the Royal Road

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"Why, then, do you fear to take up the Cross, which is the road to the Kingdom? In the Cross is salvation; in the cross is life; in the Cross is protection against our enemies; in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind; in the Cross is joy of spirit; in the Cross is excellence of virtue, in the Cross is perfection of holiness. There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross. Take up your Cross, therefore, and follow Jesus..."

-Thomas A'Kempis

"On the Royal Road of the Holy Cross"

                                                                                                    Imitation of Christ 

 The only reason that we have life is because of the Road that Jesus walked for our sakes. 

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Down the Vía Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day
The soldiers tried to clear the narrow street
But the crowd pressed in to see
The Man condemned to die on Calvary

He was bleeding from a beating, there were stripes upon His back
And He wore a crown of thorns upon His head
And He bore with every step
The scorn of those who cried out for His death

Down the Vía Dolorosa called the way of suffering
Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King,
But He chose to walk that road out ofI
His love for you and me.

Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.

The blood that would cleanse the souls of all men
Made it's way through the heart of Jerusalem.

Down the Vía Dolorosa called the way of suffering
Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King
But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me
Down the Vía Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.

Via Dolorosa by Sandi Patti

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Jesus CHOSE to walk that Road, to endure the horrific suffering, the brutal beatings, and ultimately a heinous death upon the Cross- for my sake, and for yours.  Today, remember what the Lord willingly endured so that we could have abundant life in Him; and how we must also take up our crosses.  Jesus said in Luke 9:23, 

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow me."

I want to be a faithful disciple of the One who laid down His life for me, a sinner. I want to be a lover of the Cross.  I want to daily deny myself and take up my cross, and walk down this Road with my Savior by my side. Thank your for the Cross Lord.

Born in a Nest to Die on a Tree

Where's Jacky

A couple of nights ago I was resting with Jacky at bedtime {in his big boy bed} and I asked him, "Who loves you?" This was not a strange question because it's one we often ask him, to which he replies enthusiastically, "Mommy loves Jacky!" {or Daddy- depending on who asked} On this occasion he didn't stop with "Mommy"- he kept going with the list of people who "love Jacky." He was going through his list- "Daddy loves Jacky, and Mimi loves Jacky, Claire loves Jacky, Jesus loves Jacky, Papa loves Jacky, Coco loves Jacky, Grandma and Grandpa love Jacky, Missy loves Jacky, Jon Jon loves Jacky, Nana and Grandpa love Jacky..."
 I couldn't believe he said,

Jesus loves Jacky

so I said, "Jesus does love Jacky!" and he just said, "Yes- Jesus in his nest loves Jacky" and continued his list of all the family members and friends that love Jacky. 

There were two things that really struck me about this little conversation with my little two year old boy: 

He knows Jesus.  He knows Jesus loves him.  Of course he is only 2 and he doesn't understand salvation or sin or the cross, or even how truly incomprehensible and incredible it is that we are loved by the Creator of the universe; but he knows Jesus loves him.  

That is why the Lord sent his only son to die for our sins, because of his LOVE for us, so that we could be reconciled to Him, and have abundant life {here and now- not just for eternity}.  To know His love is the greatest journey.  I want Jack to know His love. To walk with Him, to seek Him, and to know the peace, strength, power, forgiveness, and abundant life that is found in loving Him. 

He knows Jesus at the beginning of His story. Jack described Jesus as in his nest.  His picture of Jesus is the baby in the "nest" of straw in the manger.  Jack doesn't yet understand that the rest of Jesus' story, and His ultimate act of LOVE for him, was on a tree- when he died on the cross.  This sweet little boy is just at the very beginnings of his walk with the Lord, but I pray that as he grows, so will his love for our Savior Jesus, who  "loves Jacky" so dearly.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8

the Lamp

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."

Ps. 119:105

I have read this verse so many times, but somehow when you feel like your path is obstructed or invisible or just plain difficult, this promise has an illuminating power that brings peace.

Sometimes things happen in life that you will never understand. It is sort of a horrible feeling too.  We (or at least I) have this innate desire to explain, justify, define, and understand circumstances that make no sense to us.  Life is full of "what-ifs" and "what's-next" and "why's"- this road is not an easy one to navigate.  We live in a world of hurt and sorrow and sin.  None of us are exempt, none of us are immune.

