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Monday, March 31, 2014

Inspiration and Encouragement


I am currently reading Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret. This biography of the missionary to inland China is so inspiring.  His work, rather his tenacity for the work, and his passion to share the hope of Christ with so many who had never heard the Good News is amazing.
As with most missionaries, he faced severe hardships - both physical and financial, but he always put his needs to prayer and anxiously awaited God's answers.  He was a man who had exceptional faith. 

I thought I'd share a few of his thoughts with you - to inspire you and encourage you.


"It doesn't matter really, how great the pressure is; it only matters where the pressure lives.  See that it never comes between you and the Lord - then, the greater the pressure, the more it presses you to His breast."


"The secret of faith that is ready for emergencies is the quiet, practical dependence upon God day by day which makes Him real to the believing heart."


"Neglect of prayer and feeding on God's Word always brings coldness of heart."


"If we ask for anything unscriptural, or not in accordance with the will of God, Christ Himself could not do that. But if we ask anything according to his will...we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."


He prayed the following prayer, but I can't help but think how much it applies to my life as a wife and a mother.  


"Pray the Lord ever to give me the single eye, the clear judgment, the wisdom and gentleness, the patient spirit, the unwaivering purpose, the unshaken faith, the Christlike love needed for the efficient discharge of my duties."


I am thankful for the example of a faithful life.  Faith in God who is always faithful. Faith in prayer, that it always yields results. Faith in Christ Jesus, that He alone paid the debt I owe.  Faith - it's so simple and so rewarding.  It is all I need for "joy unspeakable", even when circumstances would dictate otherwise.  










Wednesday, March 26, 2014

I'm sure you've heard it said...

"You are only as old as you think you are!"

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!"

"Skateboarding is not a crime."

Well, it's true. All of it. 
As a little boy Eric loved to ride skateboards.  
He still loves it, still does it - rain or shine, 
and he's good!

He gets a lot of looks as he carves and cruises to and from work.  I think people do a double-take because they see him ride like he's a high-school kid, but then they see the silver in his hair.  I'm sure they are thinking, 
"How old is he and how does he know how to ride like that?"

I can't help but think of this quote from Princess Bride ~ 
"Who are you?" 
"No one of consequence." 


Want to see Eric's new toy?
a custom Bustin Ibach longboard.
It is the smoothest ride ever.  Honestly, it's like sliding on a wood floor in your sock feet.
So - old school boarder meets hip, new school board.

Here is the "Silver Longboarder" 

playing with the kids and showing them a few tips and tricks.


{How I love this man!}  
Whoever said, 
"You can't teach an old dog new tricks" 
never had a passion for skateboarding!


As a side note - it occurs to me that more can be learned than just skateboarding skills from a day at the skate park.  There are life lessons too.

  • Live life fully. 
  • Do what you love to do. 
  • Smile, laugh, and have some fun. 
  • Stay active.
  • Don't be afraid of what people think of you. 
All these things seem to help keep one's heart light and outlook sunny.

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22



 








Monday, March 24, 2014

I can hardly believe my baby turned three

You must think me a bit crazy.  What's the big deal?  It's not like I haven't had other children turn three, but this time is definitely different.  With all the others, except for one, I've either been pregnant or enjoying the newborn days when a 3rd birthday was celebrated in our home.  She is the baby.

To some it may seem like we are still in the baby days, because after all, she is only three, but Mary Anne is doing so many big girl things!
{Smile...and sniff} I better move on to how we celebrated.

 First thing...Birthday Hugs.

In her special birthday chair ready to open gifts. 



Sunnies from a big brother ~ aren't they the cutest?
 



Story time with Cousin

Crazy big kids decided to make a doughnut run...in their jammies, no less.  

They thought that Miss Mary should have a birthday doughnut for breakfast.  
They claimed it was absolutely essential.

Later we enjoyed the glorious sunshine in the park. 
Mary was afraid to try the slide at first, so Ellie went down with her first.

"Me do it myself?"




 
Most the us were there {except the ones who had to work}, but I didn't get shots of the older children because they were playing football on a nearby field.
 
Then that evening birthday dinner of Mary's choosing was simple
 ~ spaghetti and salad ~
followed by chocolate cake with neopolitan ice cream.

