Abounding Joy

When I saw this picture, I knew I had to post it. Talk about CUTE!

IMG_0420

Sweet treats.
Sweet treats.
Lots of smiles.
Lots of smiles.
Cooling down after a wonderful aunties' playtime!
Cooling down after a wonderful aunties’ playtime!

Being a daughter of the King is the most amazing thing, and joy abounds!

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
in thy presence is fulness of joy;
at thy right hand there are pleasures
for evermore.”

Psalm 16:11

Learning Something New

Last month, a friend of ours offered to teach a mini-class on arranging flowers, and she thought the little girls would especially enjoy it. Of course, it also called for an opportunity to make and share fun treats.

We all had a sweet afternoon of fellowship and learning. Thank you, to Mrs. K, for taking the time to share with us.

Love,
Sarah

DSC_2965DSC_2967

Cheesecake bites thanks to Anna and Mary.
Cheesecake bites thanks to Anna and Mary.
DSC_2972
Sugar cookies: very child-friendly!

DSC_2977DSC_2980

 

Supplies we could pick from on our flower arrangements.
Supplies we could pick from on our flower arrangements.

DSC_3018DSC_3022

Anna, Drew, and Bethany
Anna, Drew, and Bethany
Elissa (and Baby) and Abby
Elissa (and Baby) and Abby
The whole group (thanks, Nathan for the picture)
The whole group (thanks, Nathan for the picture)

“Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”
Psalm 66:16

17 Year Cicadas

Brood IV, the 17-year cicadas, launched last month in Kansas and in five other states. These cicadas have been in the ground in their nymph stage for 17 years before they finally emerged. The females then lay eggs, which when they hatch, will drop to the ground and burrow for 17 years. I marvel at our wonderful Creator, who has intricately fashioned even the smallest insect.

Christopher captured a time-lapse video of one emerging from its shell, and I thought you’d enjoy some pictures with Abby too.

Love,
Sarah

Just so you don’t think your speakers have a problem, this one does not have music.

DSC_3327DSC_3335DSC_3339DSC_3341DSC_3348

The shells left behind.
The shells left behind.

DSC_3412DSC_3416

“And God made the beast of the earth after his kind,
and cattle after their kind, and every thing that
creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God
saw that it was good.”
Genesis 1:25

Happy Father’s Day

Happy Father’s Day!

My dad gave his life to the Lord 39 years ago! He is a godly example of a man sold-out to Jesus. Dad’s been an amazing husband to Mom for 40 years and a dad for 38 years.

DSC_0163

DSC_1826

He loves his grandchildren, and you’ll often see him holding one.

IMG_3372

Dad is a determined guy, and even arduous 14er hikes he pushes through.DSC_1076

He loves to encourage families through the Titus2 ministry.

DSC_2899

Happy Father’s Day, Dad! We love you!

Also a special “happy father’s day” to my brothers, Nathan, Christopher, and Joseph. We delight in seeing your love for your families.

Love,
Sarah

“… to love the Lord your God, and to walk
in all his ways, and to keep his commandments,
and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with
all your heart and with all your soul.”

Joshua 22:5

Reading Through the Bible

Little details in life amount to bigger things. For example, many people read through the Bible multiple times throughout their life. Wouldn’t it be neat to keep track of each time?

In 2011, I decided to start documenting that myself. I don’t follow any special read-through-the-Bible plan; it’s simply a certain amount of time I spend reading God’s Word each day. Some days I read more chapters than others because there are parts that go much quicker (aka: genealogies!) than the New Testament. I will also occasionally take a break and read in a different book such as Psalms.

This week, I finished another read through. I keep track of the beginning date and end date in the front of my Bible. It’s a special way to chronicle journeying through the most precious book in the world! Try it!

Love,
Sarah

DSC_3641

“Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.”
Psalm 119:68

Matching Girls

DSC_3077
Like Aunt, like Niece, matching down to their pink Chuck Taylors.
DSC_3117
Such a cute mix!
DSC_3090
Pink, blue, and green–what a colorful array!
Smiles and joyful hearts!
Smiles and joyful hearts!
Anna and Abby
Anna and Abby
Special thanks to my amazing helpers with the photo session. Mary was great with posing and Bethany helped too.
Special thanks to my amazing helpers with the photo session. Mary was great with posing and Bethany helped too.
Who can't help but smile with this precious load? Bethany wanted to carry my camera bag.
Who can’t help but smile with this precious load? Bethany wanted to carry my camera bag.

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance…”
Proverbs 15:13