A Lesson in Servanthood...

Andrea rubbing Nicole's legs and feet. Baby due in 4 days.

Sunday evening, 6 ladies from church gathered together at Nicole's apartment for a Girls Night. She was 4 days from a scheduled c-section and wanted to have some fun before then. We came together with chick-flicks and nail care supplies in hand. She provided desserts (YAY) and an empty apartment (NO HUSBANDS!). Chancia sells skin-care products and brought her samples so we all ended up with facials as well as our do-it-yourself mani/pedis. She was so great - sharing her expertise, painting on the masks, and as you can see above, giving a chair massage to Rachel. We took turns helping Nicole with her toes - removing polish, salt-scrubbing, rubbing lotion on, and painting. Andrea took special care after we told her about the pressure points that can induce labor. My point, besides sharing our great time together, is that my heart was so blessed by the attitude of servanthood exhibited by all of these ladies. These are the small moments in all of our lives when we can exhibit the qualities of Christ. Jesus was a model of leadership and servanthood (one and the same.) He provided wine for a wedding, food for over 5,000, healed so many, and taught us God's heart. My goal is to teach those I come into contact with me about God's heart, even without words and only actions. Thank you OHOP ladies for sharing this with others, and each other.

Smiling Chancia giving a chair massage to Rachel

Scripture of the Day: "Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him." John 13:3-5

Baby Picture Sunday- too funny!

Well, I don't know if Debi has decided not to do BPS anymore or if she's just taking a break. I know she's got her hands full. I just had to post this pic, though!

Sabina eating Rocky's birthday cake.

I just had to capture a picture of Sabina with her blue frosting mustache! It's too funny.
Last Monday was Rocky's 11th birthday and with everything else going on that day, we didn't have cake and presents till after 8:00! Sabina was already dressed for bed in her oversized T, but had fun with us as we celebrated Rocky. She's going to be 3 in October, so I may not be able to post current pics of her on "Baby" Picture Sunday much longer. I guess it's time to start scanning in those old pics of my big kids!
Blessings, Dixie

Under Construction

As my regular readers may know (if I still have any), I haven't been blogging lately. Things are a bit... confused around here. Everyone is healthy, we are blessed, but I've been in flux. God is doing something in my life. He seems to be calling me to rise above my everyday existence and step into the destiny He has for me. I am still trying to get through the days in peace and resisting His voice. On the outside, everything seems the same with me, but on the inside I am under construction. I am not even sure of the blueprint yet, but I know preparations have begun. The landscape has been altered, smoothing the way for a new thing. I'm kind of excited, but also nervous about how it's all going to turn out.
This is what I know:

1. Jesus is my Lord and Savior, I will follow God the best that I can.
2. He has definitely told me to homeschool my children.
3. My husband, Nick, is a man after God's own heart.
4. I am blessed abundantly - not only by God the Father, but by the love of the people in my life.
5. The time has come to live radically.
6. I'm not the only one who's hearing this call.

I'm going to be blogging regularly again. I will still share cute pictures of my kids and stories of our journey of faith. I will also be journaling about this path I am traveling - wherever it may take me.
Blessings, Dixie

Stretching....

We are back from a month and a half in the midwest, visiting family and ministering. Our time there was anything but a vacation. We have had our faith stretched and our ministry refined. God is taking us through a time of shaking and challenges. I will be spending some time over the next few days sharing and maybe griping a little. :)  All I can say tonight is that I KNOW God is good all the time. No matter what.

Baby Picture Sunday - Father & Child

In honor of almost Father's Day (okay it's still 2 weeks away), I posted some of my favorite pictures of Nick with some of the kids. As you can see, he is a great Daddy full of fun and love. I'm so blessed!

First, from a recent trip to the Orlando Science Center - the big boys figured out how to make that tricky cube! (Antonio, Rocky, Nick)

Nick & Cecelia snacking on the Russian Tea Cakes they made together (last year) 

Nick shadowing Sabina this Easter. So cute!

 

This is the closest I got to a "Baby Picture": Nick returning to the car while Sabina was "driving." I think she's almost 1 here.

Nothin' But Love for Ya, Baby...

Sabina's a tough one. Sometimes she's so loving, giving out hugs and kisses to her family. At other times, when asked for a kiss, she'll refuse - shaking her head - she'll say in her husky little voice, "No kiss."
So, consider yourself a lucky one. A kiss from Princess Sabina, for you!

Who likes swords?

How long can you spend in a sword shop without buying anything? 

That's the question we seemed to be asking on a recent trip to St. Augustine (possibly our favorite city ever.) The kids (and Nick) would have been happy to spend another half-hour trying out the merchandise, but I felt we'd reached the limit. For the record, no sales person bothered us or asked us to leave; we had a great time. I was getting a little nervous, though, about whether Luca would pick up something and smash it over his little sister's head. He only got to try the wooden swords. ;)