~Who are our friends?~

A few days ago I was reading in my Bible for my devotions.  I wasn't really "enjoying" the chapters that I was reading...for my blood BOILS when I read II. Sam. 13 about Amnon defiling his sister Tamar.  But something stood out to me, that I later pointed out to my 3 oldest children.
Amnon knew in his heart that it wasn't right to do what he was wanting.
BUT...then in verse 3 it says, "But Amnon had a friend...and Jonadab was a very subtil man!"  I told my kids that our friends can make or break us!  Whom we chose to hang out with is a very serious thing.  We WILL BE Influenced by them!  It could have been that if Amnon wouldn't have had a friend...that we would have never even have had to hear/read this horrible story in the Bible!
Due to his "friend" Jonadab's influence...Amnon not only COMMITTED AN HORRIBLE SIN...BUT LOST HIS LIFE TOO! 
I told my children to not ever be let it said OF THEM...that,  "____________  had a friend who was very subtil and led ______________ to do wrong!
Our friends can control our DESTINY! 

~Since I've been back to Colombia I've received both my March and April Better Homes and Gardens magazines.  YEA!  That's a nice gift from parents for my birthday present...and My Best Friend Jesus got them here safely knowing how much that mean to me!  (When our apt. guard handed it to me, I squealed with delight!  Later when we left the office, my timid Noah asked me if I hadn't been embarrassed to squeal like that.  =)~

 ~Kimberly got into a baking mood last night (I wonder WHERE she gets that from?! =) And baked up 3 different desserts.  Her little brother Elijah was GLAD to help lick the spatula and bowl from her brownies!~

 ~My sister found me a super cute jean skirt at our FAVORITE kind of store (second hand stores) and sent it to me.  It was made with the front panel missing...but she knew I could add some jean.
I did add some jean this week and voila I  have a fun new jean skirt!  =)
I am enjoying it!  Thank you, Laura!~

Have a blessed Lord's day!  And for those of you getting ready for IHC...we are praying that God will come in a very SWEET way in the services!  We plan to listen to/watch every service, if we can.
 

~"Dear Jesus, Please help us!"~

~Little Mary kneeling down. (Please excuse the "bed head". =)~

(Cousin Nina, My Moma informed me of the physical needs of your parents...and I'm praying for y'all! =)
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Well, I'm not a preacher, but I have had something on my heart that I want to share.  A minister was speaking to us in prayer meeting this week and mentioned the verse: 
Mat 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 
It reminded me that we Christians must live as careful as we can.  I believe the 2nd coming of Jesus is very near.  I want to live ready.  The devil would love for us as the Holiness movement to get busy doing GOOD things but not taking time to draw near to God and read and hide His Word in our hearts.  When our family gets to come back to the USA...It scares me when I see the slight changes in some of our dear friends.  Carelessness in the way we are dressing, in our music, etc.  Oh, may God help us each one to be sooo careful to follow God's Road map to Heaven.  God wants a peculiar people.  A people who are "Set Apart"...not ones who are trying to see how close we can get to the world.
Jude 1: 24  Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy...
May God help me, my family, and all of us to be ready for His soon coming.  To be His awaiting Bride without Spot or Wrinkle! =)