Do all that you do in love and for the glory of God!

This Spring has been quite interesting! The snow has disappeared and reappeared so many times. Close to the the first thaw, Marie was told by Caleb that there might be a neat picture opportunity down at a culvert close to our property...God's ice creation is so beautiful.¹⁶ He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
¹⁷ He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
¹⁸ He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. Psalm 147:16-18

The train tracks have been quite busy with more than just the regular CN trains...Spring repairing of the rails has been in full swing for the last couple weeks.

As you can see, the grass is nice and green and now it has snow on it again:) The little girls(who are growing up so quickly:) took advantage of the warm weather and made a box house out of a mattress box...more than just the girls got in on the fun!

The happy house dweller!

JoAnna's science project...an edible cell.

March 19th Our family hosted the 1st Father Daughter Event for those involved in our local Bright Lights group. We had picture time, a meal,(everyone brought a dish to share), a game, time for fathers and daughters to write love notes to each other, a short devotional, and singing and prayer time!

 

Many thanks to Mom and Mrs. Bailey who helped serve and clean up all those pretty glass plates and real silverware!                  ^{Ephesians 4:2} With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

The whole group.

Matthew will be graduating this year!!!!!! Where has the time gone. It just seems like a little bit ago that Matt was like this and now he is....

...like this!

Winter happenings in the Mitton household

Welcome back faithful blog readers(if there are any out there after our long silence:)
Winter time, a wonderful season of life!!! We have a favorite quote from Henty's Captain Baileys Heir, that describes what many in our family feel during the cold months of December, January, and February.
"... The sky is blue, and the sun is shining brightly; the wind is fresh and keen; it is just the day when people well-clad, well-fed and in strong health, fell their blood dancing more freely than usual though their veins, and experience an unusual exhilaration of spirits..." 

During the Christmas holidays we were able to finally get a family picture(minus Ben, Emily and Cedric). Many thanks to Hannah M. for the photo for us!

In January we headed to South Dakota to attend Mom's niece and our cousin Hannah Hanson's wedding. We arrived a day early and were able to spend some quality time with little Cedric! Here Caleb is playing with Cedric in his nursery. It is so fun to see his uncles enjoy spending time with the little guy:)

Esther reading to her little nephew. Hard to believe that this young lady has grown up so quickly and is now an accomplished reader.

Yay! Cedric must be warmed up enough to us, for him to raise up his arms like this to Grandma:)

The beautiful couple!! Hannah and Sean Mustian! What a joy it was to see this couple joined together in marriage.

Ben and Emily were so gracious in letting us stay with them. Sunday morning was such a treat as we were entertained with a delicious breakfast. Ben also read some Scripture. It truly is a blessing to have a family that loves the Lord and to have fellowship around the table.

Most of the family stayed in SD until Monday morning, thus giving them time to play games, talk and watch some videos. Rachel and me(Elizabeth) traveled home together following relatives, as I have a part time job at the Care Center, as an Activities Aide, and was not able to get Monday off. What a sweet time Rachel and I had as we talked, prayed, listened to Brinkman's Adventures, were quiet, and sang songs together!!! Quality sister time.

 Earlier on in January, Mom brought some of the children to Buena Vista. It was a perfect day, despite being a bit windy.

 Matthew

 Caleb

 Sarah and Marie.

 Mom and Marie

 Memory time...

“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;”  A wonderful thing about winter times is cozy fires, a book, a cup of hot cocoa...Thank the Lord for a father and brothers that prepare in the summer for the winter!

 February 13th found Our local Bright Lights group in the local care center...singing songs, reciting Scripture, watching our cousin draw a chalk drawing, and sharing goodies with the residents.

 Daddy read Scripture while the chalk drawing was being done.

"I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." Being close to Valentines Day, the theme of the program was the Love of God.

President's Day found the majority of the family minus me,(the joys of a new job:) at Bemis Hill, a local sledding hill.

Matthew and Rachel...the long trek up the hill is part of the best part of the experience...if you are there to lose weight that is:)

Marie and Jenna J. Part of the fun of Bemis Hill is gathering with friends and family!

Dad, Mom and Esther...(Esther doesn't look too sure about going down:)

Some of the sledding crew, eating the best food you can have at Bemis hill, hot dogs cooked over an open fire(plus an appetite sharpened by the fresh air and all that exercise!)

Gotta love that smile!

JoAnna deep in thought!

So there you have it...a little recap on our lives:) We pray that you are all busy serving the Lord, and rejoicing in His love for you.
Until the next time I remain yours truly, Elizabeth Mitton

Remembering our dear Victoria Faith

It is two years ago today that our little daughter entered in to LIFE...

How we miss her...she was a special part of our family each day that she lived...she was a blessing to us in so very many ways...we all miss her.  At the same time we thank God for each day she lived...we can't help remembering what we were told at the beginning...that she wouldn't live past birth...the days of suspense...the months on hospice...after that the years with us. My heart is full of gratitude to God for our little treasure.