When the path seems the darkest, His Word shines its peace, hope, promise,  TRUTH and salvation even brighter.     In my 40 days of Freedom, I have been memorizing a verse a week.  I have found that replacing my worried, muddled thoughts with God's promises and truth, breathes life into the soul.

Memorizing scripture is also a form of meditation.  In Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster, meditation is described as,

 "listening to God's word, reflecting on God's works, rehearsing God's deeds, and ruminating on God's laws."

When we are actively engaged in listening to and reflecting on God's word, our spirit is fed and energized to do the things God has for us to do.  Whether that is just loving our children by being more patient, or encouraging our husbands, or having faith that the Lord will direct our paths, or extending forgiveness to someone; those things become more natural because they spring from the nature and mind of God.

It creates the space for God to speak to us and for us to HEAR that still small voice.

My verse this week is Psalm 62:5-6

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my HOPE comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress, I will not be shaken."

I believe the rest we find in the Lord is His peace that surpasses all understanding, so that our spirits are renewed and ready to act {as opposed to physical rest...although I need that as well!!}

Praying today that our paths will be illuminated by the Truth of God's word, no matter how dark or arduous {or even lovely}

the road might seem.  

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Rock Stars & Ruffles

 This boy.  I do not know where he picks these things up. I got him out of the bath and took him into his room. He looked in the mirror and laughed. He said,

"Jacky has crazy hair. I want to wear it!"

I thought that was funny, but what followed, was purely genius.
He makes his "angry" face {furrowed brow} yells,

"Rock Star!!!"

and he proceeds to dance around, shake his head and pretend to play the guitar. Seriously? I have no idea, but it was so cute and hilarious! He's an entertainer {and he wore his "rock star" hair all day}.

And just in case that is not enough cuteness for one post...

Ruffles! Pink Ruffles! on one adorable little Claire bear {and I promise this won't be the only time they are featured on this blog}
Have a happy Wednesday! {oh and if you love her headband like I do- you can buy the tutorials to DIY here from Aly@ Mommie Diaries!}

A Mundane Monday {turned lovely}

Oh Monday.

Mondays seem to be harder now than they used to be. I suppose it is akin to all the 9-5ers who dread the weekend ending, and the daily grind of the workweek getting underway once again on Monday.  It is just so nice to have Sean home on Saturday and Sunday. I need him. I need help. He is wonderful and I so appreciate him, but it makes Monday that much more arduous. It affects Jack too.  He loves having Daddy home to play with him and {pretty much} devote all his attention to him.  Then Monday comes and its back to sharing Mommy with Claire Bear, and that is not nearly as fun.  

Well today I had an eye dr. appointment where they dialated my eyes  {which translated into a major headache all day- thanks so much}, then I went to Trader Joe's, while the peewees were at my mom's house.  Jack always has fun at Mimi's house and his cuzzies came over too which is just a bonus for him.  But I was tired all day and my headache quickly turned into a neck ache and before I knew it, I was counting the hours till 6:00 when Daddy would be home. 

Claire took a long nap around 4:00 so I had some time just to play with Jack and he wanted to play play-doh.  I secretly hate play-doh because the little pieces that inevitably end up in the carpet, and I also can't stand when the colors get mixed together- which is virtually impossible to prevent when you are talking about a 2 year old.  I also love play-doh because it is amazing to see the creativity and imagination this little boy has.  

He makes "creatures" and snakes then turns them into "blasters" and "bad guys." 

 He makes me smile. 

Even when I'm tired and achey and wishing for help, 

he makes my day lovely, 

everyday.  

Mmm D'Licious: Cherry Cheesecake

Friday was my husband's birthday and no birthday celebration is complete without dessert!! I guess I could have added this as my reason #9 that I love Sean- our mutual LOVE for cheesecake {and this cherry cheesecake in particular}.  Ok- I may love it a little more than he does. I even make it for myself on my birthday! The recipe comes from my great-grandmother Mimi's kitchen.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 (8oz) packages cream cheese {take out of refrigerator at least 30 min. before to let soften}
3 eggs
1 C sugar
11/2 tsp vanilla

16oz sour cream
3-6 Tbs sugar
1tsp vanilla

Crust:
32 graham cracker squares
4 Tbs sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2/3 cube butter

My cheat: 2 cans Comstock More Fruit Cherry Pie Filling for the topping

Directions:
Mix all ingredients for the crust in a food processor
Press firmly into 10in. spring form pan
Refrigerate

In mixing bowl beat cream cheese until soft
In separate bowl, beat eggs until fluffy
Add sugar gradually to eggs and beat (on high) until smooth and pale yellow
Add vanilla
Combine egg mixture to the cream cheese and mix thoroughly
Pour into crust

Bake @ 350 for 40 minutes (until center is firm)

A few minutes before it is done, mix sour cream, vanilla and sugar together
{I add sugar until I think it tastes good...usually 6 Tbs.}
Spread over hot cheesecake and return to oven for 5 min.

