Using Social Media as a Follower of Christ

 So for about half a year I have been praying and reflecting on social media. I have a friend who was talking about a topic that had become very heated, and asked a great question: "Does this topic you are fighting for help hurt your testimony?" At that point something in me clicked. God had used this question to get me thinking about how I use social media. 

 I had already cut back a lot of my political posts, but after this question I started thinking about how those posts affect those that need to hear the Gospel? Someone who disagrees with my political post might shut down when I try spreading the message of Christ. And yes I understand that some people will not like that statement and may call it cowardly, but what is more important? If someone is conservative or liberal politically, or if they are saved through Jesus Christ? So I stopped with the political posts, and sometimes I make a comment on someone else's post (usually a former student just trying to get them to see both points of view as valid arguments.)

 Then God showed me a way to use social media. Many people will post scripture, and that's great, but many non-believers don't know how that scripture applies to their current lives and so they will dismiss it. So God had me start sharing my sermon notes. Through this there may be those that are non-believers, or believers who don't attend a worship service for what ever reason to not only receive the Message, but to hear how it applies to our current lives because let's face it, the Bible IS applicable in today's society. 

 Now I'm not saying this the only positive thing you can do with social media. I also post stuff about my wife, boys, family, and friends, but I also have a lot of family and friends I don't see often and this gives them a way to still be connected in my life if they want to be. I also post nerdy stuff, and I mean a lot of nerdy stuff (to a point where another loves to make fun of it, and then we both laugh about it.) But these posts also help me connect with other nerdy people, so of which may not know the Gospel and now there is an open door to hear it through. 

 To my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I challenge to pray and reflect on do your posts help or hurt your testimony?

 

What do you mean the 2 Zs are 4?!?!?!

So the little miracles know as Zad & Zeke are now 4!!! When did this happen? The past year has been a year of many growths for the ZZs. 

Potty training is probably the biggest. Where as we were struggling a lot at the beginning of the year, Zad & Zeke are now diaper free and not only go to the potty, but go without even having to tell us (although this can be scary in a restaurant.)

In the winter we started learning how much we like rides, with our first one being a carousel, and later would go to Six Flags for the first time.

We got to play in REAL snow for the first time.

Zeke started asking for it to snow everyday after that. The ZZs had their first experience at a gymnastics gym (I think they had some fun.)

Zad & Zeke also started picking out their own donuts at the donut shop. 

The spring was a time to learn about kites. This became a big deal for the ZZs.

For the first time at March of Dimes, the ZZs walked the entire thing without a stroller.

 Finally the ZZs experienced their first Free Comic Book Day! 

The summer involved a great deal of seeing family and playing with mommy & daddy. The ZZs even started swimming (with floaties) without mom or dad helping. They also got to go bowling for the first time.

 As mentioned earlier Zeke & Zad got to enjoy their first time at Six Flags and they loved it. 

As fall came around we enjoyed going to Hardin-Simmons University for the first time for homecoming,

 Trunk or Treat,

 

a few days at Lake Travis,

 

and enjoyed our Thanksgiving in Mineola. 

As we start winter up, we enjoyed our 4 Christmases & two weeks with mom & dad. 

Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís

Tillitson Clan

3 Means Go, Go, Go!!!

3 years old, wow does the time go by. A year ago the common phrases were "thank you" & "I sorry" and now I've lost count of all the words that the Super ZZs use now.

Zad has grown so much. He has developed an engineering brain. Whether it is constructing a train track or building a tower, he is destined for well constructed things. Music has also been a thing for him. He will sing you every note on key to John Williams' Superman, 1966 Batman theme, Spider-Man theme, and Frozen's Let It Go. His imagination is always growing. He not only has his toys talking to one another, they have full blown conversations. It excites us to see where he is going.

Zeke has grown a great deal as well. He is an exquisite linguistic. Identifying all letters lower case & capital and singing his ABC's to perfection. He counts up to 25 and is starting to make connections to math. Zeke has become a friend to all, and I do mean to ALL. He is very excited when he gets to see friends and family. His love for people warms our hearts.

As we start year four it excites us to see what is next in their growth. Their love for each other as brothers is such a wonderful thing to see as they have gone from noticing one another to interacting with one another, hugging each other, and playing games with each other. They have something so special, it's a pleasure to watch it grow.

