Lord I Praise You

Today the Lord answered one of the deepest prayers of my heart, my dear sister Jackie, surrendered her life to Jesus Christ. Words cannot even express the overflowing joy that I feel in the depths of my soul. Jackie Jeanne, your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life!! Thank you Lord for your Spirit revealing yourself to her, for lifting the veil over her eyes, for her being, " a new creation in Christ, behold a new thing has come and the old has passed away" Thank you Lord for your gift of salvation that you offer freely to those who will respond to your call. She told me this morning on the phone, that she finally realized that nothing could bring her happiness or fill the emptiness in her heart, not her kids, her husband, her house, or her friends, nothing... but Jesus Christ!!! She wants and earnestly desires a personal realtionship with Jesus Christ, my heart leap inside my chest, I could hardly contain myself as tears streamed down my face. I prayed with her and listened to her speak about her excitment and new found joy in pursuing her Savior.
So today has been one of the best days of my life. I can honestly say I have not prayed for anyone's salvation more than my sister's. I listened to her testimony and heard the Lord answer specific things I had prayed for over the years. Today I am thanking the Lord for his faithfulness, his mercy, his loving kindness, and most of all for his precious Son, Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of my life and is now the Lord of my dear sister's as well. I love you my sweet sister, and I look forward to spending eternity with you laughing and singing to our God.

How can I thank you oh Lord
For calling me to you
For letting me hear you
For opening my eyes to the gospel...
As long as I have breath I will praise you
As long as my heart beats I will sing
As long as life flows in my veins
I WILL BLESS YOUR NAME!!!

Blog Help

Can someone help me figure out how to post a picture under my profile and put a picture behind my blog title. I can't seem to figure it out. I tried to reduce the file size of my photos and it still didn't work. So if anyone else out there could explain it to my I would be greatly obliged.

Del Mar Fair

Every year we go to the Del Mar Fair, it is quite a highlight for me and the kids. This year Mady rode her first roller coaster, she was sreeking with delight. I wish I had brought my camera on the ride, her face was a mixture of freedom and pure horror. Here is Mady riding the horses, this is all she talked about from the moment we told her we were going to the Fair. I want to ride the horses, i want to ride the horses. So here she is riding the horses. We love her thankful and joyful heart, after the ride was over instead of asking to go again over and over, she thanked us over and over again, praise you Lord for your Spirit at work in her life. She is a gift beyond measure.

My Big Boy

Here is Aslan taken just a few nights ago, he and Mady went to hang out with my friend Carissa and she took this picture of him. She really captured a part of his personality in this photo, one that is content and needs no expression, only a look. One that says I've been around the world and this is where I want to be.

DISNEYLAND SURPRISE

Mady and I had to go see her nutritionist up in LA, gosh it's almost been a month ago. Anyhow, the visit went well, mostly ALL of the damages from the antibotics she was on have been cleared up. She is doing much better overall and still has been infection free since she started the supplements with no antibotics, PRAISE GOD! Well when we finished the doctors appointment it was like 10:30 in the morning and I called Jim and he said to take her and do something special with her. I had been promising to take her to Disneyland when she was finished with drinking all her smoothies. So... I surprised her and we wnt to DISNEYLAND for a Mommy, daughter day. I didn't tell her until we were in the parking lot. We were riding on the tram over to the park, and she just keep looking at me saying, " Mommy are we really going to DISNEYLAND!" When she saw the entrance to the park, SHe was floored with excitment, "Mommy we are here!", her next thought turned towards the princesses, " Do you think I'll meet Cinderella this time?" Well... let's just say dreams do come true at Disney... it was such an awesome gift to get to spend the day with my little princess.

Anyone want to join me? This is an annual bluegrass festival at the end of August. This will be my first year going but from the pictures it looks like a great family festival atmosphere. Mady and I are going to kick up our heels and we invite all our friends to come along and dance the day away with us!

Alkire Family Photo

Here is Jim's side of the family, Jim's sister Beth with her husband Matt, and her three kids, Jeremy, Josh and Katilyn. Jim's parents and us with our little ones. It was really great to spend time with them and get to know them better. I feel so blessed to be a part of such a great group of folks. Thanks Beth for being so loving with my Mady and Aslan. And Katilyn, for playing and doing crafts with Mady and for just letting her hang out with you. She really loved being with you, you are a wonderful young lady and I can't wait to see how you will blosom in the years to come. And Matt, thanks for all of your hard work with the party, you did all the man chores I asked of you without complaining, I can see God's mark of humility on your life. And of course Mom and Dad, it was so good to see you and just be with you guys, and thanks for all the toys for the kids. Let's do it again next year!!