Wednesday was grocery day. The pictures above are of our favorite grocery store. No, I didn't post the wrong pictures. We order online with a co-op called Azure Standard and have food delivered once a month. I love not having to buy so many small containers from the stores. Have you noticed they keep getting smaller and smaller? Also, the food is fresher and the quality is better. We bought onions and potatoes from the co-op and the store at the same time--the produce from the co-op lasted all month, but the store bought produce was moldy within a week. It makes me wonder how long the food we buy in the store sits around before we buy it. Another bonus is that the boys love to lift the heavy bags and boxes for mom showing off their muscles while the little ones play with their friends. Who knew grocery shopping could be so much fun?
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Psalms 127:3-5
Friday, February 26, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Our favorite way to spend an evening
Tonight we had one of our favorite evenings. It's been cold and rainy for the last week, so we had a warm soup for supper with homemade blueberry pie for dessert (courtesy of Lauren). Pierce got a fire going in the fireplace, then we all gathered around, some with KNEX, some with knitting, some with art supplies and listened to a talk by our favorite preacher, Voddie Baucham. We've gone through all of his sermons on SermonAudio.com more than once and keep coming back. He has a wonderful way of teaching the Truth with simplicity and no apologies. The kids even love to listen to "Mr. Voddie". I know it probably sounds crazy that we listen to sermons for fun, but that's just the way we are. Now the little ones are tucked in bed and the house is peaceful. It's been a good day.
Really tired!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Start Here
About a year ago Thomas and I (Lauren) read a book written by Alex and Brett Harris called Do Hard Things. The Harris' start out by telling how people have been led to believe that teenagers (a term which was created only 69 years ago) are incapable of having reponsibility. They then give numerous examples of modern day teens who have stepped up, taken responsibility and grown in their faith and actions, rebelling against the low expectations of our present culture. In this book they challenge teens to be responsible and take advantage of this influential time of their life.
Alex and Brett have just written another book called Start Here, telling how to get started doing hard things. They are trying to get Start Here to the top #10 on Amazon by having as many people to buy it on February 23 as possible. Click the ad on the sidebar or the link below to find out more details about this effort.
Start Here Details
Lauren
Alex and Brett have just written another book called Start Here, telling how to get started doing hard things. They are trying to get Start Here to the top #10 on Amazon by having as many people to buy it on February 23 as possible. Click the ad on the sidebar or the link below to find out more details about this effort.
Start Here Details
Lauren
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Smiles
Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. ~Mother Teresa
Now that she has gotten over her colic, Xiana is always smiling.
Today Stephen was helping me unload clothes from the dryer. Next thing I knew, he was in it. As soon as Lucas saw the camera he had to join the fun. Ah, to have such joy in the simple things in life!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Saved by His Life
Today has been a pretty run-of-the-mill day. Thom left on another 2 week trip yesterday. This time he's off to Germany, then China. The kids and I stayed home doing school work and trying to recover from a nasty cold.
Meanwhile, I've been pondering a thought that Dallas Willard brought out in his book, The Spirit of the Disciplines. It is rather appropriately timed, as tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent. When I think of what Jesus has done for me I picture the crowning moment of his life as his sacrifice on the cross. It was that act of suffering and death that gave us our salvation. But is that all he did for me? Romans 5:9-10 says, "Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." Did you catch that? By his Death, Christ took the consequences of our guilt upon himself, so that we could be reconciled to God, but by his Life we are saved. His Life! The Bible places considerable emphasis on Life (John 10:10, I John 5:12, Eph 2:5). I think I will be spending a good bit more time studying and meditating on how Jesus used his life.
Meanwhile, I've been pondering a thought that Dallas Willard brought out in his book, The Spirit of the Disciplines. It is rather appropriately timed, as tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent. When I think of what Jesus has done for me I picture the crowning moment of his life as his sacrifice on the cross. It was that act of suffering and death that gave us our salvation. But is that all he did for me? Romans 5:9-10 says, "Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." Did you catch that? By his Death, Christ took the consequences of our guilt upon himself, so that we could be reconciled to God, but by his Life we are saved. His Life! The Bible places considerable emphasis on Life (John 10:10, I John 5:12, Eph 2:5). I think I will be spending a good bit more time studying and meditating on how Jesus used his life.
Monday, February 15, 2010
a belated St. Valentine's Day
The real St. Valentine (Valentinus) lived in the Roman empire around 200 AD. Emperor Claudius was building his army and was just a bit perturbed that men weren't running to enlist. You see, at that time, a term of service could easily last 25 years, if the men made it home at all. Claudius rightly concluded that men didn't want to leave their wives and children to fight, so he decided to outlaw marriage. Valentinus knew that no man, even an emperor, could outlaw what God instituted; so as a leader in the Church, he continued doing what he had always done--marrying men and women--only now it was done in secret. Eventually he was caught and brought before the emperor. Rather than worshipping and obeying emperor Claudius, he shared with him the gospel of Christ. Sadly, Claudius rejected the truth and sent Valentius to prison to await his death. While there, however, he prayed for the prison guard's daughter, that her blindness would be healed and it was healed that very night. The prison guard turned to Christ. Sadly, on February 14th of the year 269, Valentinus was put to death.
So when we see all of the hearts and flowers in the stores, let's remember St. Valentine--his stand for marriage, his stand for Christ, and his love for his fellow man.
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