hope.

God is so {faithful}.  last night i stayed up later than i should, doing things that didn't really matter... like watching an episode of Friends and aimlessly perusing the internet.  by the time i decided to head to bed, my eyes didn't want to focus and my mind was a little bit fuzzy.  before i turned out the lights, i was convicted about not spending any time in the Bible.  i half-heartedly read just a little and not long after that i was out.

i did not take time to reflect on the verses i read last night early this morning, yet God brought new revelation to mind this afternoon while i was driving home from running errands.  the truth of romans 5:3-5 became crystal clear.

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

hope has seemed elusive to me.  as a christ-follower, i have always felt that it is something i should just have.   

the knowledge that i'm in the process of obtaining hope gives me {hope}.

hope.

God is so {faithful}.  last night i stayed up later than i should, doing things that didn't really matter... like watching an episode of Friends and aimlessly perusing the internet.  by the time i decided to head to bed, my eyes didn't want to focus and my mind was a little bit fuzzy.  before i turned out the lights, i was convicted about not spending any time in the Bible.  i half-heartedly read just a little and not long after that i was out.

i did not take time to reflect on the verses i read last night early this morning, yet God brought new revelation to mind this afternoon while i was driving home from running errands.  the truth of romans 5:3-5 became crystal clear.

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

hope has seemed elusive to me.  as a christ-follower, i have always felt that it is something i should just have.   

the knowledge that i'm in the process of obtaining hope gives me {hope}.

guess what...

i am blogging from my brand-new laptop!  months and months of saving my babysitting money and my pennies have finally paid off.  this has been my dream for years and yesterday i took a little trip down to the apple store to buy my new {friend}.

hours have been spent customizing this baby and exploring all the fun gadgets.  last night i opened a skype account (chariskay123) and talked to my mom and sister, my brother brandon, and my friend nicole.  tears rolled down my cheeks as we goofed around and made faces at each other.  what can i say...i'm easily amused.

i'm looking forward to many hours of coffee shop blogging...

guess what...

i am blogging from my brand-new laptop!  months and months of saving my babysitting money and my pennies have finally paid off.  this has been my dream for years and yesterday i took a little trip down to the apple store to buy my new {friend}.

hours have been spent customizing this baby and exploring all the fun gadgets.  last night i opened a skype account (chariskay123) and talked to my mom and sister, my brother brandon, and my friend nicole.  tears rolled down my cheeks as we goofed around and made faces at each other.  what can i say...i'm easily amused.

i'm looking forward to many hours of coffee shop blogging...

multnomah falls : april trip

this is a delayed post too, but i couldn't resist sharing these pictures.

for future reference... if you are in need of a good workout, strap a thirty-five pound kid on your back and go hiking.  really, it is fun!

the babies toddlers {LOVE} to ride in the backpacks!  mari tends to fall asleep eventually and azariah quietly takes in all of the sights.  i seriously can't think of a time when they were grumpy while on a hike.

meshach impresses me with his energy and stamina.  typically i am the one slowing the group down by asking for breaks.  :o)  he loves to explore and find little creatures.

this is my new favorite recent picture of mari...such a beautiful little girl.

we spent quite a while hanging out near the top and eating snacks near the river.  (oh...did i mention my brother came too?  ha ha ha!  he carried mari.  there is no way i could carry both of the little ones!  not sure why i didn't get his picture...)  chipmunks joined us and we gladly shared our crackers.  it was so fun watching the kids take in the whole experience.  i can't wait someday to experience this with my own kids.

multnomah falls : april trip

this is a delayed post too, but i couldn't resist sharing these pictures.

for future reference... if you are in need of a good workout, strap a thirty-five pound kid on your back and go hiking.  really, it is fun!

the babies toddlers {LOVE} to ride in the backpacks!  mari tends to fall asleep eventually and azariah quietly takes in all of the sights.  i seriously can't think of a time when they were grumpy while on a hike.

meshach impresses me with his energy and stamina.  typically i am the one slowing the group down by asking for breaks.  :o)  he loves to explore and find little creatures.

this is my new favorite recent picture of mari...such a beautiful little girl.

we spent quite a while hanging out near the top and eating snacks near the river.  (oh...did i mention my brother came too?  ha ha ha!  he carried mari.  there is no way i could carry both of the little ones!  not sure why i didn't get his picture...)  chipmunks joined us and we gladly shared our crackers.  it was so fun watching the kids take in the whole experience.  i can't wait someday to experience this with my own kids.

night out with meshach.

so...on april 17th (over a month ago!), meshach and i were blessed to have a little date night!  i was given the opportunity to spend one night in a hotel and decided to drag him along with me.  :o)

i didn't bring the camera to the pool, but i do have to say that other than sleeping...we spent most of the time in the water.  he definitely loves swimming just like his auntie!  we even woke up early the next morning to swim again before we had to leave for church.

after hanging out in the pool saturday evening we headed out for a little big treat.  it was a momentous occasion:  his first time eating a mountain high mud pie from red robin.  just looking at this picture excites my taste buds.

spending this time with him was beyond amazing.  so often the craziness of three kids overwhelms the time and doesn't allow quality time to happen.  i can't believe how fast time is flying.  this little guy will be in kindergarten this fall!  i love him so much!

night out with meshach.

so...on april 17th (over a month ago!), meshach and i were blessed to have a little date night!  i was given the opportunity to spend one night in a hotel and decided to drag him along with me.  :o)

i didn't bring the camera to the pool, but i do have to say that other than sleeping...we spent most of the time in the water.  he definitely loves swimming just like his auntie!  we even woke up early the next morning to swim again before we had to leave for church.

after hanging out in the pool saturday evening we headed out for a little big treat.  it was a momentous occasion:  his first time eating a mountain high mud pie from red robin.  just looking at this picture excites my taste buds.

spending this time with him was beyond amazing.  so often the craziness of three kids overwhelms the time and doesn't allow quality time to happen.  i can't believe how fast time is flying.  this little guy will be in kindergarten this fall!  i love him so much!

run charis run!

ok.  here's the thing.  i'm not always the greatest at following through on writing the blog posts that i promise.  i will get to those soon....hopefully.

lately i have felt {bleh} about myself.  my clothes seem to be shrinking and my food plates seems to be growing.  sugar has been one of my main food groups.  i feel like a slug. 

between watching the biggest loser and reading about some of my facebook friends talk about their running accomplishments, i figured i would give running another shot.  i have always wanted to enjoy running and never have gotten past the first painful weeks. 

i came across a training schedule that seems to be within my abilities and today was my first day of my first week.  it's called the couch-to-5k running plan.  my goal is to run a 5k sometime in july and i'm so excited that talia is joining me on this adventure!

i'm hoping and praying that a love for running will ignite over the next couple of months. 

run charis run!

ok.  here's the thing.  i'm not always the greatest at following through on writing the blog posts that i promise.  i will get to those soon....hopefully.

lately i have felt {bleh} about myself.  my clothes seem to be shrinking and my food plates seems to be growing.  sugar has been one of my main food groups.  i feel like a slug. 

between watching the biggest loser and reading about some of my facebook friends talk about their running accomplishments, i figured i would give running another shot.  i have always wanted to enjoy running and never have gotten past the first painful weeks. 

i came across a training schedule that seems to be within my abilities and today was my first day of my first week.  it's called the couch-to-5k running plan.  my goal is to run a 5k sometime in july and i'm so excited that talia is joining me on this adventure!

i'm hoping and praying that a love for running will ignite over the next couple of months.