More Yayness!

More good news for Lauren. She was awarded a grant for a free laptop at UNC .... NICE.

She also just received news that she was awarded the National Achievement $2500 Scholarship. She earned this because her PSAT score was one of the top scores in the nation. 700 of these were awarded nation-wide. I know you are tempted to think she gets her brains from me :P

We continue to be very proud of her and grateful God is blessing her for all her hard academic work.

A Visit with Auntie Pattie and Uncle Bob

This past week Danny had work at the Asheville, NC site so we decided to make it a mini-get-away to visit Auntie Pattie and Uncle Bob, aka the Keyes, or Holly's parents or Trisha and Robert. They live in Brevard which is about 45 minutes past Asheville, NC but still in the gorgeousness of all those mountains! Lauren and I visited them about 2 years ago when Holly and David were there. BTW, we missed you much Holly and David!

This time BamBam came along and got to hang out with their sheep dog "Sophie" who happens to think she is a lap dog. Auntie Pattie spoiled us with her wonderful cooking -- homemade flan and lasagna and pecan pie just to make you a little jealous.

We enjoyed stories of all their adventures -- and I'm talking SERIOUS adventures like a 9 month trip to Africa. Uncle Bob is full of stories -- both true and sometimes ones that are trying to pull your leg. We got to do a lot of walking/hiking in the National Park with waterfalls, etc. The weather started out cold but ended up perfect. We got to see wild turkey on the mountain attack their car. It was hilarious.

On our last day, they took us up to Pisgah National Forrest to have breakfast where we could see a vast mountain range and into South Carolina! Breathtaking! Thank you Auntie Pattie for your wonderful hospitality and Uncle Bob for entertaining us :)

See pix below!

He is Risen!

Well, its never to late to declare: "He is risen!"
And you say: "He is risen, indeed!"

Easter may have come and gone, but the truth of its events is reason for celebration everyday. Our Easter was very.....good. I mean it was just good. There was good weather. There was good worship and teachin in church. There was good hair. There was good food. There was good fellowship in our family. There was good conversation and good laughter. There was (is) the good news of Christ's resurrection.

I don't know where you are in discovering/learning/believing the truth of who Jesus says He is, but its all about Easter. Christmas is just the beginning. Without the empty grave and a risen Christ, its all a waste of time.

Church was packed and I often wonder what enters the minds of those who make it to church only on Christmas and/or Easter. Do they think they are appeasing God? Their family? Maybe themselves? If I did not know Christ personally, I would focus on fluffy bunnies and chocolate too. If the grave isn't empty, then its gonna take more than chocolate bunnies to cope with this situation.

This was the first time I went "ethnic" on Easter :)