As our fall trip approaches, it’s time to get back into practicing music and preparing for the trip. So far, we have five weekends filled, and the sixth is pending due to a church scheduling conflict. We still have openings for single evening conferences in between.

Yesterday, we went to an assisted living home in town to share through music and testimony. It was a blessing! Afterward one man who is celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary today, told me that it was the best music he had ever heard in his life! Another lady, after hearing Mom had homeschooled eight children said, “And she’s still alive?!!” Dad thought that was pretty funny when she told him that. It’s not uncommon for people to say about a homeschool mom, “She must have so much patience!” or “I could never do it!” The beauty of following the Lord’s leading is how He equips those He calls. We suspect most don’t have “the patience” when they start, but part of the plan is developing a mom’s heart in the process.

Scripture says: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13) and 1 Corinthians 1:27: “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”

And, yes, I was there–just taking pictures, not in them :-).

Love,
Sarah

Tuesday lunch found John, Joseph, Jesse, and me at a local restaurant. This wasn’t just a lunch to eat out, but it was a “special” occasion. You might be thinking that it didn’t look like a very fancy restaurant to have a special meal at, but there was significance to the place we chose.

Here’s why we went out to lunch at Taco Bell on this day! The other night while talking before Bible time, we were all sharing memories. One memory that came up we laughed about, but at the time it wasn’t funny.

Here is what happened. We were on a trip (many years ago! : )) and the boys and I were having an argument about cats and dogs. Thinking back, it seems quite silly to be arguing about cats and dogs, but at that moment in time for three little children, it was a serious matter! The boys happened to prefer dogs, and I liked cats much better.  When I wasn’t winning the argument, I brought it to Dad’s attention, making myself sound like the angel in the situation.

The situation escalated to where the boys were given a consequence for arguing. They were to eat a lunch of Wheat Thins in the van while we girls, Dad and Mom ate inside at Taco Bell where Dad could see the boys in the van. After eating my lunch, instead of me having a sad attitude and realizing that I was part of the problem as well, I had a proud attitude and was pleased that the boys were in trouble.

Now many years later, looking back on the insignificant things that provoked the argument, I can see how silly it was to argue about cats and dogs, how wrong I was to tattle, and then to be happy that my brothers were given a consequence. I shared that with the boys, and I invited them out to Taco Bell this last week as restitution for the attitude I had during that time.

We had a wonderful time together! It has been neat to see how the Lord has worked in our brother and sister relationships, because we truly are best friends! For those moms out there who have children like we were, be encouraged with Mom and Dad’s consistent encouragement, daily in the Word as a family, and the Lord’s help, we have grown to where we love to be together! Yes, we’re not perfect, but the Lord has done an amazing work in our lives. I am so grateful to the wonderful parents that the Lord has blessed me with, because I know that I would not be where I am now with out them!

And yes, I have to say I do now really like dogs better than cats. Maybe that was influenced by finding out that I’m allergic to cats!?

Anna

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34)

With no “heads up” to the family of my plan, I came in from working on my book, and grabbed my camera. I found the first two in the living room.

We haven’t unveiled this until now, but we’ll spill the beans. Mom has been working hard on a writing project over the last six weeks. The new book is due out sometime in September. Dad believes that her new book will have a greater impact than Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit, which has been phenomenal. When we have a book cover next month, we’ll probably post that. I wholeheartedly agree with Dad’s thoughts–this book is amazing.

Anna was studying her HTML book. What you don’t see is the delicious dinner Anna had prepared. It was in the fridge waiting to bake: Chicken Enchiladas. She made enough to take to elderly neighbors too; the wife just came home from recovering in a nursing home from a broken hip. Anna also baked them blueberry pies, which they were delighted with too.

Joseph was taking a 10 minute break from work to chat with Dad about something.

Dad at his desk.

Okay, John heard me coming, so he did have a little heads up. Here he is at his computer.

I was told Mary was at Christopher and Anna Marie’s. So, I headed over with my camera in hand.

Jesse was also gone. He was at GiGi and Grandad’s house. GiGi needed to run an errand, so Jesse sat with Grandad and worked on his computer.

I’ve been out in the bus quite a bit, working on Winter Days. This was taken a bit later in the afternoon (thanks, Anna!).

So, there you have it! A summer afternoon at the Maxwells.

Love,
Sarah

“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds” (Proverbs 27:23).