Words.....

Here are some thoughts written by a girl at http://blessedfemina.blogspot.com/
It has been on mind for a long time, and she wrote these wonderful thoughts on her blog.
I will more careful with my words in the future.

One of his handmaids,

Jillian
Words....
do we know how much power we have in them?
We can use them for good, evil, kindly, mockingly,
to degrade, to edify, to flatter, to accuse, to manipulate,
to build up, to defy, to swoon, to comply, to hurt, to burn,
to tear, or even to repair a wrong we have done.

How often I have used my words for evil rather than for good....
and I find that when I do use my words for good it
often occurs when I am thinking and praying
before I speak....prayers like....
"Lord....
Would this be edifying... would this be kind or Christ-like?"

Whether we are simply holding a conversation, asking questions
or confronting someone about a sin area in their lives
every word needs to be done with a Christ-like spirit of love, gentleness
kindness and firmness. Love is speaking the truth even
if others may hate you for it, it is being willing
to be spit upon, mocked and forsaken all for Christ's sake....
It is speaking the truth to a family member, friend or
acquaintance in kindness, gentleness,
self-control and firmness. (I Corinthians 13)

It is using our minds to think before we speak, to think about
God's Word so that it becomes apart of us..... so that
what we do and what we read in the Scriptures
becomes who we are.... by God's grace then and only then
will we be able to use gracious kind words.

"She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."
-Proverbs 31:26

Water Bombs!

On Wednesday I asked my mom if we could get some water bombs. And we got some! Several times I got myself wet just trying to fill up the water bomb. Today, Thursday, Jillian and I had a small water bomb fight. It's so fun! You get soaking wet and it's just wonderful. I love summer, don't you? I like getting wet. I also got a big squirt gun. I am ready for anything. On Sunday I hope to have a huge water fight. It will be so fun. I am all for fun. I wish we had a swimming pool. That would be fun. Have a water fight in the pool. Yea!

Hayley

The Handmaiden's Example

There are four handmaids in this household who gained all their knowledge on how to be such by the teaching and example of one handmaiden of the Lord, our mother.

Being a handmaiden is not natural, as the tendency is to wish to be a princess at leisure. In this culture that devalues the wife, mother, homemaker, and helpmeet, young women do not have examples of godly serving in their own homes, much less in the world around them. In a me-I-myself world the selfless mother is brighter than sunshine after days of overcast and dreary weather. I regard the tasks of serving with my hands, as a maiden of purity in the house of the Lord and my parents, more valuable because of the example of my mother.

My mother, Rebecca, has taught me most through her patience in serving her husband. It is not a perfect marriage, because they are not perfect people. But it is humble, especially on my mother's part. She has a lot to deal with between a perfectionist husband, an unfinished house, unruly property, and four distinctly different girls of all kinds of emotional make-ups to train into poised, godly women. She handles it all with grace and humility. She makes the house beautiful with her skills of interior design and an eye for bargains. She does what she can on the property with what she has. Our garden is filled with beautiful plants because of her hard work, and what has been done around the property is a resulf of her determination. Her husband has a strong trust for her ability to manange his home well and has never shown a doubt that she can handle any situation. Her daughters have learned and are learning from her words, but more so from her actions. She has taught us to make wise decisions and we love to know we have gained her approval and given her joy. Any child loves to bring their mother pleasure, and the older I get the more I enjoy doing what gives her joy.

Therefore, on this Mother's Day 2009, I wish to thank her for teaching me how to be a handmaid! I love you Mother, Caitlin

Our Great Trip

Well, we are safely returned from our trip to the homeschool conference in Seattle, WA. It was encouraging, rich, and wonderful to see the area. The weather was sunny and spring-like, the hotel was comfortable and provided a great breakfast, the speakers were dynamic and great, and there were all kinds of wonderful books at the vendor tables.

My father flew out of the Sea-Tac Airport on Friday evening and was able to spend Sat. and Sun. with his parents and siblings celebrating his father's 80th birthday. He enjoyed that very much and the family was glad to see him. We picked Abba up at about 2:00 on Sunday afternoon. My mother was very glad to relinquish freeway driving back to him. We met up with an old friend Dave Pedersen, and his daughter Kelsie and spent the afternoon eating Krispy Kreme Donuts and touring the enormous mall. I have a picture of the shop we thought was the coolest in there.

We visited the famous Space Needle in the evening, then hung out with the Pedersens, with the addition of Dave's sons Colin and Jordan. It was nice to have some friends to visit with and show us some of the area. Living in a tourist area like we do I know it can get a little old to take visitors to places we have been a hundred times. So thanks for the great time Pedersens!

Now I hope you enjoy some of the pictures taken over the past five days!

The Space Needle! (Hey Hannah, think wind harp sound affects.)

Some of the terrain of eastern WA. It is green right now.

Car Pics!

I could not get enough of all the flowering bushes and trees. The air was loaded with sweet fragrance.

We took the monorail from the Space Needle to the downtown Seattle shopping center. Street musicians, fountains, and very expensive stores were all we found.


It does not matter where we go, we always end up adopting a girl who thinks having an all girl family is the greatest thing in the world. Kelsie just loved being with us.








For all our sword-loving friends this was the best store the mall had. Swords and knives galour. Way better than clothes, movies, and shoes combined.


Here is closer picture of Laurel and Jillian in the homeschool chorale. It was an excellent performance.

Christain Heritage Conference:Passing On Faith In A Faithless World

We had a wonderful two days of great teaching, from many godly men and women. Voddie Baucham being the main speaker. It was wonderful after listening and reading so much of his stuff to actually go hear and meet him.

As well as Scott Brown.

And here is the chorale, there was about 170 young people.

The whole conference was a huge blessing, just being with like-minded people and enjoying the whole atmosphere of hundreds of people gathered to serve and learn more about the Lord.

I enjoy poetry. My family does not, but I read all sorts of it. Good poetry is a gift of God and can express beautiful things especially those written for the Lord. This coming week is Passion Week and we will be reflecting on the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Here is a poem I wish to share as we consider all that has been done for us worthless human beings who can claim a place in heaven, not by our own deeds, the grace of a merciful God and a humble Savior.

Jehovah Tsidkenu

(The Lord Our Righteousness)

I once was a stranger to grace and to God,

I knew not my danger, and felt not my load;

Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree,

Jehovah Tsidkenu was nothing to me.

I oft read with pleasure, to soothe or engage,

Isaiah's wild measure and John's simple page;

But even when they pictured the blood-sprinkled tree,

Jehovah Tsidkenu seemed nothing to me.

Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll,

I wept when the waters went over His soul;

Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree,

Jehovah Tsidkenu-twas nothing to me.

When free grace awoke me, by light from on high,

Then legal fears shook me, I trembled to die;

No refuge, no safety in self could I see,

Jehovah Tsidkenu my Saviour must be.

Jehovah Tsidkenu, my treasure and boast!

Jehovah Tsidkenu, I ne'er can be lost!

In Thee I shall conquer by flood and by field,

My cable, my anchor, my breastplate and shield!

E'en treading the valley, the shadow of death,

This watchword shall rally my faltering breath,

For while from life's fever my God sets me free,

Jehovah Tsiedkenu, my death song shall be.

~Robert Murray McCheyne~

Are you a Fool?

The title might be a bit startling, but I think everyone needs a quiz like this instead of silly, pointless quizzes that do not edify us....



Have a lovely rest of the day!
One of his handmaidens,

Jillian