Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Oh, Be Careful.....
Well I know it's been a couple days since I posted anything so I thought I'd have the girls sing you all a song! Seth isn't in it...well you know Seth...not his thing:) I'll have more soon. Love you all
-S
The Transforming Power of Forgiveness
Here is an article that was given to me and I thought it was great!
The Transforming Power of Forgiveness by: C.S Cowles
In his sprawling novel of the French Revolution, Les Miserables, Victor Hugo spins a remarkable story of forgiveness and its power to transform character. For the crime of stealing bread, Jean Valjean was sentenced to 19 years of hard labor. Upon his released, he wandered four days as a homeless vagrant. Finally, a kindly bishop had mercy on him and took him in. That night, Valjean rummaged through the cupboard of the family silver, stuffed in his sack, and crept off into the darkness.
The next morning, three policemen knocked on the bishop's door with Valjean in cuffs. They caught the felon in flight with the stolen silver, and were ready to send the scoundrel back to prison for life. The bishop exclaimed, "So here you are!I'm delighted to see you. Had you forgotten that I gave you the candlesticks as well? They're silver like the rest, and worth a good 200 francs. Did you forget to take them?"
Jean's eyes widened in disbelief, The police were incredulous. The bishop assured them that Valjean was no thief. "This silver was my gift to him."
After the police left, the bishop gave the candlesticks to his guest, now trembling with gratitude. He felt like a condemned man whose life had just been given back to him."Do not forget,do not ever forget," says the bishop,"that you have promised me to use the money to make yourself an honest man."
The bishop's gift of grace defies every natural instinct and social understanding of justice. He neither demands nor waits for evidence of repentance. He believes that true forgiveness is a "gift" that goes "before"the recipient has done anything to merit it.
Jean Valjeans's granite heart melted. He became a changed man, and devoted the rest of his life to helping others. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;the old has gone, the new has come!"(2 Corinthians 5:17)
The Transforming Power of Forgiveness by: C.S Cowles
In his sprawling novel of the French Revolution, Les Miserables, Victor Hugo spins a remarkable story of forgiveness and its power to transform character. For the crime of stealing bread, Jean Valjean was sentenced to 19 years of hard labor. Upon his released, he wandered four days as a homeless vagrant. Finally, a kindly bishop had mercy on him and took him in. That night, Valjean rummaged through the cupboard of the family silver, stuffed in his sack, and crept off into the darkness.
The next morning, three policemen knocked on the bishop's door with Valjean in cuffs. They caught the felon in flight with the stolen silver, and were ready to send the scoundrel back to prison for life. The bishop exclaimed, "So here you are!I'm delighted to see you. Had you forgotten that I gave you the candlesticks as well? They're silver like the rest, and worth a good 200 francs. Did you forget to take them?"
Jean's eyes widened in disbelief, The police were incredulous. The bishop assured them that Valjean was no thief. "This silver was my gift to him."
After the police left, the bishop gave the candlesticks to his guest, now trembling with gratitude. He felt like a condemned man whose life had just been given back to him."Do not forget,do not ever forget," says the bishop,"that you have promised me to use the money to make yourself an honest man."
The bishop's gift of grace defies every natural instinct and social understanding of justice. He neither demands nor waits for evidence of repentance. He believes that true forgiveness is a "gift" that goes "before"the recipient has done anything to merit it.
Jean Valjeans's granite heart melted. He became a changed man, and devoted the rest of his life to helping others. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;the old has gone, the new has come!"(2 Corinthians 5:17)
Monday, February 16, 2009
Cripple Creek
Well for Valentines Day we all went to Divide and spent to night with some friends. The next day we took a couple vehicles to Cripple Creek and they had Ice Fest 2009 and it was all ice sculptures! It was pretty cool. They had a maze made of ice and a huge castle. We had a good time even though it was FREEEEEZIN'!!!!:) It was a neat little town. We also drove up to a place called Victor, there is a lot of gold mines up there but because of weather the roads were blocked off. We were sad that we couldn't get all the way up there to see all the trucks and stuff but it was still a pretty cool drive(if you like narrow, twisty, make you want to throw up, is there any oxygen left in the air,kinda roads:) We had a good time but we were VERY tired when we finally got home. I've been told that the elevation really wears you out and you have to make sure you drink a lot of water or you will feel sick. Well if anyone is ever in the area I would recommend you take the drive up there. It is beautiful!!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
"My show starts in 5..and I can't find my nose!!!"
LOL This is great! Shelby found an old costume that Grandma made and she still go it on! She is so funny.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Grandma's handy work!!!!
Mom made Gracie's pj's and the skirt that Tonya is wearing! Great job mom. We love them.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
AHHHH!!!!!
I am so sick of everyone being sick!!!!! LOL. Lets see in the past week, Jeff D, Jeffrey, Shelby, Gracie, Seth, Emilee, me and Jeff have all been sick. With all different kinds sicknesses, from strep throat, cold, fever, acid reflux, to flu like symptoms! yeah!! Sounds like fun doesn't it. For the most part, the Duddek's are pretty much getting better, and my girls are feeling better, now it is Jeff and Seth, both with sore throats and fever. We will all be ok soon I'm sure, but until then... well I will try to get on later on today and post something more interesting. love you all, Steph
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
She's READING!!!!!
WOW!! Shelby read her first words today in phonics! She read "nut" and "bat "!!!!!! Can you believe she is only in K-4 and next year when she starts kKindergarten she will be reading already! That is so amazing! Jeffrey and Gracie read as well. Gracie knows her blends pretty well.. she is not as quick as Jeffrey and Shelby but she can identify and say the sounds of letters separate and together in blends(ex: "ba" and "nu") then they add the last consonant and they have their first words! Amazing! Anyway. I thought you would all like to know.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Seth's B'day at the Hunts
After church Wednsday night pastor Hunt and his wife invited us over for some cake for Seth's birthday. Seth loved his gift!! We are going to bring it back to the church next Sunday and try to see deer on the hill in front of the house. We always see big deer there and now Seth can get a close up!
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