Colorado Christian University Friends

Yesterday I had the great joy of connecting with several college friends. The first picture is me, Janice H., Amy H. and Tammy B. Between the 4 of us we had 10 kiddos present and 2 kids absnent (Malachi stayed home with Grandma). It was a blessing to share the joys and trials of motherhood together and see how the Lord is leading and using each family. These ladies are each still persevering in their walk with Jesus and I was encouraged by that. Thanks gals for the great time!

Grandpa Jim

A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 16:31

My Grandpa Jim is 87 years old and loves the Lord. Though he would say he has made many mistakes, he has set a wonderful example for his family. He is generous, humble, quick to forgive and funny! He loves his wife, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids immensely. He's doing great and I hope we get to keep him for another decade or more, but if the Lord would decide to promote him to heaven sooner than later, I just wanted to have a brief tribute here to a man I love and admire. I can remember wonderful times with my Grandpa learning to fish, learning about rocks and petrified wood (he's a rockhound), playing Skipbo, camping in his RV, laughing at his funny jokes, and seeing him worship Sunday after Sunday in my home church growing up. I have been very blessed to have a heritage of Faith in my family like Grandpa Jim.

Psalm 19

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the Lord is clean enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

The sunsets here on the plains of Colorado have been undescribable. The sun drops behind the jagged sillouettes of Longs and Meeker. So far I haven't had a camera with me to try to capture the beauty but will try. As I watched the sunset a couple nights ago I thought of Psalm 19 and knew it to be true. The heavens were telling, declaring, recounting the weightiness of the glory of God. My soul rejoiced in the Lord Who made heaven and earth (see Psalm 121). And then the meditating on Psalm 19 reminded me that I have everything I need for life and godliness in the Bible.

What practical application did this have in my life? I am a mere creature and The Creator is real and in control. Truly believing in His sovereignty, goodness and love as demonstrated not just in the sunset, but in the Work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, gives me purpose for each day. I am a sinner, saved. That changes everything. And I need not grope along wondering how to live because I have His Word that is perfect, revives my soul, makes wise, enlightens, is desireable, etc, etc. Nothing could be more applicable, because that changes the way I live my life, love my husband, serve my kids, face the future, endure hard times, grieve, rejoice... everything! Oh that I would learn to love and know the Word more! Thank you Lord for that sunset.

The heavens do declare God! See and ponder and worship.

Malachi...

This picture was just too good not to share. Malachi loves this apron that I sewed in 4H as a kid and he loves to be naked so this day he combined the two!

Silas Piper is 8 months old

Our precious son, Silas Piper Estrada, named after John Piper of Desiring God ministries, turned 8 month old today. What a blessing he is! He now has 2 teeth (is working on more), can scoot all over the house, is so happy and content and just loves people. He was very slow to take to solid food, but is getting there. That little grin just melts your heart.

Fun at Grandpa's and Grandma's

Fun from the top:
1. and 2. Grandpa and Malachi have spent literally hours riding this old converted lawnmower around the property. I don't think it goes faster than 1 mile an hour (I can easily out-walk it) but Malachi loves it... better than Disneyland! (Though with gas prices, not much cheaper.)

3. Grandma has an amazing garden planted again this year. We are already enjoying the bounty of her hard work. Here she is sharing freshly picked strawberries with Malachi.

4. Eden and cousin Lauryn have had much fun together though Lauryn looks less than pleased in this picture. Malachi must have been picking on her. The Magi cousins will be here soon.

5. The newest Stromberger! Lincoln Levi Worley is almost 2 months old and very sweet. What blue eyes.

"Uncle" Marty's Wedding

Saturday night we had the great privilege of being involved in our dear friends, Marty and Tammy Van Driel's wedding. Moses was the best man and I read Philippians 2:1-11 during the ceremony.

The whole thing was a crazy experience because 2 days before the wedding the groom had an emergency appendectomy. The night of the rehearsal he was still in the hospital so we rehearsed without him! But the Lord graciously healed him and he made it to his own wedding.

Eden has been counting down the days to this event and loved the whole thing.

It was a blast to see so many old college friends. The third picture above is of Marty and his sister Heidi Ross also a good friend. And in the first picture the gal on Moses' right is my precious friend Marla Sonksen.