The Empty Chairs

Our children's string quartet has the privilege of playing at a local Caring Pregnancy Center's annual tea. They are always grateful for the opportunity of ministry there. Two of my daughters were so touched that they came home and immediately blogged about it. Sarah wrote a heart wrenching poem as a result.

http://princessprints.shutterfly.com/blog/546

I can't say that you'll enjoy it...but it is well written and conveys the sad message beautifully.

SaturdayStuff

Here's a glimpse at our Saturday.....

Silly boys

Silly Seven year old

Sourdough waffles

                                           Skipping Spring lambs

Sent Sarah to Fort Vancouver...(this is a picture from another day) with Rachel and Grace for Dame School. The girls dress in period clothing and learn skills from the fort days. Sarah is actually an adult volunteer called an "auntie" - she is one of the teachers.

Grilled Pizza ---okay, we didn't have grilled pizza, but I am really looking forward to barbeque weather here in the northwest....may have a while yet to wait...so this picture will have to suffice.

Hope your weekend was lovely!

"Jesus Is All the World to Me"

My sweet 1st grade class that consists of my 7yr. old son, and two 5yr. old daughters, is singing this song for tea today. I am praying that they will know it to be true in their hearts, not only their minds.


Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall.
When I am sad, to Him I go, no other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, He makes me glad, He’s my Friend.


Jesus is all the world to me, my Friend in trials sore;
I go to Him for blessings, and He gives them over and o’er.
He sends the sunshine and the rain, He sends the harvest’s golden grain;
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain, He’s my Friend.


Jesus is all the world to me, and true to Him I’ll be;
O how could I this Friend deny, when He’s so true to me?
Following Him I know I’m right, He watches o’er me day and night;
Following Him by day and night, He’s my Friend.


Jesus is all the world to me, I want no better Friend;
I trust Him now, I’ll trust Him when life’s fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life with such a Friend, beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy, He’s my Friend.

Words and Music by Will L. Thompson

Friday Tea

On Friday afternoons, we attempt to have tea....together as a family. Since Daddy works from home on Fridays, he can usually come downstairs, laptop in hand (er..on lap) and join us. One of the goals for this gathering is a time of recitation for the children. They will recite memory verses, poems, stories, or play a song that they've been working on. It's been a lot of fun. We have not had a proper (using the term very loosely here) tea since before Christmas. Since the junior college schedule changed then, we just hadn't figured out the timing.  But I think we're now back in business. 

 If you're in the neighborhood, you can join us! But be warned that you ought to come w/ a poem or verse ready! Guests are expected to participate as well!

Just as a side note: That old coffee carafe in the background IS filled with half-and-half. Those lovely little cream pitchers don't do the job for a family of 12 - we have too many milk-tea drinkers - actually sugar and cream w/ a splash of tea drinkers!

Time

Benjamin composed a song for his sisters Emily and Rachel and their friend Jo. They played it at their concert Saturday night. It is beautiful. Here's a link to Sarah's sight so you can listen to it.



http://princessprints.shutterfly.com/blog/551#%26emid%3dsite_dailydigest%26cid%3dSHARE3SXXXX

A Good Morning...

...is getting to see these lovely faces...

  ...smiling at you from the other side...

                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                      of your tea cup.

Ah...The season begins...

Zachary was nowhere to be found, but this cute little fella, Sockery knocked our socks off!



And Madeline twirled and whirled in front of the newly decorated tree.




The room was glowing by the end of the evening, and we were basking in the warmth of this season.



Such a great season of anticipation....We pray that our children will learn to live with anticipation at  the second coming of Christ even as we celebrate His first coming.