Jude Thomas

Well, well, well...look who decided to start blogging again! i wasn't very good about doing it before...so we'll see. I picked a great time to start up again...just as one of my favorite shows, 24, is starting. I guess i can type during commercials.

We adopted our little boy last summer! Jude Thomas officially became a Heitschmidt on January 22, 2010. He is so precious and continuously makes us smile. I marvel at how far we've come over the last couple of years. A wide range of emotions; fear, anxiety, a lot of anger, a lot of questions, deep sadness, loneliness, hope, happiness, and joy. While we started our family through adoption out of necessity, we realize now what a spectacular example it is of God's love. We've been chosen by Him, adopted into His family, pulled out of the ashes and consecrated for His glory. We anxiously await the next addition to our family, knowing the Lord has all these things in His hands.

I've been reading a great book lately, Visioneering, by Andy Stanley. If you've ever had a vision about what your life should be spent doing, if you've ever had a deep passion for something, if you've ever felt the world as you know it should be different than what it is, you should read this book. It discusses the difference between good ideas, which fade, and God given visions, that require His leading.

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Memorial Day weekend at Long Beach Washington. A fantastic break and time to see Janice's family as well as let Espn swim in the ocean. That dog had such a fun time jumping all over the surf and waves.

The Golf Membership...

I got it again. I talked Janice into letting me get the golf membership at Canyon Lakes again. However, this year it came with more of a price. It now costs the membership + new patio furniture + her manicure/pedicure on Sunday...This was much easier last year when I was just able to get the membership.

So, tomorrow, I'll be on the greens while she's getting the manny/peddy. Then in the afternoon, we can enjoy drinks on the patio.

More good news...Espn hit her 2nd birthday May 15th. Janice got her a new bed and a new pink collar. I don't know why we can't get more of a cool collar, because the pink just doesn't say coolness when I take her to the park for some dock jumping.

Happy Easter!!! In mass today we were reminded that Good Friday is ALWAYS followed by Easter Sunday! Regardless of who we are, we can now approach His throne with confidence. Jesus' death and resurrection tore the veil from top to bottom and we have the ability to approach the Holy of Holies without fear. While Good Friday has perhaps resembled darkness, fear, loneliness in our lives....we can now receive the light, hope, and joy that comes with knowing Christ and what he has done for us! For in Jesus there is no darkness...NONE.

Our circumstances don't necessarily changed because of this, but our reaction to our circumstances does...we now have someone who is above all things and can help us navigate through all of life's trials...someone we can approach freely, lifting up prayers knowing there is a God who hears and feel the peace that is ours because of His sacrifice for you, me and the entire human race.

He is Risen!

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. It's a special day, representing the core of our faith, the reason we get up every morning and are able to face the day.

There are moments of life we all face...dark, sad times that make us feel wobbly, uncertain of who we are and what our purpose is. Life takes us down roads we don't understand because we never expected to be there. We question the fairness of what we face, mourn over bad decisions, wonder "why them and not me?" We watch our world crumble around us or those we love. We cry and pray and hear only silence in return. The ground we walk on suddenly feels like shifting sand beneath our feet. Relationships fail and people disappoint us. The valley is deep and the shadows are long. All the while we long for a light and for peace, but it never seems to come. We're always searching, always longing, always wondering. Any room for hope is squelched by the fear that moves through our heart.

Yes....we all go through days like Good Friday, where the only sound that breaks through the silence is the sound of defeat and heartache....darkness settles over us. And all hope is gone.

Almost 9 years

On our great Disneyland trip, we realized that this year will be 9 years of Janice and I being married! Holy Cow! 9 years? What the heck happened? We were just on our honeymoon at Disneyland, and bam, 9 years later we're back visiting some friends on a business trip...When did we grow up? I might as well start telling stories saying, "Back in my day..."