A week at home.

Mommy had off from work this week.
I don't do this often but I tried something new and took a week off from work and stayed home. No stressful trips to pack for and long hours in the car. Just a nice week at home with my family. It was lovely. The stress of work melted away quickly (at times replaced by the stress of children) and I was filled with excitement over being able to spend the whole week home.

On Tuesday we did take the kids to the zoo (picture at left). The weather was wonderful and all the animals were out sunning themselves. The kids had a great time as did my sister-in-law and her daughter. Hannah's Eli, (stuffed elephant) also had a good time visiting her relatives.

In other news, we are moving ahead in the remodeling of the bathroom. It has been torn apart since mid-January and I am about to go nuts with it. We have finished painting and all that is left in to put up bead board, a new floor and counter top. Not much at all really. My dad is coming this week to help out a little with everything. When we get it done we will put up before and after pictures so everyone can be amazed.

My husband and the church youth group took part in a wonderful activity last night. The youth group was divided up and warned that they would be followed and perhaps captured in the course of the night. They went out to dinner and then to certain secret places for worship services. During the service the government (actual marines from our church) captured certain youth and interrogated them on what they were doing and about their faith. Of course this was only a mild representation of what underground churches all over the world go through daily. It reminded the youth that they are blessed to live in a country that has freedom of religion (although at times that freedom is being threatened) and made them aware that everyday Christ-followers are being imprisoned and killed for their beliefs. To hear the youth speak of it afterwards, it made a huge impact on them. They were left with the question of whether or not they would stand up for Christ under threat of death. We all need to ask ourselves this question. Are we ashamed of our faith or willing to loose everything for the glory of God?

Jesus gave everything so we could know the glory of eternal life with God.