We’re praising the Lord for the safe arrival of Axton John Maxwell, born to John and Chelsy late Saturday night, the 26th. He weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz. His birth wasn’t without drama, and after a long, hard labor at home with an awesome midwife and support team, they went into the hospital and delivered Axton. Despite the intense labor and delivery, when Chelsy shared the story, there wasn’t a word of complaint. She has such a sweet attitude about it. Chelsy was just so grateful that she did not need a C-Section. Chelsy and Baby Axton are doing great!
You might wonder the background behind Axton’s name. Simply put, John and Chelsy fell in love with the name. They wanted something strong and simple but unique. They are very excited to begin the journey of raising Axton in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
We’re grateful for such a sweet gift of life! John and Chelsy’s hearts are already knit to Axton’s, and it’s adorable to see them love their little guy.
Please join us in welcoming Axton John Maxwell!
Chelsy, John, and Axton Maxwell
Dad and Mom with their newest little grandson, Axton Maxwell!
“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Psalm 127:3
These three books are from my toddler/preschooler book bag and are active books that involve the children. When I am reading to multiple children, which is usually the case, they take turns being the “doer” on the page.
Each page on this book asks where Buzzy Bee is and then suggest a possibility. The child puts his finger in a hole to slide a page insert out and show that it isn’t Buzzy Bee hiding there but another insect or animal–until the last page!
Amazing Animals is an engaging matching book. You spin up an animal on a wheel on each page and then match the animal with the same one on the page. There are eight matches per page, but we usually do three and then move to the next page to keep their interest. For the 2-year-olds, I move the wheel but the 3-year-olds and up can do it themselves.
This is a book where you open the flap and an emergency sound comes out. The sounds are light sensitive so we found you can’t read the book with the sounds unless it is fairly well lit. All the children seem to enjoy this book, but especially the boys. The flap pages are not very sturdy so this book is only read with my supervision to protect those flap pages.
All the links in this post are Titus2’s Amazon affiliate links and bless the ministry. See our privacy policy here.
If you missed my first two posts on Grandma’s bookbag, you can find them here: first and second.
Trusting in Jesus, Teri
“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” Psalm 57:7
Happy Anniversary! 17 years ago, your wedding day was gorgeous! Young and in love, you had no idea what the future years held.
God, “who is rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4), gave you the grace for every step of the way.
As you grieved the loss of your first-born daughter, you continued to trust “him faithful who had promised” (Hebrews 11:11).
“But joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5) filled your hearts when Abigail, your second-born daughter, arrived.
You trusted the Lord with your family size, knowing “the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psalm 127:3).
Through the roller-coaster of high-risk pregnancies, you took to heart to “be strong and courageous” (2 Chronicles 32:7).
Your family is a beautiful testimony to the Lord Jesus as you serve Him with generous hearts! You clearly portray: “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor” (Proverbs 22:9).
Last month, a neighbor-friend and Melanie and her girls hosted a baby shower for Chelsy. It also worked perfectly timing wise because Chelsy’s family was headed to the Bible Bee, so their ladies could attend, too, on their way to San Antonio!
Baby showers are a sweet expression of love and care for the couple who is anticipating their child’s birth. John and Chelsy were truly showered with many blessings!
For those wondering, Chelsy and Baby are doing well, and the baby is due any day! We’re all excited to meet the baby soon!
Love, Sarah
Christina welcoming guests, complete with a party favor bag
Abby explaining the rules to a game
One of the games included changing a baby doll’s outfit — everyone was divided into two teams.
Mom and Calia handing off the baby!
Bethany made the blanket!
“As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.” Psalm 127:4
We’ve long appreciated Samaritan Ministries, a ministry that offers Christian health care sharing. Families helping families in the Lord. They have such hearts for the people they serve. Originally, I (Sarah) began in it when I turned 19. Nathan and Melanie joined after they got married, and when the other three brothers married, they too joined as their own household. At the time, my family was in another sharing program, and the only reason they had stayed was because of pre-existing conditions (which Samaritan’s doesn’t cover). Finally, the Lord gave my parents freedom to join Samaritan’s, trusting Him with the pre-existing conditions. That was three years ago, and we have been so thrilled to finally be members!
80,000+ member households strong, Samaritan’s has managed to keep up with their incredible growth since the government-mandated health care. (There is an exclusion when filing taxes for members of Samaritan’s.)
In their January newsletter, Samaritan’s did a Member Spotlight on my parents and the Titus2 ministry. Here’s the link to the online version. They also highlighted Titus2’s resources. See this link. There’s also a separate article about why we chose Samaritan’s.
If you are looking for an alternative to the mainstream health care, and what they support, we encourage you to check out Samaritan Ministries. Here’s a linkwhere we share more about Samaritan’s.
I’d love to hear how many of you use Samaritan Ministries.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I had a beautiful day!
Love, Sarah
The Steve Maxwell Family
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. “ 3 John 1:2
We know you envisioned your life to be a stay-at-home mom homeschooling children, but God hasn’t directed that way by bringing the right man into your life. So you have focused your energies on what He has given you to do and had an amazingly productive life in that.
You are the backbone of Titus2 and are diligent to keep up with all the details that it generates.
So many families are blessed and encouraged by the children’s books you write and our Titus2 blog that you keep content flowing to every week.
You deal with the financial aspects of your brothers’ businesses plus do more for them, and they are all grateful to you.
We love you, and look forward to what God has in store for you in 2019.
“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:31