2008 Field Trip --Wild Animal Park

I am convinced that teaching is the BEST profession in the world!

Every day is NEW and EXCITING:). Every year, I am BLESSED and PRIVILEGED to be a part of teaching "our future". (I also always seem to get the cutest and smartest kids ever--go figure!)

Our field trip this year was to the Wild Animal Park in San Diego. So, we boarded up our "wild animals" and headed out for one AWESOME trip.

Kalieh, Aria, and Mia--at the beginning of the day!

My cute class--at the end of the day

somewhere in the middle, they got a little CRAZY;)

SaVanna feeding the Lorakeets

Our wonderful Mom chaperones and us going into Africa!

We broke off into groups, saw shows, touched snakes, petted camels, and watched gorillas play with each other:).

How did I get SO lucky???

Some Thoughts

As I was singing and worshipping in church this morning, I began to think of what it must be like to be in Heaven with my Lord and fellow believers. I imagined the joy on the faces of grateful people as they are experiencing what Paul was imagining when he said "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain". Jesus has given me a new heart, one that aches for people to know what a REAL relationship with the Living God is like. A relationship that screams to everyone "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER of God unto salvation". I long to see believers attend church because they can't go without it and they long to be with other believers, not because they feel that they have to out of some duty to God or someone else. I long to see friends and family realize that GOD has a perfect plan for their lives if they would only surrender it all to the One who created them. I am always amazed at how we can find time for everything else in our lives (shopping, movies, jobs, TV, sleeping, eating), but when God asks for a little bit, we find every excuse in the world and become distracted. "I don't have to go to church to be close to God", "I couldn't wake up on time because I stayed up doing...'. "I'll go next week", "The Lord knows I love Him", "I have lots to do", "If God wants me to stop____I am sure He will tell me or give me a sign".

Lord, please forgive us! As we say these things, you say:

"Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do"

Lord, let my life be an example of your love. "Let my light so shine before men that they would see the good deeds and Glorify YOU my Father in Heaven." Help me to not live a life of compromise with this world, but to hold tight to your Word and your promises. Show me how to be bold, yet loving--caring, yet unwavering.

"Give me one pure and Holy passion,

Give me one magnificent obsession,

Give me one glorious ambition for my life,

To know and follow hard after you."

If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then chose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

Spring Break Hike to Bogart

Bogart Park is not too far from our house, so we decided to pack up the kids and Jenna's friend Richelle and head for the mountain for a hike.

The view is BEAUTIFUL, and we could even see our house:)

I love this shot of Birdie and her Dad

Brother had fun too~of course, who wouldn't when you are being carried the whole way in the backpack:)

Bowling with the Gang!

We decided to try out the new Canyon Lanes bowling alley out by Casino Morongo and WE LOVED IT!!! Jenna was a "natural" and actually outscored both her Dad and I for the first game--pretty pathetic, I know (she did have a bumper though--it makes us feel better anyway).

The Earls joined us and the girls had SO much fun!

My Mom's best friend (Aunt Pat) came down from Oregon for Spring Break with her granddaughter--one of many (cousin Trinity). We had a BLAST! We went to Sea World with them on Monday, and we got to take Trin to Soak City on Thursday. She is a "jewel" of a girl and is SO much like her mom, especially when it comes to eating ice cream (love ya Trin!):).

We call Mom and Aunt Pat--"Two Peas in a Pod". What a blessing to have such a wonderful, lifetime friend~

We had to take an Earl Family Shot!

We even let Owen get in on the action;)