Reformation Celebration

We had a really great time celebrating the Reformation last Saturday! Here is a portion of our group:

Unfortunately we took the picture first thing in the day and some of the families who arrived later didn't get to be in the photo. We were having such a good time, we didn't think of gathering for another group shot later!

This year instead of speaking on all of the Reformers himself, Daddy asked a few of the men from our church to each take one of the more famous reformers and give a brief overview of what he did. Daddy spoke on the Waldenses; the others were Luther, Calvin, Tyndale, Wycliff, Hus, and Knox.



We tried to sing a hymn or play a game that would fit each reformer. After Daddy spoke about the Waldenses, we played "My Sheep Hear My Voice." It is a great game! All the children stand in the middle of a circle together, blindfolded. The fathers go out about 100 feet or so and all start calling, "My sheep hear my voice," from John 10:27, where Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." The fathers are all calling at the same time and you have to listen closely for the sound of your own father's voice to find him. It can get confusing and it teaches you that there are many voices in the world calling to us for our hearts and minds, but we have to focus to keep our hearts stayed on Christ.





We also played the "Law and Gospel Relay." We divided into teams and had to carry the burdensome "Law" (a concrete block) on to the next teammate, then the light "Gospel" (a paper towel scroll) on to the next teammate, over about one and 1/2 acres. Of course our fathers, who are responsible for discipling us and training us up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, were there to help us carry the heavy load! The little ones that didn't want to do any running also had fun just watching and laughing at us!







Ariel, Christian, Elijah, and Taylor made up an incredible "Reformation Trivia" game! They made this board, which is hard to see in the picture, but they are very artistic:


Huddled around the board, playing the trivia game:

The "C" family won, but we're still not quite sure it was a fair win...after all, they got to have Billy on their team and he answered HALF their questions!!!

Savannah also got very creative! She brought Luther's 95 Theses and our very own copy of the Wittenburg door! We played "Pin the 95 Theses on the Door" and had a lot of fun! Congratulations Alison, who was the only one to pin it spot on!




We fellowshipped into the night and enjoyed every minute!


Thanks to everyone who came and shared in the fun! We are already looking forward to next year! With this year's theme being "Well-Known Reformers," Daddy is already kicking around some ideas for next year's theme: maybe "Little-Known Reformers," "Cities of the Reformation," or maybe "Battles of the Reformation." Whatever he decides, we know we will have another great time celebrating the changes God brings about in the hearts of men!

posted by the blessed sister of 10 and aunt to 2 - Sarah

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

It is unbelievable how quickly time flies. My eldest daughter is now 15. Fifteen. Fifteen years have flown by since I held this first precious daughter in my arms. Little did I know at that time how little time I would have to teach this child everything I needed to teach her. Little did I know how deeply entwined my heart would be in this little life. Little did I know how vastly my thoughts, ideas, and convictions would change.

In these fifteen years, I have grown nearly as much as she has. A girl who gave birth to a baby, I have changed drastically as each year has brought more blessing, maturity, and grace to her young soul. Much of the change in my life has been a direct result of her questioning, proding, and study. Now this young lady that I have spent so much time training and directing has become a dear, treasured friend. I enjoy our time together...listening to her heart...sharing mine. And as I realize that my remaining time with her under our household draws short, I covet the few precious moments remaining.

Having two teen daughters in my home now, and a third fast approaching, it makes me think back to all those times when well-meaning onlookers took one look at me with my 6 very young daughters and said, "Oh, you poor thing! Just wait until they're teen-agers!" Praise the Lord for teen-aged daughters! How thankful I am for these precious years! Happy birthday, my darling Sarah...you are a treasure more precious than silver and gold and your father and I love you with our whole hearts!

posted by the thankful mother

Exciting News

Calvin is walking...right on schedule - 10 months, just like all the other children, save 2. He's been taking 2-3 steps here and there for a couple of weeks, but in the last few days he's doing 10-12 steps at a time! It's so cute!

Today is Bryce's 24th birthday! Mike took Sarah and Abby to pick up Payton. Very exciting! She'll be staying with us until January and Hayden will be coming in December! A full house is always so grand, yet there's always room for more. Maybe one of these days we will have a hundred grandchildren here at once!

- Posted by "Oma" from my iPhone

Baptisms

Elly was baptized a couple of weeks ago! It is always so exciting to watch someone in your family come to know, love, and serve the Lord and then be baptized!

We had several baptisms in our fellowship last week: Seth, Danny, Julia, Elly, Ariel, Christian, Elijah, Taylor.
What a blessing!

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Matt. 28:19

posted by the blessed sister of 10 wonderful siblings and aunt to 2 sweet children – Sarah

Visiting

We recentlyt went to visit Daddy’s family because his aunt and uncle came in from out of state to visit. We had such a great time and it was so nice to see everyone!

Everyone was able to make it except Bryce (who is still overseas) and Lesley (Aunt Kelia’s younger daughter). Unfortunately, we were unable to get the group photo before Lindsey (Aunt Kelia’s older daughter) and her twins had to leave.

It’s been a long time since we had a group picture of Aunt Lisa’s boys, but we were able to get them to pose!

Grammy and Papa with their children: Aunt Kelia, Daddy, and Aunt Lisa

Miss Esther took care of Papa and Auntie Carole when they were little. She is about to turn 96!

Wallace finds fun wherever he goes! He had a grand time playing tug-o’-war with Boston.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Rom. 15:13

posted by the blessed sister of 10 wonderful siblings and aunt to 2 sweet children - Sarah