and volumes of still waters when we listen to His voice.

Will you follow the good shepherd in 2026?