Monday, December 21, 2009

From Alabama to Snowy North Carolina!!

Surprise! New pictures!
Hope you enjoy the browse!




We had our Christmas Morning the day before we left for NC...while Graham was still sleeping...




His first encyclopedia:-)




Let me introduce you to "SPOT" the newest member of the fam.... Hudson loves his Spot already...Spot moves, barks, and shakes his little tail:-)....and yes, this is the closest we will be getting to a pet any time soon!!


They got lots of fun goodies!! They were so excited!! This age is awesome:-)






Hud snuck away under the table to chew all of his gum.....yes, all!







we left at five in the morning on Saturday to go to
NORTH CAROLINA!!!!!







We are having so so so much fun!!!! It's the best snow for sledding!




Showing off all of our cool boots:-)





















This one is totally for you, Eddie!


Almost all of us. This was the last night with the worship leader at my dad's church. He truly became part of the family. He's the one in the middle. "We love you, Eddie!"







We're having loads of fun and are excited about the rest of the week here in NC!!




Friday, December 18, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas!!
** I was told that maybe I should warn you: this post is long....but it contains a beautiful love story. So, if you have the time, read on:-)
We have been so blessed over the last several years. David and I will be married for five years this coming spring. We have three wonderful boys full of crazy excitement. We have a nice, warm house to call home. We have food on the table and extra in the fridge. We’ve got shoes for all those little stinky feet running around. We’ve got coats and toboggans for cold nights. Diapers in the house, diapers in the car, diapers in the diaper bag. We’ve got cozy beds and coffee w/ lots of sugar (just for mom of course). We’ve got books on the bookcases, family down the street, family just a phone call away, friends that love us…my list could go on and on….We have been blessed. But, lately as I think on all those things- I know that’s what they are- blessings- but, the more I think of the Story we have with and in Christ- the more I think of that Blessing, I can barely call those other things blessings. They are of course- but as I continue to think about that Story…those other blessings- well, like Paul wrote, they dim in comparison…We are blessed- abundantly. But, the biggest blessing of all is how this Story has affected us…changed us...is changing us…This Story is what it’s all about. I can get emotional thinking about all the blessings God has given us over the last four years, but nothing, nothing, compares to this Story….

