We've arrived at the end of another week! The days sometimes seem to go by so quickly. This week was a busy week for us and we spent much of our time vanschooling due to the many errands we encountered. But we enjoy our vanschooling moments, too. ;o)
Monday we took a trip to some nearby woods as I worked on a custom order for my etsy shop. It was a cool, crisp, autumn day and it was such a delight to be out in it!
Following the foam we saw at the bottom of a hill
The foam was from the river and the children enjoyed examining it.
Though it was a beautiful view, we thought it best not to stay too long due to the sign that warned about the American Alligators that like to dwell there. Then we were content to go back up the hill... In fact, we were content to get back in the van and drive to look at the wonderful sights. ;o)
Here are a few we enjoyed...
{click to view larger}
Later we enjoyed the pleasures of home...
On Tuesday, we traveled to the endocrinologist's office for Ally's appointment. We always enjoy the documentary videos of the different places that they show in the waiting room. What a beautiful place Hawaii is! We are rejoicing that Ally's thyroid and vitamin D levels came back normal and she no longer needs to take medication for those two things! Praise the Lord!
Wednesday was spent at home. We worked together doing some deeper cleaning, enjoyed learning together, and Ally and I made a few plans for upcoming activities, and, in the evening, we went to churchfor our prayer and service. It was a wonderful sermon, too. The Lord knew just what I needed! I just love how He does that!
Also on Wednesday, Ally's first item sold at her etsy shop. It was a doily she made last week... Hmmm.... I kinda like the way it looks on my table. Maybe I'll need to get one of those, too. ;o)
On Thursday, Will and I went grocery shopping and enjoyed a little treat together afterwards. Then in the afternoon we went to Beth's violin lesson. While at violin, Ally began showing me how to crochet. I can see how it can be addicting once you catch on!
Later in the day, we once again enjoyed the comforts of being at home...
Coloring together
Playing outside and being silly
Will helped me by peeling two large bags of carrots! He enjoys peeling them. I cut one bag into sticks for eating and the other I left whole for juicing. It's so much easier to use them when they are already cut up!
This was later in the evening, after the younger ones had gone to bed, and Ally was making us a cup of tea! What a joy it is to enjoy tea time together in the evening!
That is all for photos this week, aside from sharing a couple of illustrations the children did...
For our Bible reading, we are in the book of John {KJB}. One of the chapters we read was about when Jesus spit on the ground to make clay and used it to heal a man that had been blind from birth.
In History, we are in Judges and one of the stories we read was about how God called Gideon to help the Israelites and how Gideon asked God to show him a sign using a fleece that Gideon had. What a longsuffering and powerful God we serve!
Today is sourdough pizza night at our home. We look forward to spending it together as a family. This weekend will be a busy one as we have a fellowship tomorrow evening at church and then on Sunday our church will be celebrating it's 10th Anniversary. We will be having a shrimp feast and fish fry afterwards. We look forward to all of it. What a blessing sweet fellowship is!
Last week our eldest and I were preparing for a baby shower for our assistant pastor's wife (and dear friend and sister-in-Christ of ours) and we enjoyed working on some new projects.
Ally had a lot of fun making the cake for the shower...
The ducks are candles we found.
Among the food we brought along were these baby foot sandwiches...
To go along with the duck theme, I made my first diaper cake...
Diaper cake beginnings: rolling and securing the diapers
I made two receiving blankets by finishing the edges of some flannel-like duck print fabric and wrapped (frosted) the diaper cake with them, securing them with straight pins and a rubber band.
Then I added a little fluff to the top of the "cake", some curled ribbon, tied it with a bow, and asked Ally to crochet this little duck toy for a topper, and viola'...
A diaper duck cake (part gift, part decor)
As a gift to the mama-to-be, I sewed my first quilt. Her mother-in-law (the baby's gramma & our pastor's wife) gave me a box of fabric that belonged to her mother-in-law (the baby's great-grandma, now with the LORD) and in that box were some squares that had already been cut out and looked as if they were intended to use for a quilt. So I finished where the baby's great-grandma started and put the squares together as a quilt...
