she laughed!

just wanted to let everyone know that ava officially laughed 3 times last night around 9pm. i was just having fun making her smile and she started laughing and snorting. such good times! love being a dad.

6 Christians brutally murdered in India - please pray for them!

Orissa is a state in India that has had much persecution in the past. But there are many hundreds of Christians that really need your prayers right now. Our prayers right now are so crucial and in heaven, we will see the fruit from them!

To see a video update go here http://www.gfa.org/orissa-update

India (MNN) ― Persecution against Christians in India has taken a turn for the worse.

President and Founder of Gospel for Asia KP Yohannan is calling it the most outrageous killing and burning spree he has seen to date. "So far, more than 130 homes of our believers have been complete destroyed -- burned down. 15 churches were destroyed. One of our churches -- they bombed it. Six of our workers and believers were brutally murdered."

A few were beaten up and burned alive, while others were dismembered. "It's been one of the most difficult and painful times in the history of our work," says Yohannan.

Orissa is the same state where missionary Graham Staines and his two sons were burned alive in their car in 1999. Yohannan says, "Orissa is one of the most unreached regions in the entire subcontinent of India."

A dejected Yohannan says the radical Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), or the World Hindu Council, is responsible. "This is the Taliban in Hinduism. These people believe India must be a Hindu nation. All else must go. It's kind of an ethnic cleansing they are after."

The violence started when a well-know Swami was murdered by communists in Orissa. Yohannan says the VHP put a spin on the murder. "The fundamentalists decided, 'no, it was the Christians that did it,' and so persecution broke out, and it continues."

Similar persecution took place in December, forcing thousands from their homes. It's uncertain if the central government will do anything to quell the violence.

Yohannan says many people are turning to Christ in Orrisa, which is why the state passed anti-conversion legislation. He says, "A non-Christian cannot become a Christian unless they get permission from the government. If they try to get baptized without that permission, they can go to jail for a number of years. The anti-Christian sentiment and opposition is very severe."

Yohannan is encouraging you to pray and do a few things.

First, contact your political representatives to voice support for Christians in Orissa.

Secondly, GFA needs funding to help Christians who have been forced from their homes. "Literally thousands of Christians are stranded. And they are hiding and running for their lives. And our own Bridge of Hope Centers -- caring for thousands of children -- are shut down in many places because of opposition." Thousands of dollars will be needed to help rebuild house and churches there.

Thirdly, Yohannan would like you to fast and pray for the situation in Orissa State.

a documentary about giraffes. by miss ava rizzo.

70's birthday bash

We had a birthday bash deal-e-o for our friend Stephanie last night with a 70's theme! It was a lot of fun and were able to put together outifts for the whole family for under $8. We even found this cute tie-dye onesie for Ava for $1.

Heres some photos. If you listen closely, you just might hear some disco music... Can you dig it? Please don't laugh too hard. :)

our last photos from washington

alright, i am finally getting to post the third installment of photos from our trip to washington a couple of weeks ago. it sure is nice to look through the photos and remember the fun.

the beautiful architecture photos came from my visit to the washington capital. beautiful pieces of history inside.

i especially liked the quote on the monument that stands out front: "greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

enjoy :)

the girls hangin out. the g, tress, megan and lil ava.

ava hanging out with her aunty "g-money"

aunty ange

when we asked bonnie where ava's brain was... this is the result ;-)

grandpa's always have creative ways to carry kids around