"Fireproof"

Mark and I went to see "Fireproof" this Friday. We loved the show! Kirk Cameron plays a firefighter who begins trying to save his marriage after his father challenges him with something called "The Love Dare". Some of the conversations are a little stilted and awkward, but by the end of the movie you've forgotten all of that as the emotional and spritual tug of the movie has you examining your own marriage. This is the third movie (that I know of) that this church has made, and in each movie you see an improvement in the quality of the film. My opinion is that this movie is much better than "Facing the Giant". It's a great clean movie for a couple's date night. Check it out!

My Princess!

Sarah took a "practice" Math test this last week at the suggestion of a professor. (I'm sure I'll get the details wrong, Sarah, so just comment and correct me!) Basically, she can "challenge" a test and if she passes it, will be certified to teach that subject in addition to her Early Childhood Education certification. When "Miss Pris" took the 3 hour (!) test, the professors said she had made the highest score that they had seen someone make on their first attempt. Now, they want her to finish her Trig. class and try the "real" test. The Dept. head told her about seminars available to teach math that he wants her to look into doing as well.
As proud as we are of Sarah's accomplishments, it made me think. We'd be just as proud of Sarah even if she were a high-school drop-out. It isn't just what she DOES that makes us proud of her, but who she IS: our princess!

Recently Sarah and I sat down to have a long drawn out discussion when she'd asked my opinion on some things going on in her life. It reminded me of how I need to be more encouraging and less critical. So, I want to simply list some things that I admire in my daughter's life!

The first thing I've actually already mentioned: she is obedient. She comes to her father and I for advice - she has willingly placed herself under our authority and actually listens to our advice. WOW! I wish I had been able to be that open to my parents and share things about my life with them! Actually, at times I wish I were that open to my Heavenly Father! Willing to ask, listen and obey!

Secondly, she speaks truth! She seems to have a sense of urgency when dealing with others and wants to reach them with God's truth! There is one story I always think of when I'm remembering things from Sarah's past (in grade school). My mom and a friend visited a family in our neighborhood to share the gospel with them. When they asked the family if they wanted to "ask Jesus into their heart", the daughter (Sarah's age) said, "Oh! I've already done that. Sarah told me at school." Sarah had never mentioned it to us, she'd just seen something in her friend's life that needed changing and went about telling her what she needed. Sarah definitely sees things in "black and white".

Next, Sarah has always been a conservative young lady. We've never had to worry about her dressing or acting immodestly. Also, Sarah is honest. She is very goal oriented and works hard to achieve her goals. She is willingly. She helps us - usually by babysitting her brothers so Mark & I can have a break. She takes her brothers to the movies, museum, out to eat, etc. all without being asked to! She remembers birthdays and special occasions even though she's now off at college and could just as easily forget. She willingly listens to Benjamin talk on the phone incessantly about what has happened since she was last home.

She has handled herself well while waiting patiently for her boyfriend to come home from Iraq. I can't even begin to imagine what that is like for her, but I do know it hasn't been easy.
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, I'm proud of my daughter!
No, she's not perfect, but I love her just as she is.
I love you, Sarah!!

Now, having said that, put this in perspective of us and our Heavenly Father. Do I have to accomplish "big" things to please God? Do I have to be perfect to have His love and acceptance? No, of course not! He is my Father! He will love me know matter what I do, how I act, or even who I am!

I know this is basic stuff here, but sometimes I think we need to be reminded! Satan has told me that I am worthless, stupid, not able to do anything. I have felt that if I did enough, was good enough, THEN God would be proud of me, accept me and want to spend time with me. But you know what? I want to spend time with Sarah and my other kids EVEN WHEN THEY DON'T WANT TO ! - even when they've been embarrassed that I'm their mother. ha! God is the same way. Even when I'm embarrassed to come to Him, (Lord, I messed up again....) He DESIRES to spend time with me! I am His princess and He loves me unconditionally. He wants to spend time with me no matter what I have done or haven't done. He cares about the details of my life. James 4:8 says "Come near to God and He will come near to you." He's just waiting for me to draw near to Him, to turn my back on all the "stuff" and just spend time with Him, being refreshed, taught, encouraged, challenged, disciplined, LOVED! My heart hears His invitation. "COME" "DRAW NIGH". Imagine that.

"I see two of you!"

This summer we noticed that Benjamin's eye was beginning to cross. One day after Sarah and I had discussed it, I began to question him on what he could and couldn't see. He told me, "Mom I see two of you! But, that's okay because I know which one is the real you." Oh my. Time to see an eye doctor! Here are a couple of "before" and "after" pictures:

Benjamin at VBS this summer

He wanted to take a "silly picure" first:

And here he is with his Power Ranger glasses. (Side note: he doesn't get to watch the show, he just liked the glasses. Ha! )

Wake-up call

(photo of Scott in China)

I woke up this morning hearing Mark on the phone:

"Are you okay?"

Between "Are" and "okay" I made it from my bed to the living room. We had let Scott go with a friend to Lake McClellan last night to camp out, so I KNEW who was on the other end of that conversation! Then:

"Where are you?" and
"I'll call emergency services and I'll be right there".

My heart dropped to my knees. The boys were on their way home for church this morning and hit a deer. Thankfully, all 3 are fine, just sore from air bags.
They were in a Mustang and Scott was in the front passenger seat where the deer went over them. He said that if the deer had jumped, it would have gone through the windshield. Scott said, "I should be dead."

So, today, I'm praising Yahweh-Raah ~ The LORD My Shepherd~ for protecting Scott!! I am thankful to God for allowing the deer to hit the hood and the roll bar frame rather than the windshield and my son. THANK YOU, FATHER!!! Thank you for his life and those of his friends, thank you that the injuries were minor (scratches heal.). Thank you that they didn't end up rolled over in the nearby culvert. Thank You, God, for all my children and their health. Thank you for the "wake-up call"!
So many things to be thankful for today!

Teenagers!!

Aaron turned 13 on Wed. or Thurs. (depending on who you ask)! Happy Birthday Aaron! He was born at 12:01 a.m. on Labor Day. My mom swears that the nurses "fudged" on the time because they wanted him to be a Labor Day baby. Me? I was a little distracted and wasn't too concerned about what time it was. We now officially have three teenage boys in our home and I'm starting to feel old.

You know they are getting older when just about all they get for their birthday is cash - and they're happy about it! Scott took him out to eat for his birthday, Sarah remembered to call from Wayland, and Nathan is taking out trash for him one week - sure is great when your kids surprise you by being nice to each other!

A Little Help, Please?

Okay, I downloaded Picasa to my computer thinking I had to have it to put photos on my blog. Do I? I don't think I like it. :-( Can anyone help me out? If I understand correctly, it just organizes my photos right? If I delete Picasa from my computer, will I lose the photos that are on it? Does anyone else use it? Love it? Hate it? I can't figure out how to save an original photo and keep the edited photo both. Can I do that on Picasa? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Admission

I have to admit - I've been lurking on Blog Spot for a few weeks now. I'm afraid I may be addicted - to lurking, that is! I decided that if I was so nosy, I should at least give others the chance to snoop on me as well. I'm not sure I'll figure this all out, have anything worth posting, or even have anyone to read a blog. I guess time will tell.
My Space has always been a great spot to keep up with friends and family, but it seems they've moved on and so, to keep up, I will follow.
I've been inspired, encouraged, and challenged by other women bloggers - and so, as I jump into the world of blogging, I plan to share what is going on in the Langford home, and, hopefully will return the favor by encouraging someone else along the way. This may be quite interesting - things at our house are very rarely quiet! Here's hoping I'm up to the challenge!