Mom's Birthday!!

"Jesus Saves" Verse 1 Hear the heart of heaven beating, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves. And the hush of mercy breathing, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves. Hear the hosts of angels sing, glory to the new born King, and the sounding joy repeating, Jesus Saves. 

Mom's willing waitresses...Joanna was one too, but we didn't get a picture of them all together.

Verse 2  See the humblest hearts adore him, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves. And the wisest bow before him, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves. See the sky alive with praise, Melting darkness in it's blaze, there is life forever more in Jesus Saves!

A special neighbor gave us this unique plate to use specifically for birthdays.

Verse 3 He will live, our sorrows sharing, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves. He will die our burdens bearing, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves. "It is done!" will shout the cross, Christ has paid redemption's cost, While the empty tomb's decalring, Jesus Saves.

Birthday Roses from Dad.

Verse 4 Oh, to grace how great a debtor, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves. All the saints will shout together, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves. Rising up so vast and strong lifting up Salvation's song, the redeemed will sin forever, Jesus Saves!

Mom's new sewing machine...A Janome:)!!

Chorus Freedom's calling, chains are falling, hope is dawning, bright and true. Day is breaking, night is quaking, God is making all things new...Jesus Saves!

Mommy's birthday dessert, Mint Brownie Pie.

Playing human foosball .

Mom's special birthday breakfast, Bing cherries, cinnamon toast, blueberry-honey yogurt, a soft pillow, and coffee(that tastes like milk:) made just right by Dad.

Loves those around her
Incentive to live for God
N ever ending source of joy
Dear and near to our hearts
Attentive to the needs of those around her.

We love you so much Mom. Truly you are a woman whose price is far above rubies

Song "Jesus Saves" is written by David Moffitt and Travis Cottrell; it is adapted by "The Steve Pettit Team".

Caleb's 12th Birthday!! (A little late)

For his birthday cake this year, Caleb requested a plane. With a twinkle in her eye Mom asked Caleb if he wanted it to be an airborne plane. (note the airborne symbols on the wings...and the guy ready to jump) Caleb said yes!! Here is the finished product.(Talk about an older brother influencing the younger ones:)...Be careful of what you do, you never know who is watching you!!

We are so glad that you are in our family Caleb!!

Some things that Caleb really enjoys doing are skating, playing "Settlers of Catan", and playing Christmas songs on the piano.

When I was a Child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. I Cor.13:11

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, Acceptable unto God,which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

^{BLessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful
 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.}Psalm 1:1-2

 SEest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. Proverbs 22:29

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession Before many witnesses. I Timothy^:12

Photo shoot with Victoria!!

"The Mercies of God"

  Verse 1. The mercies of God! what a theme for my song, O! I never could number them o'er; they're more than the stars in the heavenly dome,

Or the sands of the wave beaten shore. Chorus: For mercies so great, what return can I make?

For mercies so constant and sure? I'll love Him, I'll serve Him with all that I have

As long as my life shall endure.

Verse 2. They greet me at morn when I waken from sleep, And they gladden my heart at the noon;

                                                                         They follow me on into shades of the night, When the day with its labor is done.

Chorus: For mercies so great, what return can I make? For mercies so constant and sure?

I'll love Him, I'll serve Him with all that I have As long as my life shall endure.

Victoria is doing fairly well. She still has periods of time when she will cry and won't be comforted. Those times are hard... But put yourself in her shoes. Maybe she is trying to communicate with you, and she is not being understood by us. Then there are the days that go so well. She bats at toys, exercises well, and likes you to feed her food by mouth. We treasure these kind of days a lot:)

As it is getting closer to Christmas, remember something: God, who created us, chose to come down to earth and live among us. We are so grateful that God loved us enough that He left perfect heaven to come down to a sin-filled earth. Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift! Hope you all have a very merry Christmas!!

25 years and counting!

Mom and Dad on the wedding day 25 years ago!!!

Elizabeth did this post...but I just wanted to add a bit.  I am so thankful for these 25 years with my best friend.  I have been amazed at God's goodness as he has made love grow stronger and deeper as we have walked through life together.  I have learned so much from my dear husband and thank God for making our paths cross at the right time.  We have shared many joys and sorrows...and in everything, we have found our God to be so faithful. My heart overflows with thankfulness and wonder as I contemplate God's goodness and observe the beauty of what He designs. 

       
Above:  After 25 years...just had to play a little 'dress up' as we remembered the vows we made a few short years ago...Below:  Three hearts...because we need love greater than our own for love to grow as it ought..."beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God...if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another...if we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and HIS love is perfected in us."  We have learned some of God's true love...may we continue to grow in love...   (now, back to Elizabeth...thanks, Elizabeth!)

The beautiful necklace that my wonderful Dad got for my wonderful Mom :)

 

In September Mom and Dad, went to Lutsen Lodge for their anniversary. So on their real anniversary they just had a special meal and some gifts. Pictured above is some delicious white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Let me tell you, it was mouth watering:) We all decided that it was the best cheesecake that we had ever had.  The next pictures are from dad and mom's little getaway to the North Shore of Lake Superior.

1 Corinthians Chapter 13

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.

Happy 10th Birthday Marie!!!

Marie's birthday started on Saturday, when Daddy took Marie and Sarah,a cousin, to town.

 First they went to DQ for a blizzard. Then they went to the  Marvin Home center. From what Marie said, they had lots and lots of fun.

Every girl's dream...a date with Daddy:)

10 Things you might not know about Marie:

  1.She Loves to talk with friends, cousins, siblings...just about anyone:) 2. Her favorite hymn is" God's Perfect Lamb" 3. Her Favorite Bible verse is Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee, be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest. 4. Her favorite game to play is Phase Ten. 5. Cool places that Marie has been to are, Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Niagara Falls, The Mennonite Village, Mount Rushmore(she was a baby at the time and probably does not remember it:), The Mall of America:), and Big Sandy, Texas. 6. Her Favorite Animal is the horse ( must be just about every girl's favorite animal at one time or another:) 7. Likes to play football with her brothers and sisters. 8. Loves to write e-mails to her brother that is oversees. 9. Wishes that someday she could visit Washington D.C.10. Her absolutely favorite Bible story is Esther.                                                      

Like last year Marie requested a castle cake. Every year Mom gets better and better at decorating it, though it is always different from year to year:)

Marie with some of her new gifts. One of her favorite gifts, was talking on the phone to her older brothers: Benjamin called just as we were singing "Happy Birthday" to her.  Then she got another treat on Monday when Reuben called...what fun! 

I Timothy 4:12

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Proverbs 20:11

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

 Ecclesiastes 12:1

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,

Happy Birthday Marie!! May you grow into a godly young lady that glorifies God with her life.