Signs of Spring!

Most people, when they think of signs of spring, think of robins, melting snow and bright green sprouts of new grass ; a shift of enviroment that screams "smell me, feel me, rejoice in me - I am Spring!" But in the little seven and four year old minds of my three little siblings, those signs mean nothing and generally go unnoticed. For them there is only one sign that spring is here, hibernation is over and it's time to go outside: Blaze Orange. When the blaze orange hunting jacket appears out our back door in the backyard adject to ours the kids don't think it might be spring - they know it's spring. This bright jacket is worn by our backyard neighbor, Mr. Roader who the children affectionately call "Grampa Roader" because they love him dearly. Today Joshua was the first one to spot him and he went running. Flying around corners trying to find mom. Mom's phone call was immediatly interupted by Joshua's exhilerated exclamation: "It's SUMMMERRR!!!!!" - Mom knew what that meant. Seconds later Caleb comes dashing into the room and proclaims, "Mr. Roader's out!" Their faces are pure glee as they run around getting their outdoor clothes on.

To all of you who have felt this year that Spring was reluctant to come, I am happy to announce that it has arrived! I must admit that though Mom and I love all the traditional signs of Spring, it never seems official until Mr. Roader comes out and then we can't help but smile and walk with a bounce in our step. Happy arrival of Spring everyone!

Ps. Please keep my family in your prayers as the last 3 months have been very straining on us. Satan is weasling into our home in every ugly and evil way and we are trying desperatly to remove him. Life has been painful in both good and bad ways and we can only pray that we will lay our selves and our selfishness down at the foot of the cross and let God's love, mercy and grace reign in our family.