Freedom is Not Free

Today I’m grateful for those who gave their lives for our freedom. Think of that: their lives for our freedom.

Please take a moment to pray for those families who have lost a loved one while serving in the military. They did that for our sake!

In the pictures below, you’ll see Abby and Bethany holding a folded flag. This is very special, as it was the flag given to my grandma at my grandpa’s funeral two years ago. Grandad was a purple heart veteran serving in Vietnam. In fact, after he was wounded, one of the helicopters coming in to rescue him was shot down, and all on board gave their lives in an attempt to help Grandad.

Thank you is all I can say.

Love,
Sarah

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“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man
lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13

Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover

Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover

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I think I found this little gem at our local Ace Hardware store many years ago. I remember waiting on Steve one day while he was in the hardware section and looking at all the interesting cleaning items in a part of the store that was more applicable to my life. Since I was always struggling to find a spot remover that really worked, when I saw the Grandma’s, I thought it was worth a try. It has more than proved its worth to us.

We use it at home on a weekly basis. Mary seems to have developed the best skills at stain removal and is often requested to work on a spot that has appeared on a prized garment. We are continually amazed at how often Grandma’s works and how seldom we now have stains that we can’t get out. Grandma’s Spot Remover is so valuable to us that it is part of our packing list when we travel!

It comes in a small bottle, but it doesn’t take much to do the job, and we purchase the bulk set from Amazon where we can get 6 – 2 oz bottles. (Amazon also sells a 16 oz. spray, but we haven’t used the spray, so we don’t know if it’s as effective. Based on reviews, though, it looks like it works the same.) In the past four years we have used only 5 bottles of Grandma’s, which ends up being quite economical when you consider how many items of clothing it has kept from being ruined.

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As good as Grandma’s Spot Remover is, there is yet one “spot” that it can’t remove.

“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14).

Oh how thankful we are for the Lord Jesus and His cleansing blood!

Trusting in Jesus,
Teri

(All the links in this post are Titus2’s Amazon affiliate link; you can read our disclosure here).

A Shopping Day with Elissa, Calia, Anna, and Mary

Recently, Anna and Mary went shopping with Elissa and Calia. The purpose was to help Elissa decorate. Mary has an amazing eye for those details, and Anna is awesome with little ones, so they made a great team to go with Elissa.

Anna and Calia Selfie
Anna and Calia Selfie
This is not the real collage, as it changed, but you can tell what they were working with.
This is not the real collage, as it changed, but you can tell what they were working with.

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“Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous;
and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”
Psalm 97:12

Ruthanne’s First Trip to the ER

Recently Ruthanne got her finger accidentally closed in a door. Ruthanne is a very brave little girl, and even though her finger was in rough condition, she handled it so well! Christopher and Anna Marie took her to the Emergency Room while Anna and Mary watched the other children. The ER nurses and doctor did great with Ruthanne, and bless little Ruthie’s heart, she was so brave. After many stitches, they bandaged up her finger and put a splint on it too. Ruthie has been her happy little self since, learning to manage and be careful with her hand.

Watching a little one hurt broke all of our hearts! How thankful we are for great medical care.

Love,
Sarah

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Mary and Joshua made cookies before Ruthie got home.
Ruthie even got balloons.
Ruthie even got balloons.
Look at that smile!
Look at that smile!

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“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God!
therefore the children of men put their trust
under the shadow of thy wings.”
Psalm 36:7

Cousin Joy

What happens when you get girl cousins together? Giggling and lots of joy! Check out this video of cousins Ruthie and Calia.

What does Calia think of Cousin Ruthie’s sunglasses? She loves it, but the reality is she sees herself in the reflection and is pretty tickled.

Lydia, Ruthanne, and Calia Maxwell: Cousins!
Lydia, Ruthanne, and Calia Maxwell: Cousins!

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance:
but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”
Proverbs 15:13

 

Ellie

My puppy is growing so quickly, and she’s now 5 months old. I’m grateful for her. She’s my lil’ buddy!DSC_7524

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“I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live:
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.”
Psalm 104:33