Though we miss Victoria here, we can't help but rejoice with her  What she is experiencing even now, is beyond imagination...

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. "

"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him:   And they shall see His face..."   (from Revelation 21 & 22)

I heard a song recently that made me think of Victoria, that I thought I'd share on her home going day.  It has made me cry more than once...but somehow, I find myself smiling through the tears...

The sun still rises in the East,
It sets still in the West,
But, we now are bowed down in grief,
For you’ve gone on to rest.

What music from God’s Hall heard you?
What bade you leave the womb?

(We sing, "What made you leave so soon?" here)
And slip up through the starry blue,
By the path of your own tomb?

‘Twas not the reapers cruel scythe,
No claw on Death’s grim hand,
But a call to God, to peace, to life,
A voice across the strand.
Through heaven’s gate you dance with mirth,
And through a glowing hall,
On splendor never seen on earth,
You gazed in joy and awe.

Chorus:
And there you heard the Angels harps,
And there the Saints did sing,
And there above all sparkling stars,
You knelt before the King.

And there the glad hosannas rang,
Rejoicing 'round the throne,
Loud songs of praise the Cherubs sang,
For a child of God come home.

The sun still rises in the East,
It sets still in the West,
But you’ve gone on to heaven’s feast,
To live with God at rest.

A though we’re left to weep a day,
And mourn in this world of men,
Heaven rings with your shouts of play,
And we shall meet again.

Chorus:
(And there we'll hear the Angels harps,
And with the Saints we'll sing,
And there above all sparkling stars,
We'll kneel before the King.)

And there the glad hosannas ring,
Rejoicing 'round the throne,
Loud songs of praise the Cherubs sing,
For a child of God come home...

Our hearts are waiting for the day,
When we meet again at home.
© 2001-2010 Abigail Miller Ministries

The song was written for a little one who never got to meet her parents...but we thought it fit our sweet Victoria, as well.

"His work is honourable and glorious: and His righteousness endureth forever.  

He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered:

the LORD is gracious 

and full of compassion."

Psalm 111:3 & 4

The next post contains the music for the song...

What are you thankful for?

~Oh give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever. Psalm 136:1~

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. There's no better time than the present to sit back and reevaluate what God had done in your life. Why are you here on this earth? 
Colossians 1:16 says "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
So, we are made for God. 

Hebrews 13:15 says By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
There are so many scriptures that talk about the importance of thankfulness. I Thessalonians 5:18, Psalm 95:2,  I Chronicles 16:34, Isaiah 12:4...you get the idea :) 
God's people need to be recognized as people that are thankful! I mean, we are children saved by grace. We have so much to be thankful for!
Think about God for a moment.
He is...
Holiness
Love
Peace
Justice
Truth
Joy
Mercy
Compassion
Strength
Trustworthy
Creative
Omniscient
Omnipresent
The Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world
Counselor
Everlasting Father
Shepherd
The Door by which men enter into heaven
Divine Righteousness
All Purity
King of Kings and Lord of Lords
The list is endless!!!!!!!

So, what are you going to do the next time a situation comes up for which it would be easy to gripe or complain? I pray that you will be thankful!!
Believe me, I need to learn this better myself~ I am not just talking  to you!

I thought it would be a fun thing to go around to my different family members and take a survey of what they were thankful for. Here is what I came up with.

Daddy is thankful for:
1. Spiritual Blessing in Christ
2. A dear Wife:)
3. Children that are following the Lord
4. Basic Necessities
 5. That my name is written in the Lamb's book of life

Mommy is thankful for:
1. Our Merciful, Gracious Compassionate God
2. A wonderful Husband ( they have been married 28 years today!)
3. Children and family
4. Joy in our hearts
5. For God's provision
6. A cozy home
7. The opportunity to  work together as a family

Elizabeth(me) is thankful for:
1. All that I am in Christ
2. Christmas carols
3. Butterflies
4. Freedom to worship God
5. The body of Christ
6.  Every Breath

Rachel is thankful for:
1. The Promise of a home in heaven
2. The Bible in my own language
3. Eyes to see with
4. The Bible Bee
5. My wonderful family and extended family

Matthew is thankful for: 
1. Loving Family
2. Those who did the Bible Bee
3. The Bible

Caleb is thankful for:
1. Snow
2. The sacrifice that Jesus made on the Cross
3. Family
4. Good books to read, especially the Bible

Marie is thankful for:
1. Siblings
2. Snow
3. Trees
4. Pastors
5. A sink to wash dishes in:)

JoAnna is thankful for:
1. Food
2. A Nice Bed
3. School:)
Esther is thankful for:
1. A home
2. Grandparents
3. Love



So what are you thankful for?
We would love to hear about it!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving season.
Signing off with joy, Elizabeth

~I think that is a better thing that thanksgiving: thanks-living. How is this to be done? By a general cheerfulness of manner, by an obedience to the command of Him by whose mercy we live, by a perpetual constant delighting of ourselves in the Lord, and by a submission of our desires to His will. Charles Spurgeon.~