Howdy! :D

It's been awhile since I have posted, which consequently I have ton's to post and have not a clue where to start. :D Well, I did say that I would post regarding adventures, so this shall be the other post to it....what shall I call it...hmmm....The Four Gangsters and TPing raid...yes yes, I like it...especially since my mind can't think of anything more witty. :D

One night, a long while ago, a beautiful and very tired girl was awoken in the middle of the night by what she thought was laughter or the howling of coyotes. Half awake, she couldn't decide for sure, so she chose to blame it on the coyotes and fall back asleep, for after all, she needed her beauty rest. The next morning, she awoke before any one else in her castle and chose, very quietly and sweetly to walk down the hall and do as maids would do, let her dog out. Once this task was accomplished, she walked back in the direction of her bedroom, but shimmering of what seemed to be white rays of sunlight caught the corner of her eye. Taking a better look, her curiosity was up and after investigation, it appeared that someone had TP'd the castle, (a very small one that is :D). Now for those that are not sure of what TPing may be, let me enlighten you before I continue. TPing is a short way of saying Toilet Papering. It is accomplished when hoodlums, or people that have nothing else better to do perform this duty by throwing each roll throughout one's property achieving their desire to decorate it in a very interesting fashion. To some, it may be called a love gift and to others (namely those that clean it up :D), it may be called frustrating...and then there are those that are amused by it and think it quite funny :D

Ok back to the story now that is settled. This sweet gal's investigation was right and whoohooo, the game was on! She tossed aside her sweetness and gentleness she portrayed that morning and placed upon her face the biggest smile ever made and along with it laughter. She ran upstairs, and to my memory, I think she yelled non formally, "Someone has TP'd our house!" This arouse everyone else living within these confines and all were outside in a jiffy through the side door of course for fear of messing up the beautiful job :D They did however open the front door seeing then a little tiny brown bag with a yellow piece of paper as the note. "Careful" was the word coming from the father of the home, once this mysterious package was touched. The note read:

And chocolate was nestled in the middle of the bad. So their minds were spinning, but not for long, for the handwriting was recognized and the puzzle solved, the TPing Gangsters were found out, it was their good friends and another who traveled from far to TP their house :D For they did have a "Storrie" to tell and one that will be remembered but before I finish, I must say, that the TP was not TP at all, for these Gangsters are sophisticated, for they used Crape Paper to do their trick which created the effect only messy it was not.

Now fear as they, the Gangsters should, for the game is not done, these recipients are wise and think very long. They have lots of knowledge in this particular game having learned much through years passed. They may take this as a warning but they shouldn't fear for nothing shall happen too very dear. For kindness and graciousness is between them, this they should know and nothing will be done to harm this or them.

Now you all know the story, I hope it was told well. If I forgot anything, the pictures shall tell :D

Hello All! :D

Hey, I don't have time to post a long post or even post what I want to post at the moment but just wanted you all to know that I am still alive and well! For a while there, my computer would not at all let me post or even access my blog! Twas very frusterating as I had and have tons to post on! Praise God, I think and hope that the problem is fixed! :D I shall try to post more later on this week and if not this week, know that somethings coming!

May Blessings abound for you all!
Elisabeth :D:D

Adventures in the Tijerina House!

OH Boy! Where do I begin? Adventures seem to have attacked the Tijerina's home lately...and for those that know specific details, pun intended. ;) But all the details must wait...I don't have lots of time at the moment...but wanted to post what happened yesterday. :) Here she is! :)






Yup a kitten, or rather, Lil' Miss Priss, has decided to take residence in the Tijerina home till 1) She either weasels her way into the family (which is my prayer) or 2) We find her original owners. :)
She is about 5 month old and loves to be loved. It's quite hilarious actually. She has to be on the same floor of our house that another person is on and if not, she tells how awful it is. She is probably the most vocal of the cats I have met! :) You could truly have a conversation with her!

