Thought Life

Oh, this has been a really long week with my thought life. I have been running some past information in my head, dissecting it and moiling it over. It is about to drive me crazy. I have been reliving my past in terms of my thought life, but I have realized how I need to get some of those bad thoughts and old actions out of my life and hold on to the dear ones. I am not perfect, but that is why God gives up the full Armour of Him. So that we can equip ourselves with it and protect ourselves from the things around us.

I will be honest, this has been a week of baby steps also. I have a habit of jumping into things with both feet and then jumping right back out of it. Making all kinds of excuses and reasons to walk away from it. I do not want to jump into growth with God and then jump back out because I am afraid of change or lack of trust. I have realized that I need to take one step at a time. So, that is what I am doing, I am slowly giving it to God and releasing myself to Him. I pray for change and real fruit in my life. I do not want to go by the numbers or think that I am growing and in reality I am just running on a treadmill. Growth is needed and I do not want to look any where, but up. So, this is why I am covering myself with the Full Armour and going to pray without ceasing. This is the two areas in my life that I have not been diligent in. Please pray, not just for me, but for yourselves. We are to grow and produce fruit. Ask yourself if you are producing and growing. And no matter what, cover yourself with prayer, and protection. This is important: be in the word always and grow and know your savior. Starting now, the thought life is God's, because I am not strapping myself to more burdens. Tanya

Here are some scriptures to ponder on: Ephesians 6:11, James 1:6-8, Isaiah 55:2, 2 Cor. 10:5, Matt. 12:36, Eph. Chapter 4, Gal. 5:22, Heb. 4:12, 2 Cor 5:19, 1 Thess. 1:17 and John 3:16

Great Family Films

Jeff and I have Netflixs with instant play. I really enjoy it. The other night I was on You Tube looking at another Christian film when I ran across this one. I realized that I had this film in my Que on Netflixs. So, I went to watch it. It is about five people with really ruff lives and they get stranded in the middle of no where. But as God would have it, He opens a diner for them. This was such a good movie, the people have such hard questions for Him and yet he answers each one with love and grace. Well worth your time to watch, and for those who have some tough questions and are struggling with faith, excellent movie. Some of the cast consist of Jacki Velasquez, Bruce Marchiano, and Steve "Sting" Borden. If you have seen the "Matthew" movies, you will recognize Bruce Marchiano. Bruce portrays Jesus in the film. Very Good movies, except I would not try to watch "Matthew" in one day, very long film.

Our new little one

This is our little man, is he not precious. This is Jackson Abraham Comstock Gates, He weight 10lbs 6oz and 22 inches long. He is so awesome.





Here is mom, dad and Jackson.

Birthday Bash and learning

Well, yesterday Jeff and I took the kids to Council Bluffs to celebrate Melanie's birthday. It just blows my mind that my baby has turned 14. I just can not believe how fast time is going by. Any ways, we took her to Target, Walmart and Game Stop to shop, she had some money to spend. Then we ate at Sonic, oh their Malts are so good. Afterwards, we all walked across the parking lot to the Salvation Army Thrift Store. Just a wonderful day with my husband and kids. I love the time with them, it is going to be a short time and Luke will be off with his own life and soon his own family. It is amazing to me to see them grow up and move on, and yet a side of me is grateful that they are. It is weird sometimes being a parent. But in the years that I have been a parent, I would never change a thing about it. I have learned through my mistakes and learned something new everyday. I am still learning and soon I will have to learn how to be a parent to children that are married, I told ya, the learning never ends. I am learning right now how to let go of the control, it is time to let God take over. Every minute of the day is learning and letting go. Time marches on and we have to march with it. Tanya

Celebrating a new life

Well, this weekend the family and I took a trip to Des Moines to celebrate the coming of a new life. My Nephew Craig and his gal Alisha are expecting a baby within the next couple of weeks. How exciting to be waiting for the new arrival. It was an interesting day to say the least, it rained off and on all day and was very humid. But we made it and had a good time. There was plenty of food and cake, and after eating we watched the new parents open gifts.

Here is Craig, Alisha and Melanie walking in to the Shower.

Here is Craig and Alisha opening up presents, they are so cute and funny. I think Craig had more fun opening up gifts.

Alisha is suppose to be on bed rest, so she was pretty tired. She was a trooper and she did really good. She has such a wonderful smile and was really cheery. Craig is so funny, he always makes me laugh. He is a good guy. I can not help but think back to when Jeff and I were expecting Luke. The fear, the lack of knowledge, wondering if we were going to be good parents or not. It is really nice to be able to sit back and see new parents go through that and we are able to be there for them.






Here is Luke, Grandpa Ross, Grandma Ross, Brooke and Melanie. Boy all the kids have grown up so fast. Time goes so quickly.