And in one corner, I embroidered my initials...
And in the other corner, the baby's great-grandma's initials...
It was a lot of fun working on these projects and I discovered that I love the idea of quilting and look forward to, one day, being able to quilt more!
"She... worketh willingly with her hands." ~ Proverbs 31:13b
I am thinking... of what to put on my 'to do' list this week
I am thankful for... a church that faithfully and powerfully preaches God's Word
I am wearing... a burgandy, floral cotton dress
I am remembering... the great Truths and challenge from yesterday's sermons
I am going... to be busy about things at home this week
I am reading... my KJ Bible through in a year, currently in 1 Chronicles, Proverbs, 1 Corinthians; the book of Job with my husband; A Wife After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George; A Woman's Walk With God by Elizabeth George; When Women Walk Alone by Cindi McMenamin; For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn; Order in the Court by Sherry Hutson Camperson; Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey; A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola; Keeping Our Children's Hearts by Steve and Teri Maxwell Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
I am hoping (praying)... for the Holy Spirit's continued work in the hearts of the ones I love; for our church's upcoming anniversary Sunday; for my mama's medical situations
On my mind... fulfilling a custom order from my etsy shop; the things that need to get done in our home this week; how I need to be faithful in what the Lord has given me
From the learning rooms... being students of God's Word in John and Judges; continuing memorization of Joshua 22:5; learning of Ancient Greece; composer study Mozart; and continuing studies in our other subjects, as well
Noticing that... our home needs a blessing {cleaning}
Pondering these words... "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." ~ John 15:12
From the kitchen... the kitchen is clean from the weekend
On the Menu... M ~ Chicken Cordon Swiss Casserole T ~ Wet burritos W ~ Mexighetti (chili on spaghetti noodles)/cornbread Th ~ Turkey and brown rice casserole F ~ Sourdough Pizza S ~ Fellowship at church (Cowboy hash and all the fixins') Sun ~ Roast
Around the house... the lil' children are playing in the reading room, Ally is reading at the dining room table; Suzie {our dog} lays staring out the window
I am creating... more Scripture prints for my etsy shop; dresses for the lil' girls
I am hearing... the younger ones playing
One of my favorite things... that the Lord Jesus Christ, Creator of all, loves me!
A few plans for the rest of the week... focus on lessons at home; go on a photo shoot expedition; take our eldest to her endocrin appointment; attend our midweek prayer service; go to our church fellowship; enjoy the blessings of home
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." ~ Colossians 2:7
During my reading in God's Word this morning, a particular verse 'popped out'... "Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me." ~ 1 Corinthians 4:16
As I thought on that verse, I was, also, reminded of a post from the past where the Lord had shown me this before. I looked it up this afternoon to re-read it and wanted to share it here, again.
{{originally written Monday, July 24, 2006...}}
Is Mine an Example Worth Following?
This morning, my beloved and I were reading God's Word and the Holy Spirit gripped my heart with much of the passage, but a particular verse continues to echo throughout my mind...
"Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." ~ Philippians 3:17
What bold statements for Paul to make "... be followers together of me..." "... ye have us for an ensample."
This Scripture provoked many questions and thoughts in my mind...
"Am I following Christ in such a way that I can make a request, as Paul did, to my children to be followers of me... followers like me?"
"Am I walking in such a way that my children can use me as an example to follow in righteousness?"
"Am I being the spiritual example that I can be as a mother so they can follow?"
"Is my example worth following?"
What a responsibility I have as the Mama Shepherd. I am thankful that He does not let me remain in 'blissful' ignorance or complacency, but that He loves me, shows me, convicts me, convinces me, teaches me, grows me, guides me, encourages me, and enables me to be what He has called me to be. What a question to ponder! What a challenge and goal to keep before us!
"Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me." ~ 1 Corinthians 4:16
Another week is coming to an end here at our Haven at Home. It's been busy, productive, and enjoyable.
Here are a few snapshots of our happenings...
Enjoying lunch and drawing our Bible/History illustrations
Carolynne working on her writing and phonics
Beth practicing her writing
Will coloring in his geography coloring book
Ally crocheting as she gives Will his spelling test.
