Jesus' Grand Entrance and our Grand Entrance...according to Elyse

When talking to Elyse about what she learned in Sunday School this week, I learned some new theology.

We were talking about Jesus dying on the cross for us and what that meant and that Jesus didn't stay dead. Three days later he "arose to living again!" (quote from E)Now He lives in Heaven with our Heavenly Father, but He left His Spirit so He can live in our hearts when we ask Him to. I then asked E how we get to Heaven. She very matter-of-factly said, "on a donkey, just like Jesus."

The theology of a three year old - morphing Palm Sunday and The Day of Ascension!

The Sisterhood of Motherhood

There's nothing quite like sisters. But, sisters in motherhood together is that much better!! What a joy it is to be a mom with my sisters and an aunt to their kiddos!! We have entered a new era and oh, it is so GOOD!!

Blessed Beyond Belief

This morning was a gift! A rare treat, for sure. Monday's are my childcare mornings, so I can get some scheduled work time in.

But, because last week was a forty plus hour work week, I didn't have anything I absolutely had to get done this morning. So, rather than a date with my computer, my child-free morning consisted of an hour of volunteering in Isaac's classroom, and then...wait for it...an hour and a half walk with the dog! Yes, an hour and a half, in the beauty of God's creation at the base of Cheyenne Mountain around what Spencer Penrose envisioned years ago for the Broadmoor Hotel and surrounding community, a brisk walk at my pace, rather than the kid's or anyone else's, Pandora on the iphone, and me!

Some days I forget how much I need, love, and miss my alone time.

I wasn't really alone, though. I had great dialogue with God, and it truly was a dialogue, rather than a one-way conversation, as it is too often.

He reminded me of how much I have - my husband and partner - the perfect match for me, our three great kids, our extended family, great community, a beautiful home and neighborhood, good schools for our kids, a business that supports our family and allows for flexibility within our schedules, and so much more. Then I was reminded of our basic needs that are so easily taken for granted here in my family: clean water, food - healthy food on the table three times a day, a roof over our heads, shoes on our feet, clothing, vitamins to keep us healthy, our health, and again the list goes on and on. We are so fortunate to live in this country where water, food, and shelter are almost a given.

I was struck by how great our wealth is, compared to 95% of the world. We have so much and we give so much, yet there is SO much more to give. Just yesterday, prior to my walk, I compared our business financials of 2009 to those of 2010. Thanks be to God that we increased our income by nearly 18% in a year that we took a risk and dropped a fairly big revenue builder for us, The David Tilney seminar marketing and planning. It truly was amazing. God provided! It hit me that, our business may continue to grow, but what a gift it would be to maintain our current lifestyle, not increase our spending, and just grow our giving!! WOW!

I was also struck by the phenomenal gift that my grandparents, my parents, and Kurt's parents have given us. A gift that will be passed onto our kids, grandkids, and God's greater Kingdom here on Earth. The gift of debt-free living. Our parents and grandparents paid for our college education. At the time, I was grateful for my education, but never have I been so aware of the enormous gift they've given us in not being enslaved to loans. We are free to live within our means and give all that we have above our mortgage and living expenses. I've heard the argument that kids will appreciate their education that much more and take it more seriously if they pay for all or part of their education. That may be true, but on the other side of that argument is how empowered we are, at a young age, to truly make strives for God's Kingdom, here on earth...not when all this passes away and we're in Heaven, but now. NOW we can dig wells, NOW we can support orphanages, NOW we can fund research for disease eradication, NOW we can support education, NOW we can do what we can to lower the world-wide poverty rate, NOW we can partner with friends overseas sharing God's heart by living in community with unbelievers, NOW we can be the Hands and Feet of Jesus.

I'm so thankful, that at a young age we are able to give, so that from birth, our children truly know what living a life for Christ is and that it isn't solely a personal thing, but a way we live, as the Eilmes family looking out for others and thinking of others before ourselves. Stewardship was once part of a job title for me. I certainly hope that I can pass on the gift and understanding of stewardship in our living and giving to our kids. I pray they learn at a young age (and God has already shown me glimpses that they have) that we truly are blessed to be a blessing!!

Brother Snuggle Time

This is how we found the boys this morning. They had woken up early and turned on their American Tall Tales CD and then snuggled together in the top bunk listening. How cute is that?! We are so blessed that they truly are best friends. Sure they get loud and roudy at times, but they really don't have nearly as much fun with anyone else.