Lots of things going on...

Howdy, y'all!)(Just in case you're wondering, I've been hanging around some Tennesseans, lately!)
(Sorry I haven't posted in a long while! We've been real busy and Mama did some rearranging in the house, so the computer was not hooked up for awhile!)

A late Happy Valentine's! I hope y'all had a great valentine's like we did! Our church usually has a Valentine's Banquet for the married couples at our church. The McIntires, a family at our church, have faithfully put one on every year! They usually do a theme, and this year's was a "Mexican" theme! The young people and older, unmarried people, usually help out by doing: babysitting, childcare, cooking, waiting on tables and cleaning. Last year and this year I was a waitress, while Ryan worked in the child care section.

Ryan and I arrived at 5:30pm to begin our jobs. Sarah McIntire was in charge of the waitresses and soon was giving us a quick run through of the evening. We were all admiring the lovely plants and decorations when the first couple came. No more talk! We soon scurried off to the kitchen. (The waitresses were given a flower to wear in their hair and we were fussing with each other's in the bathroom.)

Mrs. McIntire, left, and Johnathan, right, lighting candles.

Decorations in the fellowship hall- which was the banquet room for the evening.

Couples arriving, waitresses flying! Each of us had three tables to wait on and drinks to serve. We greeted them, " Hola, Senor_____ and Senora_____." There were quite a few couples and sometimes I was helping with other tables besides my own! (The kitchen crew worked hard and quickly and we would never have made it without them!) Drinks were soon served and we brought out chips and salsa and then retreated to the kitchen to let them have some time alone. (Of course the photographer came out and requested a picture from each of the couples which they graciously let her take.)

Mr. and Mrs Brownell

Mr. and Mrs. Weston

Mr and Mrs. Kilgour

Mr. and Mrs. Williams

Mr and Mrs. Lee (jr.)

Mr and Mrs. Lee (Sr.)

Mr. and Mrs. Pau

Mr and Mrs....Mama and Daddy!

Mr. and Mrs Iorga

Pastor Orman and Mrs. Orman

The evening started off with a dinner of tacos and beans and rice. After the meal, game time came. The first game was called "Silverware Symphony." This game was played by using your silverware to make an accompaniment to the piano. As the piano was played the couples had to play patterns of "music by either tapping, clanging or pounding their silverware! It was really fun to watch and all the kitchen crew came out to watch.

Sarah and Jonathan teaching the couples for the silverware symphony game.

Our Host:

Senor Benny Hauna Jose Alejandro Guadalupe Paco Taco Tortilla Fernando Felipe Gomez McIntire... Junior. (j/k!)

Pearls of Wisdom...

Friday evening and Saturday we had the pleasure of attending Michael and Debi Pearl's conference "Training Up A Child" and hearing them in person. We were really blessed and encouraged and we also got to see some friends of ours again, visit and fellowship with them!

After the conference was all over most of our family got to meet, shake Mr. Pearl's hand and take a picture with him. Not everyone is in the picture unfortunately, we had some tired ones in the car. It was a big day, but definitely special! Here are the highlight pictures of the day...

Mr. Pearl, Me, Katie, Daniel and Isaiah....

Mama meeting Mrs. Pearl. I love Mrs. Pearl's face here...

I love Mrs. Pearl's face here.....

Some friends: The Townsends

Left to Right: Ally, Me, Samantha, Ella and Mattie and Kaite in the front.

Daddy and Mama visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Townsends....

Saying goodbye....

I couldn't resist, this one is so cute....Mattie and Katie talking.


Like I said, it was a really special day!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (KJV)

2 Corinthians 13:14

Rejoice!

Howdy everyone! Have been rejoicing in the Lord? I hope so! I'm afraid we often look at life through the gloomy spectacles and walk around with a frown or two on our faces, as Charles Spurgeon once said:

"Christian! Do not dishonour religion by always wearing a brow of care; come, cast your burden upon your Lord."

How true! We Christians, the ones who should ever be rejoicing are often seen with "brows of care" on our faces! But, why? If we, as Christians, say we believe that Jesus Christ came to the world to save us by shedding His very own precious blood to pay the price of our redemption and that if we will believe on Him and accept Him as our Saviour, He promises us an eternal home and life with Him when we die, then why, my friends, are we always "carrying a brow of care" on our faces???? Well? Let's see those smiles! *smile*

speaking of smiles.....look at this smile, too cute...

