Monthly Archives: July 2012

A Little Bit of This and That

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Days are flying by here at the Maxwell household. We are grateful to the Lord Jesus for all He has given us, and we know that there is always time to accomplish what He would have us to! Stay tuned!

Enjoy the pictures.

Love,
Sarah

As a celebration for the many exciting items we’ve had lately (website launch, my Summer book revision, new niece and nephew), Dad took us out-to-eat for a special treat.

After dinner that evening, we went to a tile store. The new homeowner wanted sample tiles. Shortly after the tile store, we went to another store, and Joseph found tile on sale for the bathroom: praise the Lord!

SAM sisters.

It really is great to have two little ones around! They look so different. You’ll see that especially when we share photos of the two of them side by side this weekend. Joshua is so boyish, and Christina is so girly.

After removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room, air conditioning vents had to be moved.

Anna and Mary have been awesome workers!

Closing up where the hole was for the vents.

Preparing to spray the primer on the walls and ceiling.

So this is a new twist on vacuuming out the top of the cabinets. It works. Well, if you are used to wearing stilts. I’d prefer a chair. Smile.

John and Dad have already invested many hours in Joseph’s house. Dad has done many miscellaneous projects, including moving those vents in the kitchen, while John has mudded and sanded. Today, Dad put a coat of primer on the walls and ceilings.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind
is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” –Isaiah 26:3

 

Moody Project Unveiling

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What was I working on this spring? It wasn’t Spring Days, but a thorough revision of Book #1:  Summer with the Moodys. The Lord had placed this project on my heart several months ago. In the end, not only did the book undergo much editing, but also new content was added, in order to increase the original word count to make it comparable to the rest of the books in the series. Now, you can join the Moodys as they tour a … wait … I won’t give it away! Throughout the book, you’ll find new pieces of the story-line that have been sprinkled into the plot. Plus, my friend Abi drew new sketches. The original sketches had been done by my grandma, and they ended up not quite matching the style of the illustrations in the other books. I’m praising the Lord for His grace and help throughout the project. It was definitely quite an undertaking! The revised copies are now shipping.

Love,
Sarah

This was during a photo session we did for the revised Summer book. Me with the neighbor's cat (aka: Peaches).
This was during a photo session we did for the revised Summer book. Me with the neighbor’s cat (aka: Peaches).

“For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for
thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.” –Psalms 31:3

Squeak, Crunch, Ummm, Okay, John…

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Dad has had an annoying sound under his bus driver’s seat for over a year. It didn’t make noise all the time, but it did when we would hit a bump-in-the-road, and the springs in Dad’s chair would compress, and thus the annoying squeak would ensue. It was one of those things that wasn’t worth talking about; you were only slightly aware of it, and in fact, you actually got used to it (like the rattling in the microwave when the diesel idles). As we were driving Saturday night after the conference, John was determined to find the cause. As John carefully crouched down, he pulled out several items, but nothing too major, until he produced this.

Dad’s lost sunglasses!!! There was much chuckling (say: laughing) as we looked at the crumpled case and realized that was the cause of the noise. We were amazed and grateful that the glasses escaped unscathed.

Traveling in the bus has its amusing moments.

Love,
Sarah

“And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” –Luke 15:9-10 

Happy Independence Day!

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As we reflect on our nation’s independence, may we never take that freedom for granted. That freedom came at no little cost: many gave the ultimate, their own life’s blood. Soldiers are continuing to give their lives for our freedom. Just this past week, a soldier from Overland Park, Kansas, died in Afghanistan, and all Kansas flags were flown at half-mast yesterday in his honor.

Thinking about our physical freedom, reminds me of the One Who purchased my soul’s freedom with His own blood. Jesus Christ gave His life and paid the debt we never could, for those who will accept Him. The road is narrow; the path often difficult;  but the journey is sweet as we stay close to the Savior.

Today, there has been a great team of workers at Joseph’s house. The guys were able to get the sheetrock hung in the dining room and kitchen. This, in turn, sealed the attic, which thus allowed for the AC to be turned on: a welcome change in the 100 degree Kansas heat!

Happy Independence Day!

Love,
Sarah

A new addition: windows in the dining room!

One happy guy!
Hanging sheetrock.
Anna, one incredible helper!
Jesse joins the “wearing-stilts” rank.
Mudding!

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
–1 Peter 1:18-19

Titus2 Redesign is Live

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Yesterday afternoon we launched the new look for Titus2. The redesign has been underway for a few months now. It is possible it will take a bit of time for some of you to see it, as the DNS rolls over.

We want to express our gratefulness to several people. This redesign has been a dream come true!

It all began with Dave, who did an amazing job with the logo and banner. Truly, Dave, words seem inadequate to thank you. Liz, you are Dave’s wonderful helpmeet, and thank you for your support during the project.

 


Joseph was our overall designer and behind-the-scenes programmer. In the midst of remodeling his house, and normal work, he managed to dedicate time to the redesign.

Jesse was our project manager. As Anna and I needed direction or had questions, Jesse was the man. He worked tirelessly on item after item, figuring out how to make the website flow well, creating pages and drop down menus, working with the shopping cart, moving the blog over, and so much more.

Anna created all of the products on the shopping cart. This was a monumental task, as she carefully worked through each item. She also helped to test the site.

I, Sarah, enjoyed seeing this long-time dream coming to fruition! I guess you could say I did the “grunt” work, cleaning up HTML in old pages and creating them in the new one and overall just items that needed to be done. It was great working with the team!

Our desire is that Titus2 will continue to bless and encourage families in our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for your encouragement and support of our family.

With love,
Sarah

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
–Titus 2:12-14