Luke 12:32-34

How do you give young people a vision for eternal treasures in heaven? It's a work only God can do. But I'm hoping that I can help the boys and girl see Christ in all His glory. He is the ultimate and most precious treasure of all.

Luke 12:32-34
³² Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. ³³ “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Basketball

This was Andrew's first year on the school team - 8th grade BMS Boys' basketball. Although they started the season with a loss, they ended up 9-4. Not bad!

At about 5'9", Andrew is one of the taller kids. But like his dad, he's not one of the thicker kids so he plays more of a small forward position. Unfortunately, at this age, there are only basically two groups of kids - the big ones and the guards. He's not quite big enough to be a big. And not quite quick enough to big a guard.

He managed to find a comfortable spot for himself on the baseline. It was a good spot not quite down low with the big boys and not all the way out on the perimeter either.

He managed to get off some good shots during the season. He didn't play a lot, but he kept trying to improve and contribute. Here are some of the season highlights:

Andrew started to move without the ball better and got a nice pass.

He's got to work on a more convincing pump fake, but it was a nice drive to the hoop.

After drawing the foul, he hit 1 of 2 free throws.

One of the big areas he was working on this year was rebounding. Here's a rebound with a nice outlet pass.

Not a bad steal and assist.

They ended the season in the consolation bracket championship game. They couldn't quite pull it off, but it was a great season nonetheless!

The beach

I've been meaning to post this for a while. These are from our Thanksgiving trip to LA, last year! I thought it would be a nice anticipation of summer as the weather gets warmer as well as a nice contrast to all the snow.

Because as much as the boys and girl love the snow, they also love the beach!

And the waves!

And we love to make sand castles. Actually, we love to make ditches and walls more. It's always fun to see how long our creations can survive the waves.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7

I try and be sober minded with the boys and girl when we memorize Scripture. Especially this passage as we talk about the Word of God and how to love Him everywhere we go and all the time. But sometimes, you just can't get rid of the giggles.

Of course, it doesn't help when your older brothers are planning a sneak attack.

The 3rd time is always the charm...actually, it was really the 5th but we didn't need to see every attempt!

Deuteronomy 6:4-7
⁴ “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! ⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. ⁶ These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

Yosemite

Recently, we took the boys and girl to Yosemite. It was our first time (except for Sandy who went in college).

Once we got there (getting there was a whole different story! Always remember to bring chains...), it was GORGEOUS! The splendor of God was singing from the mountains and skies and waterfalls. This was a perfect spot with El Capitan to the left, Half Dome straight ahead and a waterfall to the right.

It was a quick trip so we just did a little bit of hiking. Or strolling at times.

We saw Half Dome up close.

And Mirror Lake - do you see the reflection?

It drew Andrew into some deep reflection himself...

Sandy took plenty of photos.

Everyone got a turn.

Yosemite Falls was raging. Because of all the rain this year, all of the waterfalls were really going. It was impressive.

We rented a house in the woods. It was very picturesque.

Emery and Matt managed to pile up enough snow to build a miniature snow man.

And do some sledding.

It wasn't fast but it was boss.

It's always more fun sledding together!

Yosemite ended up being a great trip.

Snow days

Living in Benicia, we obviously don't see much snow. But in other parts of CA, there's a ton! Especially this winter. So we decided to take a trip up north to visit our good friends the Paytons.

Emery especially has been wanting to play in the snow, and she got her wish. Snow was falling with a bunch already on the ground.

She also got to hang with her good friend Hannah. Finally! Some girl time for the both of them!

Nothing like some fort building girl bonding time.

That's Matt tucked away in all that jacket. He started with a small snow ball...

Then he got it a little bigger...

And then it got even bigger...he looks kinda lonely way out there, doesn't he?

Then Micah came over to help out. I think the boys were building their own bunker under the trees.

At some point, everyone might have attacked Andrew.

All in all, it was a GREAT trip. Tons of snow and tons of fun. Thanks for having us Payton family!