What is Surprising Treasures.com? I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. Isaiah 45:3 I used to wonder if God was watching me muck through life. I used to wonder if […]
inspiration, special needs, treasure, treasure hunter
Why? Why does there have to be loss and suffering? Why is there poverty, homelessness, and hunger? Why are we afflicted with pain and disability? Why are people abused, thrown away, or neglected? Why are some people born with such all encompassing limitations and special needs? Why isn’t life fair? There are […]
eternity, fallen world, inspiration, tree of life
Can You Fathom The Mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens above you! They are deeper than the depths below! Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea! JOB 11:7-9 The Mariana Trench is the deepest point in the […]
diving deep, special needs, Stephan Curtis Chapman, treasure hunteri Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God. Oswald Chambers I would have hated living in a cave. When spring comes, I relish basking in warm sunshine, literally feeling vitamins and energy coursing through my body! Falling into a dark, damp, spooky cave with bats and bugs, doesn’t really […]
bewilderment, confusion, isolation, Jesus will meet you there, sadness
As you’ve journeyed through this life, have you ever been lost in a dark, scary forest? Not a real forest, but a confusing, black place where you wonder if you’ll ever find your way out to the light again? Jesus Will Meet You There The dense growth of conifers blocks out most of the light […]
Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs, special needs parents
It’s hard to relinquish control. I hate to lose and I would rather fight til I drop than surrender. In some ways that’s a good thing. I need to have that “fighting” spirit to get through life. But that very same character trait of fighting perseverance has the negative flip side of stubborn […]
going forward, submission, surrender, yield
Psalms 23 is probably the most memorized Psalm in the Bible. He leads me beside still waters…He makes me lie down in green pastures. [Tweet “Sometimes- we just need to be #made to lie down! #greenPastures #Shepherd”] This verse J u M p E d in my head one day as I was trying […]
Christian family, down syndrome, God of Grace, joyful journey, shepherd, special needs parenting
One of my favorite books of all time is by Hannah Hurnard, “Hinds Feet on High Places.” It’s an allegory I can relate to every time I read it. The story is a triumphant tale of a “crippled” girl called Much Afraid, following the Chief Shepherd- Jesus- to the High Places. Her journey is filled […]
God's soveriegnty, inspiration, perspective
There’s a difference between grief, sadness, and depression, and falling into the quick sands of self-pity. Depression is being consumed with sadness- self pity is being consumed with our SELF. [Tweet “Don’t go near the quick sands of self pity; it will swallow you alive #selfpity “] After our daughter, Kristin, died, I traveled through […]
Christian encouragement, God's surprising treasures, grace and hope, overcoming self pity, quicksand“A merry heart does good like a medicine. But a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 KJV A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. Proverbs 17:22 NLT A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. Proverbs 17:22 […]
Bethany, Cohen, Finley, humor, laughter, perspective
I’m so excited to get you started on your own treasure hunt! My name is Cindy and God has made me into a treasure hunter. He is showing me hidden riches in the most unlikely places. It’s taken me by surprise to me to find such beauty and wealth in some of the darkest, most […]
I’m Sarah, oldest of Jeff and Cindy’s kids, now in my “30’s” (ewwww!) and mom to hilarious, clever, gorgeous daughter Finley (6) and handsome, silly, brave son, Cohen (4). Hmm- I suppose even after being divorced for a few years, it still feels like there’s a noticeable gap in that “family” opening introduction. God continually […]
children, Cohen, encouragement, family, Finley, grandchildren, inspiration, perspective, Sarah, sisters
We held you in our arms and prayed He took you by the hand and led you home. Special friends listen and love with their heart! Thanks to my forever friend Cindy, who had someone paint this picture after I told her that I had dreamed that Jesus was playing with Kristin in a meadow in heaven…. Kristin Faith- […]
death, eternity, heaven, Kristin Faith, life between the trees, loss, new life
Hi everyone! I’m Noah- the third-born child of Jeff and Cindy and the oldest boy in the family. Sitting beside me is my beautiful wife, Sarah. We’ve been married for over five years now and we’re excited to welcome our second child in early May! I grew up like most little boys, getting into […]
Noah, Sarah
Micah & Adrienne have been married for 6 years and parents of Mataya Joy (2), 1 in heaven, and their newest little blessing, Lydia. This picture is the first time Mataya met Lydia at the hospital 🙂 Micah’s Story – I have always been proud and a little overprotective of my family. Ever since Bethany was […]
Adrienne, Micah