Harvest Festival at Church

We had a SUPER time at the Harvest Festival! Enough cannot be said to thank those that helped to prepare the games, food, decorations, treat bags, etc. Joeli certainly went above and beyond this year and we thank her for what she adds to the CE Committee. There were several families absent this year (I know of one on vacation...the pastor) and I know that those who couldn't be there really missed a blessing.

I will throw one more thing out there since this IS my blog and I can say what I want....if you attended a secular Halloween event, I so think you missed out on a wonderful time with God's people and a time to stress to your children through your lifestyle what your most important priority is. Would you dare miss a Christmas program at church for a secular one? I don't think so. Funny how we slight this time of the year to do what we want just because we have "always done it this way". Think we didn't have fun at our Harvest Festival?! Think again! We salute those great saints of the faith and pray for those who use this holiday to focus their kids minds on ghosts, witches, goblins, devils, and all things evil and train them up to do what they've "always done". But our God is bigger and He will reign and be praised even through our wrongful actions. Did I go trick-or-treating when I was a kid? Yes. Was I warped through it? No. Do I wish I had been able to go have fun with God's people and shown how important our God really is instead? Of course. So I choose to try and turn all experiences into times of learning for my children (and for me, of course!!).

I wished I had been able to get pics of the square dancing of both kids and adults. It was such a riot!! But I was part of the fun and Jason was the watcher of the little guy, so, sorry, no pics of that, but I hope you enjoy the pics I did take (notice no one really dresses up---the focus is supposed to be on All Saints Day/Reformation Day).

Once in a while a song comes along and grabs me...

Every once in a while I hear a song on WMHK and am just blown away by the lyrics I hear. The song below is called "More Beautiful You" and it is by Johnny Diaz. It is a christian song. I had never heard of this artist, but I tell you, this man has Truth. And it's truth that our young girls and daughters need to hear desperately in this society. Not only the lyrics, but the music is just so moving. I found myself blaring the words loudly in the van today as I drove to Wa*Mart by myself today and I was crying as I tried singing along (I did not know the words, so I googled them and here they are below). Having 2 sisters and a daughter of my own, I "feel" the words to this song about how girls feel and how they just want to feel special. I think it's important that our girls know God created them with a special purpose in mind and that there could truly never be a more beautiful you. Love, LOVE, LOVE this song!!!! Please listen to it on my playlist at right.



Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world

He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light
He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl

The Wedding

Today all was quiet in the house---that's when I knew something was going on. Usually silence is a bad thing when both children are up and playing. I appeared out in the living room to find Emma Grace putting a "wedding ring" on Jase's finger. I asked her what was going on and she said, "We're getting married!" with a big 'ole grin on her face. Then she showed me which ring was her "gregagement ring". It was the CUTEST thing you have ever seen. She had gone and gotten a skirt, dressup heals, a bracelet, a necklace, and SEVERAL rings. Girls, I tell you, there's nothing like them! I just LOVE having a daughter. And she has such a vivid imagination.

Well, I had to get pictures of their hands with wedding rings! Jase, of course, was being forced to marry his sister. He had no idea what she was doing. Aahh...I just love how she loves her brother so much that she'd want to marry him. I asked her if the preacher had said, "And now you may kiss the groom!" She just laughed!!! More or less, she was dragging him around and he was just being quiet since his sister had placed something shiny on his thumb finger (go figure) and he was trying to figure it out.

I must tell you, though, this led to a whole discussion. I then asked her why her mommy wasn't invited to the wedding?! She said they videotaped it and did I want to see it? Well, that's when she took me to the kitchen and showed me (pretending) that she had a video complete with sound on her phonics/learning computer game. :) (see above pic) I completely went along with the charade. That's when I asked her if she wanted to see mommy and daddy's wedding video. *What?* A video of you and daddy?! Yes, we marched right in the living room and found the tape dating back to 2000! It was so neat for her to watch us "pre-children". She asked, "How old were you, mommy?" "Who is that lady?" (referring to my two grandparents there---granny Barrett and Great-Grandmother Allinger). I have to say I got tears in my eyes when I saw Grandmother Allinger in the video and told Emma Grace that is who she is partly named after (Grace Beatrice Allinger). I miss her terribly. She would have been 110 this past May. I pray Emma Grace can have a full life like Grandmother living to 102!

There have been lots of those teary moments lately...even Saturday when Emma Grace was watching the show "Little House on the Prairie" on TV with her daddy for the first time (which she LOVED!!!!) and then we went to find the novel Little House on the Prairie that I had from when I was a young girl. Guess what was written inside the first page? "With Love from Grandmother Allinger, Christmas 1985" My grandmother loved those books, and she loved giving them as gifts to her great-grands. Such a memory for me....amazing what a legacy she left for us. I pray that I can be that to my children and grandchildren and greatgrands. It takes work, though, and intentionality. And lots of thoughtfulness. That she was.

Our Visit to the SC State Fair

Instead of Going Through the Motions

I'm not exactly sure how so much time has passed since I last posted, but we've been plugging along....homeschooling every day (except Sat. and Sun.), trying to save money doing thrifty shopping (which requires research and work), enjoying this awesome weather, and I must say, doing LITTLE cleaning. I shared with our small Tuesday morning prayer group that meets at 6am, I have tried to maintain that delicate balance between maintaining an orderly/clean home (we all know God is a God of order) and trying to enjoy each day to the fullest without letting everything go to pot.