Now that their 3rd birthday is coming to an end, they have worn themselves out with their family & friends today.



















Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

Christmas & Fireworks

So we took the ZZs to see Santa, a Christmas tree lighting and fireworks in Mansfield.

First we saw Santa at his Mansfield cabin. Both of the ZZs gave Santa fives. The boys smiled big for this (I had to hold Zad for the photo.) After this the boys had their photo taken with mommy on the giant presents.





We then got our selves a hot dog and a sausage and walked around the park. This included listening to people sing, watching people go down an ice slide, and an animal farm. With the people singing we clapped our hands with excitement. Zad & Zeke thought it was so cool to watch people race down the ice slide in inner tubes. We then went to the animal farm, where we saw reign deer; pet a llama, a pig, a pony, bunnies, and chickens. Then we got to brush a goat.
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It was than time for the tree lighting. Before it started we hung out with the Green family, with whom we had worked with at Hampton Prep(Lauren & Jeremy still work together there) The boys stared at the tree in awe. This was followed by the firework show. At first the loved it... Until the flame machines shot fire in the air. This scared them. Then they looked away. Zad kept peeking back at the pretty colors and would lay his head on mommy's shoulder and watch. Zeke almost curled into a ball in my arms and only peeked once, which was when the flame machines fired off once again. He was done after that. We watched the remainder of the fireworks, where we were close enough for the paper from the fireworks to rain down on us. The finally included what looked like the flame machines blowing up setting the grass on fire, but thankfully the fire department was ready. It was AWESOME!!! Overall we all had fun, and I look forward to Zad And Zeke to be a little older so they can stand in line for the ice slide and so they can wAit in line to build a snow man from the shaved ice. Events like this is one of the many reasons we love living in Mansfield.

Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

Location:Mansfield, TX

It Has Been Too Long

Hello followers of the Tilitson Clan, we thought we'd give some updates of our little family.




The little super heroes Zad & Zeke are continuing to grow and develop now at over 2 1/2 years old. Zeke can read his letters and numbers up to 20 and has a very set personality (way to much like his daddy.) Zad's spatial visual skills are an exciting thing to watch as he is grasping an understanding of how things work by watching them, and he has an imagination that is always entertaining. Both are so much fun creating both chaos and order, and also working on potty training.

Shaun has been through a lot. He finished grad school and changed schools to work at, as he is now a school counselor. He also tore his peroneal tendon in his ankle and had to have surgery. Well a month later he developed staph infection in oh ankle and had to have 2 more surgeries. He is currently on IV antibiotics till the beginning of November every night.

Lauren has been a trooper. She has dealt with her husband going to grad school, changing jobs, having surgery (3 times), and recuperating. Her boys trying to go through potty training and developing their own personalities. All the while her father, Mark is going through cancer treatment again, but this time instead of his face it is in his lungs.

We are tired, but we know God is carrying is through. Continue to pray for us, and we look forward to what God has for us.

Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

Today's Program is Brought to You by the Letter Z & the Number 2

Two years... Wow!!! It seems like yesterday I was rushing Lauren to the hospital for the miracle known as Zad & Zeke. This past year they have grown so much, and accomplished so much. They are walking and talking, and are doing everything a two year old should do; which is the goal for any preemie. It has been such a joy to hear them communicate what they want; to hear them say "thank you" and "I sorry"; Zeke recognizing letters; Zad using forks and spoons to eat with; each using crayons; starting to identify different super heroes (a special proud moment for me); using the potty; and doing what they can to comfort one another when they are upset. They are our little super heroes, and we couldn't be happier with them.

Out prayers for this upcoming year is for them to grow strong, be smart, and practice Christ like love. Go Super ZZ Bros!

Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

Cael, we miss you

Today we lost a member of our family. Cael had busted out and was hit by a car. He was 6 years old and a big loving puppy.



Cael was a dog that when Lauren was pregnant would lay at her feet and wouldn't let anyone near her. But the thing I'll miss most is the howling. It was comforting to know that every time he howled I knew a fire truck was about to drive by with its siren.

Cael, I miss you and I know you are at peace.