Amanda and Me { Informal Photo Shoot }

We were at the Richter's for Family Group last night and Amanda and I decided to have some additional fun after the dinner and devotional time were over.  Elijah and Jeremiah went outside with us and Elijah got all of the pictures that are outdoors. 

Notice Jeremiah up in the tree.

Can you believe that it's still snowing

up here in MN...at the end of April!!!

Yes, all of the plaques on the wall ARE

 Amanda's ... and those aren't all of them!

John 16: 7-8

 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.  And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ...

John 16:9-11

 ... of sin, because they do not believe in Me;  of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;  of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

THE WINNER!!!

CONGRATULATIONS

 AUSTIN!

You are the official winner of the Armour Family's blog "anniversary" contest!!!!!

You can go through the blog and choose any photo for your very own.  Leave me another comment letting me know which photo you want and if you would like to receive it by snail mail or e-mail.  We love you guys!!!!  May you be blessed today and every day!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Hannah 

P.S.

SO great to hear from y'all!  :)

Sorry, I'm on the laptop and can't get to any photos of y'all to put on this post!

CONTEST!

Hello to all of my wonderful blogging friends!

     Today is the one year "anniversary" of my blog.  One year ago today, I published my first post on unconditional love.  How fitting that yesterday was "Resurrection Day" and I published a post entitled "He is Risen".  If it were NOT for His unconditional love, Jesus would never have gone to the cross and because of that there could have been no resurrection. I am so thankful for all that I have learned in the past year and for all of the relationships that God saw fit to  grow and deepen in my life and that of my whole family.

     As a small celebration of this day, if you are the third person to leave a comment to this post, I will send your choice of any photo contained in the blog.  I can print and send it to you via snail mail or by e-mail, your choice. I will not publish any comments until I have received the third reply. One comment per person, please. I will announce the winner with a new post, and you can then send me a comment with your address or e-mail which I will not publish.  Thanks for reading!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Hannah

He is Risen!

     He is RISEN!!!!  How wonderful our God is!!!!  That He would send His one and only Son to die for us - for you, for me, for each one of His elect.  But He was also raised on the third day.  So we are raised from our spiritual death, by His sacrifice and His victorious resurrection.

     Jesus could have called 12 legions of angels to His aid (Matthew 26:53), but He didn't.  He stayed the course, because He knew that His sacrifice was the only way.  "Without blood, there is no remission."  (Hebrews 9:22)  So, He died, the one pure and perfect sacrifice, suffering the cruelest, most humiliating death that could be devised.  I'll never know the pain, the anguish that He suffered in bearing my sin - my sin!  He took it and I am now cleansed from all of my unrighteousness!  I am seen as holy before God, because I am washed in the blood of the Lamb. 

     Isn't it amazing that God took the worst, most sinful act ever committed, namely, the killing of His Son, and used it for the greatest good ever accomplished!

     But the story didn't end when Jesus died, it was only beginning.  Jesus was buried and was in the grave for three days.  On the third day, He arose, never to die again!  That resurrection is what we celebrate at Easter.  If Christ would have died and stayed dead, there could have been no salvation.  Without the cross there could have been no salvation.  Without the resurrection, there could have been no salvation.

     Could you imagine living life with no purpose at all?  You are born, you live, you die.  End of story.  Thankfully, that is not what God has for us!  His Son, Jesus Christ, has given us hope, an EVERLASTING hope!  Jesus Himself is our inheritance.  Think of that! 

1 Peter 1:3-5

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  

     The memory of our Redeemer's resurrection should not be an event that we celebrate only once a year.  The fact should be constantly before us and shape the way that we live our lives. 

     Blessings to all of you and a very happy Resurrection Day!  May your day be full and overflowing with joy in the knowledge that HE IS RISEN!

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Hannah

John 10:17-18

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life

that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me,

but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down,

and I have power to take it again.

This command I have received from My Father.”

John 10:17-18

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life

that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me,

but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down,

and I have power to take it again.

This command I have received from My Father.”

Unbelievable - Almost!!!!!!

OK, you Texans are not going to believe this!!!  We just got more snow!!!  I must admit, it was very pretty, but I really thought that spring was here!  Here are a few photos that I took last night and earlier today.

Can you guess who owns the feet that made these tracks...?

Yep!  He's the culprit! 

 He read in a biography of Wilfred Grenfell

(a missionary to the Newfoundland area)

that going barefoot in the snow was

healthy, so he tried it out.  What a guy!

TX Friends: Sunday and Monday

SUNDAY:

     We had family worship on Sunday, which was one of my favorite parts of the Beach family's whole visit. 

     We sang three of my favorite songs:  In Christ Alone, I Will Glory in my Redeemer, and How Deep the Father's Love for Us.  

     I didn't get a whole bunch of pictures, but that doesn't mean that Sunday wasn't memorable!

Story time!

MONDAY:

     Monday was a very sad day for us.  The Beach family left for Texas in the morning and we have missed them ever since! 

     Dear Beach Family,

  

     What WONDERFUL memories we have with all of you (y'all).  We praise God for your friendship and pray that He may allow us to see each other again very soon.  I miss you all so much.  We love y'all and are praying for you!    

Soli Deo Gloria,

Hannah

Packed and ready to go  :(

OK, these two guys need to be separated!

Somebody (don't ask who!) stuck a Taboo buzzer

in Ethan's seat, but he found it before he

sat down......Mr. Beach wasn't so fortunate!

TX Friends: Saturday

SATURDAY:

     Saturday was yet another beautiful day.  The weather was perfect!  We went to a park near us and had a wonderful time.  All of the children except for Ellie went exploring and were able to go into some of the caves.  Here are some pictures that were taken while we were there.  (There are also a couple from later in the day.)

BATTLE CREEK PARK:

Single file, please.

Speedo

Swinging Ellie

Will you marry me!?! :)

(NOT REALLY!!!)

Brothers in armchairs. :)

Mama took the picture and the caption was her idea!