Our New Ministry

Here is what we have been up to -

My husband and I have started a new ministry called AbideWithHim. It is free service that helps people have a comprehensive devotion time each morning. You receive an email early each day that takes you through the six parts of an effective quiet time, and then in the afternoon you receive a follow-up email to help you keep your focus. There is a two-minute animated video at www.AbideWithHim.com that explains it all.

You may have seen our ministry in an article in the Newark Advocate. It is growing daily with subscribers all over the United States and multiple countries. As you may have seen in the newspaper, our eldest daughter Hannah is coming along side of us and starting AbideWithHim Teen. She is very excited about reaching out to teens and teaching them to have an effective quiet time. It is the same format as the adult, but with Hannah writing questions geared toward teens and the daily video is featuring her. Sign-ups are now open for teens and adults through this week. Check out our website www.abidewithhim.com/teen-primary/ to subscribe. Parents if you are interested in the version for adults, info is available at www.abidewithhim.com.

How can you help us?

• PRAY. The devil does not like what we are doing, and  just pray we stay focused on His task.
• SUBSCRIBE. We are seeing great things thru this ministry. Join us.
• TELL OTHERS. Do you know a new christian? This is a great way for them to get started in their walk with God.

Don't Give Up!

I received many different kinds of emails through out the day. Some I read, and others I may skim or just delete. This one just caught my attention.

25 Reasons Not To Give Up

• God's grace is sufficient.
• God gives us everything we need for life and godliness.
• God's mercy endures forever.
• It is God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
• Our children need Godly parent mentors and teachers.
• Our children need their questions answered from a biblical worldview.
• Our children need and are permitted room to grow and time for creativity.
• Our children need and receive Godly socialization. 
• Our children learn to be unselfish and how to serve others.
• Our children retain their innocence.
• Our children will have a lasting legacy of love and commitment.
• Our children and our children's children will be spared worldly indoctrination.
• We know where our children are at all times.
• We know what our children are being taught at all times.
• We know who our children's friends are and who their parents are.
• We retain our God-given right to educate our own children.
• Our children receive a superior education no matter what philosophy or curriculum
• Homeschooled children receive one-on-one attention and specialized training.
• Homeschooled children can see and experience the world around them regularly 
• Homeschooling permits the teaching of important life skills.
• Homeschooling builds strong character and strong relationships.
• Our children will not have to walk in the counsel of the ungodly.
• Our children will not have to stand in the path of sinners.
• Our delight will be in the law of the Lord and everything we do will prosper.
• Our God never gives up and He gives us His strength to continue the journey. 

 Here's to all the homeschool moms out there - DON'T GIVE UP - GOD IS RIGHT THERE WITH YOU!!!


 

My Christmas Beauty

I purchased this dress for Rae to wear for her dedication this past year, but I never had a chance to take photos of her in the dress. This past Christmas a local store I love perusing had a wonderful display in front of her store that included an old horse drawn sleigh.  I jumped at the chance to take pictures there and waited for a day that was warm enough. Ohio turned cold early. 

I think the pictures turned out great and showed her sassy side!

Quick update!

WOW! It is almost Christmas. I been wanting to sit down and compose different blogs, but I just haven't been able to compose a thought. I know some of you may want to know about our vacation. I thought I would give you a list form of update -

• Disneyworld - fun, great weather, long days, little overwhelming for the little one, and everybody hands-up!
• Beach - relaxing, too much food, and the girls loved snorkeling
• Hannah turned 15 - birthday party fun and wow she starts driving in 6 months.
• Homeschool Christmas Drama and District Honors Band - Canceled due to snow - Hannah was sad.
• My birthday - Got the FLU! Great gifts from hubby and the girls.
• Dave Koz and Friends - SURPRISE! great concert with great friends (B&R)
• Pictures with Santa - another fun year with kids who liked Santa and those who didn't
• Children's Choir - Rae had a solo and she did a wonderful job.
• Gotcha Day Today! Hard to believe it has been two years.

15 for 15

I am not sure where the time has gone - Hannah turns 15 today. It just seems she had started school, and that she is still my little girl sitting in her little school desk learning to read.

I thought I would do a list of 15 things I love about this girl.

1. Her love for Jesus. She seeks to serve Him and do her best for Him.

2. Her love for music.  As a music teacher, I love that she loves to play the piano and flute and share her talents. It is also great how much she loves to practice and to work hard to get better.

3. Her love for her parents and sisters.

4. Her beauty - This is not beauty on the outside, but it is what radiates from the inside. She shines and radiates God's love.

5. Her drive - She works hard and always seeks to do her best. She also always seeks to improve in all that she does.

6. Organizer - She loves to organize and rearrange her room.

7. Reader - She loves to read more than anything. She also reads a variety of books.  I even think she has read almost more than me.

8. Thirst for knowledge(even math) - She loves learning new things.

9. Loves to travel - She is like her parents.  She loves seeing new places and experiencing new things.

10. Her love for peanut butter - As long as she has peanut butter, she will survive almost any where.

11. To keep her room clean and do her own laundry.  - I wish I could say I could share this with her, but we are not sure where she got this trait.

12. Her love for musicals - Wicked, Sound of Music, Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, and she can't wait till I let her watch Les Mis, etc...

13.  She is my fashion consultant - She helps me make sure I go out looking good as well as her sisters.


14. Her love for her friends. - She loves her friends and would do almost anything for them.

15. Hard Worker - She works hard in all she does and seeks to do.

Happy Birthday Hannah! I love you and love the lady you are turning growing up to be.  Can you slow down just a little?

Little Girl Alone

Five years ago this month there was a little 3 year old girl found alone. She was wearing green clothes, a pair of jeans, and a pair of red leather shoes. She also had on a backpack with 3 changes of clothing.

Today this little girl is not alone and never will be again. She has a mom, dad, and 2 sisters. She is no longer and orphan. This Sunday is set aside as Orphan Sunday. Is there something you can do to help the over 140 million orphans out there?  Feel free to contact me for more info about our adoption or how you can help.



Our Adoption Journey to Rae from Donna Dear on Vimeo.

"I've Got to Get it in My Head"

It's that time of year where the girls are learning parts for their various Christmas productions. Hannah is playing the part of Elizabeth in the homeschool Christmas production. Rae is learning song in the children's choir at church. Emily, I think, will be reading in the adult Christmas production. So,it will be a little busy. Rae got a CD to learn her part. She loves listening to the songs, but she didn't think she could sing on stage with her friends and do a solo. Natalie really wants her to do one, and she wanted to find one she can sing and work with her on. Rae kept thinking she just couldn't do it. This week she has learned her solo part. We have to work a little more on the pronunciation, but it is so sweet to hear.