Some fun things to know about Mary Anne:
  • She enjoys doing puzzles ~ even 50 piecers!
  • She loves to eat salad!
  • Her favorite color is purple.
  • She wears a sparkly, purple, princess dress whenever possible. 
  • Best of all, at night when I tuck her in bed, she says to me, "Peas, you pay wif me?"
Oh Lord, draw her heart to You.  Let her know the sweetness of Your Salvation. I can't thank you enough for the joy that Mary Anne brings to our family.  She is such a precious gift from You. {Psalm 127:3}  
  














Friday, March 21, 2014

Success

Matt passed another CLEP test!
 
 
12 credits down, only 108 more to go.
 
 
 

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

You are my sunshine

I can't help but smile when I hear that song {especially sung by small children!}
 
"You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy,
When skies are gray.
You'll never know, Dear,
How much I love you,
Please, don't take my sunshine away."



I am honored to have been recently nominated for the Sunshine Award by
I was encouraged to think that my little blog spreads a bit of sunshine and is a bright spot in someone's {your} day.    :-)

In accordance with the nomination, I am to answer the following questions:

1. What would you do on a rainy (but not stormy) day?
   Assuming I lived in a place that didn't rain most of the time... 
   I'd love to curl up in front of the fire with my favorite peeps and watch a good movie.


2. Is there any particular music/song that ever gives you chills from the beauty or inspiration of it?
   Many hymns do that for me, but I also enjoy most anything composed by Hans Zimmer.

3.  Is there anything you feel God has taught you over the past year?
    Just how much I need more of Him and less of me.

4. Favorite sidekick/best friend character from literature?
     Dr. John Watson.

5. Favorite Biblical name?
     Caleb...and Seth.

6. What would you do if you found you had a completely empty day ahead?
     If it were possible, take a scenic drive to the beach in a convertible.

7. What is your favorite book of the Bible?
     Psalms.

8. Do prefer dresses or skirts?
     Skirts, but I really like dresses too.

9. What book are you reading at the moment?
     I just started Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret.

10. If you could own a book store what would the dominating book type be, and what would be its name? (Don't think to hard about it :))
   Classics.     
   The Book Nook. 
   I'd be sure to have a coffee bar, lots of cushy, comfy chairs, and big windows for lots of    
   natural light...and sunshine.

I'd love to hear your answers to the above questions.  You can leave them in the comments, if you like.

Enjoy your day!

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

This year's tradition

Not long after I finished making the marshmallow pops with the little girls, the older kids arrived home from their fun with Dad.

What's this?  I think I see a little leprechaun peeking out from behind Caleb! 


Hannah set right to work and got busy in the kitchen preparing...


potatoes for potato soup


 boxty {much like latkes}


Fresh, hand-made, Celtic knot rolls {light, flakey, so yummy, and NOT gluten free}


 bangers 


It was a feast, I tell you.  Absolutely Delicious! 

For dessert we had chocolate cake with green mint ice cream. 
I tell ya, I gotta be fast with the camera when it comes to dessert around here, or I might miss out.
I missed out.

Oh, and about that little leprechaun, 
               who happens to be our nephew, 
                              who happens to be a chef, 

was impressed by Hannah's Irish feast.

Later in the week we are going to have some fun with that!
A cooking challenge between the two of them ~ I'm going to buy a secret ingredient, and they each will have to create something with it.  

Monday, March 17, 2014

Some St. Patrick's Day poetry for you

Wearing green so we won't get pinched,


donning aprons, the ties were cinched.

 Sugar and milk,

 mix, mix, mix,

 marshmallows for all and plenty of sticks.

Dip in here first,

then in there,





 Oh, the colors of Ireland fair!


{Well, it is not deep or thought provoking poetry, but it does rhyme.}

~ ~ ~ 

These sugar coated marshmallows are a perfect project for little hands. 
So simple and easy.       

While we made this yummy little treat, the others were on their way to enjoy their corned beef and cabbage tradition with Dad.  

And tonight....our traditional Irish feast made by our resident Irish lass.
{o.k., so she is not Irish, but you know what I mean.} 

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

A little glimpse of spring today





and yesterday


Just look at that blue sky and those whipped cream clouds!

Are you seeing some signs of spring too?