26 September 2011
A peaceful Saturday morning. (See another shot here.)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” —Colossians 3:16-17
23 September 2011
Peach Pie
[Gluten-Free or Otherwise]
Filling:
10 fresh peaches, sliced
1/2 cup coconut sugar
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Crust:
CeliacTeen’s Gluten-Free Pie Crust
(or your recipe of choice)
Bake:
1. Bake for 15 minutes at 450°F
2. Then bake for 30-35 minutes at 350°F
3. Turn off oven, leaving pie inside to cool and thicken for 1-2 hours.
It’s delicious!
3 September 2011
Once upon a time there lived a little girl whose mum was an embroiderer. The little girl began to embroider, being taught by her Mum while sitting by her side watching every stitch and creation of detail.
When this little girl saw her mother’s box of embroidery floss, she was quite perplexed – how could someone find the color they needed when the colors were so terribly out of order? So she made up her mind to solve the problem.
She moved quickly, wanting to surprise her mum with a newly sorted embroidery box – in perfect color coordination.
As she finished, her mum entered the room to see what the little girl was working on. As the little girl looked up in delight, the mother’s response was one of great surprise!
As you might’ve guessed, years ago that little girl was me. A kind gesture, without all the facts, wasn’t exactly interpreted as kind. But the problem was easily solved. And, one by one, I put them back in order – by number – so that when it was time to work from a pattern, the colors would be easily discovered.
Yet now, after all these years of number-organized colors, we’ve switched them back to the way they seemed like they should’ve been all the while.
Organized by color.
22 August 2011
“There would be no joy, no fulfillment in marriage unless it was unto the Lord.”
As unmarried young women, we look forward to the times when – Lord willing – we’ll be the God-given helpmeets to our husbands and the mothers to our young blessings.
What are we doing right now to prepare for this? Are we planning our kitchens, how we’ll organize the home, how we’ll do our hair every morning? Although those things have their place, marriage is about much, much more than how we will keep the home and how we will look.
Last Monday we began listening to the “Marrying Well” webinar which has already provided encouraging practical wisdom on marriage, preparation, courtship, selfless love, prayer, and much more! This five-week webinar (an online conference of sorts) is given by Geoffrey Botkin and his wife Victoria, David Botkin and his wife Nadia, and Benjamin Botkin and his wife Audri. Many self-examining questions have come to mind, which I believe are important for us all to ask ourselves.
What are we doing right now to serve Christ and His kingdom? Every season is a time and opportunity for ministry. Are we missing opportunities to bless others by letting the possibility of a servant’s heart lay dormant? Are we seeking ways to disciple others in obedience to our Lord?
If we are not doing these things now, do we think things will “magically” change after we marry?
Right now is the time to cultivate a servant’s heart. Right now is the time to minister to others. Right now is the time to die to self and love selflessly, setting aside our own wishes.
We must look for ways to bless others, to cultivate a joyful attitude, to be content (no matter what season we’re in, most likely we’ll be waiting for something), and trust in the Lord and His perfect plan. He will never call us to do something that He cannot give us the strength to persevere in.
.
Tonight David & Nadia Botkin (above) will be sharing about how the Lord brought them together. Also to be addressed will be how to evaluate suitors and prepare children for marriage from a young age.
Click here to find out more about “Marrying Well” and to register!
(Everyone who registers will have access to the MP3 recordings – including the first session last week – so no worries if you aren’t available on Monday nights!)
8 August 2011
Harvesting (scanning) textures and graphics out of a stack of old books from my collection. Stepping Heavenward is a wonderful book – if you find a copy, whether it be new or old, I highly recommend you pick it up and read it!
Making French Toast out of our gluten-free almond bread. Delicious! I believe it had been a little too long since making French Toast.
Smiling at Mum’s Toad-in-the-Hole creation for Dad’s breakfast. (Yes, that would be gluten-rich bread – homemade whole-wheat bread, to be exact.)
And also cooking up some ideas for re-opening the Etsy shop! Stay tuned!
3 July 2011
This is Will and Bethany Joy.
They were joined as husband and wife on June 25th. On that day was much joy, love, beauty, thanksgiving, and most importantly the love of Christ.
At their wedding they shared their first kiss. Their commitment to purity displayed the loveliness in keeping oneself pure until marriage for the one who the Lord has for you to marry.
The ceremony reflected the love of Christ, displayed the importance of serving one other, and was filled with the blessing of the parents as a new family was founded.
The sign welcoming the guests. There were three sections of chairs set up and in front of each section were quilts laid out on the ground for the children and a closer view.
Joy taking the arm of her father as they approach her groom.
Prayer for their new life together.
My dear father was a groomsman in the wedding (he is farthest left in the group of men at right.)
Their FIRST kiss.
Mr. & Mrs. William A. Smith, III. Happily wed.
Flower girls rejoicing with the bride and groom.
Although I was not an official photographer, Kristi was very kind to let me tag along and act as an unofficial second-shooter. It was delightful!
Only the beginning.
The stunningly beautiful bride, Mrs. Smith.
After the wedding the guests and wedding party boarded the “Dixie”, a paddle boat from the 1920′s, while the bride and groom’s portraits were taken. There was great cheering when the newlyweds appeared and boarded the boat.
The icing flowers were made by the bride, the cake was made by her mother, and the log-stand was decorated by my sister, Breezy.
The bride and groom’s first dance was choreographed to “Lucky.” (But, of course, everyone would agree that they are blessed.)
Instead of birdseed or bubbles, lavender was handed out to the guests to be tossed at Will & Bethany as they departed.
Mr. & Mrs. Wm A. Smith, III.
Balloons were released…
…and they “sailed” off on a speedboat.
We’re excited to see how the Lord will use this couple in the furtherance of His Kingdom!
(We love you, Will & Joy!)
[Find a few more pictures from the wedding here.]
2 July 2011
At the rehearsal dinner. The next day Will would gain a wife and Joy would gain a husband before God and man, to glorify God and further the dominion mandate.
The wedding rehearsal.
Will with my dear father. They first met two years ago when Will began working for the same company alongside Dad. Their friendship has only grown since then. Dad was honored to be asked to stand with Will as one of his groomsman and gladly accepted.
[More pictures from the wedding coming soon!]
27 June 2011
Saturday was a beautiful day… here’s a sneak peek of what happened:
Flower girls following the bride and groom… more photos to come!