Alright for the details:

My mom, brother and I were headed to take pictures of the Roy children yesterday at Hariman Lake yesterday and while we were walking there, I heard a panicky meow...one that you only hear when something is seriously wrong. ;) I walked up to the fence which guards the Fire Station and look frantically to see where it was coming from. Then I saw this little cutey stand up by the firetruck and bounce, literally bounce, to where we were standing. My first thought was,"How fun, it's the residence kitten at the firehouse." But I wanted to check to make sure this was true and that she wasn't a stray. So my mom and I headed to the front of the Fire Station, with kitten following. We asked a very sweet gal if she belonged to anyone there at the station and the answer was no.
So, my mom and I discussed it and thought that it would be wise, with the fire gal's thoughts too, to take her home by way of the vet, and see if we could find her family since she didn't have any tags, only a flee collar. After seeing the vet, she's alright, and has no chip so we really have no way of letting her family know where she is other than leaving our information at the Fire station, Vet, and other Animal places. She's here, safe and sound. Sunny absolutely loves her! She's not so sure of him but he absolutely loves her! :) It's hilarious to watch him!
We are on the second day and all seems to be going well! :)

Anyways, we are praying that sweet little Priss either finds her home or (I am praying, and I encourage you too) that she finds her home in our hearts. ;) :) :D

More to come about our..eh-hem...adventures...stay tune!

Even More! :)

Oh man was the food good but we sure were filled to the brim!


Cheeze!!!

Three siblings trying to share out of one cup...I must say it's pretty talented and squished!

More great Pictures of Andrew's Special Evening!

This is us before we were filled up on yumminess!

And this was our desert for 6 people! And we still could hardly eat it!

Andrew displaying his cake

And we triumphed!

Andrew's very very late Graduation Dinner Celebration!

Poor Andrew. Almost 1 1/2 has gone by and no Graduation dinner....until now! Another grand tradition in our family is to take the Graduate out for a celebration dinner at Claim Jumper. For those that have never been, it is a place to go to! (Just to warn you though, it's on the expensive side.) But not to worry, it's all worth it for the celebration and memories!





This is a picture of the very famous Motherload Cake! :) Doesn't it look yummy! There are 6 layers of cake with 7 layers of frosting and not to mention the nuts! You can kind of see it in the piece on the left side of the picture! Mmmmm mmmm good!

Life would be boring without fun pictures! :)

And more fun pictures! :)

More Demo!

Here are some more!

The action!

The pain!

And the actual clearing away!

You know, the guys and I were wondering what it would be like if they decided to do a "Tractor Derby." Now that would be interesting. In Michigan, they have done a few Combine Derbies. None of which I have gone to but my Grandpa Cole says that they're Great!

Fool's Gold

Andrew and I came across this yesterday and I thought that it would be fun to post! If you have heard all the "added" or "false" things that China has been doing, you'll really understand the humor. :) Let me know what you think!

Pajama Party! :)

Pajama party with my girls! Last Bible Study we all showed up in our pajamas and enjoyed a time of fun and fellowship. Our time together can't be too serious...it's good to have a reason for memory making and that we did!

From Left to Right: Myself, Adele, Cherise, Alyssa, and Dawn (in the front)


And our lovely faces!

Those are my girlies!

More food for thought: How to Prepare for Tomorrow

Here is another quote taken from Elisabeth Elliot's book, Secure in the Everlasting Arms that I wanted to share with you. Reading these words brought such encouragement and challenge to me spiritually which was desperately needed!

As we encounter the world in a mission to reflect Christ, discouragement, doubt, fear, and sometimes confusion tend to find it's way somehow into our lives and therefore gives us the distraction in which the world brings that ultimately takes away from the bull's eye of where our eyes needed to be focused, Christ Himself. Elisabeth's Elliot's words caught me in a time of major distraction; focusing on self, other "problems" in life, enticements, frustrations, wants, etc. Her depiction of Christ and His ministry gave aid to my re-focus of my walk with the Lord and its purpose. It's good to be reminded that you can trust a trustworthy God! I'd be interested in what you all have to think.

