i always have such a mixture of emotions at this time of year...such sadness that summer is over, but a little glad to get back into a routine.  we always take "first day of school" pictures, and here they are...will, of course, HATES this tradition!    doesn't stop me though!  will is going into 9th, hannah into 7th, and kathryn into 5th.

we have been fervently working at hannah kate on a new venture...a catalog...which is different than the trunk shows we do, as the catalog wont be "custom" clothing so much as in choosing your fabrics, etc., but rather ordering it as you see it in the catalog.  im SO EXCITED about the way the photos are turning out.  here is a sampling...visit our website at www.hannahkateonline.com

yesterday, our sermon was titled www.snapfish.com/the skull, and the text was Luke 23:32-43. it was extremely convicting.  our pastor started off with the need for each of us to "download" the snapshots of the Savior.  one major "snapshot" is of His grace.  we have a Savior who gets His hands dirty with our filth.  He is near to the broken and ashamed.  another snapshot is of His kindness.  The God of the universe, INFINITELY HOLY, was willing to turn towards a hardened thief on the cross, and speak kindness to him.  as we turn to Him, He speaks kindness to us.  another snapshot...His generosity...He gave the thief FAR MORE than he ever imagined, not only forgiving him and saving him, but even telling him that TODAY you will be with me in Paradise.  how precious...

the next "point" was that we need to download the mugshots of ourselves...if we ever hope to see the beauty of the Savior, we have to look at our own "mugshots."  he said, "nothing will cloud your view of the beauty of the Savior more than your own self-righteousness."  only those who realize they are sick see their need for the Great Physician.  the word "criminal" means "worker of evil".  even on our best day, we are law breakers.  we need to see that we are violent offenders of God's word.  and...we are repeat offenders.  the beauty of it all is that God wants us to see our own mugshot so that we might despair of our own ability to merit our salvation or favor with Him.  only then, will we really see what is so amazing about His grace...that we have nothing to bring to the table except for our sin...nothing we do or dont do makes Him love us any more or any less.  that really is AMAZING...and apart from seeing that mugshot, Jesus wont be "beauty" to us.

the last "point" was our need to download the "glamourshots" of grace...he spoke of true repentance...if we are more angry than broken over the consequences of our sin, that is a sign of not being truly repentant.  there are no "buts" in repentance.  this was a very quick overview, and really doesn't do his sermon justice, but im OUT OF TIME!!!  my kids are calling.  hope this will encourage someone like it did me.