will you pray?

Lots of damage outside our town from the tornados that passed through. 

Work teams are starting up to help those that lost their farms, homes, and property. 

Please join us in prayer as families salvage what they lost and as the community comes together alongside of them.

so much was lost. I've never seen anything like this before. 

God still remains faithful even through times like these. 

first tornado warning...

I've never experienced a tornado warning before. This was my first here in iowa! 

We quickly packed our bags, grabbed shelter and made our way to the basement...

actually, erase all that. 

We live in the basement apartment, so we actually didn't have to do any fleeing, packing, or freaking. we were already ready...i guess, we're always ready, since we're down here. 

So, instead, we made ourselves cozy down in our little cave and watched a couple movies together, while i graded  homework and packed eggs.

anywhoos.

I'm still preparing for this easter egg hunt outreach. I'm getting excited as the time get closer...wish i had a planning crew for this; that'd be nice and I don't think I'd feel so pressured. I just want things to go well and that the kids will recieve the gospel message clearly. I'm so excited for this opportunity though!!! So many of the kids are have already planned who they are bringing to join them; so double our zaokids to hear the full gospel presentation:).

I tested out one of the treats inside the egg, and claimed one of these fun bunny teeth for myself! the treats are kinda fun and colorful and happy! 

think they'll like them? they make a buzzing noise when you breath in and out.

this is an interesting set of easter eggs that were donated-and they were pre-stuffed! The smiling animals on top of the tattoos are from the Noah's Ark set of eggs. This little yellow chick is a "Rocker Chicks" egg. 

Almost there! Still more planning and stuffin' and praying and posting for this egg hunt:)

happy Sunday, ya'll!

nicest part of the day

Sometimes 

after a day of,

"Ms. BB!!!!!! She said something about me!!!"

"Ms. BB! so-and-so threw HIM on the ground!"

"Ms. BB, I WANNA CHANGE my lifeblock because there is someone being mean to me!"

"I got a loose tooth MS. BB, wanna see?! SEE?!"

"Ms. BB, Nobody wants me here."

"BB, i think they said something bad about me....in spanish!!"

"LOOK, I got 'em new shoes!!! Ms. BB look! Ms. BB. BB! BB! LOOK AT MY SHOES!"

things seem to get louder and louder and closer and closer to my face as their little faces strain upwards to get my attention.

I sometimes feel like I'm ready for an escape. To the bathroom. To the nursery. To the office. Anywhere at all to hide from all the ruckus.

Today I'm on cloud nine. It was a great great great evening with the kids, even with my name playing on repeat and the volume was on high. 

Because even with all those things still going on tonight, I felt such peace and confidence in Christ. I spent so much time in prayer for today. 

God is good.

I am so thankful!

Even with all the work I still have yet to do tonight and tomorrow first thing, I felt like snuggling up in my warm haven and blogging from my most frequent blogging spot. After a long day and my legs have died out on me, I like to come in this warm room, snuggle under the blanket, and get some blogging or work done.

where do you like to go after a nice long day?

Oh, boy, have a happy weekend!

spring time hatchings!

fresh eggs have taken over our living room.

one even hatched in our own living room!

yay, Easter's a'coming! 

a year after

just thinking back as i collect easter eggs and candy for this year's first EASTER ZAOkids outreach...an easter egg hunt for the kids to invite their friends to. We will present the full gospel in the lesson and talk about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We'll have an easter egg hunt, games, face painting, and dinner. This will be an event for hopefully many of the kids and their friends. I'm gathering around 1,000 eggs (or more, hopefully!) to hide in the Easter egg hunt for the kiddos.

I was thinking about Zaokids last year. It was a blessing, and really alot of fun, but a completely different approach in ministry as we had 3 faithful kids come consistently the entire school year. If you click HERE to see our Easter celebration last year for ZAOkids, you can see how God has completely changed the dynamic of ZAO and how the group has changed from 3 kiddos to close to 70 kids now. 

here is a quick snapshot i took with my phoneof ONE donation of easter eggs for this year's outreach. right there is 300-400 Easter eggs and tons of candy to fill them and give out as prizes...hopefully this pile will grow bigger and  bigger as people give!:)

the purpose of the easter egg hunt is to give the kids a fun reason to invite their friends. Please start praying for hearts to soften and be ready to hear the gospel of what Jesus Christ has done for them on the cross....not only dying for their sin, but also rising again and defeating death. 

He is Risen, He is Risen indeed!

once again...

we flooded.

thankfully, not terribly much like before: see here. this time it just quietly crept out of the washer...but it was interesting watching the towels float on top of the water and then slowly sink down into the water.

i think i've just about had it. 

now i'm really looking forward to finding a house! this basement apartment is getting to me!

oh, well...:-D

happy 13th bday!!!

happy to finally be 13!!! 

(however, now he's telling people he's 14;))

excited about his new wallet. hanging it around his neck so he doesn't lose it.

basketball and nerf football.

and of course they had to test it out!!!

the girls wanted to play, but watched from the porch instead, trying to stay warm.

go birthday boy!!!

 catch phrase:) 

happy 13th birthday, aaron!!!!