Sunday, July 31, 2016

FAIR TIME!


As a 4-H member, fair time holds a bit more meaning and work!

The girls are still in the garden club, so we went to the fairgrounds earlier this week to  prepare the area for our club.






The kids did a great job,especially in the heat.

The very next day, we had to go back to set up for MJ's club, and it required significantly more work and time. And once again, heat.

We were pretty busy, so I didn't get too many good shots.
I'll have to take some when we go back this week of the finished product.







MJ is also in some competitions and is "working" at the fair as well in the coming week.
It is a whole new world.

Saturday, July 30, 2016

FRIENDS

"Good friends are like stars.  You don't always see them, but you know they're always there."


Earlier this week, we hit the lake with two of my friends from high school and their kids.
It is so nice to see the bonds that they make that in turn just reinforce our bonds.


The two that refused to join the group picture.



We get so caught up in our own lives sometimes that friends sometimes slip by the wayside, but it is so true that:
Image result for friendship quotes

I'm thankful for my friends, near and far and pray that my children will make wise choices in their friends.

EGYPT 2016


We had our VBS two weeks ago.  
The theme was Egypt and focused on the story of Joseph.

I led one of the Pre-K/K classes for the week.
Here are a few shots from our time together.

Games.
And making Mummies.

I told him to "smile."



Joseph dressed for the occasion every day to teach the Bible lessons.
The children learned through the various stories of Joseph how God gives us wisdom, special abilities, hope, family, and forgiveness.


Snack time one day included making pyramids with our snack.


Another day of games.




Thursday was water day..and it was the perfect day for it--HOT.



Silly cousins.




Music for the 1-2 group




Friends!


Closing program and showing off some of the crafty things they made during the week.



Oh, hey--I just saw that that is the back of my head blocking half the kids.
Sorry!  


Anyway, the kids had a great time.
We were all exhausted by the time the week was over.
Till next year!

Friday, July 15, 2016

STEPPING OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE


This summer, a friend of mine invited me to a Bible Study with a group of women from her home church.  I had been tossing around the idea of getting together with some ladies for the summer anyway, so I said sure (and asked my sister-in-law if she wanted to attend as well). 
I was not quite sure what I was getting into, but figured I'd go and see what it was all about.  I knew a couple of the other women from other activities and what not.
I had never heard of the author of the book they were studying and don't necessarily agree with everything that their church teaches--however!
I must say, it has been a wonderful experience.  These are truly sisters-in-Christ and it was such a nice study.  I love how open they all are about sharing things and how very real their faith is, something that in my circles, is not so forth-coming.


This is the book we finished up last week.
I would recommend it as a group or personal study.
It goes through the Lord's Prayer.

I just wanted to say, that sometimes stepping out of the comfort zone can lead to huge blessings.
Just like this Bible Study.  I am so glad that I was led to it and I am sure I will miss it when summer draws to a close.  We started a new book this week, but unfortunately, we have been sick and I missed this week. Studying and discussing with these dynamic ladies has been a blessing and as someone near and dear has said and I heartily concur--it makes me realize how truly blessed I have been to be raised in a Christian home and in the Reformed faith.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

TEN


This guy just celebrated 10 years!


TEN!


It hasn't been the best week, with a stomach virus making the rounds, but we still did his requested meals and opened presents when Dad got home.
Unfortunately, our other plans had to be cancelled.


His new compound bow.
This is just the same as what he shoots with at 4-H.
Shipped all the way from Idaho!


Happy 10th Birthday!
We love you.