2010

So now everyone is talking about getting a "fresh start" tomorrow, making New Years resolutions, things to do next year, and celebration planning.
What about 2010?
That year is very close to being over. How about making a fresh ending? Really, I don't like to make New Years resolutions but if you did...did you keep them? How about a Year End resolution...
Something like:
On this last day, I resolve to help at least one person.
I resolve to pray for all the people I've come in contact with this last year (obviously not all by name!)
I resolve to spread joy...somehow...
I resolve to play at least one prank (not nescesary, but it'll help you go out with a bang ;-])
I resolve to fill-in-the-blank.

So think about it. And try to do something good to end the year with. Then you can puzzle about next year ;-).
And whether you make a resolution or not, please remember all those who went without someone this year. Went without a father, a son, a brother, wife, mother, daughter,  husband. This year...and maybe for every year. For every hero we have out there, there is a hero at home, trying to keep together an imcomplete family.

SAM

Family

Guess what we did this morning? Okay, you probably know, so here are some pictures, with as little commentary as possible.



Our Cousin I, SquiRe, Goldilocks, Sam, our cousins M and L.[from left to right]



Sam, L, and Goldilocks right before our gift exchange.



This is Goldilocks pretending to be Mary. She and SquiRe did an amazing job on the nativity play. Squire memorized three verses, a lot of lines and a short song in just three, maybe four days! He is amazing!

This is our sweet great-aunt who came out for a visit. SquiRe is holding his new guitar and Goldilocks is wearing her new dress-up hat.

I hope you had a wonderful and blessed day!

Prayer of Simeon

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."

                                                          -- Luke 2:28-32


Risa

Song of Mary

"And Mary said:

'My soul magnifies the Lord,
   And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
   For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
   And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
   From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
   He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
   And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
   And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel,
   In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
   To Abraham and to his seed forever.'"

                                 --Luke 1:46-55

Risa

Tag, you're it!

Today we are doing a tag-quiz with our special guest star. . . . . . . . .Mom! Her answers are in green, Sam's in orange, Momo's in purple and Risa in blue.

_.•~•._
Favorites

What is your favorite animal? Elephants! | Monkeys... mice... horses | A wolf | A horse

Who is your favorite author? It's a very long list. | God. | Can't choose just one | Agatha Christie and Jan Karon

What is your favorite instrument? Clarinet, maybe | Guitar | Piano or fiddle | Anything with strings

What is your favorite sport to watch? Basketball | Does dance count as a sport? | The Winter Olympics | World's Stongest Man

What is your favorite sport to play? Basketball | Again, does dance count as a sport? | Soccer | Thumb Wrestling

What is your favorite movie? Not sure | Pamela's Prayer and any Sherwood Film | LotR | It depends on my mood

What is your favorite classic literature book? A Christmas Carol or The Scarlet Pimpernel | Prince and the Pauper | To Kill a Mockingbird | Pride and Prejudice

What is your favorite store? Target, no, the Humane Society | The Thrift Store | Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Would you rather...

Would you rather buy a new book or re-read one? Buy a new one | Buy a new one | Re-read one (I've worn the covers off some of my favorites) | Another tough choice! Depends on the author.

Would you rather spend money or save it? Save it | I would RATHER save, but I never do it | Save it | I would rather have savings but spending is much more fun

Would you rather go on vacation to the beach or the mountains? Mountains! | The Beach | Mountains | Mountains

Would you rather play an instrument or listen to it? Both... | Play | Listen to it | Play

Would you rather be indoors our outdoors? Outdoors | Wherever people are | Outdoors, if I'm not home | In

Would you rather have your room painted lime green or purple with pink dots? Lime green | That's horrible! But lime green | Lime green | *gasp* I'd rather have my eyes gouged out!

Would you rather live in a cave or in a tree house? A cave | Treehouse, there's more light | Cave...you can't fall out of a cave | Treehouse

Would you rather have a cat or a dog? Dog! | Cat! | Depends on my living situation | A dog

Would you rather host a get-together or go to one? Go to one, I suppose | That's hard! Probably host | Host, though I'd rather avoid one altogether | Attend, because then I can leave as soon as I want

About you!