How to Prepare for Tomorrow

"Jesus, knowing exactly what awaited Him when He went up to Jerusalem, went. He had set His face to go there, and He moved steadily through the days, doing His Father's work of healing and peace with the same serenity that had always characterized His ministry. He told His disciples exactly what would happen and they understood none of it. On the way there, near Jericho, Jesus healed a blind man. Then He brought salvation to the house of Zaccheus. He wept over the city of Jerusalem, entered it, threw out the merchants from the temple, and carried on His daily teaching in the temple, until the Zero Hour arrived. Nothing dismayed or depressed Him enough to cause Him to quit. The prospects of torture and death in no way hindered His day-to-day work that, as always, pleased the Father. This was His preparation: that faithful doing of the Will, one day at a time. Shall we, His children, not trust Him for our future?"

Give me, O Lord,

A steadfast heart,

Which no unworthy affection

May drag downwards;

Give me

An unconquered heart,

Which no tribulation

can wear out;

Give me

An upright heart,

Which no unworthy purpose

May tempt aside.

Bestow on me also, O Lord my God,

Understanding to know You,

Diligence to seek You,

Wisdom to find You,

And a faithfulness

That may finally embrace You,

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Thomas Aquinas)

Fun Pictures with Reid and Treyton

It's been awhile since I have posted any pictures and so I thought that I would post some pictures of the sweet boys I watch 2 days a week. Enjoy!

Isn't he adorable? Treyton sporting Andrew's shades...and loving it to. I don't think that I have truly met another little person that loves having his picture taken like this little man! But then again when you have the excuse of being photogenic, you know, why not?

Here's my sweet Reid man that I love so much! It's so hard to believe that he will be turning 4 in just two months!

And here again, Mr. Photogenic :)

While Reid and I were snapping a picture, Treyton comes running over and decided that he wanted to join in on the fun. ;) I couldn't resist such an opportunity and well, we snapped this one which happens to be one of my favorites!

Treyton sat in my lap, I held out the camera, he said "teeeeeze!" and snap, we caught this one too. ;)

This one I love as well. Trey sat right smack-dab in the middle of the guys. :) I just couldn't resist the moment! : )

Another Thought

As we all go through a period of stretching and growth, molding and pain, excitement and discomfort, and fear and trust, this season or period described is something that the Lord is taking me through and continues to take me through. With what I have learned so far and that which is yet to be learned and understood, I know one thing, though it is hard and I sometimes want to give up and go the other way, is that my desire for Christ has not at all left but has gotten stronger and continues to get stronger! It's as though, once you taste something sweet in the midst of bitter, you desire that sweetness more and more. It is the strong push and desire of Christ in the midst of this season of my life, I am so grateful for! :) No matter what happens or what lay ahead, He is still on His Heavenly throne and is faithful!

This morning, in the midst of devotions, I read out of Elisabeth Elliot's book, Secure in the Everlasting Arms and was so blessed by a prayer which concluded her writing titled "The Long Leisure of Eternity." (for those that own this book, it starts on page 45 and concludes on 46) I wanted to share this prayer with you all with the hope and desire that you too will find it a blessing as you press on to the Higher calling and are pruned and tried along the way!

"Thou are good when Thou givest, when Thou takest away, when the sun shines upon me, when night gathers over me, Thou hast loved me before the foundations of the world, and in love didst redeem my soul; Thou didst love me still, in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust. Thy goodness has been with me during another year leading me through a twisted wilderness, in retreat helping me to advance, when beaten back making sure headway. Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead; I hoist sail and draw up anchor, with Thee as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past. I bless Thee that Thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead. If Thou hast appointed storms of tribulation, Thou wilt be with me in them; if I have to pass through tempests of persecution and desolation, I shall not drown; if I am to die, I shall see They face the sooner; if a painful end is to be my lot, grant me grace that my faith fail me not; if I am to be cast aside from the service I love, I can make no stipulation; only glorify Thyself in me whether in comfort or trial, as a chosen vessel meet always for Thy use."

