Anniversary Party

We celebrated my Grandparents anniversary in December. Mom, Meg, S.A.M. and I had a wonderful time preparing, decorating, and baking to celebrate this wonderful time!!!! What a joy to celebrate the years of marriage and to see the Lord at work in their lives. Praise the Lord for His keeping and preserving their marriage in a culture where constancy of devotion and love is failing!!!! It is a wonderful testimony for the brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren, and friends. The following are the pictures from the evening..................

Grandma and Grandpa

S.A.M. serving the fruit

The cake and punch table

The table centerpieces

A Grandfather entertaining his grandson

Visiting

One of our Great-Uncles looking at the pictures decorating the walls around the room

Grandpa and his Brother

Enjoying the food and fellowship

Snuggles!!!!

CHHHEEEESSSEEE!

My Uncle with my Great-Great Uncle

Many close friends and family joined in the celebration

Two very animated talkers!!!!!

~K~

Thoughts on Beauty

In this era, many people (especially women), worry about the way they look. This is a good thing, as the Bible says

"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

1Corinthians 6:19-20

From this verse, we see that we need to take care of our bodies, as they are not our own, but the Lord's, and we need to glorify Him through our bodies. This includes looking presentable and decent*. However, in America today, women spend too much time on their physical appearance. They do this not that they might glorify God, but so they can draw attention to themselves. They are looking to movie stars and models as their sources for the way they should look. In those movie stars and models they see perfect looking women who have no physical flaws. However, what they do not see is those same women without their caked-on make-up** and photo editing. When you take those two things away, you most likely will have a normal looking person, someone you would see walking down the street.

My point through saying all of this is: it is not through being physically perfect and flawless that we attain true beauty, but rather through portraying Christ, not only outwardly, but also inwardly. We need to always be ready to smile, be cheerful and kind, so that when people look at us, they can "see"Christ in us.

This video put out by Dove soap shows you how our culture's view of beauty is distorted. When we saw this, it left us speechless and stunned.

*I realize that there are exceptions to this, where you have to simply get dirty. Examples of such things would be re-modeling a house, roofing, gardening, lawn care, etc.

** Please note: I do not believe that make-up, in-and-of-itself, is wrong or sinful. However, there is a point where it becomes too much, and I believe, is wrong.

~S~

I.A. Syndrome

We have recently felt compelled to address the issue of a pertinant nationwide syndrome. Mumsie and the Morton Maidens, and even Daddy as well, have the I.A. Syndrome. Most of you probably already know that we have this syndrome, as evidenced by our pictures. In fact, We think a lot of our friends have this!
This syndrome has been around for many years, however, it has just aquired this name. The most awesome thing about this syndrome is, it is not painful.... well that is only when you have to share!!!!
One thing that is interesting about the I.A. Syndrome is that you can get it when you are young or old, and it is terminal. Another interesting thing about this syndrome is that you commonly find it in homes and churches where children are viewed as a blessing. The name of this syndrome is Itching Arms Syndrome. This is what we call it when people are just itching to hold babies! We are very glad that the Lord has blessed us with many children in our lives!

Here are some pictures of the Morton Family, as well as just a few of our many friends and family over the past few years, who have the Itching Arms Syndrome!

Beautiful Ladies ,Handsome Gentleman

Just imagine what the background sound was like as this picture was being taken...."OOOHHHHH she is so cute.....Dad smile...... hurry she's yawning......How precious........Look she's yawning.......Look at us not her........hold still.......aaaaawwwwwoooooohhhhhhhhhhh(this is a combination of two words commonly used when you have this syndrome describing the excitement.)"

What cheesy children!

A Father and Son

Proud Grandfather, Happy Grandson

One of the babies (well, she's not such a baby anymore!) at our church

Another proud Grandfather

Boy, were we desperate!!! In these two pictures, it is only a baby doll, but I think you have the idea!

Again, proud parents, happy children!

What joy these little one's bring to our lives!

A mother showering her daughter with love

Loving Uncle

Loving Grandma

Mother, daughter, niece/cousin

Precious brother and sister

Isn't he sweet?!

Never a sad moment when holding these gifts from the Lord!

Cuddling with their Great-Grandson

Church pals

Mumzie bonding with a new nephew

"Hmm.......my picture again? How many do you need to prove this syndrome exists?"

Try and squeeeezzzzeee as many as you can

An Aunt with our cousin enjoying each-others company

Sweet Slumber

Meg seems to have a knack for getting little one's to sleep!

Starting while they are young!

~S~ & ~K~

We give credit to Mr. Doug Phillips for the term Itching Arms Syndrome!