Truth

aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. aim at earth and you get neither. - CS Lewis

JAM Winter Camp

So as most of you know, Kasey and I are on Jr. High Staff at our church.  This past weekend, we went up to Forest Home Christian Camp for Winter camp with over 80 Jr. High kids.  Needless to say, we are just now recovering, 5 days later...  =)  We had such a blast hanging out with the kids, worshiping, praying with the kids, playing fun games, and falling deeper in love with Jesus.  Our theme was "The Wedding Feast."  

We talked about the parable in Matthew chapter 22 where the King throws a wedding feast.  All are invited to this feast; but not all are welcomed in.  The main point of this story is that the guests MUST be wearing the special wedding clothes; the Host's clothe.  In this story, Nate (the youth pastor) described the King as God.  God invites everyone to "the feast" (Heaven), but you have to be wearing the "host's clothes" (the righteousness of God).  

We explained to the kids that the GREAT EXCHANGE was when Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins.  Jesus took on ALL our sin (past, present, and future) and exchanged our "filthy rags/ filthy lives" with "pure robes" (the clothes of righteousness).  By this example of amazing love and forgiveness, we are JUSTIFIED through Christ.  This means we "move from guilty to guilt free."  

When we are justified, we must CONFESS our sin.  This means we must admit we are wrong.  Second, we must REPENT of our sin.  This means we must turn away from our sin.  Last, we must have faith.  Faith that Jesus Christ loves and forgives us.  When we are justified through Christ, we can have a HOPE THAT IS GREATER THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD.  We can have hope that we will spend ETERNITY with our Lord in heaven.  Heaven is a perfect place filled with joy and happiness.  There will be no more pain, tears, anger, stress, anxiety, hurt, disease, burdens. Instead, there will be pure and unconditional LOVE. 

 I think the best part about this is it does not matter what you have done.  It does not matter how unworthy of love you feel you are.  GOD LOVES YOU and He WILL FORGIVE YOU.  No matter what.  No matter what.   If you have any questions about this idea of perfect love... please talk to me or Kasey.  We would love to take you out and chat about it!  =)

here are some awesome pictures from our weekend.

Kasey and I led "TEAM BLACK" (and won)

All the Kids and Staff...note the passion and commitment to the team colors.

Our "awkward Prom" photo at the dress up "Wedding Feast" on Saturday night  =)

Voyagers- Junior High Ministry

In Memory

In Memory of Ed Lucas.  An amazing man, who we all cherished and loved.  His last words to Kasey and I were "I love you guys."  This pretty much sums up the huge amount of love that this man had for others, especially Kasey's Nana.  We love you Ed.  You are dancing on clouds in heaven.

Cabin in Green Valley

Hello friends, So our busy lives have caught up to us, so we decided to take a vacay with our Bible Study group, plus others to my grandparents cozy cabin in Green Valley Lake.  It was such a needed time to relax, eat and enjoy friends all weekend.  Roxy loved her first snow experience and ran and hopped through the snow like a little rabbit.  Kasey and our friend Scott created a snow cave in the burme in front of the house and slept in it on Saturday night (which scared their wives of course).  I was able to learn to crochet and made a couple of beanies, while enjoying conversation with good friends.  We sledded and hiked through the snow during the days when it wasn't too stormy.  When it was stormy we played tons of board games, because who can go up to the cabin and not enjoy a friendly game of Settlers of Catan?!  (Kasey wanted me to add in that he won)  lol...  It was such a beautiful weekend, with SO MUCH SNOW!  We even had to dig ourselves out on Sunday because so much snow fell on Saturday night.  =)  We all just loved it!  Thanks Mom Mom and Grandad!  Here are some pictures for you all to see what an awesome time we had!  

Family Photos

Some of the pictures we took in the park for this year...

2010

Happy New Year from the Kellers!  

Ten Things to live by:  (Thanks to Kurt for the link)

1. Put God First- Seek Him, Read His Word, Pray, Serve, Give…
2. Make Family a Top Priority- This should be a “No Brainer,” unfortunately it’s often neglected.  Involve your family, make time for your family, have a family night… Be The Family!
3. Set SMART Goals- Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Based.  
4. Simplify- Stop making things so difficult, do what’s right and do what’s necessary.
5. Don’t Talk About It… Be About It- If you say that you’re going to do something, Do It!
6. Get Accountability- Share your goals, visions and desires with someone and ask them to hold you accountable.  Don’t just ask them for accountability, let them truly hold you accountable.
7. Assessment- Re-valuate and assess the status of the various aspects of your life.  Evaluate monthly and make necessary adjustments at-least quarterly.
8. Try Something New- Get out of your comfort zone and try something, do something and fail at something.  Life is change and Failure is inevitable.
9. Just Say No- Not only should you say “No” to drugs but there are plenty of things that you have said “Yes” to in the past, that you need to say “No” to in the future.
10. dream BIG. think BIGGER.- This is my mantra for 2010 and it is my new tag-line for my blog re-brand, which will be completed any day now.  Thinking is the next step after dreaming and is the action of making your dreams reality.

God Bless.

Tis the Season

Well, now that it is officially December, I can post some pictures that are full of holiday spirit!  (even though I have been listening to Christmas music since before Thanksgiving)  This Tuesday Kasey and I set up our tree!  It looks beautiful and it was so much fun to open ornaments that we have bought eachother over the past 3 years.  Each one has a little story and brought a smile to our faces.  Kasey also put up our Christmas lights on our house.  They look awesome!  Today, December 5th, Kasey and I celebrate 3 years of being a couple!  I figure we are still allowed to celebrate dating anniversaries!  =)  We are going to Disneyland tomorrow rain or shine to celebrate!  Other than that, the semester is winding down, I have one more paper to write and a BIG Psychotherapy Conference to attend next weekend, then I'm done for the year!!  We wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Our family

Our gingerbread home.

the tree!

"6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:6-7).

"8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night... 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" (Luke 2:8,10).

"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12).

"6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince Of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)