Y'all remember Sheriff Joshua? He's back....playing Cowboys and Indians...

The other day, I had a very special chance to watch my two little brothers, Timothy and Joshua play together! I had set Timothy in our little baby swing and was pushing him when, his big brother Joshua ran over and informed me he could do it, thank you. He pushed Timothy and it was so cute as the laughed together.

More exciting news and more smiles around the Sebo home! Ryan finally got his long awaited birthday present! A Velbon 7000 video tripod!

As always there's a story behind it....

Ryan announced one day that he would like to buy a Velbon 7000 video tripod but, having no money it seemed a little impossible! Well, he received birthday money which he saved and soon he was on the computer, ordering the "amazing tripod."

The computer had told Ryan he would receive it New Year's Day (or somewhere in that week)! he was excited and waited for it anxiously but, it didn't come. No truck or package ever came. It was a long time later* that a UPS truck finally showed up. However, it was parked across the street and the UPS man jumping out of the car held a small square package. (too small.) The UPS man soon disappeared behind one of the houses across the street. We had all seen the truck pull up and were in the front yard shouting and smiling but now it seemed silly and we all slowly started back for the house. (I had even grabbed my camera.) All of a sudden, I heard Daniel shout. I whirled around and saw the UPS man crossing the street with a long rectangular package! Ryan was beaming.....

Soon, Ryan had a little audience, as we were all seated around him,watching.

He opened it...... and this picture speaks for itself....

Although he's had it only two days, he been enjoying and loves it!

SWORD, has started up again from Christmas break. SWORD, for those who don't know is a discipleship program which takes place on Wednesday night, the young men and women of our church are discipling a child or two from ages 8-13, each in memorizing and achieving different goals. We also have a small team for toddlers ages 4-7 which is where I work. We have game time first, to get all the kids energy out. Then, we have a short lesson time with the child and their teacher, followed by a large assembly where a story or skit is put on which is paralleled to that week's verse. We also learn songs that are in parallel with the verses. Here are some pictures from a skit the other night.

Here is Stephen Weston, one of the leaders, narrating a skit about David and Saul.

David,(Brian Iorga, a leader) and one of his men (Jimmy Iorga, Brian's brother, a leader), sneaking up on Saul sleeping....

"No," David says, "We must not harm the Lord's annointed."

King Saul, (Justin Orman-a leader) and the king's men (Kyle and Andrew Stevens-leaders).

Have a great week and remember to rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.(KJV)

Philipians 4:4

And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. (KJV)

Deuteronomy 12:12

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Happy Birthday Joshua!!!!

Happy Birthday, Joshua! Today we celebrated Joshua's 3rd birthday! He was very excited all morning and continued to tell everyone he was five.

This morning, the family, except for Ryan and I, missed church because they were sick.(Sick. What a way to start a birthday!) When we got home he was doing better and happily jumping on our trampoline! Daddy, Ryan and I had bought a cake and soon we were all seated around the dinning room table and eating lunch,

After we finished lunch we sang and presented his birthday cake to him. he was very excited and smiles kept his face beaming.

yum, yum,

Enjoying his cake......

The best is always saved for last and that is exactly what we did! After his cake and ice cream we all moved to the living room where he opened his present.

Opening his present...His presents: a hat, a belt and two guns, and a "Deputy Sheriff" badge...

Later, I had a chance to shoot some portraits....

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (KJV)

Joshua 1:8

Joshua's 3rd Birthday!

Joshua Christopher Sebo

-

January 4, 2006

Joshua is our littlest cowboy! He loves to pretend he's out in the west chasing outlaws or indians. He is full of energy! He is often seen in the yard playing with his brothers Cowboys, Indians, Isralites, Knights, Spies and Detectives! He speaks his mind and is ready to give an answer to those who ask him.He is a good helper to his Mommy and Daddy. He has a very special sense of loyalty and faithfulness to his family. We are very thankful for our little cowboy!

Nicknames

"Joshwee"

"Joshy-pop-pop"

"Josheewee"

"Joshy"

Hobbies and Interests:

COWBOYS, indians, spies, knights, outlaws, detectives, Israelites, guns, hats, boots, drawing, playing with his brothers, to pretend to play football, legos, playmobile and riding his play horse, "Horsey."