Do you have any siblings? Five | Yup, one

How many times have you moved in your life? Once, same city-just a new street, then again to a different house, same street =] | (R and M)Three times| Twelve times

How long have you been a Christian? Hard to say... | Almost three years | I began my journey to Christ when I was five | A long time

Totally random

Christmas or Thanksgiving? Christmas (especially because of the weather) | Thanksgiving any day! | Christmas (I'm rather partial to December) | Thanksgiving

Words or pictures? Depends | Words | Words | Pictures

Iguanas or turtles? Iguanas | Iguanas, I guess | Turtle | Turtles

Randomness or sense? Both =] | I wish I could say sense | Sense (In Sense & Sensibility, I'm Elinor all the way) | Sense definitely!

Books or magazines? Books | Neither, I don't like to read | Books | Books

Summer days or winter nights? Winter nights | Summer days | Winter nights | Winter nights

Screaming monkeys or running bears? Screaming...monkeys!? That sounds like torture! And Toy Story | Screaming monkeys | Running bears | Running bears, as long as they're not running at me

Jane Austen or Charles Dickens? Definitely Charles Dickens! | Jane Austen! | Jane Austen, no question | Austen

Scotland or Ireland? Both, but, Ireland | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland! What kind of a question is that?

Running or walking? Running | Running...and walking! | Let's say speed walking | In reality, walking; in my dreams, I'm a runner

_.•~•._

We tag...
Legirl, FarmFaithFamily, and Three Sister's Journey.
If anyone else wants to do it, please post on your blog or email us!

Prophecy of Zacharias

 "Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

'Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, 
    For He has visited and redeemed His people,
 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    In the house of His servant David,
 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
    Who have been since the world began,
 That we should be saved from our enemies
    And from the hand of all who hate us,
 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
    And to remember His holy covenant,
 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
    To grant us that we,
 Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
    Might serve Him without fear,
 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
    And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
 For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
    To give knowledge of salvation to His people
 By the remission of their sins,
    Through the tender mercy of our God,
 With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
    To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
 To guide our feet into the way of peace.'"


                                       --Luke 1:67-79
Risa

Steven Curtis Chapman Songs

My sisters and I couldn't decide on which song to put on the blog so I thought I'd put both! I hope you like the songs, and the video!

All I Really Want For Christmas:


When Love Takes You In:



God bless you all today. I hope you have a marvelous week!
With Love,
Momo

November Recap

Yeah, I know it's the third of December. But we didn't get very many posts this November so I'm going to share with you a few pictures of what we did in the month of November.

It was finally getting cold, so we had a few fires outside!

That's Dad and I (Momo) being silly. We were putting our hands really close to the fire and then trying to keep them there for as long as we could.

As some of you may already know, our uncle came home safe and sound!

Goldilocks, SquiRe, and Jack right after Thanksgiving.

Something else we did the day after Thanksgiving was go to the park.

We relaxed at the park and had a great time.

There is our cutie pie Jack. 

Goldilocks likes to copy whatever SquiRe does. She didn't seem to like climbing that tree too much though.

On the ride home from the park, Jack was smiling at Risa so much. I just had to take a picture!

Momo

The Touch of the Master's Hand

It was battered and scarred,

And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.


"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"


But, No,
From the room far back a gray bearded man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.


The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.


"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.


The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."


And many a man with life out of tune
All battered with bourbon and gin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin


A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.


But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.



Myra Brooks Welch



If ever your life is out of tune,

And no music soothes the soul,
Seek out The Master whose gentle touch
Will bless you and make you whole.


Like an old violin, weathered and worn
A life may not be so grand,
But may be uplifted, transformed, and renewed
By the touch of The Master's Hand.


~ Ken Brown ~

 
-Momo

My Times Are In Thy Hand (My God, I Wish Them There)

Written by William F. Lloyd

My times are in Thy hand;
My God, I wish them there;
My life, my friends, my soul I leave
Entirely to Thy care.

My times are in Thy hand;
Whatever they may be;
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright,
As best may seem to Thee.

My times are in Thy hand;
Why should I doubt or fear?
My Father’s hand will never cause
His child a needless tear.

My times are in Thy hand,
Jesus, the crucified!
Those hands my cruel sins had pierced
Are now my guard and guide.

My times are in Thy hand,
I’ll always trust in Thee;
And, after death, at Thy right hand
I shall forever be.


