Sunday, August 30, 2009

Christian Families at the Crossroads 09




In July my father and I went to Columbus Ohio for the "Crossroads 09" conference. Here are the pictures you have all been waiting for...



Upper left: Mr. & Mrs. Botkin,



Upper right and middle: Mr. Botkin, Elizabeth, & Anna Sophia



Bottom left: David



Bottom right: Mrs. Botkin speaking on homeschooling



Top: L to R, Ben, Elizabeth, Anna Sophia, Isaac, David, and Mr. Botkin,
Bottom: The conference room.








Top: Mr. Botkin speaking on Semper Refermanda (Always Reforming). Definitely one of my favorites!



Bottom: Elizabeth portraying Ann Boleyn



Top: The Botkin family,



Bottom: Mr. Botkin




Left: Me!


Top right: Ben.


Bottom right: The conference hall


This conference was probably the best one I have ever attended. The Botkin family spoke from the perspective of a family. I was especially encouraged by Ben Botkin and after the conference I went onto his blog and heard some of his music. I decide that if he could write music like that, so could I. Back in Oregon, I started a piano trio. I would put a recording on here but we don't have a cellist. Do I see any hands? Anyway, I want to end by saying that it was very encouraging to be there and to see the work that this family is doing for the future generation of Christians and for the glory of God.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Happy 28th Anniversary Daddy & Mommy!


Today, is our parents 28th Anniversary! As the heritage and quiver of our parents today we are rising up and calling our mother blessed (Proverbs31:28) and speaking with the enemies (strangers) in the gates for our father (Psalm 127:5). Below is an edited (oil painting) picture of our Anniversary card for Daddy and Mommy. Next is a current picture of them at Multanomah Falls, and lastly is a collage of two recent pictures and two pictures from their wedding!
Happy Anniversary!!!
We love you Daddy & Mommy!
Love,
S,B,J,E,&J!
~~~~~~~~~~~~









Here is a hymn about the marriage supper of the Lamb of God!

Here, O My Lord, I See Thee

Words By: Horatius Bonar, 1855 and Musci By: Edward Dearle, 1920

Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face;
Here would I touch and handle things unseen;
Here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,
And all my weariness upon Thee lean.

This is the hour of banquet and of song;
This is the heavenly table spread for me;
Here let me feast, and feasting, still prolong
The hallowed hour of fellowship with Thee.

Here would I feed upon the bread of God,
Here drink with Thee the royal wine of heaven;
Here would I lay aside each earthly load,
Here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven.

I have no help but thine; nor do I need
Another arm save thine to lean upon;
It is enough, my Lord, enough indeed;
My strength is in Thy might, Thy might alone.

Mine is the sin, but thine the righteousness:
Mine is the guilt, but thine the cleansing
Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace;
Thy Blood, Thy righteousness, O Lord my God!

Too soon we rise; the symbols disappear;
The feast, though not the love, is past and gone.
The bread and wine remove; but Thou art here,
Nearer than ever, still my shield and sun.

Feast after feast thus comes and passes by;
Yet, passing, points to the glad feast above,
Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy,
The Lamb’s great bridal feast of bliss and love.


Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. ~Revelations 19:9b

Have you been called to the marriage supper of the Lamb? Are you written in the Lamb's book of life?

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. ~Acts 16:31

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ~Romans 10:9

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Shiloh's 18th Birthday Party

Just this past Saturday we celebrated Shiloh's 18th Birthday! We had such a wonderful time. Of course we did A LOT of work. We cleaned out the entire garage! And then we decorated. I hope you enjoy the pictures!


-------------------


"Working" on decorating the garage.





The Birthday poster that we had everyone sign.



The entry way into the garage.


The pillars decorated with crepe paper and ribbon.


The ceiling.



Chairs that we rented for the party.


Eden... well, it looks like she's playing with a balloon, not working!


The guests arrive!




Jackson talking with Daddy while he makes hamburger patties.People meeting each other.






Karina and Shiloh talking together.


The babies playing on the deck.


More and more people are coming!


Joy having a wonderful time.


Melody and Victoria. They are SO cute!


Mrs. Smythe and Mommy admiring the garden.


Jamie Lyn, Tabitha, and Brie Ella. (I'm in this picture too! You just can't see me!)


Evan, Mr. Smythe, and Mr. Durmaz all talking together.


Time to eat! Thank you Daddy for the delicious hamburgers!
Hamburger anyone?

Jackson enjoying his meal.
Judah the cute boy munches away!
After the meal we had our worship time.
Here Jordan and I on piano and violin.
Now comes the game! It's time to play "Capture The Flag"! These are some pictures that I snapped while we were choosing teams.
Here's one team.
And to whom are these players all looking at?
The other team.
This is Mikell. It was the first time we were able to meet her in person! We only knew her through the "blog world". It was fun getting to know you Mikell!
Last minuet conversations before leaving.

And now leaving... :-(





I hope you enjoyed these pictures! Thank you all who came!

Posted By:

Bethany

Bringing Hope to the Sheep of the LORD's Pasture!



A Bring Me Hope Shepherd! Click HERE for our family's post about BMH!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Happy 11th Birthday De-De

Our darling little De-De turned 11 years old on July 21st! We can't believe how much she has grown in this past year... Here are some pictures of her and from her birthday.

(Above) Photo Credit to: S.Strang

Birthday Ballet en pointe!

Can you count them? Shiloh's surprise chocolate cupcakes...


#11

She espies the cupcakes and candles in surprise! :)


The past few years we have had the history of always singing the birthday song out of tune... We still are wondering why we can play our instruments in tune... Below is a movie of singing to our darling little De-De. We were so excited to discover (later in the film) that we actually sang in three part harmony!! We hope you enjoy the movie and Lord Willing we will improve our voices for the next birthday!:)


WE LOVE YOU DEE!

Monday, August 17, 2009

The Glory of Chidren

Children's children are the crown...

of old men; and...

the glory of children are their fathers.

-Proverbs 17:6

Thank you for coming Grandpa & Grandma!

Are you going to come again soon?