Yesterday was a good day.  Both Charley and Hunter had soccer games.  Hunter's team won; but Charley's team lost.  They both played really good.  Tomorrow Charlie, Charley, Hunter and myself are going to Kennywood.  This will be Charlie and Hunter's first year going.  Charley and I have gone for the previous 2 years.  She has it down pat as to what she wants to ride and how wet she wants to get.  Charley can't wait, she has all her food places picked out and plans on taking Hunter on all of her favorite rides.  St. Paul's pays for the kids to go since they are alter servers and Charlie and I pay for ourselves and for the bus ride.  It is really nice of St. Paul's to do this for the kids.  I am looking to buy a rocker for myself to use outside on the veranda.  Every time Charlie and I think we will get a chance to go shopping for one something turns up.  This weekend will be soon enough.  The Pony AllStars Tournament is going on at the baseball complex.  Parents and players all the way from Canada.  To date, none of us has been able to attend.  It would be really nice if we did.  Make sure to check out the STBA website and see the 10U pictures from the Crestview tournament that Charley played in. springfield baseball association website 

Be Joyful in Hope....I wondered why God asks us to be joyful in hope.  I can understand why He reminds us to be faithful in prayer--so many times in hardships we slack off in prayer.  I can also understand why God asks us to be patient in affliction--patience is harder to muster when you're hurting.  But, why does God say to be joyful in hope?  Obviously, there must be many times when we lack joy in hope.  Think about it.  The focus of our hope is yet to be fulfilled; we don't yet possess that for which we hope.  And you'll agree that it's hard to be joyful about something we don't yet have!!  Lying in bed, it hit home that God wants me to be joyful about future things.  Just as we have the command to be faithful in prayer and patient in affliction, we have the command to be joyful in hope.  How can God command joy?  It's easy once we realize what's over the heavenly horizon.  Does the idea of heavenly glories above put a smile on your face?  Do you get a charge when you talk about the return of the Lord?  Heaven will seem more near and real to you as yuou stir up your joy over that for which you hope.  And remember, it's a command to your own good.  by joni eareckson tada