mowing

Is there anything more refreshing than mowing my lawn? I don't think so.

Just revisiting the beauty of Christmas...

(click on the link below to visit the Irwin Christmas decorations album)

Christmas Decorating the House!

All Lit Up!

 
 

We hope your Christmas was blessed!

With much of God's love extended to you, the Irwin and the Kuitert clans...

 

 

 

 

We Were Dreaming of a White Christmas...

Can you just hear us singing it now? We did and it came...

 

 

 

Irwin's Got Elfed again...

By Kia G. this time, along with the Kuitert 'rents!
Enjoy the good laughs...

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1411592460

My Fav Christmas Song, the Real Story!

"Out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants, You have perfected praise!" -Mt. 21:16

Irwin's made total Elves of themselves...

Check it out here... (takes a bit to load, but totally worth the wait for a good laugh at our expense!)
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1266990090

What are you DEVOURING?

As written in the freedictionary.com...

"de·vour (d-vour)
tr.v. de·voured, de·vour·ing, de·vours
1. To eat up greedily. See Synonyms at eat.
2. To destroy, consume, or waste: Flames devoured the structure in minutes.
3. To take in eagerly: devour a novel.
4. To prey upon voraciously: was devoured by jealousy."

I've been pondering this thought a lot lately, what is the first thing I want to devour when my eyes crack open (with the jaws of life) in the morning, when I lie in my oh-so-hot-and-relaxing bubble bath, when I'm sprawled out on the couch, when I'm getting ready to lay my head on the pillow at night...honestly?

Usually, the book I've been most-lately engrossed into. The latest? The final book of Francine Rivers trilogy, The Mark of the Lion series. Amazingly consuming books w/tons of biblical history and scripture sprinkled throughout. Which is all well and good to have awesome and godly thought-provoking books to read, I LOVE to read and absorb words, thoughts and knowledge period.

But for the love of Pete, what's my problem? Is the scripture true in my life, that I shall not live by bread alone (books or any other distraction) but by "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God"?

It actually broke my heart the other day when I woke up in my in-laws home (usually when I hear God speak loudest, when He can get me away long enough for me to settle down and listen w/o too many other distractions/voices) and felt the Spirit questioning me (as I went to grab my book to finish the last few pages) about my longing to devour His Words or someone else's. It wasn't a hammer on the head, like you crazy stupid absorbed novel-idolatrous women, but more of a gentle drawing of me with His cords of love, to desire His love letter to me, to pour over each word on every page of The Book written by my Heavenly Bridegroom, just like I do the other novels (or non-fictions) in my life-until Will has to finally ask me to set it down (as he does daily when I'm absorbed in a book) and have a conversation with my earthly bridegroom during that day too.

Do I (and you) "eat up greedily, consume, take in eagerly" as the definition speaks above God's words or other women's/men's over His? Not speaking of anything of legalism or condemnation to NEVER read another book again, but what is taking precedence and the majority of my time right now?

So, anyways, just a thought/question for the day and a verse to boot...
Ezekiel 3:1-3 MOREOVER He said to me, "Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.
And He said to me, Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you." So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.

Father, make my and each reader's heart desirous of devouring Your scroll that You have written to us, so that no other words stand as an idol over Yours to us. Make us to understand the sweetness of Your words more than any other pleasure or distraction in life. Amen.

I TELL YOU THE TRUTH,

anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter into it.

-Jesus in Luke 18:17

But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me,

and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 19:14

"Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, recieves not Me but Him who sent Me." -Jesus in Mark 9:37"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep, which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." -Jesus in Luke 15:4-7

All that being said...Will was granted the privilege to be able to share the message and passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus which took Him all the way to the cross, with our Route 56 ministry kids (5th & 6th graders) last night. At the end of the message, Will offered the kids an opportunity to receive this Jesus as their Lord, Savior and Leader of their lives. He sent any girls my and Abby's way and any boys his and Derick's way...11 young and tenderhearted girls came to Abby and I, and I was able to lead them all in prayer to usher them in through the Kingdom gates to the arms of their loving Father & Shepherd of their souls (these silly girls were quick to ask after our prayer why no boys were going to pray, ha! I told them not to worry about them, that God would work in their hearts w/o our help and to just worry about their own hearts before God. We start young at that wanting to change our man's heart don't we ladies?!) What a sheer joy, and humbling privilege for Will and I (Derick & Abby too) to be co-laborers in Kingdom business with Christ. We know that there was a party in heaven last night and here too, to celebrate those lost little lambies that were brought home to spend eternity with Him.

Please pray now as we seek to make these girls disciples of Jesus now, getting them into a weekend service for growth, encouraging them to daily bible reading & journal writing, and sharing with them about the outward expression of the inward change in their hearts by baptism.

So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. -1 Corinthians 3:7

Birthday Central!

Ever since August 17th (my Bday), it's been a birthday whirlwind for us! Here's a few albums of my, Will's and both of my parent's bday parties. Enjoy the show!

Here's mine, small 29th partayyy at the 'rents house...

8.17.07 Krystal's 29th Bday

Here's Will's, large 29th partaaayyy w/the SFC staff at our place...