God wrote, “I love you”- he wrote it in the sky, and on the earth, and under the sea. He wrote His message everywhere! The way a kitten chases her tail. The way red poppies grow wild. The way a dolphin swims. And God put it into words, too, and wrote it in a Book. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne-everything- to rescue the one he loves. You see, the best thing about this Story is- it’s true. There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them. It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And at he center of the Story, there is a baby. Every Story in the Bible whispers this baby’s name. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle- the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture. And this is no ordinary baby. This is the Child upon whom everything would depend. This is the Child who would one day- but wait…. Our Story starts where all good stories start. Right at the very beginning….In the beginning there was nothing. And out of the nothing, God made everything…God spoke. That’s all. And whatever he said, it happened. God saw all that he had made and he loved it. But God saved the best for last. From the beginning, God had a shining dream in his heart. He would make people to share his Forever Happiness. They would be his children, and the world would be their perfect home. So, God breathed life into Adam and Eve. “You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever made” God said. God loved them with all of his heart. And Adam and Eve joined in the song of the stars and the streams and the wind in the trees, the wonderful song of love to the One who made them. God looked at everything he had made. “Perfect” he said. And it was. But all the stars and the mountains and oceans and galaxies and everything were nothing compared to how much God loved His children. He would move heaven and earth to be near them. Always. Whatever happened, whatever it cost him, he would always love them. And so the wonderful love story began….
Adam and Eve lived happily together in their beautiful new home…..for a while…You see, God had a horrible enemy. This enemy wanted to stop this love story right here and now. The snake asked Eve, “Does God really love you?” Now, a terrible lie entered the world. It would never leave. It would live on in every human heart, whispering to every one of God’s children: “God doesn’t love me.” When Eve believed the lie, a terrible pain came to God’s heart. You see, sin had come into God’s perfect world. And it would never leave. God’s children would be always running away from him and hiding in the dark. Their hearts would break now, and never work properly again. God couldn’t let his children live forever, not in such pain, not without him. There was only one way to protect them. “You will have to leave the garden now”, God told his children, his eyes filling w/ tears. “This is no longer your true home, it’s not the place for you anymore.” Well, in any other story, it would be all over and that would have been…The End. But not in this Story. God loved his children too much. Even though he knew he would suffer, God had a plan- a magnificent dream. One day, he would get his children back. One day, he would make the world their perfect home again. And one day, he would wipe away every tear from their eyes. You see, no matter what, in spite of everything, God would love his children- with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love. And though they would forget him, and run from him, deep in their hearts, God’s children would miss him always, and long for him- lost children yearning for their home. Before Adam and Eve left the garden, God whispered a promise: “It will not always be so! I will come to rescue you! And when I do, I’m going to do battle against the snake. I’ll get rid of the sin and the dark and the sadness you let in here. I’m coming back for you!” And he would. One day, God himself would come.
Before the beginning of time, he had another plan. A plan not to destroy the world, but to rescue it- a plan to one day send his own Son- the Rescuer. The only way back to heaven was a Person. People could never reach up to heaven or get there on their own, so Heaven would have to come down to them. And one day it would. Many many years later, suddenly a bright star appeared. It blazed in the night and made the other stars look pale beside it. God put it there when his baby Son was born- to be like a spotlight. Lighting up the darkness and showing people the way to him. You see, God was like a new daddy- he couldn’t keep the good news to himself. He’d been waiting all these years for this moment, and now he wanted to tell everyone…..He sent a splendid choir to sing of his Son. Where did he send this choir? To shepherds. And they listened. And they followed until they reached a stable. They caught their breath and tiptoed inside. They knelt on the dirt floor. They had heard about the Promised Child and now he was here. Heaven’s Son. The Maker of the Stars. A baby sleeping in his mother’s arms. This baby would be like that bright star shining in the sky that night. A Light to chase away darkness- Helping people to see. And the darker the night got, the brighter the star would shine. But wait. This wasn’t a palace. Could he be King? There weren’t any guards. Or servants. Or flags. No red carpets. There wasn’t anything. Did they get it wrong? Or was this what God meant? Yes! This child was a new kind of King. Though he was the Prince of Heaven, he had become poor. Though he was the Mighty God, he had become a helpless baby. And this is how the Great Rescue began. As years passed and this baby grew into a man, He began to mend God’s broken world. Jesus began to show people that God would always love them- with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love. They didn’t need to hide anymore, or be afraid, or ashamed. They could stop running away from God. And they could run to him instead. See- Jesus came to sing to God’s children. That same song that was from the beginning. A song not only with his voice, but with His whole life- so that God’s children could remember it and join in and sing it too. One night, Jesus told his closest friends God’s rescue plan. “My life will break, and God’s broken world will mend. My heart will tear apart- and your hearts will heal…I will now die instead of you. My blood will wash away your sins. You’ll be clean on the inside- in your hearts. You will be sad when I go, but God’s Helper will come. Then you will be filled up with a Forever Happiness that won’t ever leave. “Jesus then went to one of His favorite spots- an olive garden. There Jesus cried. “Papa! Father!! Is there any other way to get your children back? To get rid of the poison and heal their hearts?” But Jesus knew- there was no other way. All the poison of sin was going to have to go into his own heart. God was going to have to pour into Jesus’ heart all the sadness and brokenness that was in people’s hearts. He was going to pour into Jesus’ body all the sickness that was in people’s bodies. God was going to blame his son for everything that had gone wrong. It would crush Jesus. But there was something else, something even worse. People lost from God. Not being close to God was like punishment. Jesus was going to take that punishment. Jesus knew what that meant… it would break his heart in two…
You see, some people don’t understand. It wasn’t the nails that kept Jesus on the cross that day. It was love. Jesus cried, “Papa! Where are you?” God didn’t answer. He turned His face away from His Boy. Tears rolled down Jesus’ face. The face of the One who would wipe away every tear from every eye. The full force of God’s fierce anger at sin was coming down on His own Son. Instead of His people. It was the only way God could destroy sin and not destroy his children whose hearts were filled with sin. Then Jesus shouted, “It is finished.”
Now, you might think the great Rescuer is dead…now what? Well, he didn’t stay dead. And because he came alive again his friends knew everything would somehow be all right. As Jesus walked again w/ his friends, he told them he had to go be w/ His Father and prepare a place for them. They panicked and asked how to get there. Jesus said that he was the way. Jesus also told them to tell everyone how much God loves them. And that the Truth overcomes that horrible lie. God really does love His children!! He doesn’t hold out on us. Before Jesus left this earth for good, He said, “Death is not the end of you. You can live forever with your Father in heaven because I rescued the world! I love you.I love you. I love you.” The most wonderful thing about this story, you see, is that it can be your story too!
~A rough, changed, shortened portion of The Jesus Storybook Bible

