Valentine's Day "Jesus Love" Tea

As a Mom in the thick of raising kids, I'm watching the Grandma's.
Learning what to expect when my nest is empty.
Gathering ideas for how I want to age gracefully.
Choosing what I am going to do and what I'm NOT going to do.
Setting some goals and preparing now.

There's a lady in my church who I aspire to be like when

my grandbabies start arriving.
She loves all over her grown children and now her grandchildren.
In fact, she loves all over everyone!
She exudes joy.....and hospitality.
She is a picture of this scripture:

"And above all things have fervent charity (love) among yourselves:
for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Use hospitality one to another without grudging."
1 Peter 4:8,9

She doesn't let her schedule, time constraints,

or space constraints limit her desire to share the love of Jesus with others.

Again, this year, I was inspired by her love of sharing

her beautiful things,

and delightful treats, and fun activities
with a gaggle of giggling, squirmy little girls

at the big Valentine's Tea Party she threw in her home.

What joy!
What love we all felt through her!

Mom's Birthday

So many beautiful things came my way for my birthday this year!!
The weather was perfect!!  (Thank you, Good Father!)
Lunch was delightful!  (Thank you, my baby!)
Free treats!  (Thank you, Nothing Bundt Cakes!)
Birthday wishes from my students!  (Thank you, GBA!)

A visit from my oldest girl and her beau.....and they brought flowers!
(Thank you Lexi and Eric!!)
My favorite birthday cake EVER!  (Thanks to my Mom!)
Another birthday lunch treat for Italian food!!  (Thanks to my other Mother!)

It was all good and I look around in wonderment at how blessed my life is!!

Thank you, Lord, for another year to serve and love You!!

Class President

Recently, our little homeschool co-op enjoyed a week of learning

about the democratic process of electing the President in our country.

We made this application by electing our very first "class president."

On the first day, we divided up into parties with names of their

own choosing.

They were given the assignment of having a "party caucus"

where they were to decide some new ideas for our class 

and to choose two candidates

from their party which they would vote on the next day during 

their "conventions."

They were then to create some campaign materials for their candidate,

and each candidate was to prepare a speech for the debate.

On our final day, each party voted and we celebrated the winner

with a cookie reception at the end of the day!

We had so much fun and our students can't wait

to go through this process again around spring break (term limits!)

Congratulations to our first class president, Grant Brough!!! 

Order a copy of Is God There

Have you ever asked the question, "Is God really there?" 

 If so, how? 

 "How can I know for sure that God knows who I am

 and really cares about me?"
Now, you can have in hand a ready list 

of all the ways God says He is faithful to you.

I hope you will join me in studying through His Word to see exactly what God's

faithfulness looks like and how these truths will help you!

Last year, my dear friend, Ruth, asked me if I would like to join her

in writing a Bible Study that studies this principle of God's faithfulness.

She asked if I would compile some real-life examples of how God showed 

His faithfulness to my family and me along with a corresponding scripture

that spoke of His faithfulness in that context.

What happened was a year-long process of searching the scriptures

and realizing again just how much God loves me

and how He reveals that love in His faithfulness to us!!

This book is written in a Bible study format with a scripture verse

 that speaks of God's faithfulness

and a corresponding life story that brings that verse to life.

There are questions for reflection and application at the end of each chapter

to help you grow in your walk with the Lord.

This would be perfect for daily quiet time and worship,

or used as a discipleship tool to help a new believer grow in their understanding

of how God works in our lives and how deep His love is for us!

To order your copy, please click on the picture of the book

in the right-hand side-bar of this blog (near the top.)

Or, simply click here!

Aryn's 11th Birthday

 In January, we kicked off birthday season by celebrating our youngest's 

11th birthday!!!
We invited a few of her friends and headed to our local trampoline park

for a fun couple hours of jumping, eating pizza and cake, and opening gifts.

Right off the bat, Aryn twisted her ankle while jumping

and that was it because it really hurt her.
But the rest of the girls enjoyed their time and encouraged
Aryn to focus on the fun in front of her.
Her one-off strange gift request this year was a blue ukelele.
Grandma came through on that request and it was a hit!!
Because most of her siblings and her dad were unable to attend

the girl party, we all went out for pizza (you can never have too much!!)
that evening!
Happy birthday, Aryn!!
You light up our lives with sparkle and joy and we love you for it!!!