Remembering Those Who’ve Gone Before

  • We’re grateful to those who have served and do serve our country. Some gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I think about the helicopter that was shot down in Vietnam, trying to rescue my wounded grandpa, and all on board gave their lives. For him! I’m without words.
  • As we remember those who’ve stepped into Eternity before us, we’re grateful for their lives. 
  • We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the unborn babies whose lives have been taken, when they were in what should have been the safest place in the world: their mother’s womb.
  • We’re grateful to the Lord Jesus, Who took our sins upon Himself–the perfect Lamb–and sacrificed His life so we can live eternally. Isn’t that glorious?

flag“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

A Day in the Life of the Chickie Mama

Meet Chickie Mama (Abigail) as she shows you what it’s like to care for her delightful brood of chickens. Her helper is Chickie Aunt (Bethany).

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We’ll start with checking on the new additions, who are camping out in the shed until they’re old enough to join the rest. They probably need a water refill, so we’ll add some.

Now onto the layers.

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Pardon us, ma’am.

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The layers are thirsty too.

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We’ll go ahead and open the cage for the day. Cluck, cluck–yeah! 

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Time to check for eggs. Here’s one, and it’s still warm!

DSC_4326Chickie Mama checks too.

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So sorry. Does my camera bother you?

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Okay, next we’ll check back around lunch.

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We need to fill up the little flock’s food.

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Then, back to the layers. Chickie Aunt is a wonderful helper.DSC_4403

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Checking for more eggs. Yeah!

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Late afternoon: back to check on “the girls” again. More eggs. That’s great.

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Chickie Mama enjoys her chickens.

DSC_4555Follow me girls, it is time for bed.

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Yes, we’ll give you some tasty treats.

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One of the tardy girls has to be rounded up.

DSC_4574I’m afraid she doesn’t look too remorseful.

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Night, night. A good job, well done. All in the day of a Chickie Mama.

“A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast…”
Proverbs 12:10

Learn Small-Business Accounting: QuickBooks

Hello, y’all!

Small-business accounting. Sound like fun? I suppose it depends on if you like numbers or not. I for one do enjoy them—at least most of the time.

Christopher’s next QuickBooks course begins June 11th and runs for eight weeks. Summer is a perfect opportunity to learn a new skill, and this in-depth course will get you up and running in the #1 small-business accounting software. Whether you’re a young person or parent, QuickBooks is a great skill to have. And whether you are a CPA or have never used QuickBooks before (he’s had both in his course), you’ll come away with a greater understanding of QuickBooks!

Even if you don’t see a current need in your life for this skill, you never know what the Lord may have in store for you. One dad (pictured below) who took the course shared an amazing story.

IMG_4823“My motivation for taking the QuickBooks course was two-fold. I wanted to equip myself a little better in case the Lord would lead us to start a family business in the future. Secondly, I wanted to understand finances better in order to help our children in the next few years as they enter their teens-in order to prepare/equip them for employment. I recently had a job offer to manage the business for a small trucking company. My job will include handling the company’s finances on QuickBooks! At the time I began the course, I had no idea this job would be available. It is amazing how the Lord directs our lives.”

You will learn through a live weekly webinar (which you can also watch later if you’re not available during that time) and studying helpful course materials. You will have plenty of hands-on practice as you manage the finances, week by week, for a company you will create and populate with real-world transactions.

You can read more from prior course participants on the sign-up pages.

• If you already have QuickBooks 2013 or 2014, you can sign up for the course here.
• If you don’t have the software, you can sign up for the course plus software here.

Serving Jesus,
Sarah

“So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12

Looking for the BEST!

We live in the Kansas City area and appreciate it when we find someone who is a skilled professional. People who take their work seriously and strive for excellence are such a blessing to do business with. Some of you live in the KC area and have experience with people you consider excellent. Would you share their names, your experience with them, what they do, and their contact information with us? Every sort of work discipline would be appreciated. 

We’d also be interested in hearing about Christians around the country who are fantastic at what they do. Do you have a story to tell? We’d love to hear about them. 

Maybe you know of young adults who have a remarkable business that you can tell us about. 

Be sure to include a telephone number for the person you are recommending, and tell us what your experience has been with them.

We will not be posting your responses nor their contact information. It is for our use and on occasion referring others to them as appropriate.  If you prefer, you could use our Contact Us page.

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“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”
(Proverbs 22:1)

For Her Price Is Far Above Rubies

Happy Mother’s Day

to our wonderful Mom, who also is wife to Dad for almost 40 years and grandma to a growing number. We love you so much!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there.

As a fun twist to this post, I (Sarah) requested everyone write two sentences about why they’re grateful for Mom. 

Dad:

I’m grateful for Teri’s love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I’m grateful for her love of me and how she freely invests her life in the family and others.

Nathan:

I greatly value Mom’s commitment and love for her children (her husband as well!).

She looks for ways to invest in her children and grandchildren: bedrest, childcare–doesn’t matter–she will have a plan to pitch in and help.

Melanie (Nathan’s wife):

I am grateful for Mom’s living example of faithfulness in her responsibilities.

I have been blessed to see her diligence even in the little things! “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” (Proverbs 31:27)

Christopher:

I really appreciate the example Mom has set in her walk with the Lord.

When He puts something on her heart to do, work on, or perhaps even change, she will put a great amount of effort/energy/focus/hard work into that area.

Anna Marie (Christopher’s wife):

Mom’s an incredible example to me of selfless giving of oneself as a wife and mother.

Her humble spirit and love for Jesus Christ has given her a heart to encourage other ladies in the Lord, which was a blessing to me even before I became one of her daughters-in-law, and I’m so grateful to have her!

Sarah:

I’m grateful for a mom who surrendered to Jesus as a young adult and whose life is a living testimony to His saving grace.

Mom invests in my life in countless ways: she truly would do anything for me.

Joseph:

Mom always encourages and cheers me on, always lending an ear anytime we need to talk.

She loves Jesus so much, and it is her complete heart’s desire to please Him.

John:

I’m grateful for Mom giving me a great education: she has so enabled my career.

I’m grateful for her being such a godly example and pointing me in the right direction: I love you, Mom.

Anna:

I’m thankful for Mom’s sacrificial love that overflows for the Lord, Dad, and all of us–somehow it never runs out!

I love Mom’s grit –nothing’s impossible for her with the Lord’s help, and she keeps going despite physical pain and other things that could seem to get in the way.

Jesse:

I appreciate how Mom is always willing to set aside what she is doing and help someone else.

I’m grateful for all the years she put into homeschooling me.

Mary:

Mom has the most amazing helpful attitude to jump in and work on whatever–even with a bad back!

She is always available to lend a listening ear and encourage us.

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“Who can find a virtuous woman?
for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
so that he shall have no need of spoil.”
Proverbs 31:10-11

There Will Be a New Color at Nathan and Melanie’s

–in the children’s department that is!

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Melanie had an ultrasound recently, and they asked the tech to write what gender the baby is and put the card in an envelope. After dinner, Abby opened the envelope and read it aloud: It’s a BOY! Shock and amazement ensued. Wow! A boy after four little girls. They celebrated with blue-frosted cupcakes! We praise the Lord for His blessing.

Joyfully His,
Sarah

“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.”
Psalms 107:31