Because of Our Rescuer,
David, Emily, John David,
Hudson, and Graham Gossett


We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Season!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Just a 'lil Alabama Snow


Snowball Fight!!!


So, maybe not everyone loved snow so much....

He started to warm up to it...

...well, maybe a little...:-)

A little Christmas Prayer...

Several nights ago John David prayed for animal books for Christmas. Last night, we were talking before bed and he said he wanted wild animal books and a race car game. I said that we could ask Jesus and wait and see if Jesus would give us those gifts. He said, "No mom. That's what I want you and daddy to get for me. Jesus get me another surprise." So, curious, I asked what he thought Jesus would get him. John David responded "Real Elephant and Zebras. Not the pretend kind. Real ones."

Monday, December 07, 2009

A favorite...


I love this picture. I love sitting by you daddy and growing w/ you. You and mama have set such a good example for all of us to follow as you follow Christ. I'm so thankful for you and how you've invested so diligently and passionately in the kingdom that lasts forever! You and mama have been such a blessing to me and now my family. I love you both so much!

Fall is gone....

As I have noticed...Fall is gone....and I haven't posted anything...so, if I posted all the pics and all the things we did this Fall- I would be on the computer for hours...and of course, I probably have .5 seconds before there's a baby crying, a boy jumping off the roof (okay- so a little bit of an exaggeration), or the clothes in the dryer getting more and more wrinkled b/c I heard the beep but am ignoring it (but seriously- when was the last time I actually was concerned about wrinkled clothes??)....but, I have gotten several requests for new pics of our little guys...so w/o waisting any more time...here's just a little bit of what has gone on this fall...probably in all kinds of random order:-)


Graham is 7 months!


The Crew

We went to visit G'ma and G'pa and all the rest of the Crew!! We had such a great time!!!


Hudson's first Two Year Old Party!!


Hudson's second Two Year Old Party!!



Hudson's third Two Year Old party!
(Yes, they did just get out of the tub...dad came home w/ it and we couldn't wait:-) We were all super excited!!)
You can see part of the newly finished basement!!


I love his expression! He was so super excited! It shoots the balls up so we can hit them...pretty cool! John David has now tried to shoot all kinds of animals up in the air...oh boy....



J and Hud...John David is such a goof- he was making this face on purpose...He insisted that's what his eyes did when he smiled....what are we going to do?!! :-)


Aunt Kristy and Hudson! I love this!



We love Kase!


This is at G'ma and G'pa's house...you can see J and Kase at the head of the "castle"...watching a movie...they are big buddies...



Grandma and Grandpa also got to come down for a couple of days!! The boys thought G'pa was super cool when he climbed the tree! I think G'pa enjoyed it too:-)

Thank you for the tire swing, Grandpa!!
Psss....Grandma and Grandpa...we want you to come back soon!!
Fast....John David says "Super Fast" ...and I must agree:-)




John David is our new photographer now...
A morning in the life of....

three little boys...




..and one girl





October fun...

The lion!!


The Fighter Pilot...caught w/ candy all over his face!!


Well, I got some pictures up....and I've just been invited to dance w/ a very handsome two year old...so I gotta go!!

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Looking Out...


