Faith Places

Sometimes God takes you through tough stuff.  Ally's had that kind of a year.  Last month, she talked about it as she gave her testimony of faith on the day she was confirmed.

Pastor Mark has taught these young people for two years about God's story in the Bible, the doctrine of the Christian church, and--most importantly--how Jesus is calling each one of us to have a personal relationship with Him.

We are very proud and in awe of our little girl.  Who's not so little anymore!

Did I mention that Ally has been put on a restricted diet for 6 months?  Stomach issues = take out the gluten, dairy, corn, rice, tomatoes, soy, peaches, pineapple, paprika, cumin, etc etc. The first 5 are tough to avoid in foods, let me tell you.  I could make it my full-time job to research and prepare decent foods that don't have these things in them.  (Did you know there are 14 different gluten wheat proteins in foods nowadays? Most of which are killing some of our kids' guts. Including Ally's.)  Anyway, we hired a local high school girl who happens to be a great baker/decorator to make these gluten-/dairy-free cupcakes.  They tasted AMAZING...thank you so much, Rylie!  They made Ally's special day even MORE special!! (Because when you haven't had desserts for a couple of months, a cupcake that is safe for you to eat is a REAL TREAT.)

It was a treat to have Ally's grandparents and great-grandma, as well as her godparents, aunts, uncles, cousins there to celebrate.  Grandma E. broke her ankle in late February and was able to walk into church on her boot cast.  And look at our youngest cousin....

What am I, Grandma, #34?

Hi, Joseph!  (age 10 weeks here, I think)

And perhaps the highlight to a great day for Ally....SOFTBALL with cousins!! It's been a long winter, and so with a hint of sunshine, the kids made their way to play their first game of the year.  Usually they get to play on Easter weekend, but not this year with all of the snow/rain/cold.

And since I am so far behind on this poor blog, here are pictures of another faith place...Sinsinawa Mound chapel.  Isn't it glorious?  The twins were part of a multi-school choir who met on Monday, April 15th to practice with a  guest conductor.  We were treated to a concert that evening.

Shae has a pony tail and Paige is singing (with much expression, guess you had to be there) right next to her. The sound in there was awesome!  Great job, singers!

One more shot of Confirmation Sunday.  The confirmands with their parents and godparents.  We are blessed to have loving people who pray for us and go on the faith journey with us.  Thanks to Uncle Greg, Aunt Marla, and all who have influenced Ally & impacted her faith!  I think she has a lot to teach us about her own faith story, and I look forward to what she will teach us in the future!

“May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.” --Colossians 1: 11-13