Saved By The Bells

This was Zeke's 3rd year in the CCBC Youth Bells and Daisy's first. It consists of a small group of kiddos and a few committed volunteers who lead. Both Zeke and Daisy have loved it. They learned a new music skill, made new friends, and were able to use their talents to bring glory to the One who gave them those talents. This was their final performance with the orchestra and choir for the congregation before we left the country.

Mrs. Charlotte and Mr. Josh and prepping the team.

Patiently waiting for our number to start.

 There's Daisy on the big screen.

They have mock lock-ins before performances full of practice, yummy snacks, games and lots of fun. There is always an end-of-year party, too. This one just happened to be an end-of-year/going away party for the Daniels.

 I am thankful to Charlotte, Frankie and Janet for their faithful volunteering for the past three years that we have been involved and many more than that.

'I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, 

I will make music.' 

Psalm 101:1

[April 24]

Remembering Grandma Hoard

Grandma Leona's health had been going downhill slowly for the last several years. She had moved in with Aunt Sharon about a year ago. She had been in and out of the hospital quite a bit this spring. Over Easter, the family, including myself, was blessed to be able to visit her. A few weeks later she passed. Her mind was still as sharp as a tack. I had called her earlier that evening to wish her a happy Mother's Day and we had a short but sweet conversation.

It's always hard to say goodbye. Even when we know our loved one's earthly body has run its course. Even when we know our loved one is in physical pain. Even when we know our loved one has trusted Jesus to be their savior and is eagerly anticipating meeting Him face-to-face. 

Grandma was ready to meet her Savior. Aunt Sharon said there were many mornings when she would tell her that she thought she would be with Jesus today, but she woke up again.

I have such great respect for Grandma Leona. She was the first example of what a godly woman looks like and how a godly woman lives out her faith. It took me a long time to realize that; it took about 30 years, actually. 

When we were kids I thought she was a little over the top with her church stuff. The whole family read from the bible together every night before bed when us kids would go there to stay. We said grace together before every meal. We prayed together every night. We heard Grandma talk about God and Jesus in daily conversations. Grandma went to church every single Sunday and any other day of the week that the church doors were open. I thought it was a bit much.

Grandma and Grandpa Hoard

It wasn't until I began my walk with Christ that I truly appreciated that Grandma had a personal relationship with her Savior. He wasn't just words on a page or church wasn't just a place to go on Sunday morning. Her Jesus was alive and present and active in her life and Grandma wanted to shine his light for all to see.

Thank you for shining His light for us, Grandma. I know the Lord welcomed you and said, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23

[May 12]

Make A Joyful Noise

I started working Kids Care at church the fall semester when we got back from England in 2007. It was a great way to get my 'kid fix' without actually having a real teaching job and it gave me just a bit of cash for my gift budget. It also allowed me to bring Zeke to work with me, and eventually Daisy and eventually Lijee. Plus I was able to share the gospel and Jesus' love and God's promises to little people. It was great.

The year Zekers went to preschool I had to drop him off and start Kids Care a little late. It worked, but I hated being late every week. The year Daisy went to preschool there was an opening for the music teacher. Although I didn't know much about teaching music, the hours were more flexible so I didn't have to feel bad about coming in a little later. My singing voice is terrible, but I know that kids don't know any better; they just like you to sing with them. I thought I'd give it a go, but not without warning my bosses and the teachers that I do not sing beautifully, but I make a joyful noise unto the Lord (Psalm 100).

That was the best decision ever! I was able to go to all the classes from young toddlers (18m and up) to the 4s class. We sang memory verses and bible songs that related to the bible story for the week. We worked on music skills, and then we just did silly songs that worked on our gross motor skills and made us laugh. 

It blessed me each week to share songs and stories of God's love for each and every one of us. It filled my spiritual bucket to hear those tiny little hearts reciting scripture and retelling bible stories. 

