Life through Christ alone

In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song.

This cornerstone, this solid ground--

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace.

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease,

My Comforter, my All in all

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless babe.

This gift of love and righteousness,

Scorned by the ones he came to save.

Til on that cross, as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied,

For every sin on Him was laid.

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain.

Then bursting forth, in glorious day,

Up from the grave He rose again.

And as He stands in victory,

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me.

For I am His, and He is mine,

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death--

This is the power of Christ in me.

From life's first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand.

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

The verses to "In Christ Alone," a hymn by the Gettys, walks through the amazing miracle of redemption. I think my favorite line from this hymn is "here in the death of Christ I live." It seems so backwards that we can live because of a death. But it's the truth!  His death has brought us life...and even the pain and permanence of death could not hold God down.  Life is yet more powerful!

Oh, the memories we have!

"Our laughs are limitless, our memories are countless, our friendship is endless."

The 5 of us (^) have been friends almost all of our lives.  (In case they look familiar to you, you've probably seen them before.)  We know enough about each other to know that we don't yet know everything.  One thing we do know is that we love having time together.  

Last year we found that one thing was missing in our get-togethers...and that was pictures together!  We realized that most of our friendship has not been captured in long-term visual memories, so we decided to start doing photo-shoots at least every year.  Last year we did our first photo-shoot, and now we've done 2 this year.  I'd say we're keeping up with this new tradition just fine so far.  :)

Shoshannah, me, Tirzah, Isarai, and Abigail

I'm not sure why we take serious pictures.  It always takes several tries before we actually get one without laughing.

I'd say that I've been pretty blessed with great friends that "know all about me, yet love me just the same."  God has been good to put so many different personalities and faces in my life!

Washington pumpkin patch

It was one of those days where the sky precipitates and liquid falls from the sky.  Most people laugh and say that Washington "always has rain."  

[I won't take the time or effort here and now to argue over that.  We've already determined that I am a pluviophile, and rain is my thing.]

Anyway, it was raining--just water; nothing sticky like apple juice or anything.  It was that comforting, smiley rain--the stuff that made my dad tell people that I must be some fraction duck.  He thought my feet may as well be webbed with the way I gushed over rain.

On this particularly rainy day we were babysitting and considering a trip to the pumpkin patch.  We hadn't been to one yet this year, and it seemed like the thing to do.  However, it was raining, which was cause for hesitation. (Not on my part, mind you.)  We decided to take the matter to the kids and see if the rain made a difference to them.  Being the good little Washington people they were born to be, they were all enthusiastic about going to the pumpkin patch--despite the rain.  (They are makin' this auntie proud!)  As we drove the hour to the pumpkin patch, not only did a child throw up and several children ask "how much longer?", but it also began to rain even harder.  No big deal; at least we'd get the pumpkin patch to our Washingtonselves, right?...

Mmmmm...puddles.

WRONG.  Apparently every other Washington die-hard thought the same thing about the same pumpkin patch.  So it was a little busy...and wet...and even windy.  Everyone got soaked and freezing cold, but we had a good time together!  And we were just as glad to get back in the warm car, return home, and put dry clothes on.

I love that these kids grow up puddle stomping.  What a good childhood.

Meanwhile, in the barn, several animals were staying dry(-ish) in the hay and waiting to be pet.  They got lots of attention from our group of 9 wilds.

This goat was so chill about the chicken scratching for bugs on his back.

Ashnah: MOUSE!
Me: (laughs and does not correct said 3 year old.)
That is one big, frightening mouse!

PIGS!  *heart, heart, heart*

Donkeys are so cute!

I need a wagon like this to fit all my nieces/nephews! (different sorts of "pumpkins")

His smile is so sweet!

Children in prison?......

...Or Grandma's goods?
I want a shopping cart like this when I go to Costco!

Mordecai's face!  I would love to have real snowmen in my yard right now.

That same weekend, in an attempt to have some special fun and spend quality time with the kids, we made some caramel apple bites and rice crispy treats, tempting the little rascals with sweet treats.

(On a side note: one day Mordecai was obsessed with keeping the fire burning nicely.  He pulled up the rocker to sit and watch that it did as he wanted.  Occasionally he got up to poke at is and blow the coals with the bellows.  So cute.  It was like watching a little, old man!)

Getting bored with a long caramel process.

If you think Titus' face is cute, just wait 'til you hear his voice!!!

Our fall, candy corn rice themed crispy treats.