4th Day of Vacation

Today was a quiet day for us, we didn't do a day trip. We hung around the house and even took a nap (yeah!!!). In the afternoon we ran some errands and came home so I could cook dinner. After dinner the girls cleaned up and now I am blogging. I am planning to go to bed early. Here are the only two pictures I took today:

Bekah and Hannah doing the dishes.

Rachel sweeping under the table.

Hopefully, we will do something a little more exciting tomorrow.

Where is the Book?

Today I received and email from Amazon announcing the EPCA Christian Book Awards: 2008 winners. What has happened to Christians when our book of the year is an audio drama. 

Now I like to listen to books or dramas (Odyssey or Chronicles of Narnia) while we drive, but this is the "BEST" Christian book? Are we that lazy that we don't want to pick up God's Word and read His Words to us?

I just don't get it. There are many great Christian books out there that will challenge us and encourage us in our love and devotion for our Lord and Savior. Even more troubling to me is the youth and children's division winner.

Here is the description of this book:

Following up her best-selling editions of TeenVirtue and TeenVirtue 2, Vicki Courtney's TeenVirtue Confidential takes an even more interactive direction than before by offering God-focused answers to real questions sent in from teenage girls. The main topics here are: The Future, Guys, Body Development and Sex, and Faith.

Some featured articles in this bright and fun magazine-styled book series include "Your Top 10 Questions for Guys . . . and Their Answers," "Your #1 Question for God," ""Words of Wisdom from College Women," "Quiz: Are You a Cell-Mannered Girl?," and "Sex Questions . . . We Have the Answers."

Vicki Courtney is a greatly trusted name among Christian moms, and TeenVirtue Confidential is a safe and cool pick for their precious daughters.

Here is my advice (it's free!):

• Read the Bible to your children.

• Give your children a Bible to read when they are able to do so.

• Ask your children questions about the Bible.

• Do not dumb the Bible down for them.

• Study the Bible yourself, we will pass on our excitement to our children.

• Have great godly books in your house for yourself and your children.

Warning Against Apostasy

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

                     Hebrews 5:11-14

3rd Day of Vacation

Today we were able to enjoy the Orange County Fair for our third day of vacation. We each took a new children's book and received free admission and a free carnival ride. Once again, we had beautiful weather. Here are some snap shots from our day.

Not a family member, just a really cool looking goat. He was causing trouble in his pen. 

I still can't tell how he was able to see anything.

Yes, my girls are milking a plastic cow. And yes, Hannah is standing behind a cow.

This pig is 4 years old, she had just given birth to 5 pigs three weeks ago. 

Look at Abby's face, she had just touched her skin and said very loudly, "It's hard."

This little guy is only 11 days old. He was on everyone's favorite thing of the day list.

Very  appropriate, this is one of the girl's favorite foods.

Saboo. This is a sad looking water buffalo.

All my dairy girls.

This was our first time going to the OC Fair, we had a lot of fun. I honestly, could not believe the amount of food booths in such a small area. It did smell good though.

2nd Day of Vacation

We had a low-keyed day today. We took the girls to the movies this morning for a free showing of The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. When we were leaving we saw a woman staring at us in the parking lot. She said, "Did you feel it?" "Feel what?," was my response. She said we had just had a big earthquake. Praise God we did not feel it.

After, the movies we ran errands and went and worked at our church for a few hours. Not so relaxing, but definitely a productive day.

Hopefully, I will have pictures tomorrow.

1st Day of Vacation

Yummy!

Today, is the first day of our vacation. We have decided to stay home this week. We could not have asked for better weather. Here are some of the pictures from today, the 6 loads of laundry not pictured.

Rich enjoying a good book and the weather.



The girls are recycling flowers and tree limb.



She is still not sure of this pole.



Just playing with the camera.

One of our snacks today courtesy of our good friends' thoughtfulness. You guys rock.

What I am reading this vacation.

He Has Skills

On Friday night we had the privilege of hosting our monthly Family Life Fellowship. We did a family picnic outside. This gave the children and adults a chance to run around and play. Here are a few pictures of our night.

Gearing up to show off his skills.

Getting started.

Look at him go.

Such beautiful brown eyes.

Weeeeee

Picnic on the lawn.

Daddy with his baby.

James goes everywhere him.

She is only doing this because her younger sisters did it. (Notice her face)

Always ready for the camera.

She was going so fast I am surprised she didn't fly off the front of it.

There he goes again.

The men discussing their lesson.

This monthly fellowship is a great time of friends, food and God's Word.

Getting Ready

Today (technically yesterday) I had the privilege of working at our church in preparation for our upcoming VBS.

VBS is kind of a mixed bag of emotions for me. I am always worried we haven't done enough, therefore it causes great stress for me before it starts. Then, when VBS starts I am humbled by God's grace and how He always puts everything together perfectly in ways I could not have even imagined. I love to see our church come together for the week and work as a team. Watching as our teachers share the gospel with the children is what it all boils down to. I want the kids to have fun, but the most important thing is to see them saved from an eternity in hell. That is worth all the sweat and tears.

I remember attending VBS as a kid, but I only remember the crafts and the prize I received for perfect attendance (it was a latch hook kit). How thankful I am now for all the hard work that went into planning for VBS when I was young.


This sign is one of the things I was able to work on today.

What I Learned Today

A random picture from our travels today. This is a new water fountain in San Pedro.

Tonight, at Bible study we were looking at Psalm 25: 6-7. Specifically we were looking at some of the attributes of God. This message was so timely for me as I have been struggling with doubt recently. God is so good to teach me through His word and His shepherd. 

God is merciful- Psalm 25:6

God's love is steadfast (This is a covenant love) - Psalm 25:6

God is forgiving- Psalm 25:7

God does not give us His mercy, steadfast love or forgiveness based on our merit. These are gifts from Him, because He has made a covenant with us. 

We need to constantly remind ourselves of these attributes. We need to humble ourselves in front of our living Father so we can experience these wonderful gifts.

We also looked at Psalm 103:11-14

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame; 
he remembers that we are dust.

What a wonderful reminder of God's love, grace and mercy.

Please pray for Suzie

Would you please join me in prayer for this beautiful little girl? Her name is Suzie Lorraine Sanderson and she was born on July 18th (three months premature). She only weighed 1 lb. 14 oz. at birth. She is having serious health problems. Please pray for God to heal her if that is His will, if not that God would give the whole family His grace.
Here is the link to Suzie's grandmother's blog with updates on the right hand side.