Selfishly, I liked it because those precious little people treated me like a rock star. Thanks to the teachers who made it seem like a treat that Mrs. Trish was there to sing with them, the kiddos loved music time. They were so excited to see me in the hallway during drop off or pick up and would whisper to their mommy, "That's Mrs. Trish." Mommies would share stories of their baby singing scripture, if I missed a week children would ask if my sick child was better, and even a dad asked me about my upcoming move to South Korea because his child had shared with him Mrs. Trish was moving.

It was hard to say goodbye this year. My wonderful bosses and teachers were sneaky and had the children make precious farewell signs. They even bound photos of the art work plus action photos of the kids and I making a joyful noise and put them in a book as a precious keepsake.

 The 4s classes each wrote something they liked about music class. Almost all of them wrote something different. So sweet.

Doing what you love with people you love and planting seeds for the kingdom of God = a happy heart.

Family, Food, Fun, and Jesus

Trips home mean late afternoon dog walks through the pasture.

Some of us enjoy it more than others, but we all tag along.

 Daisy was afraid Grampa wasn't going to make it up the hill so she pulled him up.

Gramma always has Easter eggs for us to color. This year we did some tie-dye eggs.

 We almost forgot about the egg hunt downtown on Saturday morning. I remembered at the last minute so we raced there. We pulled in just as the directions for the hunt were being given. The last group instructions were for the 2nd/3rd graders. It took us a minute to realize that the hunt was closed to children older than that.

 Daisy and Zeke nonchalantly put their buckets behind their backs and began backing away to make a stealthily quite trek back to the car to hide them. No harm, no foul with us. Just supporting the little kids; not expecting to have the big kids to hunt, too. Nothing to see here, folks.

 Mom's side of the family came over for Easter dinner.

 We will miss our egg hunts and our cousins the next couple years!

Zeke, Hailey, Landon, Eli, Stevie, Reika, Daisy,  Isabelle and  Elsie

 Enjoying Grampa & Gramma's fireplace. We usually roast hot dogs and make s'mores over the fire when we're home.

 Aww. Daisy loves the little ones.

Wuv. Twue wuv.

 Sunday we had Easter dinner with Dad's side of the family. We wrapped up the afternoon with another egg hunt with our 'Easter Cousins.'

 We love spending weekends with Gramma and Grampa.

 When we got back to Texas, the Easter Bunny had visited!

 Because, teenager.

Among fun times with family, Easter eggs and candy, it's important to remember the significance of Easter and what Jesus did on the cross. His death and resurrection promises us eternal life; we just need to trust in him to be our savior. Happy Easter!

[April 19]

Band UIL

Much to Zeke's disdain, I attended the band preUIL trip as a chaperone. I told him Miss Brandt needed help so someone's mom was going to be there. He said "Yeah, but not my Mom."
I said, "Too bad. I'm going. I just won't talk to you." As you can see from the photo, I sort of talked to him for a hot minute when I made him take a picture. Not cool, Mom.
Not cool.

 This was the sight reading part.

 Here is the stage performance.

 There's Zekers' head poking out.

At the actual UIL competition they earned Sweepstakes for the first time ever! That means they scored '1s' from all the judges.

These silly 'band geeks' are quite talented!

[March 26]

Lucky 13!

Teenager in da house!

I never thought my tender-hearted boy would become snarky, roll his eyes, mumble under his breath, and do all those teenager-type things. But here he is, killing it.

But in-between his teenage moments, he is still my sweet boy with the best laugh that I cherish dearly.

Another sign of total teenager-ism-->on his newly acquired phone constantly.

I had him guessing, but inside the big gift box was...

exactly 13 balloons!

Each balloon had cash in it. Exactly what Zeke asked for.

Eli played Happy Birthday for his beloved big brother.

Of course Grannie and Grandad came over for birthday dinner.

Chocolate chip cookie a-la-mode birthday cake, per request.

 Zekers grew 4 inches this year. The last birthday that he will be shorter than Mommy.

 13

Our big boy, the one who seeks justice and wants everyone to follow the rules and to keep all things fair. The one who loves to get lost in a book, enjoys book series and is sad when they come to an end because he has to tell the characters good bye. The one who taught his Daddy and I what unconditional love feels like.

 Happy, Happy 13th birthday, Zekers!

[April 4]