SURPRISE!

Ben and I have been enjoying having company over often! We like hosting our couples Bible Study (which is this Saturday for those who attend or want to attend!) having parties and what not! All of my life I had an amazing example of what it looked like to be hospitable! I just hope I can live up to it. My Mom had, and still has, a way of making guests feel welcomed! She would have batches of homemade cookies stored in the freezer, so that when we had last minute guests, she would have something to serve them and make them feel at home! If someone called and said they were in town and wanted to stop by, My Mom would make sure the house was spotless, candles were lit, and snacks were on the table. That way when they showed up, it appeared we were expecting them all along! I know the scripture says that some have the gift of hospitality, and my Mom is one of those! Also, whenever us kids were headed out to hang out with friends, or goto a party, she would say, "Make sure you bring a blessing with you." We knew what that meant! That meant we were to find either some snacks, or even make a batch of cookies ahead of time to bring with us. And it sure did bless many people! Thanks to my Mom's example, I felt very prepared when I moved out to have company! My prayer is that when we have guests at our home, they feel welcomed always! I have a lot to learn still, but practice makes perfect...or better...haha, because we all know that no one is perfect but Christ ;)
Yesterday we threw a Surprise Birthday Party for my 2 brothers who were born on the same day 12 years apart! Buddy and Gabe!! It was a great turn out and so much fun to see some people that I haven't seen for years! Around 5 it started to down pour, which had me worried for a bit because I was planning on Volleyball and a fire! Thankfully around 6:30 it all stopped, and the Sun popped out! Gabe was surprised for sure, and seemed to enjoy himself a lot! Buddy, on the other hand, I had to tell last week because I received news he was planning on heading to a friends that weekend! He was still surprised to see his friends he hadn't seen for years! Happy Birthday Guys!! 

   I'm pretty excited about this coming weekend! Ben and I (mostly "I") have decided to step out of our (my) comfort zone, and throw a neighborhood party! I am not sure what to expect, but I want to get to know our neighbors and hopefully impact their lives for Christ, while He has us here! It is very easy for me to have familiar faces over often, but to have random people who I don't know...ya defiantly harder! But, we may be the only "Jesus" they ever get to see! So for me, it's time I get serious about living out my faith! Jesus didn't live a comfortable lifestyle...and No...He wasn't silent about His Faith. In fact He was so honest and stern with people, it often turned them away. Not from His sternness, but the requirements to following Him! For myself, it is sosos easy to make excuses on why I don't need to be "too" serious about reaching others, dying to flesh, being intentional... and so on, but I believe Jesus' words when He said in Matthew 7, "²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Now I need to start living it!! 


Here are the pictures from the party! I'm excited for my next post, where I will show you my recent sewing creations!! Be Blessed! 

My family is VERY sarcastic at times, so as Gabe entered, I think he thought it was a  joke! 

Gabe and Betsy

My sweet nephew Isaiah

The cheapest (not money wise but work wise)
Cupcakes I have ever made, due to lack of extra time haha

 So of course we played V-Ball, but these pictures I find funny.