Thought for the day

I finished To Live Free; William Wilberforce Experiencing the Man, The Mission, and the Legacy by Lon Fendall which comes highly recommended to those interested :) As I finished it, I came across another excerpt out of William's book and thought it to be very prevalent to today. It reads as quoted:

"I call on all of you who are true Christians, then, to work together earnestly to prove the worth of your profession, putting to silence the empty ridicule of ignorant objectors. Boldly stand up for the cause of Christ in an age when so many who bear the name of Christ are ashamed of Him. On your shoulders rests your country's fate; it is up to you to suspend its fall. In the end, however, we can never be certain of the political outcome of our actions - but nevertheless, without a doubt, restoring the influence of faith and raising the moral standard with have sure and radical benefits for us all." -William Wilberforce on Social Duty

Though this was written years ago, again I really think that the above quote could be said of the Christians today as a challenge in numerous ways as many of us are truly ashamed of our faith. Just think about it, if all Christian's weren't ashamed of their faith and used it as their launching pad instead of their backbone where we as a Nation would be today! The Church's influence would be huge! Though ashamedly this is not where we are, but instead are headed through some tough waters, let this be a charge to each of us as we individually take up our crosses daily! Let us not fall from the standard set before but rather find ourselves upholding it through Christ!

My Dad's Birthday...the big 52!

Here are some pictures that were taken on my Dad's birthday, July 1, specifically ones from Put-Put Golf at Mr. Biggs. ;) We had such a full and fun day with lots of little things that allowed us to celebrate him from morning till evening! Bless his poor little heart, to start his day, he had such a lovely song sung to him that everyone sings on one's birthday only his was sung in an interesting way...let's just say he'll never forget it...or rather his ears won't. :)

Here's the Birthday boy! :)

Determination at it's best ;)

Concentration...now if I hit the ball at this angle, will it go in the direction needed?

And the ball is off! Just me and my daddy!

I must say that this week has been pretty much a week full of celebrations with the 3rd and 4th on top of my dad's big day. My dad likes to say that all the celebration, especially the fireworks, are in celebration for him, now mind you, this is usually if not always said with a smile on his face. :)

Speaking of celebrations, Happy 4th of July to all of you! :) I hope that your day if full of sweet memories as you celebrate freedom!

Challenging thoughts from William Wilberforce

As I was reading my book about William Wilberforce's life last night, I came across a couple of things that I thought would be good for you all to read to give you a challenge and something to ponder.

To set the stage for the first quote, William is talking with Hannah More, one of the few that came along side of William in his pursuit to abolish slave trade and other things as well. At this point in time, he is seeking advice regarding his book, "A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christian's in the Higher and Middle Class in this Country Contrasted with Real Christianity"

He says,
"My main message would be that many of those who call themselves Christians fall short of living out the essence of real Christianity. As long as we allow this inadequate form of Christianity to go unchallenged, those who are spiritually needy will never come to faith in Jesus Christ. Our nation faces many challenges at home and abroad, and now is the time for us to return to a radical faith in Jesus Christ."

The second quote comes from his book discussed above

"The very tendency that we feel to hide our faith from the world's view confirms that we are more influenced by the world's opinions that we are by God's. I would hope that simply because our faith is secret, having vanished from our conversations, replaced by a pretended freedom of feeling and conduct, that it still does exist in our private hearts. I fear, though, that we are not merely paying attention, our faith may have quietly smothered. By complying with the world's habits, participating in the manners of this dissipated age, we have removed every external distinction between the Christian and the nonbeliever. We seldom find anyone who is brave enough to be different for Christ, someone who "is not ashamed of Christ."

I would be interested in what you all think, especially as I feel that though this was written so many years ago it reflects Christianity today in most cases if not all especially as we face so many uncertainties regarding our future as a Nation and beyond. :)

Happy Father's Day To All our Father's! :)

Today is the day that our Father's are recognized as being Fathers. But more then that, they are being celebrated for all that they have accomplished, all that they have done on our behalf, and much much more! :)

Have you taken the time to wish your dad a Happy Father's Day? Have you thanked him for all that he has stood for, both seen and unseen, on your behalf as well as the rest of your family's? Is there anything that you can do for him that would make him feel special and loved? Today is a good day to not focus on ourselves and what we can get out of it, after all, it's not our day...it's our father's.