Remove and allow to cool.
Refrigerate for several hours. I have done it the day before, or the day of (in the morning for that evening).

I usually add the cherries before serving, but you can do it as soon as the cheesecake is cool. I spoon them on because you do not want all the syrup, just the cherries!

*Warning* Keep out of reach of small children...may cause sticky fingers!

                Enjoy...he did!

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Happy Birthday to One Special Guy.

Today is a very special day in the Bradford household! It is Sean's Birthday! Most of the time my blogs are about our babies, or some tasty recipe, or things we do as a family, and even sometimes just my thoughts on things, but today- its all about HIM.

For those of you who don't know our story- here is a little synopsis of our journey together and 8 reasons I love Sean Michael Bradford.

1. The Beginning:

It was 8 (wow) years ago, in the Springtime that I met this boy. I walked into a church office where I was applying for an internship to work in the high school youth group and I was introduced to him in passing.  He said, "Hi" and smiled. I thought, "ok. wow." Super tan, blondish, buff, gorgeous smile, GORGEOUS eyes, ok. hmm. first impression: I was impressed.  Over the next 5 or 6 months I got to know him and was completely blown away. It was as if God asked me to write down every possible characteristic I would want in a boy and then He promptly rolled them all into one {incredibly handsome} guy named Sean. 

2. The Real Deal:

 He, first of all, loves the Lord with all his heart and wants nothing more than to please Him and serve Him with his life.  He has a beautiful soul. He is so compassionate and loving, patient and unselfish, romantic and intelligent (just to name a few).  I fell in love with him with a guitar in his arms, sand in his hair, surrounded by high school kids; now I get to wake up next to him everyday, thankful that the Lord blessed me with this incredible, faithful, devoted, hardworking, man who inspires me to walk ever closer to the Lord, to laugh and not get caught up in the tangely-webly things of life, and to enjoy every precious moment we are given.  I'm so glad I get to walk this Road with him by my side! I love him with all my heart!! 

ahh so young and in love :-)

3. The "Rocky" part of our Road:

Our road to being "together" however was anything but picture perfect.  I knew God has chosen him for me and despite the difficulties we faced early on in our "dating" we held fast to the Lord and to each other and to the truth of the matter which was that we were made for each other {period}. 

First Valentine's Day together & Bicycle built for 2!

The River: He makes me do crazy things!

4. The Ring:

We dated for a less than a year and got engaged in July 2004, in hot air balloon right as the sun was setting over the beautiful ocean!

5. The Travels:

The next semester we both transferred to the same university and decided to study abroad in Roma, Italia! We traveled all over Italy together and also visited Spain, Scotland, and France! It was an unforgettable trip of a lifetime and I'm so glad we got to experience it together!

Rome: the Colosseum

Rome: Piazza Novona

Rome

Lake Como, Italy

Venice, Italy

Scotalnd

Paris, France

Sorrento, Italy

6. The Wedding:

We were married on January 21, 2006! What an amazing day it was! I truly was everything I had ever hoped or dreamed it would be,  because of the man that stood at the end of the aisle. He is my best friend, an amazing husband, and I'm so thankful we get to walk this road together.

7. & 8. The Babies:

Sean is such an amazing father and I have treasured watching him with Jack and now Claire too.  Its so cool to see the person you love in a new capacity.  Before we had kids I didn't know him as a father, but now it is one of the things I love most about him. He is just an amazing Daddy and Jack loves him SO much and I know he already has a special bond with Daddy's little girl too :-) These babies are blessed beyond measure to have a true example of what God's love for us as our Heavenly Father looks like.  And I am blessed to be able to witness it on a daily basis.

       

   

        I know this is the longest post ever...but I just really love this man.

Happy Birthday Babe! Here's to many, many more adventures together on Bradford Road. 

I love you.