And Can It Be?

 And can it be that we had two amazing snow days in March in Virginia?

 And can it be that Paul is an amazing skier? He can ski the whole mountain at Massanutten. (Black diamonds included, with nice turns!)

 And can it be that these two continue to be close friends and don't seem to compete against each other or feel threatened by one another's success?

 And can it be that these two have huge amounts of fun together, with or without Grandma Bev's Mardi Gras loot. The pussy willow behind them is beloved because of a song they sing in their music class.

 And can it be that we finally got to go on the beautiful hike behind Grandma Bev's house?

 AND CAN IT BE THAT my friend Kara is now home with her precious kids (Jack, Grant, and baby Elsa)? http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/karamartin

 Kara's efforts at gratitude, along with a book I'm reading about thankfulness inspired this blog post.

And can it be that these two got along like best buddies while Kara was in the hospital? Grant is one of those friends who brings out the best in Samuel. 

 And can it be that I caught Jack's smile on camera?

 And can it be that Anthony gets to work in such a pretty setting? Paul and Micah had guitar and violin class twice a week this year.

 And can it be that I have such an unimaginably great family?

 And can it be that I have the best mom in the world?

 And can it be that God loves me even when I'm a lousy mom? (If you can look past the disastrous mess, you will find a sleeping Sam who put himself to sleep on the floor while his mom ignored him.)

 And can it be that Anthony and I have an 8 year old son?

 And can it be that these brothers love one another?

 And can it be that we live so close to the cool capital of a great country?

 And can it be that Anthony's uncle George died in Vietnam when he was only 20? Anthony's dad's poem provides words to express the quietness of the wall: http://www.vvmf.org/thewall/anClip=32046

 And can it be that so many names are on that wall?

 And can it be that Lincoln didn't think his words at Gettysburg would be remembered?

 And can it be that the contrast of light and darkness has recently appeared in our sermon series, Micah's individual Bible study, our Spanish learning (la luz y la oscuridad), one of our current favorite songs (by Tenth Avenue North http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO8R0GNS_E4) and in the powerful, new Martin Luther King, Jr. monument?

And can these boys also bring light into the world?

 And can it be that Micah's Washington, D. C. birthday trip was great even with lousy weather?

 And can it be that Micah has great friends like Paul and Christian?

 Will it be that Samuel Monroe will someday serve in the White House?

 And can it be that the Math Alive exhibit was Micah's highlight?

 And can it be that Micah still wants to move to China when he grows up and Paul continues to ask if we can go visit his friend Liam in Japan "on our way to Mexico"?

And can it be that Paul sits for "school" with Riley and Kasey nearly every day after they get home?

 And can it be that these little guys have their passports to go to Mexico for the year?

Here is the real "And Can It Be" by Charles Wesley:

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior's blood?

Died He for me who caused His pain!

For me who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be that

Thou, my God, should die for me?

He left His Father's throne above,

So free, so infinite His grace!

Emptied himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam's helpless race.

'Tis mercy all, immense and free,

for O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay, 

Fast bound in sin and nature's night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach the eternal throne, 

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.