Let's celebrate the father that the Lord has given us and make him feel special all throughout the day! :) Happy Father's Day to all our Father's!

You must be a recruits sister if...

...The only thing that you find yourself eating throughout the trip home and then some is the left over "P.O.G.G.I.E." that wasn't eaten while your brother(s) were at ALERT.

...Upon arriving, you find yourself doing many loads of laundry trying to get the infamous sand, grime, sweat, and all else out of the clothes even if it takes you a couple of times doing it.

...You find yourself striving to get a least one email or snail-mail letter out to the guys with words of encouragement and cheers to aid their aches and pains all throughout Basic. :)

...After graduation you are handed 1 Dress-white and 4 Chambray's per brother with patches, both the Logo and the bar signifying the promotion, to be perfectly measured at 2 inches for one and 3/4 inch for the other and find yourself sewing each perfectly in place

...As part of the care packages, you have made countless numbers of cookies, i.e. altogether about 580 No-Bake cookies, to be thoroughly enjoyed by your dear brothers and the rest of the Unit hoping that it puts smiles on their faces and makes their tummies happy. :)

...Countless amounts of prayer was prayed by you, your family, and many others on your brother's behalf all thorough Basic even if it's more then once a day :)

...If it seems that the only "song" going through your head are the "JODIES" that your brothers taught you since the day they came home with you: for example the Coke Cadence (which happens to be my favorite and is easily stuck in your head the first time you hear it)

...If your laundry folding is revolutionised by the "new" and "more efficient way" of folding things taught down at ALERT

...If your heart is filled with pride and adoration for the men that now have accomplished something so great through the Lord that nothing can take it from them knowing that though they went through such pain and turmoil to accomplish it, they now have something to share with generations to come as an encouragement to never give up, never retreat, to continue facing struggles in your path because eventually you will find yourself on the other side looking back down the road with a smile on your face seeing the one set of Footprints knowing that it was not you that walked the road alone but that of the Lord as He carried you all the way!


I know that there is so much more that I could say about being a recruits sister but I must say that being a Responders sister so wonderful as well! :) I cannot be more proud of what the Lord accomplished through my brothers and the wonderful men that they have become through this whole experience! :) I will never forget the letters sent home with lists of prayer requests regarding their struggles spiritually, physically, and mentally, but hearing what the Lord did to strengthen, uphold, embrace, encourage, (and the list could continue) my brothers has personally been a testimony in my life as I face trials, tribulations, refining fires, and hardships.

You know, we all one way or another will go through pain as we run our individual "races." One thing is for sure, God's grace is right there for us to take hold of and never let go but this is a choice that we have to make. Out of all the stories that my brothers continually tell, one thing seems to be the common denominator, "choices; rejoicing or grumbling, pressing on or giving up, grabbing hold of God's grace or walking the other way..." We are given a choice that we have to make every single day and that is whether or not we will "take up our crosses and follow Him" even if the "splinters" or "uneven surfaces" cut you. Yes this may sound rough but I know from experience, it is far better to be refined for God's glory keeping my focus on Him and His purposes rather than to turn and flee fearing the "pain and sorrow." :)

You and I have a choice to make, what will you choose?

Drills Performance of Unit 39

As another addition to the pictures of Unit 39 taken the 23rd of May, I thought that you all would enjoy watching the drills ceremony which took place out on the soccer field next to the Field House. :) As time has passed, having my brothers back home has been such an amazing blessing! It has been so much fun to hear and laugh about the stories told regarding Basic! (those stories never seem to end which makes it all the better!)

As you watch this, I hope that you will enjoy what you see. Know that the guys practiced diligently on a daily basis in order to have each step, solute, head turn, etc. in the right place and done at the right time. :)