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (KJV)

Joshua 1:8 (Joshua's verse)

December

Greetings, one and all! It does get busy around here, so I'll have to fill you in on what has been happening this month!

We had our annual Christmas recital, and it went really well! Each year it is neat to see how much others have improved and hear the beginners. It's always very tense before but, always a sigh of relief to be done, when it's over.

Daniel- playing his violin solo ( which was alot of fun as I accompanied him!)

Caytlin and her friend Stephanie Iorga- playing their harp duet: it was really pretty!

Our family also went to a concert for some friends of ours. This concert was a mix, half was our friends the Patterson's band, and the other half was our friends the Ouatu's and Iorga's string group. We really enjoyed visiting and listening to most of the music!

Above: is the band of beginners, the little blond girl sitting in the left hand corner is Susannah Patterson. She plays clarinet. (Sorry the lighting was low and the flash was to bright so it's a little fuzzy)

Our friend: Janice Iorga, red sweater, playing the violin in the string group.

Another friend: Johnny Ouatu, white shirt and glasses, playing the violin in the string group.

Exciting news came to us on December 16th: our Aunt Lillian had her baby! So off we went to visit our new cousin Samantha Jane Chrispens. We were very happy and it was a blessing to see and hold her!

Samantha Jane Chrispens



December 19th we headed out to Aunt Diane's house for an early Christmas celebration! We had Gondola Pizza for dinner, watched a few classic movies and opened presents. We received a fun game and a puzzle of one of my aunt's pictures! We had a very enjoyable time, as my aunt who is a photographer, let me try out her very nice digital Nikon SLR camera!

We gave Oma and Aunt Diane both some special gifts from the Dutch store.

Me (Ashley), enjoying my aunt's camera, it was so much fun!


Isaiah and Uncle Kevin watching the "Swiss Family Robinson."

The day before (Christmas Eve), Opa came to visit and spent the night! We enjoyed a delicious dinner of Mama's homemade meatloaf, mashed potatoes and bread( made with Mama's new mill and Bosch.) The bread didn't rise properly so, it was short and thick, but still delicious!

The next morning, we opened our stockings. The boys got some neat walkie-talkies, I received a piano solo CD and Katie got a new watch. Mama also got a walkie-talkie to communicate with the guys and Opa got a carousel picture frame with a picture of each of us in it, and a few others. Joshua's gift was the best: a new pair of cowboy boots!

Mama thought it would be fun to go to the "Back Bay" and let the boys try out their walkie-talkies, so we did! It was pretty cold so I stayed in the car and listened to my CD. The others went and had a good time but we all took a group picture together!

Afterwards we went to Bolsa, tired some different foods, said goodbye to Opa and headed home.

Christmas Day we went to the Christmas service at church and then we went to spend Christmas day with our Unlce Dan and Aunt Rocio in their new home! We enjoyed another delicious meal, this time it was: enchiladas, taco salad, fresh beans and sauce, tostadas and guacamole and Posole, which is a Mexican soup.

Mama and Aunt Cio preparing the food

Setting the table...

We visited with our family and opened presents. The two little boys, Natey and Joshua got a box of cookies, Daddy got some LED lights, Caytlin got a painting set, Isaiah, Daniel got robots and Ryan, Mama and I got a puzzle. We also got a pumpkin bread mix and a gift card.

Uncle Dan and Aunt Cio opening their presents

Grandma, opening her present.

Ryan showing some of his and others movies.

three cousins: Left to right: Natey, Joshua and Matthew, Uncle Victor's oldest.

Rachel, Uncle Victor's second born, and Natey.

Uncle Victor, holding Emily his youngest, Rachel, sitting next to her daddy, Katie holding
Timothy.

Friends and sisters: Aunt Adriana and Mama

Aunt 'Drana and the two babies: Timothy and Emily

My cousin Christina and I putting together a puzzle

After the presents we got to play Uncle Dan's "Wii" again. That was fun, and even funnier was watching the people play it with your back turned away from the screen.

We had a really good time, and soon it was time to head home. So we packed up and left. Thank the Lord for such a nice Christmas!

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. (KJV)

Isaiah 9:6

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (KJV)

Romans 8:28