Faith

The Bradley family has had a lot of health issues and many family fasts during the past three months. It has made me wonder about how much faith I have. Thankfully, everyone has been very blessed so far and I have learned a lot about fasting. I am reading Sheri Dew's book, "No One Can Take Your Place" right now and I have learned a lot about faith. It has made me think about a lot of things. The book says, "Challenges that tax our faith are usually opportunities to stretch and strengthen our faith by finding out if we really believe the Lord will help us. If your faith is wobbly, if you're not sure the Lord will come to your aid, experiment, put Him to the test....Faith in Jesus Christ leads us to repent, or turn away from sins that hold us spiritually captive, and to obey with exactness....Undoubtedly, every one of us has sins he or she needs to give away. An important question, then, is: What favorite sins, large or small, are you willing to give away--right now, today--in order to increase your access to the power of God?" This small portion of this book has been the source of many conversations/discussions in our home this past week. We have been discussing our favorite sins and what we are willing to give up to increase the power of God in our lives. We have come up with some great ideas and are putting them to the test! My faith has definitely been a little stronger lately and I am trying to be more humble. This book has been sitting on my shelf for a few years and I think I was inspired to pick it up at the right time of my life. I have learned so much! It has made me think about my attitude and make some needed changes. I have learned more at during my temple attendance, during church and during my personal scripture study. What a blessing!

I really don't add to this to much but I feel that I need to today. Things are starting to look up already for this new year and I am looking forward to it. I got a new job starting tonight. I will be working graves but it will be for the best for me and my family. For the first time in along time I feel like things are going in the right direction. For those of you that have kept us in your prayers thank you. I have felt the difference. I don't have alot to say but that is what I am feeling right now. I love my wife and our sons so much.

Random Holiday Pictures

Playing a really fun game with friends on New Year's Eve....

Cute face, huh? New Year's Eve party....

Paul was building a "sky scraper" and it went the way of the dodo.

My niece Ashley with Santa on Christmas Eve.

Kymberly with Santa.

Halle was being very brave on Santa's lap.

Emily with Santa.

A blurry picture of my mom with her newest granddaughter, Kenadee Marie Bradley.

Hayden made a "bench" outside our front door with lots of snow and painted a welcome sign for our open house.

My cute dad!

My nephew Tyson with his Big Blue hat and dragon shield!

My nephew KJ asking Santa for a special treat! The background....Jeri, my sister-in-law, asked us what we wanted for Christmas. For any of you who know my husband, he immediately responded with "a little red number with a slit up the side...." Well, Jeri set out to find us the perfect "little red number" and found a "Mrs. Clause nightie." I could tell something was up when everyone was watching me open this present with extra interest! Anyway, when Santa showed up, KJ was dared to ask Santa for something that "would fit in this." Santa's face matched his suit for a minute and had a great comeback....he responded with "I don't know if you would know what to do with it if you got it!" We all had a great laugh...It was a fun night!

Cheyenne preparing to be Cindy Lou from "The Grinch"

A tradition at many past Bradley family Christmas parties was to sing along with the Disney Christmas Sing Along video. It has been a fun part of Christmas Eve for probably 20 years or so. This is a portion of Rudolf.....with several of my nieces and nephews singing....Some of them act like they don't like their pictures taken!