There was a little excitement at our home this week when we discovered that Suzie had a new friend break into our yard yesterday. We brought Suzie in as soon as we realized, though they did not want to be parted...
He sat at the door as Suzie looked out at him.
We'll have to wait a few weeks or so to determine if we will be having puppies for Christmas. The lil' girls spent the day declaring that Suzie is now "married". ;o)
Today we will be enjoying the comforts of home, living, loving, and learning together. In addition, Ally and I will be preparing for a baby shower tomorrow for our assistant pastor's wife (this is their first child). We finished our gifts earlier this week (which I plan to share Monday) so today we will be working on food and Ally will be making the cake. Mmm!
I hope you have enjoyed your week, giving praises to the LORD, and hope you have a wonderful weekend!
"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." ~ Psalm 68:19
Today in our study through Judges, we began seeing how Israel fell into their sin cycle. And discussed, again, how we, too, have sin cycles. What lessons the Holy Spirit teaches us as we read God's Word!
When reading chapter 3 of Judges, there is one judge, in particular, that tends to be remembered a little easier due to the, um, gross-to-us event that happens when he visits the king of Moab.
I don't intend to be a story spoiler if you haven't read it (please, feel free to read Judges 3) but it seems to me that most will not forget how God used Ehud to deliver the Israelites by loosing his dagger in Eglon's, the fat king of Moab, stomach. (Please know I am not using the term fat to be rude, coarse, unkind, or judgmental... that is simply the term that the LORD used to describe him) Reading how Ehud's dagger was swallowed by a man's stomach was a memorable story, indeed!
And it was the story that the children drew illustrations of...
It was sad to see how God would deliver the Israelites, yet they would return to their sin and forget Him. May we always be on guard, being diligent to remember Who the LORD is and what He has done for us.
May we stay faithfully loving and serving Him!
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering..." ~ Hebrews 10:23
My daughter and I created our own shops at Etsy last week and I wanted to share...
I have enjoyed taking snapshots as long as I can remember! Recently I have found an additional joy in adding Scripture to those photographs. I enjoy decorating our home with these prints! I love being surrounded by God's Word and what a way to hide His Words in our hearts, too! Not to mention, it is a testimony to those that visit. I, also, delight in encouraging those I love by slipping one in a card, note, or gift basket with friends, family, neighbors, and the like. I pray they will be a blessing to others. There will be other photographs there, but the Scripture Prints are the main focus.
Based on 1 Corinthians 10:21, my heart's desire is to bring glory to Jesus Christ, in everything... including my photography... Therefore, I present... For His Glory Photography
Our daughter, a recent homeschool graduate, loves to spend much of her time crocheting and has used her handywork to bless those around her. She has a heart to share her work with others and to encourage her in her efforts to be a daughter at home, she is now offering some of her crocheted creations.! She remains Firmly Fixed on the Father, as her blog proclaims, but she is certainly Hooked on Crochet, Too!
Dear mother in the home, beloved of the Lord, Your power as a mother, it cannot be ignored, You are the heart and the Queen of your home, Making it a haven so your children will not roam.
As you nuture and teach your children each day, Discipline, train, and watch over their play, May your heart fill with joy and overflow with love That God gave you these "gifts" from heaven above.
Each dear child is a "blessing" from the Lord, No longer will you ever have time to be bored! You have the greatest career in all of the land As you teach your children to heed God's command.
Lift up your head; be proud of your calling, It is work for eternity - totally enthralling! Oh yes, I know you often feel tired and worn, But claim God's promise, His truth He has sworn.
May God bless you and strengthen you each new morn, May you know His faithfulness with each new dawn, May God's presence be with you in a mighty measure As you train your 'arrows' for God's purpose and pleasure.
