PI DAY!

Just a quick reminder. We like to eat pi whenever possible!!! Especially on 3.14! So, be mathematically correct, and eat pi today! (Well, I'm posting this a bit early...but you get the point - hehehe, I love those math words!)

Photo Credit

Friday Tea - What are you looking at?

Grandma Nancy was here for tea today! She came 600 miles, from the Bay Area to join in the ritual. She even came prepared. She sang a version of "Jesus Loves Me" that was geared toward the....um...more seasoned child of God. We LOVED it.

 She also told the story in Matthew about Peter walking on the water and beginning to sink..."What did he need to do?" she asked. "Keep his eyes on Jesus!" was the correct answer. She then pulled these out.....

and showed us that when you keep your eyes on the "eye" of the feather you can balance it on your fingertip, but if you take your eyes off of the eye, you will not be able to balance the feather.

So, we all gave it a go, and had a great time trying to keep our eyes on the "eye"...and will be reminded of keeping our eyes on the One who can keep us in the right place! Thanks, Grandma for a great visual lesson!

"A Passion for Thee"

Last evening we were preparing for a church group that meets at our home..You know, sweeping, picking up stray items , starting the tea water and coffee…hustling about and shooing the littles out of the way. Then two very precious scenes took place….

The shooed away people, 3 of them to be exact, were found sitting on the sofa, hymnals in laps, singing together…not just any song, but one of our family’s favorites: (http://www.aktingmusic.com/sounds/Kristi-Abram-A-Passion-for-Thee.mp3)

A Passion For Thee

Set my heart, o dear Father, on Thee, and Thee only,
Give me a thirst for Thy presence divine.
Lord keep my focus on loving Thee wholly, Purge me from earth; Turn my heart after Thine.

A passion for Thee; O Lord, set a fire in my soul, and a thirst for my God.
Hear Thou my prayer, Lord, Thy power impart-
Not just to serve, but to love Thee with all of my heart.

Father, fill with Thy Spirit, and fit me for service,
Let love for Christ every motive inspire;
Teach me to follow in selfless submission, Be Thou my joy and my soul's one desire.

A passion for Thee; O Lord, set a fire in my soul, and a thirst for my God.
Hear Thou my prayer, Lore, Thy power impart-
Not just to serve, but to love Thee with all of my heart.

Music and Words by Joe Zichterman

What a beautiful blessing to hear those little voices…

The other precious part was that, though I would have missed the sweet singers entirely,

 my 13 year old son, pulled me aside, pointed out the choir in the great room and whispered, “mom, before they started singing, Zachary hummed a starting note like the older kids do when the whole family is singing together!” I was touched that our 13 year old son had eyes to see the sweet happenings before him – happenings that I would’ve missed had he not shared his find! God is SO good! These sweet people He’s put in my life – I can take NO credit for their beauty! I am privileged to enjoy it each day!

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!