Independence Day 2022 highlights*

 We had another fabulous, fun Fourth of July holiday. We kept calling it a weekend because it felt like one, but actually, it was Sunday- Tuesday. The 4th of July was on a Monday, so we left to travel an hour south on Sunday after church. We changed clothes, ate lunch, and hit the road! Caleb's girlfriend Lindsey got to come with us this year, which made us miss our oldest daughter and her husband a little less. We enjoyed cousin/ family time, the parade, water fights, ate well, listened to "A Girl Named Tom" band and saw the fireworks. It was a long day, but oh so enjoyable!

We love our annual family "porch pictures!" Silly one...

Everyone pointing...

Squishy faces...

And a nice one!

Ready for the parade to start...

Girls and their Nana...

Ready for the water fights... Bethany and I were there too! We got wetter this year!

At the parade...

The crew who went to see the water fights!

"A Girl named Tom" onstage... they were great!

Playing on the Nintendo Switch!

Problems with being tall at an old house...

Kids sleeping on the way back to Auntie's house...

Cuties!!

Ready for the fireworks to begin!

It was an extra special day to celebrate our country's independence. Lindsey was a trooper since she was still recovering from knee surgery that she had in May. She stood a lot at the parade and water fights, but she said she had a great time! We love our family!! We do a lot of chatting, catching up and laughing together. The time together is always too short.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Sunday Ministry Spouse

 My husband is the worship pastor at our church. This article that I read in a Christian magazine called, "The Banner" resonated with me, as a "Sunday ministry spouse." It reminded me that October is Pastor Appreciation month, please don't forget to thank your pastor and family for their ministry in your life!

It was written from a wife to her husband, and she is the director of discipleship ministries at her church in Ohio. I felt it was written to me, so I will tweak it slightly and include it below:

To the spouse who supports me in Sunday morning ministry (and the many people with family members) who serve in churches:

I know Sunday mornings are not the peaceful, relaxed times that so many of your friends enjoy.

There are no tranquil Sunday brunches, no sleeping in, no impromptu weekends away at the cottage, a few weekends away at all.

We are among the first at church and the last to leave.

For four hours in the day of rest, you keep track of our children while I am leading other people in ----- (fill in the blank... worship, Bible Study, prayer, or helping their kids). On Sunday morning the sacred time that most families spend together, you are on part-time parent duty.

You are my go-to last-minute nursery (or praise team) volunteer. You jump in as greeter for newcomers, basketball teammate for children, and server for meals at special events. 

You listen and listen and listen as I process what ministry means, as I struggle with the challenges of finding volunteers, of church politics, of trying to get others on board with my vision, or striving to bring growth in a slow-moving, albeit wise, institution.

You didn't know when you said your vows that you'd be signing up for all this-- saying no to weekend social events because we are booked every weekend; leaving Saturday evening events early because Sunday is my Monday; saying no to vacations during Christmas or Easter; becoming a default volunteer for most activities on our church's calendar; staying home with the kids on evenings during the week when I have to work.

My ministry is in the foreground- the children's messages, the preaching, the worship leading, the games, and teaching, and songs and activities (whatever the role may be for me). My ministry can be measured and recognized by hours and smiles on faces. I'm the one who gets thank yous and hugs. Your ministry is in the background, and like so many in Scripture, you do the quiet, seldom-recognized work of supporting.

And you do it willingly. Over and over again you offer to step in. Over and over again you hear my frustrations and joys, my prayers, and my challenges.

A helpmate. When I see all that you do Sunday after Sunday, I can think of a few better words.

I see you and the pastors' spouses and ministers' children and families of people in vocational ministry. I know there are thousands of hidden hours that you put into our callings. I am so grateful. Thank you for all of the work that you do to make my work possible.

-adapted from an article by Melissa Kuipers, 2021

Genesis 2:18
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Ephesians 5:31
“For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

Philemon 1:4
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers...

March crafts

 This past weekend, my hubby was out of town and I had some free time on my hands. Several weeks ago my daughters and I were shopping at Target (one of my favorite stores!), and we found some canvases on sale for just over a dollar. We bought four. Two of the canvases my hubby and I used for Valentine's Day weekend when we painted together. I had two more left and decided to use them for March crafts.

I do not have many St. Patrick's Day decorations. I have a few shamrocks and green candle holders that I put out, but I've never spent time creating much until this year. I was inspired looking at Pinterest for ideas. I decided to try some things. I was also inspired by a friend who decorated her home and posted pictures on Facebook of her decorations. I also went to the Dollar Tree and bought a balsa wood shamrock wreath there. The photos below are what I came up with.

I painted this canvas several colors of green acrylic paints. It was fun to just "free style." It has gold and burlap piece stapled on the back, with a felt shamrock on the front. I have several green candle holders on this ledge between our TV room and dining room/ kitchen table area.

I need to buy more small, detail paint brushes... it was hard to paint the letters.

This was one that I saw on Pinterest and I painted this canvas to look like what I saw. It's not perfect either, but I'm happy with the way that it turned out. I staple gunned a piece of twine to that back so that I could hang it on my porch. Years ago, I bought green ribbon that has white shamrocks on it, so I put a piece of that ribbon on the twine too. It was a fun weekend painting and creating. I have another piece that I printed on card stock and used mod-podge to glue it onto a piece of wood. I like that one too, but there is no picture of it. It says, "Let the shamrock serve as a reminder to thee, of God's perfect presence in His Holy Trinity."

