A Confession and a Blessing

You want to know what I have to confess? Well, its not a funny confession nor one that I have taken light hearted. Rather it is a struggle that I am sure each Christian has in their walk with the Lord. So I wrote this post to let you know (if you are also struggling in this area) that you aren't the only one and I pray that it encourages you in your own walk with the Lord to remain steadfast and joyful, with excitement and determination to have it grow more and more.

The Confession: 
So, here's my confession. I've haven't spent the time I should have with my Lord! Wondering what I mean? Well, lately I have had a tough time continuing in my daily walk with the Lord as far as devotions go. Doesn't seem that big does it! It has been big to me though, because instead of setting aside time in the word alone, I thought of other things to do, when I was about to do it at night I decided I should go to sleep and do it in the morning then when it was the next morning I said 'well I'll just do it tonight'. It starts out as a small excuse but quickly grows. As the days go by and I see my life getting harder to understand and my other struggles increasing, I ask myself why is this happening. Then realize, its because my compass or hand hold on the world and on who I am in that world, has weakened and I have started (with a horrible sense of direction) trying to figure it out in my own power. It continues to be a struggle for me which means I must put all the more effort and determination into it, but often I neglect to. The reason I decided to write a post about this today is because this morning when I made the silent agreement with myself that I would put even more effort into it than I had in the past week and pleaded with God that He would help me, I came upon another realization.

The Blessing: 
When I sat down and started to read out of Romans I was instantly asking myself why I hadn't done it earlier. It wasn't that difficult (as I knew it really wouldn't be) and I was yet again amazed at how the verses applied to my life in different areas and was encouraged that God was still speaking to me through them. A few minutes later when I found out I had to stop to get ready for the day I was slightly disappointed, because I when I read those verses the joy was revitalized within me and my grip grew all the more tighter. It was similar to the feeling that you get while you are rock climbing with a harness on and your hands slip making you put all your weight back in that harness that holds you up, and the realization as that happens, that you aren't on your own. That the trust you put in that person holding the rope below you is not unfounded and the stress leaves your body as this idea comes to your awareness. Its a rather odd example but one that came to my mind as I was writing this, because that was honestly what I felt. Joy, hope, courage, excitement, gratitude, and awe. Awe, that even though I had strayed from God and had put Him to the side and others in His place He still wanted me back and was there with open arms when I did.

In reading all this though, it is important to know that Satan will be fighting you all the way. Not wanting those feeling of joy and that faith put back in God. This was also the other lesson that was not new but I was reminded of yet again today. Because I knew that it was spiritual warfare that was the answer to my question earlier. The question of why I had not just sat down and read it sooner. Satan doesn't generally fight us visibly, instead he uses all sorts of different tactics, and one of his best attacks is the deceptive one you don't realize is there. The one he plays on the battlefield of your mind. Enticing and encouraging thoughts that not only distract but discourage you from growing in your relationship with the Lord. The only way to battle him back is to do the very thing he doesn't want you to. For it is there that you find the strength and reinforcement to continue in the battle.

I have to head off to bed now but I hope what I wrote encouraged you, and while there might be nothing in this post that is new to you. I know there are plenty of things in the bible that will be. So I hope and pray that it encourages you to go back to that bible and find something that is new.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in  psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

- Colossians 3:16

God Bless!

-Hosanna

Another tournament!!!

The Emerald City Qualifier starts on Wednesday and Rayni and I are working on getting our speeches ready. We are partnering to compete in duo, along with competing individually in Impromtu and Apologetics. Rayni is also competing with her Persuasive on fathers and I'm competing in my Illustrated Oratory on the bible.

With around 250 students competing this is going to be the largest Washington tournament so far and probably a lot of fun.

