This Is The Day ,The Lord Has Made...

I will rejoice,
I will give thanks!
And live my life,
to give you praise,
This is the day the Lord has made!
This was one of my favorite songs that the choir prepared for the Easter Celebration! To practice the songs, we have a CD to listen to and I have to say that God used this song to show me that every day is a blessing and that He is worthy to be praised! The first time it really hit me was on a two hour trip to my grandmother's house. I was singing and deep conviction came over me and tears poured, because I realized that so often I don't think God is big enough to handle things in my life. I realized that all of my complaining and griping and wishing for things is disbelief- sin against a Holy God! During the past two weeks, when I have found myself complaining about something, I start singing this song and it changes my earthly perspective to that Eternal perspective that we have been studying about in our Life Group.
Our spring break was a little different this year, because Terry had sinus surgery, so we pretty much hung around the house. Clayton was so sweet, his only request was to go to the zoo. So by Friday, Terry felt o.k. to go on an outing! Well needless to say, the whole way there, this song was going through my head! I LOVE spending quality time with my family, so this was a wonderful day. The weather was beautiful too! God is so good!
First we went to the indoor play area because Clayton thought Claire would like it- well he was wrong- she LOVED it. In fact we had to leave with her kicking and screaming! The first animal we saw was a huge rabbit. When I lifted her up to see it , she clenched her teeth together and giggled! She kept pointing and babbling to Clayton. She is so different than Clayton. He has always been an animal lover and will pet or hold anything! When Terry held her close to pet it , she squealed with laughter, but would not touch it! It was like she wanted to, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it! She enjoyed playing in the "barn".
She also had fun pounding the hammer and making lots of noise!
We did not get to see a lot of animals up close, because it was so hot, they were in the shade! One of Clayton's favorites was when we watched an elephant giving himself a mud bath to stay cool! We watched from a distance!
After walking for a while, we decided to cool off with a drink and some ice cream! Claire shared with Terry. She kept saying, "UMMMMM!" after every bite.
Claire enjoyed the apes best of all! She got up close to the glass to watch them play. She just giggled and giggled!
Terry was getting a little tired and we tried to avoid the "nature trail" and take the short cut so he could rest, but God had plans for Clayton and I. Somehow we ended up on the trail. As Terry and Claire went ahead of us, I looked at Clayton and realized that my baby has grown up so fast! We had a good time just talking together about how God is so creative and must love diversity in the way that he created all of the different animals! He had fun quizzing me on my Tennessee History! I think he was impressed that I got a lot of them right! That was one of my favorite parts of the day- spending time with my precious Clayton! Here we are taking a pic of ourselves in the tunnel!
After catching up with Terry and Claire, we headed to the petting zoo in the kid's area. After watching Clayton, Claire decided to be brave and brush the goats. Clayton said, "Remember Claire, one of the rules is to brush them gently!" The look on her face was priceless! She had such focus- and she was sticking out her tongue, just like her Daddy!
On the way home everyone fell asleep in the car. I was driving and singing.... This is the day-the Lord has made......
What a wonderful way to end a special week!
Father, thank you for the blessing of family time! Thank you for showing me that everyday is a blessing, everyday is a day that you have made and planned for me in your sovereignty! I will rejoice, I will give thanks! May I live my life to bring you praise!