Last year I printed this Irish blessing and framed it. I like having it out during March.

I'll keep these decorations out for most of March. Toward the end of the month, I may switch some things out for spring and Palm Sunday/ Easter decorations.

What about you-- do you have any St. Patrick's Day decorations that you have made? Or where did you buy them?  

Matthew 5:1-12
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Father's Day 2020

We had a wonderful Father's Day again this year. We had a nice time at home after church together with Rebekah. The kids helped me make crepes for lunch, filled with fruit. We had to take pictures together of course! The kids took photos of each other, printed them for our wall, and for his wall at work. Then they made bookmarks too! Those pictures are another post!

Opening his gift...

Pictures with the kids...

They love their Daddy!

Squished faces!

I sure love this man!💗

We were able to see both of our Dads later in the day, but did not get photos with them. A lot of the time included masks, which is still strange. But we don't want anyone to get sick with COVID!

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Hebrews 12:9
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!

1 John 2:14
I write to you, dear children because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Halloween 2019

We had a wonderful Halloween this year! The kids dressed up (of course) and we spent the evening at our church's Harvestfest again. My teens always help run the booths and hand out candy to the kids. This is Bethany's last year to be a kid! Next year she will be helping!

Bethany dressed up as her own character, called "Rememberest," which was her own superhero. She made the mask and put the outfit together. She looked great!

 Mallory dressed up as an ice cream cone. We've had this costume in our box for many years since a friend gave it to us. I'm glad that it finally got worn!

 Caleb dressed as Clark Kent, and his girlfriend Lindsey dressed up as Supergirl. Her sister was Wonder Woman!

My hubby dressed up as a contractor, related to our next year's theme of VBS, called "Concrete and Cranes."

 Although we didn't see Rebekah, she sent us a picture of her dressed up as "Blue" from "Blue's Clues," and her friend dressed up as "Magenta."

 Working at Harvestfest, talking with our youth pastor...

 Joshua talking to our friend, who was dressed as a fraction, or common denominator.

 Bethany and her buddies playing games...

 My friend Dionne was a gingerbread girl, and she posed with Mallory.

Bethany with her best friends, who were dressed as Harry Potter and Jack Sparrow. It was a very enjoyable evening!

Psalm 18:28
You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Isaiah 50:10
Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.

Make Every Day A Holiday

My mom receives Guideposts magazines each month in the mail. When she is completed reading them, she passes them on to me. I enjoy reading the stories of encouragement and hope. Recently, I read a story of a lady named Julie, who likes to find "fun" or "bizarre" days on the calendar and celebrate them, as a holiday every day.

I thought it was a nice idea. She said that she likes to put a picture and a Bible verse with the name of the funny holiday, and post it with a few hashtags, such as #makeeverydayaholiday and #thisisthedaythelordhasmade. I thought I could join her in making them a few days a week. I've done several lately, and posted them on Instagram and Facebook. I usually find the pictures on the internet somewhere, and save it. I add the verses and words using different apps, called "Retype" and "Over". I have used these apps before for pictures that I wanted to write on.

It is a fun little new thing to brighten my days in the cold of winter. The holidays range from silly to outlandish. I wonder where some of them came from... I mean who thought making a "Measure your feet" day was a grand idea? Our Bubble wrap appreciation day (today)? Most of the days have 2-4 holidays on them. There is chocolate cake day, National blueberry pancake day, Data Privacy day, and Thank a Plugin Developer day. Kinda wild, right?! It is sometimes a challenge to find a Bible verse that applies, but it is a good & godly pursuit!

I hope you enjoy the pictures, and maybe you can join me, in making every day a holiday? ;-D

 Morning sleepiness fighting day was on a Monday, which seemed fitting to me!

National Milk Day!

 Customer Service Day

 National Book Publishers Day

Come in from the cold day

Measure your feet day...

What about you? What funny or bizarre holiday do you celebrate? I'd love to hear about it!



Psalm 118:24
This is the day which the Lord has made;Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Esther 9:28
So these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city; and these days of Purim were not to fail from among the Jews, or their memory fade from their descendants.

2 Chronicles 30:23
Then the whole assembly decided to celebrate the feast another seven days, so they celebrated the seven days with joy.

Independence Day 2018 highlights

We enjoyed time out of town with my husband's family for several days over the 3rd-5th of July. It is always lovely to go up to the gorgeous mountain country and spend time in a small town! Who doesn't love small town American holidays? We love being together, playing games and doing the usual summer holiday things... parade, seeing friends, picnic lunches, seeing the water fights, eating wonderful dishes, and seeing fireworks.

The drive is only a "long hour" from our home... 2 of 3 kids fell asleep!

Bethany getting "kisses" from Auntie's dog...

Enjoying leisurely mornings...

Caleb missed his buddy/ cousin, and didn't sleep in a tent but in a hammock outside!

Driving out of town... silly cousins!

Waiting for the parade to start...

Poor Bethany got sunscreen in her eyes that morning...  :(

Whole family at the parade!

My girls waiting to get candy during the parade in their matching shirts! <3 p="">

Our friend walking her 3-legged dog during the parade!

Sweet cousin friends...

 Waiting for the water fights to start...

 During the water fights... one went longer than 15 minutes!

Playing a dice game...

 
 Nice porch photo...

 ...and a silly one!


Psalm 119:45
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.

Galatians 5:1
[ Freedom in Christ ] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Romans 8:20-22
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.