Our children are so young, and they won't be this way forever. Lately, I have tried so hard to not just "go through the motions" in rearing our children. We've been praying harder than ever about everything in our lives, reading fun books, playing outside every day, baking, trying to do "fall" decorating, and just generally enjoying each day to the fullest. I guess you could say I have had a life altering event in my life (although I'm sure much more life altering for those directly involved) in the daily struggles my friend Catherine has with the news of battling cancer throughout her body. She's 35 with a 6 month old daughter and a 3 year old son. WOW. Life is so precious, such a treasure. How can we NOT take each breath captive for the Glory of God? Why would we want to just go through the motions? Why does it take something so horrible for me to see this and claim what is mine and has been mine?

I've just gotten to the point this week that the toilet just H.A.D. to be cleaned. There was no way around the ickiness (is that a word?). So between Thurs. afternoon and Friday morning, I have gotten word from the Lord (!!) that now is the time to clean so that I do not cross over and make our lives unbalanced. Boy, it's amazing how much better I feel. Now, we didn't play outside much those two days, but when it's 85 degrees outside plus humidity, who really wants to? Besides, Daddy and Granddaddy have taken up the slack and allowed me time to actually MOP the kitchen floor without little feet scurrying over it while wet. Ask me how long it stayed spotless and I think you know the answer. Just impossible to keep a clean floor with 3 meals a day and 3 snacks a day. And know what?? This too shall pass, but the memories made with my babies are for a lifetime!

Unspoken Prayer Request

Have you ever been present at church, Circle, BSU, RUF (or otherwise) when someone mentions an "Unspoken Prayer Request"? I often wonder just why they mention it if it is unspoken? I mean, really, what does this mean? Are we not brothers and sisters in Christ and able to share all that burdens us? If your answer to that is "yes, we are sisters in Christ", then why is there the need to keep requests veiled from those that can bring your specific area of difficulty before the Lord? If your answer to that question is "no, we are not sisters in Christ", then I would first pray for your unbelieving heart. Perhaps that is what is at the root of someone listing an "unspoken" request...or maybe it's too much pride??

Often during prayer list time, I've wanted to blurt out..."unspoken? then why did you bring it up if you don't want us to speak to God about it?" He tells us to pray specifically...to name it by name. I don't mean blurt out all your personal business. But it would suffice to say, "There's a decision I/a friend is making" or "There is a relationship that is in strain" or "There is a sin I am struggling with" or "I have medical tests/problems I need you to be in prayer about that I don't want to go into all the specifics about" or whatever. But just to say "Unspoken" seems to superficial and unChristian.

I just don't understand what it will take for us as brothers and sisters in Christ to break down these walls that divide us and keep us from sharing our deepest hearts (at least with one or two of our closest Christian brothers even if not the whole lot of them). I'd be interested to know what your thoughts are regarding the "unspoken".

Sand-n-Surf

One Big Happy Family!

Pedicures at the Inlet Square Mall
Guess whose toes are whose?

Papa loves to take Jase out to ride his car!

Emma Grace says she took a nap in the stroller.

Mommy & Jase on the beach
Hmmm..wonder if I'll like the sand?

Bubba catches the football thrown by Jason--Necia gets in on the action, too! Emma Grace tries to play, but isn't successful.

Uncle Bubba and Emma Grace catching up on old times.

My family--beautiful, aren't they?!

Jase trying to keep out of the sand.

Mommy and Emma Grace at Atalaya Castle.

Monday morning sunrise--God paints masterpieces!

Lunch on the deck

Our family just returned last night from 7 nights and 8 days at Garden City Beach here in SC! It was such a needed vacation and one that we will treasure always!! I remember so many things from the week that I wanted to share, but I first went to our daughter Emma Grace and asked her what she thought I should share. She wanted you all to know that she L-O-V-E-D the ocean and getting in the water! Being 4 years old, she really went at this full force this year and even thought she could "surf" like Daddy and Uncle Bubba! Quite a funny girl!

The things I remember most from this vacation were:

1. Beach volleyball with Bubba and Necia
2. PEDICURE--my feet will thank Necia for at least 6 months or more!
3. Children sleeping through all 7 nights peacefully--such a blessing! (Thanks to Hannah and Chris for allowing us to use their extra crib!)
4. Reading out on the deck in absolute quiet. Aahh.
5. Making cookies with icing & getting Painter's Ice Cream.
6. Playing bocci ball.
7. Jase not liking the sand or water! BOO.
8. Watching the boys (Hennies, Bubba, and Jason) "surf" and throw the football.
9. Having the foresight to plan at least 3 meals ahead of time and take them with us. :) Frugal vacations are the bomb when you only have 1 salary!
10. Watching Bubba and Necia--boy, I don't miss dating at ALL. So glad that season of life is OVER. {{papa jeep coined the term "smackey mouth}}
11. Looking for seashells with Emma Grace.
12. No horseflies this year!!!! YIPPEE!
13. Watching Papa Jeep as Jase whines---he always thinks Jase wants to go out and play; he usually obliges and takes him out!
14. Lunches on the porch
15. Visiting Adalaya (castle) at Huntington Beach State Park.

We did make some fabulous memories and took some super pictures. We have come home charged up and ready to head into this fall season which begins Tuesday, by the way! And we missed our church family. So good to be back this morning worshipping with those who know us best! Better go fold some laundry (like 4 loads waiting for me) and get ready---tomorrow is coming and school will be back on!