Hannah's Birthday and Off to the NCFIC

 Last December our family packed up and drove down to North Carolina for the National Center for Family Integrated Church's  'Love the Church' conference, where we listened to men communicate the biblical doctrine of the church, explain her importance, her calling and her destiny.

We began our trip down south on Monday,December 6--Hannah Joye's birthday!

 One embarrassed little girl

Happy 6th Birthday Hannah!!!

We sang Happy Birthday and had a quick snack of cake at the Fournier's house and then headed out very excitedly!

It was the perfect birthday for Hannah!

Arriving at the Maira's House!

After a long ride, we arrive at the refreshing Maira's house

Our indeed wonderful hostess!

Stephanie and Emily

Chariti and Jillian playing chess

Happy to see the Maira's, the conversations begin

Shutter bug :)

...Two little monkeys jumping on the bed...

They were so excited to sleep with each other...for a little while...

Back downstairs this beautiful girl and budding photographer captures the joyful art going on around her!  

Having fun with friends...

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."

Momma's getting tired, so she found a bed for herself!

 

 Ph.D. Graduate from Harvard 

Class of 2008

Hannah, 6 going on 26

 

Malena, your coat looks just like mine...

wait a minute...that coat IS mine! : D

The next morning a hungry mob gathers around the table to feast on the delicious all-natural breakfast the Maira's blessed us with!

 
 Making eggs for the Queen (aka Mom)
 

Two cuties

Three sweeties

Dish Duty

Can't leave the Maira's with all our dirty dishes now can we?

Tooth brushing party

Hannah,

We love you girls!

Awww so adorable!!!

So cute!!!

Sethie boy likes the Maira girls!

Thank you so much for having us over! Your family's generosity and hospitality is as that of Gauis who blessed and refreshed the believers on their journeys! 

Thank you so much! We love you guys!

And we set off again, next stop North Carolina!

The Sovereignty of God

 To say that God is sovereign is to declare that whatever takes place in time is but the outworking of that which He decrees in eternity.

~A.W. Pink

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD ~ Mark Kielar

This is the best resource that I have used to study The Sovereignty of God.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD You've heard the "Calvinist vs. Arminianist" debates. You've heard that Calvinists and Arminianists could never agree…or that these issues are unresolvable. But if you're still in a state of frustration and/or confusion over this issue, you've definitely never seen the WORD PICTURES series, "The Sovereignty of God". This 16 part special series "connects the dots" on one of the most challenging doctrinal areas found in scripture. And it biblically, concisely and clearly resolves the major paradoxes and questions swirling around the doctrines of Predestinations and God's Sovereign Will. Paradox's and questions like: If God elects only some people to eternal life, how can He love all people? If God is sovereign, does that make Him the author of sin? How do you reconcile all of the paradoxical passages about God's sovereign will on the one hand, and man's "free" will on the other? Does God predestine men to hell? Is God's grace resistible? Just how "total" IS man's "total depravity"? This is one of those doctrines that is foundational to a true and proper understanding of biblical Christianity. But, unfortunately, it has "slipped off the radar screen" in most modern churches today. OR it has been so badly misinterpreted, that it is hardly recognizable as a biblical doctrine. Don't be misled on this vital subject! And don't let the Spirit of the Age convince you that this is a "side" issue, or for "theologians only". It is a doctrine that (depending on where you stand on it) will affect virtually every other aspect of your walk with Christ…from your evangelism, to your prayer life, to your faith and obedience. So don't presume you've heard "both sides" of the argument. Most versions billing themselves today as either "Calvinism" or "Arminianism" ARE NOT BIBLICAL, and do not give an accurate assessment of the opposing position, OR biblical truth! And yet, an accurate understanding of this foundational truth will change and impact your walk with the Lord forever. Presented by: Mark Kielar

Amazing Grace Cakes

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Happy Birthday Felicity!!!

Happy Birthday Felicity!!!
My little baby is 10 years old, she's hit the double digits! Two more years and she'll be an adult (at least according to the Bible times standard)

Her desire for the past few years has been to have a "doll" cake so this year Stephanie gave her a dream come true and surprised her with a Belle cake.
 Lumiere lowered the lights as the orchestra played "Tale as Old as Time". This picture captures her delight as she walked in and saw Belle for the first time.

 

Belle-Stephanie's beautiful artwork

A very pleased and happy Felicity

Mommy and Daughter

Picking out the candles after Felicity blew them all out

Hannah's gift to Felicity

Stephanie's gift, she made Felicity a beautiful plaid skirt.

♥ Happy Birthday Felicity!!! From all your sisters! ♥

The painful moment comes when it's time to dissemble the cake

Lemon cake with lemon curd and raspberry filling, Mmmm, I think Felicity likes it!

 

 

Happy Birthday Felicity!!! I pray that you will grow into a lovely and godly young lady who loves the Lord and seeks to obey and glorify Him in all that you do! It's wonderful to see you already starting to take God's Word seriously and trying to be a sweet and beautiful young lady. Love you Felicity!♥ 

After the cake Felicity and Chariti fulfilled Felicity's wish to paint

Felicity painted a beautiful picture of flowers in a vase!

Even Hannah and Seth painted as well

What We're Reading...

The first time I read this one was almost 10 years ago to my older girls. We just finished reading it again, they were able to understand it this time :) and my little ones enjoyed it as well. This book inspired me to keep a garden and gave me a love for flowers, roses in particular. The father draws lessons from the flowers he cultivates and so he cultivates a love for the Savior in his daughter which enables her to persevere through many trials. Definitely a must buy! We have about 20 Lamplighters and this is my absolute favorite! I think "Hedge of Thorns" is 2nd. If you don't have much interest in flowers, you will when your done with this book! :)



  The Basket of Flowers
Author: Christoph von Schmid
Written in: 1878
Pages: 168

The Basket of Flowers is part of the Fireside Collection and the Von Schmid Collection.

This first book of the Lamplighter Rare Collector Series continues to be a best-seller. James, the king's gardener, teaches his 15-year-old daughter Mary all the principles of godliness through his flowers. She is falsely accused of stealing, and the penalty is death. Mary remembers her father had taught her: that it is better to die for the truth than to live for a lie, and that the worst pillow to sleep on is the pillow of a guilty conscience! This story will change your life forever!

"I am giving The Basket of Flowers to my grandchildren. I have no doubt they will devour it." -Elisabeth Elliot

View other books by this author: Christoph von Schmid