One quick really awesome thing happened today. We had our neighbor come over to take a look at something we were wanting to get fixed. He told us he would do it for free, and after taking a glance at our computers and asking what operating system we used he asked us if we wanted his old computer. He had bought it in 2008 and used it for week, but hadn't been able to run a program on it that he used often for work so after trying to sell it to a friend who ended up backing out, he asked us if we wanted it. Of course we said yes, and with it came a 20 inch screen. Now Jos is upgrading slightly to the new computer, Jed and the younger ones are getting rid of their very old XP computer and getting Jos' old but newer then their current computer, and I got the 20 inch screen to use on my computer. I had been thinking about getting a better screen, but due to the cost hadn't. Now I've been blessed with a 20 inch screen for free, Jos is blessed with a slight upgrade for free, and Jed and the younger ones are blessed with a big upgrade. Its pretty awesome to see how God provides.

Signing off

-Hosanna

Three Random Facts

1. New dog food!
Yes, and we caught Azariah eatting it a couple times already. We still aren't sure whats wrong with the normal food we give that child, but I guess the dog's food is much better. :)

2. Jerky Sleep!
After playing ultimate frisbee the first half of the morning. It affected me to the point that while laying down this afternoon and almost asleep thinking about it, my arm jerked to throw a frisbee. Not 5 minutes later my entire body jerked to begin another throw. Hahaha, I got a kick out of it! Yes, I'm throwing frisbees in my sleep!

3. GUESS WHAT!!!!!
No, Azariah did not say "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious", and no Zeb is not getting married. Actually, its moms birthday on Monday!!!! She is one amazing mother and I love her tons!!!!

Well, that's it for now.
-Hosanna

Old Photos

Rayni (3 years, 7 months) and Hosanna (1 year, 9 months)
South Africa

A couple weeks ago while looking at old photos. We came across a couple that we just had to pull out and put up. They brought back memories, sighs, and laughs. One of my favorite photos was this one on the right, of Rayni and I. So I thought I would share it with the rest of you! You can click on the image to make it larger.


Enjoy!
 -Hosanna

Lately....

It seems like a lot has happened. Time seems to fly by as you get older and the more you wish it to slow the faster it goes.

On the 30th was Azariah's birthday and He turned a year old. Its crazy how fast that kid grows. We invited a few neighbors over and gave Azariah his own small cake which he proceeded to have fun with.

 "What is this??"

"Yum" - First Taste

 After a little while he got a little tired of eating it and started playing with the cake instead.

and boy was it fun cleaning him up afterwards (a job that fell to Rayni) but I'm sure he had fun

He had the rest of us laughing while he was eating his cake, (quite the entertainer at a year old). It's been so much fun to see him grow up this last year, and on the third he started walking all by himself. His whole face brights up when he starts to walk/run somewhere by himself, with this huge smile on his face almost hyperventilating from the excitement. 

The next day (the first) was Jos' birthday, turning 19. 

Jos (for the most part) has been one amazing brother (except, of course, for the times when he loved to tease us to death) he has always been fun to hang around. He seems to love little kids, and almost all of them love him as well. Nothing seems to knock him to much and if you ever need anyone strong to lean on, you can just call him. :) I've always looked up to him as a brother, the way he deals with situations and people not getting angry very often but always strong as a rock. Instead of working half-heartedly he finds the most creative ways to get through things no matter how hard. He is always such a joy to be around, laughing and making others laugh. 

I know this is pretty "mushy-gushy" but I love you Jos and I hope you have an awesome year to come, with many lessons and blessings from God, a year of growing and learning for Him.  

On the fourth we decided to stay home and had some friends come over for the day, afterwards we went and got a few fireworks to set off. I think Jos and I had the most fun setting them off and battling each other in a popper war (those small fireworks that you throw on the ground and they snap or pop). Afterwards part of us got up on the roof to watch the fireworks around us which was lots of fun. Here are some of the pictures we took while on the roof.

Zeb, Jos, Hosanna, and Rayni 

Zeb, Jos, Hosanna, Jed and Rayni 

 Jed, Jos, Hosanna, and Rayni

Jed, Hosanna, Azariah, and Rayni

Rayni and Azzy

Today mom left for New Zealand, our Grandma is moving houses so mom is going for two weeks to help out and see family. We are sure gonna miss her, and this will by Azariah's first time without mom for this long so he is gonna miss her too.

Anyways, I'm off for now. Hope you all enjoyed the update.

-Hosanna