We went for a last minute trip to Las Vegas. It was so awesome that Pastors Jeff and Diana Budzinski invited Daniel to share his vision for Compassionate Touch International (http://www.compassionatetouchinternational.org) at their Church. Daniel had a great word for the congregation from Nehemiah and Ezra. It was a moving time at the altar making new commitments. Seeing Jeff and Daniel and Diana all ministering together was powerful. We went to a very sad goodbye dinner for Gary given by…

Today started out with my Dentist appointment with the most beautiful, talented amazing Dentist around: Dr. Hannah Bahlhorn!!! Then, ice skating with my precious GREAT niece Maddie! We had so much fun ice skating with Madeline! Even though she couldn't go outside Sunday and ice skate, we made up for it today! She LOVED putting the ice skates on and trying to skate, even though after awhile she said it was “too hard” and wanted to take them off and…

Christa was a little freaked out that she wouldn't make it home in time for the party because we had SO MUCH SNOW and she was coming from working in Southfield! But she made it! And because of her EXTREME organizational skills, the tables were all set and her house all decorated, and everything all set for Brandon's birthday party! We had amazing food, and awesome company. We were sad that more people couldn't come because of the weather, but…

Happy Birthday to my amazing Dad! 83 years old. He is the most amazing person! He delights in his family. He has taught us that there is nothing more important than family — SEMPRE FAMIGLIA! When I took him to lunch, he kept telling me what an amazing wife my Mom is — he loves her so much! It was great to have my wonderful family over to celebrate my Dad!

Started off the morning with another good (but a LITTLE bit later) workout, then went for breakfast. We got together for a Bible study, where Gary shared on loving your enemies from the “be-attitudes”. Beginning in Matthew 5, Gary went through a lot of Scriptures which showed the importance of loving your enemies, and trusting God to handle any problems with people instead of handling them yourself. Afterwards, we all packed up our stuff a little and got things ready…

Woke up early to do Bible study and work out, had breakfast and then met for Bible study (Daniel's turn). Danny spoke on things to leave behind: things to let die in 2010. He stated that we are set apart and sanctified, and there are things we need to DO in 2011, but also things we need to leave behind, and it is important that we seek God for which weights those are. Everyone's name should be safe in our…

Worked out and ate breakfast, and then gathered for our Bible study, with Brandon leading. Brandon talked about unity, and the importance of being together with a family vision. He spoke about all of us together accomplishing a lot, but even more because we have unity. Together we can do amazing things. Brandon suggested we add a category to our yearly goals – that of a family goal. Then headed off the boat to beautiful Grand Cayman. Got a taxi…

After working out and eating breakfast, we all gathered for our Bible study, with Mike leading. He talked about God’s vision for us and how He will get us there. Mike reminded us that we can’t just focus on the vision instead of the daily necessities to get us to reach it. As we take the right steps, the next steps become clearer. When you first miss an exit, it is easy to get back, but if you go too…

Another workout to start the day, followed by another good Bible study by Jesse on Ecclesiastes 5. We talked about how it is a life of sacrifice for eternal values that brings fruit and purpose. He talked about taking it to the next level and how it involves hearing from the Lord, making a commitment to action, and following through. Missing one of those things can result in meaninglessness. Ecc. 11.9 tells the young to enjoy every minute, but know…

A welcome and uneventful day. We started out by working out, then with an amazing Bible study by Gabe about how we need to stand strong during times of shaking. We can’t lose sight of the fact we’re in a battle. We need to stay faithful through tests and trials and not lose sight of what God wants to accomplish through the trial and through us. We need to keep our eyes on the Lord. There are different seasons God…