Making Memories: April 2011

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Monday, April 18, 2011

We went to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on Saturday for a free family concert. I do love finding free things to do with the kids. Since we have never taken them to the orchestra before I figured this would be a good time to do so.

When we arrived the girls took turns trying out different instruments

Then we were seated and had a few minutes to wait while the orchestra warmed up so we checked out the walls. They were pretty fancy.

We were one of the first ones seated so I took a couple pictures of everyone waiting. We did not get seated together so Rob and I sat with two of the girls

While the other four sat behind us a few seats

Then the orchestra started playing

We were even treated to a special guest from the N.Y. orchestra playing the piano. His fingers were flying so fast over the keys I couldn't keep up with them.

It was definitely worth going to - an experience to remember.

Even with the gloomy weather

After that we went to the Museum of Natural History. I forgot to bring the camera inside for that one so I will just tell you it was fun too and you'll have to take my word for it.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

A promise in a storm

We had a wicked storm the other night. There was rain, thunder, lightning, and a strong wind. The sound of the storm woke me and as I was lying there listening to branches break off and fall on our roof I knew that I was safe inside my house. The roof and walls would do their job to keep the storm from coming inside and harming us. Around 6:00 a.m. the storm let up and all that was left was rain. By 7:00 even that had ceased. I went outside with the intent of viewing the damage. But, even though there was trash and broken tree limbs everywhere, what I found instead was another demonstration of God's love for us.
In Psalm 18:2 David says "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;...He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold."
You see, I could have chosen to just see the damage the storm left behind

the trash that had blown in

and the broken branches

I could look up and see the tangled mess left in the trees

But I am reminded that if I only look at what's in front of me I will be blinded to what is ahead and above

If I step back and see the bigger picture

I can see the sun shining through those same branches

and I can see that the storm did not destroy the tree, it simply pruned it - getting rid of the dead branches so that it could continue to grow and stand strong against the wind

When I picked up the trash and threw it away

Life came back

And when the storms of life come my way I know that like this roof

Jesus is there to protect me and keep the worst of the storm out.

Do you need a promise today?

"But the Lord is my fortress; my God is a mighty rock where I can hide." Psalm 95:22

"For you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!" Psalm 61:3-4

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10