Risa

Faces

Jack's debonair face ;]. As you can see, yes, he is bald.

Goldilocks' "feed the orphans" face

And SquiRe's "alien" face (which means Indian, which means Native American.) He calls them aliens, we don't know why.

And those are the faces of the day. Tune in next week to see our newest special, "Feet" =P.

SAM (again)

What Faith Can Do

I am changing the song on here just because I like this song better and decided I'd just edit this post instead of doing a new one. ;-]


SAM

NaNoWriMo among other things...

Hey sorry we sort of dropped off the face of the earth there for a while...we've been busy with...well, see the post below ;-).
Not only that but...NaNoWriMo! NaNo for short and National Novel Writing Month for long. See the widget on the side for an explanation!
Also there's been our new laptop which we bought just in time to see our other and formerly only computer moniter quit working for good.
School, too, has been taking up spare time. And lots of it.

So that's what's been going on with us but...regular POSTS are coming! Soon. Just not right now.

SAM

Real Life Interruptions

"I think I find most help in trying to look on all interruptions and hindrances to work that one has planned out for oneself as discipline, trials sent by God to help one against getting selfish over one’s work. Then one can feel that perhaps one’s true work—one’s work for God—consists in doing some trifling haphazard thing that has been thrown into one’s day. It is not a waste of time, as one is tempted to think, it is the most important part of the work of the day—the part one can best offer to God. After such a hindrance, do not rush after the planned work; trust that the time to finish it will be given sometime, and keep a quiet heart about it."

Annie Keary (as quoted in Keeping a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot)


"The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one’s “own,” or “real” life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life—the life God is sending one day by day; what one calls one’s “real life” is a phantom of one’s own imagination. This at least is what I see at moments of insight: but it’s hard to remember it all the time."

C.S. Lewis, The Quotable Lewis


Risa

Happy Birthday, SquiRe!

SquiRe had his birthday recently. He is such a big boy!

The shirt he is wearing was a gift for his birthday. You can also see his Winnie the Pooh pinata in the background.

They all loved the candy!

SquiRe also got to play with his friend, K, at the water park!

Goldilocks liked playing in the water.

There is Mr. Birthday boy!

K and SquiRe had matching swim trunks! They liked to play right next to each other the whole time!

SquiRe is becoming such a big boy. He is a wonderful blessing!


Momo

It's Good to Laugh

Hope this brings a smile to your face!





Risa

Hiking

 Yesterday we went to our favorite mountain to go hiking. As we were driving up the SquiRe spotted our house. It's the one on the right. Near the top of the picture. The really little one. He is sure of it. ; )

We took this picture during our lunch. We had a picnic by a little creek. There was this one bumble bee that just wouldn't leave our food alone! Thankfully no one was stung.

Jack loved the mountain. Can you tell by his expression? Isn't he so cute?

I was able to have adorable little Goldilocks on my back for most of it. She wanted her hood on the whole time. When she did get down she loved having us swing her. Again and again and again. My arms are still sore!

Isn't it a great view!

I love this picture with Risa and SquiRe. They were searching for "treasure" a.k.a. mica. SquiRe loved the way it made the sand sparkle. He brought home some pretty big pieces too.

Say "I love hiking!"

Doesn't he look just like Robin Hood!

~Momo

Jack speaks

Jack has been talking so much lately.

Isn't he a great story teller?

SAM

Dancing in the Minefields

I recently bought the book On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson. After reading aloud a snippet the prologue, most of my family is clamoring to read it as well! According to the cover it's a tale of "Adventure. Peril. Lost Jewels. And the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree." And they are fearsome! I look forward to finishing this book and moving on to its sequel, North! Or be Eaten.

Since I've started reading his books, I decided to finally listen to some of his music. Wow! We may have found a new Christian artist to listen to! Below is a beautiful song, Dancing in the Mineifelds, from his latest album Counting the Stars.




Risa

Motor Mayhem

...is exactly what we have been having lately! As some of you may know, our van has not been working properly for over a month now, preventing my dad from using a trailor at work and preventing us from going anywhere together as a family.  Several times we've thought we fixed it and several times we were wrong. So we took it in for evaluation (again) but, after hearing the problem would be way to much for us, we decide to invest in a new vehicle...