I love the fall season…everything was so beautiful! This tree is in our backyard…David at one time wanted to cut it down…he now has some sense knocked into him:-) haha! My dad put up that tire swing...we have loved it! But isn’t this tree just beautiful? I can’t seem to kick the thought of the beauty of this tree. I wonder if that’s what God wants to do w/ us….He probably doesn’t want to turn us into trees….but let me explain…A I was thinking about the insane amount of beauty this tree has been given I couldn’t help but to think of what God wants for us. Christ has been showing me so much in my life that he wants to purge. The phrase, “the perfect heart” keeps coming to mind. Having my heart at a place where it has no will of its own. The story of Jesus at the mount of olives…His sweating like blood and the way he rolled up his human will for the Father’s will. Aren’t we so thankful He did? The rolling away of His own will and the following of the Father’s will is much more beautiful than this tree. But it helps me imagine it. So many times we settle for so little. We settle for the things of this world. We follow the world’s ways, thoughts, traditions…and we miss the beauty of a life solely dependent of God. What if we threw everything off and solely, passionately, w/ one eye, one Master…passionately and diligently pursued God? That tree in our backyard isn’t pursuing anything of its own desires. It’s being created by the Creator. I was thinking one evening about how much we like to “create”. It has become quite an obsession…we want to create. Create a house, create beauty, create a business, create, create, create…what if we were more obsessed w/ being created…of course it’s wonderful to create…God made us in His image, I think it’s a God given flair to want to create….but what if the desire ‘to create’ faded in relation to the desire to be created- b/c of our love and trust in The Master Creator… I love to sit at our kitchen window…I sometimes am just captivated by the beauty of the backyard…okay, so there’s no mountains or water…you really can’t even see much of a sunrise b/c of all the trees….but still, it’s beautiful. The colors, the shapes, the creativity, the beauty…then as I look around my house my eyes always gravitate towards outside. We have a beautiful home, but nothing compared to the beauty of the creation outside. It was only “loss” to look around me, around the house b/c the beauty outside was so much better. Not just different, but better. No comparison. Why do we too many times settle for just looking around us at the “décor”. Why do we live life like this so many times…we settle for what we can see w/ our own eyes, but God is whispering that there’s so much more. Where does our time go? What about our money? Our talents and gifts?... Why do we settle for so little? The beauty that God wants to create w/ our lives…I know it’s far greater than the beauty of that tree….the earths just His footstool. How I’ve realized lately just how much I am like Lot. Living in a sinful world…the world has crept in. May He continue to purge and transform such an ugly sinful flesh! How Thankful I am for the Power God gives us in the Holy Spirit. We have all we need for all Godliness….crazy, huh?!

I wonder if Christ is whispering…”I want you to love me above all else. When you have a relationship w/ me, you have everything. You don’t always have to “do”, to “create” …Let me do the creating…you just love me…I am pursuing you”

“To be loved by God is the highest relationship, the greatest achievement, and the noblest position in life.” –Experiencing God

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

On the Incarnation


David's cousin has a new CD out- On the Incarnation. It is incredible! I just was listening to it and wanted to share it w/ you.


It was #7 on itunes! Daniel's got an amazing gift, but the best thing is that he's the real deal. He truly walks a daily life of worship. He doesn't just sing it, but he walks it.
So check it out!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Christmas Gifts!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0vjuXzRaF8

I thought I would share this video. This is an awesome ministry. You will have to check out more about it at www.gfa.org You can support missionaries, children...there's something that we all can do to help spread the gospel and to encourage and love our spiritual brothers and sisters in Asia.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Thought someone may enjoy this song....here are the lyrics to the song that is playing when the blog opens.

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received
And You've won my heart
And You've won my heart
Now I can
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death you bore for me
And You've won my heart
And You've won my heart
Now I can lay every burden down
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Books

Here are some books that I have read lately. They are great books. Christ has been purging, convicting, changing, and blessing me so much. This has been an incredible last several months. I can't put anything He has done in words. I know He is doing some incredible things in the modern church to change us to truly walk more like Christ walked. If you haven't read these books, they are truly a blessing to my walk w/ our Saviour.





This book is incredible. You can get it free at www.gfa.org

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Experiencing God by Henry and Richard Blackaby
I went through the workbook. There is a book too.




I can't believe that I have never read it before, but God's timing is perfect.

Little Hud

I realized I hadn't posted any pics of Hudson...poor middle kid:-)....so I was looking through some vacation pics of this summer and found these that made me laugh....




I drove the entire time w/ one hand on the steering wheel and one on Hud. He didn't move or make a sound the entire time:-)
I cannot believe they actually let him ride:-) Or maybe you are thinking that you can't believe that I let him ride:-) We had fun:-)






Will he ever ride a go cart again?


Cubbies


John David's first time at Awana Cubbies! He's loving it!

Graham...

Graham's first try at cereal!
He's already four months old!