I am thinking... of Pastor's message yesterday morning, about our position and privilege of intercessory prayer
I am thankful for... that privilege of prayer and that we serve an Almighty, Loving God that we can trust, hope in, and depend on
I am wearing... sleepytime attire
I am remembering... the answers to prayer the LORD has provided lately
I am going... to pray for my neighbor this week
I am reading... my KJ Bible through in a year, currently in 1 Chronicles, Proverbs, 1 Corinthians; the book of Job with my husband; A Wife After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George; A Woman's Walk With God by Elizabeth George; When Women Walk Alone by Cindi McMenamin; For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn; Order in the Court by Sherry Hutson Camperson; Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey; A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola; Keeping Our Children's Hearts by Steve and Teri Maxwell Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
I am hoping (praying)... for the Holy Spirit's continued work in the hearts of the ones I love
On my mind... preparations that need to be made for a baby shower at church this weekend
From the learning rooms... being students of God's Word in John and Judges; continuing memorization of Joshua 22:5; learning of Ancient Greece; composer study Mozart; and continuing studies in our other subjects, as well
Noticing that... our home needs a blessing {cleaning} after the weekend
Pondering these words... "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" Colossians 3:23
From the kitchen... some tidying up is needed from the weekend
On the Menu... M ~ Italian chicken & pasta T ~ Taco Tuesday W ~ Chili and cornbread Th ~ Homemade Chicken Pot Pie F ~ Sourdough Pizza S ~ Brats on the grill Sun ~ Loaded Potato Soup and biscuits
Around the house... the little girls are coloring, son is reading, eldest is waking, dog is watching the world outside
I am creating... more Scripture prints for my etsy shop; dresses for the lil' girls or, possibly, baby shower prizes
I am hearing... the sound of coloring; the heater blowing
One of my favorite things... the blessing of cool, crisp air and wearing sweaters
A few plans for the rest of the week... plan, prepare, and shop for upcoming baby shower; possible tea with a friend; lessons with the children; midweek prayer and Bible service; Beth's violin lessons; use our new treadmill (!); enjoy living, loving, laughing, and learning with my family.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." Psalm 86:15
It's out of your hands, you've done all you can do; You've given God the problem, it's no longer up to you.
You've prayed the prayer of faith, now you're standing on God's Truth. While you're waiting on the answer, He has a question for you...
Is anything too hard for God? Who's got a problem beyond His power to solve? Are there situations He's not the Master of? Is anything too hard for God?
Only believe, trust His Word, you'll see His plans are now unfolding, performing perfectly. It's clear how much He loves you, Just look at all He's done. For all your questions, there's really only one...
Is anything too hard for God? Who's got a problem beyond His power to solve? Are there situations He's not the Master of? Is anything too hard for God?
Are there situations He's not the Master of? Is anything too hard for God?
"Is any thing too hard for the LORD?..." ~ Genesis 18:14
"...that power belongeth unto God." ~ Psalm 62:11
Click Here to listen to this song. Sang by our eldest and me. Background music on blog can be stopped in right sidebar.
Interest in nature study has been on the rise! The girls thought it a fun idea to grab their nature journals and see what they could sketch from our backyard...
A leaf, twig, ant, and 'crunch bug' (cicada shell) was among their drawings. It was an encouragement to me to see their interest in nature journaling increasing!
In the morning, we baked applesauce muffins to take to the park with us for our homeschool group's park day. We baked extra to take to our new neighbors that moved in recently...
It was a good opportunity to show Christian love to our neighbors and to invite them to church.
It was a very cool, gray autumn day, which made our day at the park very enjoyable. The children spent two whole hours playing very well together.
Beth and Carolynne enjoyed "rollerblazing" ;o)
Ally enjoyed fellowshipping with a dear friend
One of Beth's friends tried to show her how to crochet.
And there was lots of running involved, too! Suzie {our furry family member} especially liked our day at the park!
Later in the afternoon, we returned home, worked on a few lessons, blessed {cleaned} our home, and the girls were excited to try their ice bowling set that they put in the freezer the night before...
It didn't last as long as they would have liked, but they sure had fun!
Today we look forward to spending the day at home with Daddy. Daddy and I, also, hope to tackle the intimidating collection of clutter in the garage. lol And, as always, we are looking forward to being in the LORD's house tomorrow morning and evening. Oh, how my soul longs to be there!
I hope you have a blessed weekend, too!
"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. " ~ Psalm 145:3