This '89 suburban! It runs really well though it was digusting on the inside (we spent all morning scrubbing it clean) and was a great price. But then, when we bring the van home, we find out it works!! So...who knows what God's plan was for that.
Anyway we are very grateful to be able to go to church again!
Have a great weekend!

SAM

Happy Birthday, Kiki!

She is a great little sister. . .

Adventurous . . .

Practical. . .

and growing up to be a beautiful and godly young lady!

Sam may not be the most affectionate or the most huggy person,

But she sure is a sweet sis. . .

Fun Lovin'. . .

Easy Going. . .

 and we love her!

Happy birthday, Sam!

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

                         ~St. Francis of Assisi


Risa

Laundry day!

Be On Guard!

Recently my devotions have been in the book of Colossians. I thought I might share something I've learned.

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.  (Colossians 2:6-15)

Can you imagine a miner spending day after day in a cave mining for gold or precious gems, and then after gathering his treasure he leaves it unguarded? Paul tells us that the treasure we have received are not unlike earthly treasures in that respect. We shouldn't leave the treasures we have been given in Christ unguarded.
 
Did you know that one of the biggest computer hackers of all time is currently appealing his 70 year sentence after being found guilty of causing the U.S. government $1 billion of damage by breaking into it's most secure computers at Pentagon, NASA, the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, in 2005? The very important information stored in these computers were heavily protected, but they were still compromised. The treasures we have been given are the Bible, the Spirit, and salvation in Christ. Our treasure is the greatest gift of all time! It is worth more than billions of dollars! We must guard this treasure!

I believe it is difficult for us to fully understand or appreciate all that we have been given in Christ and how important it is for us to guard this amazing treasure. Unknowingly, we may be letting down our guard to peer pressure, the media,or the newest philosophies. We may allow them to come in and influence our thinking, deceiving us in the process. Think of a computer; it may look fine on the outside but it may have corrupt files or a virus infecting it. We may think we are fine, we may look fine, but our thinking may be corrupt. If we compromise the truth it is no longer truth. Think about it; if something is 90% true, is it still true? If water has just 1% arsenic in it, is the water still pure? Do any of us really live out the truth 100%? No. But if we try to blend the ways of the world with the way of Christ, we will lose the true way.

Colossians 2:8: Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
 
~Momo

Do the Next Thing

At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
there came in the twilight a message to me.
Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven
that, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.
And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
like a low inspiration, "Do the next thing."


Many a questioning, many a fear,
many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
time, opportunity, guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrow, child of the King,
trust that with Jesus, do the next thing.


Do it immediately, do it with prayer,
do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
leave all resultings, do the next thing.


Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
working or suffering be thy demeanor,
in His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
the light of His countenance, be thy psalm.
Do the next thing.

                     ~Author Unknown

Risa

Tribute to Dads

Hilarious!





-Risa

Rain

God surprised us a few days ago with some light rain. I meant to post about it that day but...well, you know how that goes.

It ended about ten minutes later and quickly dried up. The weather soon became just as hot as it had been (in the 100's), but it certainly was nice while it lasted.

Here are some other pictures I took that week.

Have a nice Monday--and I hope you had a wonderful Independence Day!

☻SAM

Take My Life

I recently heard this song and it really encouraged me. I hope you are uplifted and enjoy the music.

~Momo

The Overpopulation Myth

Something to think about.
 

If you want to see more, you can watch the other videos here.

~Risa

Happy Father's Day!

Our dad is one in a million. . . wait I think that has already been said!

    As a father of six he has a big job. He still does a fantastic job. He is a super instructor of God's word and teacher of biblical principals and Christian character traits. He has a passion for Christ and he teaches us to have perseverance when struggling with our flesh and trying to slowly be more like God. He doesn't just tell us what we should be like, he shows us. He is not just a great dad, he is a great man.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Our Dad is one in a million. He is a protector and so caring.

He spends time with us and shows us how much he loves us each and every day.

He is a godly leader and teacher. He has taught us so many life lessons: faith, love, humility. 

Dad is the best husband and father anyone could ever ask for.

He works so hard for us, even when that means getting up early and staying up late. Dad has a willingness to serve, even when he has already gone above and beyond.

Dad is so funny and can almost always make us laugh.

And last but not least, Dad is our best friend.

Happy Birthday, Dad! We Love You!!! 

♥Momo