9.30.07 Will's 29th Bday w/SFC Staff!

My pops' big day out at their pad...

10.15.07 Dad's 59th Bday

And last but of course not least, mi madre's bday dinner at our casa...

11.7.07 Mom Kuitert Bday

Expressly for You...

Okay, so I feel a little silly as I even sit to write this, but here goes it anyway...
I am writing to introduce you to my new "hobby" business, Expressly for You, and I'm including a link to my portfolio album! I'm now making & selling soldered art jewelry & selling at a local eclectic antiques boutique and LOVING IT! As you click on the picture of the album below, you will be taken to my "EFY" portfolio album. The first ones in the album to be viewed are samples of previously created works and then I have labeled the ones that are currently up for sale. All necklaces are double-sided & can be customized w/your own theme, quote, monogram, or pics, for yourself or for personalized & unique gifts!
Pre-made necklaces which are shown in the album as "for sale" are $18, free S&H. Personalized/Customized necklaces that you order are $23, free S&H. Necklaces will arrive to you in a small organza bag, all packaged for gifting, if need be!
There is no limit to the potential of what we can create together for your own personal expression of who you are/what you represent in these little capsules, it's like a mini-scrap for you to wear around your neck!
Thanks for taking the time to check them out and pass this info/link along to anyone you think might be interested as well! And please contact me by email or a comment on this post, if you are interested in purchasing an "EFY" necklace.

Expressly for You portfolio pics

The CLOSEST we get to having our own pets...

We definitely aren't what you'd call pet-haters, there is just nothing in either of our own fibers, that is desirous of housing our own pets, in our own home.

So, we vicariously love on and live with at times, my parents pets, Sadie, the most hyper, fun-loving, people-pleasing, always-hopping dog of a pet (we occasionally refer to Will as Sadie, when we are encouraging him to settle)...

And Rocky, the hurkinist, most gargantuat (this photo does him no justice), neighborhood cat-scrappin, all scarred up Garfield of a cat...

Happy Birthday to Dear Old Dad!

Here's my dear old dad, 59 years young! Isn't he handsome?!
We got to celebrate last night for his big day, which was today!


Speakers, golf dvd's and golf apparel galore!

He was one happy dad!

He even got a hand-baked cake, only the best for dear old dad! Moms and Pops!
Daddy & his girl, his favorite girl, that is! The other honored guests!

LOVE YOU DADDY!

Check out My Yardman's Flowers!

I'm so proud of my Will's hard work out in the yard, that I have to show him off... (click on the photo of him below & it will take you to an album of the new front yard)

10.7.07 Lawn & Flower Pics

The Mexican Beach Hammock!!

Thanks to my mama June, we have a new swing (our souvenir from her recent trip to Puerto Vallarta) in our front yard, which happened to fit just perfectly on the "swing holder" that Will built! Hooray & thanks Mama!

BTW--my mama was so brave on this trip, totally stepped out of her comfort box, all the way from the flying, to the traveling to a foreign land, to the snorkeling and deep sea fishing! I'm so proud of my mama! It's finally her time to travel, after 32 years of teaching!

Here's a few pics of the new toy and the ever-growing front yard!!

But God gives the increase...

So, we are (Will is) in the process of attempting to grow a lawn, key word, attempting. It's been over a week now and the wee little seeds that Will planted, and has been diligently watering, are not seeming to produce any increase yet. This has been a wee bit discouraging for my hard-working, yard-man. So, as I was out sitting on the front deck pondering this and feeling for him, a little still-small voice in my spirit spoke to me and He said "Isn't that just how it is when I'm planting seeds and watering in your life, or in other's lives, through you? You help Me plant and you help Me water, but you must have patience to see the fruit born, as I am the One who gives the increase."
We can't take the seeds back, they're already taking root in the ground (even if we can't "see" the work being done, another lesson in walking by faith, not by sight); we shouldn't stomp on them to punish them for not growing fast enough (really to our own personal speedy growth standards); we won't ignore them (because every time we walk by them, we stoop down to see if there's even a shred of growth happening.) All we can do is sit and wait, and "not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not lose heart." And we're just sure our socks will totally be blessed off when we finally get to see the green peeking out of the brown.
So if you ever start to get a wee bit impatient and just about ready to give up, just keep waiting on Him and trusting in Him, as He's the One to give the increase, in whatever endeavor He has you partnering (planting and watering) with Him in. His increase, but mostly just Jesus, are more than worth the wait!

1 Corinthians 3:7-9...
So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.

So if you don't mind, join us in prayer for the increase of our yard!!! Will would appreciate it too!

And Gramma Came to Visit...

Will's grandma Susie came to visit us at the end of August for Labor Day weekend, and what a treat it was! She also got to see her little grandson preach for her first viewing!

She was lovin that!

We had a shishkabob bbq!

Enjoyed lots of good gma stories and laughs!
Will even gave her a swing dancin' lesson!
Grandma raised the roof with her praises!
We went pinecone hunting for gma's next creation, a fall wreath!We had a picnic by the river, while on our pinecone hunt...

We love our grandma!