I wanted to share this spectacular sight the children and I were blessed to see last week on a hike near the Potomac. This is a brief clip.
Enjoy!
(Our videographer: Benjamin)
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Boys and Books
As Emma was growing up, I found it very simple to find books for her to read. She has always enjoyed reading and is fairly easy to please, plus there are shelves and shelves of "girl" books to choose from.
When the boys started getting older, I found the opposite to be true. Boy books are difficult to find. Good boy books, that is. There is an excessive amount of books that are silly or dark or just plain ridiculous. Not that silly is all bad, but because I had, thankfully, been introduced to "living books" when I started my homeschooling journey, I have a hard time with the ridiculous or even just dry material. I have spoken with other moms about this topic, and apparently it is very common.
So, if you have boys and have been wanting to find some engaging reading material, I thought I'd share a few titles that both of my boys have enjoyed in the past few months.
The Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson have been a big hit!
Kindle Edition:
When the boys started getting older, I found the opposite to be true. Boy books are difficult to find. Good boy books, that is. There is an excessive amount of books that are silly or dark or just plain ridiculous. Not that silly is all bad, but because I had, thankfully, been introduced to "living books" when I started my homeschooling journey, I have a hard time with the ridiculous or even just dry material. I have spoken with other moms about this topic, and apparently it is very common.
So, if you have boys and have been wanting to find some engaging reading material, I thought I'd share a few titles that both of my boys have enjoyed in the past few months.
The Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson have been a big hit!
Austin's favourite was...
Paperback:
Kindle Edition:
Ben's favourite was...
Paperback:
Kindle Edition:
Another series they are both enjoying right now is The Kane Chronicles, by Rick Riordan...
Of course, these are favourites, for both boys and girls...
And these...
If you have young men in your home who enjoy reading, please share their favourites in the comments! We are always looking for more great reads.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Celebrating Benjamin
Here is Ben on his first birthday...
And today we celebrated his first decade! Boom! Double digits, already!
We enjoyed a family day at Cracker Barrel for lunch...
And then we went to a local apple farm to continue a long-standing family tradition we began in Canada...
And he just like in that top photo, the boy still loves cake...this year he chose Gingerbread Cake and hot apple cider for his birthday treats!
We had a great day celebrating you, big guy! We are so thankful the Lord gave you to us and want you to know that our lives are so much richer with you in them. We look forward to seeing how you continue to grow and what opportunities God gives you in this next ten years. Love you!!!
And today we celebrated his first decade! Boom! Double digits, already!
We enjoyed a family day at Cracker Barrel for lunch...
And then we went to a local apple farm to continue a long-standing family tradition we began in Canada...
And he just like in that top photo, the boy still loves cake...this year he chose Gingerbread Cake and hot apple cider for his birthday treats!
We had a great day celebrating you, big guy! We are so thankful the Lord gave you to us and want you to know that our lives are so much richer with you in them. We look forward to seeing how you continue to grow and what opportunities God gives you in this next ten years. Love you!!!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Addendum - Prayer and Fasting
I loved this quote from the Elijah List today by Mahesh Chavda...
Let us arise, shine, and build a hedge of protection and glory around our families, our workplaces and communities, our churches, and our nation in this hour.
And here is a message Bob sent out this week to those who are joining with us in prayer...
Friends,
IFA hosts a nationwide prayer call the First Friday of every month. I received this text from a dear lady after last week’s call:
"Brokenness & tears are beginning to come to the American church for our sins & indifference & lethargy. Yay! Had my first meltdowns in past 2 weeks. Heard tears & wails on the IFA prayer line. Keep doing what you're doing."
Psalm 51: 16-17 “ My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise” [AMP].
Thanks for helping us mobilize the church to pray and repent.
Bob
Bob Royce
Mobilization Coordinator
Intercessors for America
PO Box 915
Purcellville, VA 20134
800-USA-PRAY
540-317-2097 Direct
Friday, September 14, 2012
Prayer and Fasting for Our Nation and Beyond
After being back in the States for a little over a year now, I have been stunned by how the culture has changed. I think the elections have made the differences more clear. After the Democratic National Convention when God and Jerusalem were taken out of their platform, then put back in, and then God was booed, frankly, it has put me in a place of grief. Is there no fear of the Lord anymore?
I don't know about you, but after this week with all the events that are happening in the political arena, in our relationship with Israel and with the recent attacks at our embassies in the Middle East and the murders of four American diplomats including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, not to mention our economic situation, I am feeling the weight more and more.
Don't misunderstand. My hope is in Jesus. My hope will always be in Jesus.
There were many prayer initiatives in place before this week, but I feel that the need for intercession (and repentance) has grown this week by leaps and bounds. If you are sensing the need to cry out to God and fast for our nation in these unstable days for or the world, please check out the following pages for encouragement and direction in your efforts.
Aglow International - America Arising
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
Chavda Ministries - 40 Days to Save America
50 Days of Decision - Video
Intercessors For America - Saving America Through Prayer
International House of Prayer - 24/7 Prayer Room
National Prayer Committee - 40 Days of Prayer
(And these guys have a whole page of prayer ministries on their site.)
This is another excellent resource:
2 Chronicles 7:14... if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Jude 1:20-21... But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Revelation 5:8... And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
And I'm sure there are other ministries and organizations encouraging prayer during this time. Feel free to share additional resources in the comments.
I don't know about you, but after this week with all the events that are happening in the political arena, in our relationship with Israel and with the recent attacks at our embassies in the Middle East and the murders of four American diplomats including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, not to mention our economic situation, I am feeling the weight more and more.
Don't misunderstand. My hope is in Jesus. My hope will always be in Jesus.
There were many prayer initiatives in place before this week, but I feel that the need for intercession (and repentance) has grown this week by leaps and bounds. If you are sensing the need to cry out to God and fast for our nation in these unstable days for or the world, please check out the following pages for encouragement and direction in your efforts.
Aglow International - America Arising
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
Chavda Ministries - 40 Days to Save America
50 Days of Decision - Video
Intercessors For America - Saving America Through Prayer
International House of Prayer - 24/7 Prayer Room
National Prayer Committee - 40 Days of Prayer
(And these guys have a whole page of prayer ministries on their site.)
This is another excellent resource:
Derek Prince Ministries - Prayer Worldwide
Let's get on our faces and cry out for mercy!
2 Chronicles 7:14... if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Jude 1:20-21... But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Revelation 5:8... And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
And I'm sure there are other ministries and organizations encouraging prayer during this time. Feel free to share additional resources in the comments.
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