Monthly Archives: August 2020

Colorado Get away

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Steve and Teri Maxwell

This year we didn’t think we would go to Colorado. The timing simply didn’t work out with the girls’ schedules and work projects.

Through the years of our marriage, we have tried to have at least one weekend away a year, but that hadn’t happened for us since 2017. Also starting with our 25th anniversary, we have taken a longer trip with just the two of us every five years. For our 45th, last year, it didn’t happen. So at the last minute this year—just two weeks before leaving—we made plans for a husband/wife vacation.

There is something else special about this trip. Since we got married on my birthday, we always celebrate my birthday on the 17th with the family and then celebrate our anniversary another time. This year we celebrated Mary and my birthday together on the 15th, drove to Colorado on the 16th, and celebrated our anniversary on the 17th.

We will spend a week in Colorado Springs doing our walks at altitude. Steve saw his cardiologist the end of July and was given the go-ahead again for strenuous hiking at altitude. The caution was that he listens to his body. We felt the time in Colorado Springs before going to higher elevation would be good for both of us. Then we will head up to Buena Vista, our normal Colorado vacation spot for the next week.

We look forward to beautiful long walks, time with the Lord, extra reading, writing, prayer time, and just being together without the normal responsibilities of daily life.

We brought most of our own food that fits Steve’s eating regime, but we also had an anniversary date at our favorite—Longhorn Steak House. And we have a few other treats with us since it is vacation and not the norm!

We miss our girls because except for our 25th anniversary trip out here, they have always been with us. They had such sweet and encouraging words and hearts to us about coming when they couldn’t. They bless us in so many ways —even something like that!

Trusting in Jesus,
Teri

“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be
joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great
mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let
every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the
wife see that she reverence her husband” (Ephesians 5:31-33).

Happy Birthday, Mom!

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Happy Birthday to our amazing mom! And Happy 46th Anniversary to our amazing parents. What a testament of faithfulness!

Mom is a beautiful treasure of serving the Lord Jesus and her family. Having dedicated 30 years to homeschooling her children, she’s moved gracefully into the next season of life. She’s been incredible to be Dad’s teammate and true helpmeet as they changed their diet for the past year and a half. She’s cut many vegetables and prepared countless healthy meals! She loves her grandkids and invests so much into them and just spent three months homeschooling Christopher and Anna Marie’s kids. Mom loves all her married sons and their wives and is a great communicator!

Mom finds it energizing to invest in the Titus2 ministry, blessing and helping many ladies. To Anna, Mary, and myself, she’s our cheerleader, and looks for ways to equip and help us in the midst of our busy schedules.

We love you so much, Mom! Happy Birthday! Enjoy the mountains!

Love,
Sarah

“That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their
husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at
home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be
not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:4-5)

Random Life From the Different Summer to Settling In

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This summer was different than the last several. Anna and Mary are usually gone for ministry (4-8 weeks). And the County Fair was canceled. Then, basically every day, Mom, Anna, or Mary was over helping at Christopher’s a lot of the time.

We welcomed Elliot Rex shortly after our last Random Life. There’s not a lack of people ready to hold him, and John and Chelsy love to share the little fellow. It’s such a joy to have our lives abundantly blessed with the next generation!

Even though COVID seems to have canceled many things and made life so different, our summer has been full.

We have some interesting things to share soon, so stay tuned! God is gracious, and we’re grateful for His leading in our lives.

Love,
Sarah

Anna and Mary took the kids on a walk to listen for the tornado siren test–something Joshua especially is interested in. Then, on the way home, they had a snack party. My sisters are creative!
Little helper
Birthday girl (on a birthday picnic at aunties’ park)!
Mom meeting Elliot
Dad meeting him
Gigi was so delighted that John and Chelsy named Elliot Rex after Grandad (Rex)
A game of Bananagrams
Anna cut a lot of little fingernails and toenails during the season of Anna Marie being away.
I’m sure I’ve never seen her do this before on the railing, and I’m not sure what made her do this.
Saturday work project
Every Friday, Mom went over and cleaned at Christopher’s!
Father’s Day Crew
Father’s Day
Baby snuggles
Axton has his playtime with Grandma every Monday, and now Elliot joins him too.
We enjoyed dinner with the newlyweds.
The girls brought their wedding gifts. Mary gave them an ice cream maker (Jesse is refined-sugar free and loves homemade ice cream), and Anna gifted them with Christmas decorations (a tradition she has done for the last several brothers).
Anna Marie with her family the night before she came home. They invested so much in her treatments as well! Her dad took her to all her appointments, and her mom and sister helped with Simon Peter and her food preparation!
You never know when you might babysit kiddos so their parents can have an evening out. Here Mom is with all of Nathan and Melanie’s crew.
Making the Welcome Home sign for Anna Marie.
It’s what everyone says, but I guess mask-wearing is the new norm–even at the zoo.
A great evening with John and Chelsy!
A launch-the-website treat!
Anna Marie is enjoying her walks with Gigi again!
Those of us who would normally be available to help haven’t been lately, and we needed Chore books compiled. Dad and Mom took some time and made a great team working together.
Organizing in the attic
Nathan and crew enjoyed several days away in Missouri
Dad’s birthday dinner
These two. They both wanted in Dad’s office, and the reason why. They wanted treats. But Dad needed some peace and quiet.

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same
things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.”
Philippians 3:1

The Family Birthday Evening

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We celebrated Dad’s birthday with almost all of the married siblings Friday evening (plus Gigi joined us for part of the time). It’s such a joy to get together and treasure these moments of fellowship with the family! We’re grateful everyone made the effort in the midst of busy schedules to come (and Jesse and Anna are out of town).

After the walk, we enjoyed Rice Krispy treats and chatting.

Love,
Sarah

“As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;
so are children of the youth.” (Psalm 127:4)

Happy Birthday, Steve!

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Steve and Teri Maxwell

Happy Birthday to my beloved husband.

How grateful I am that the Lord brought you to me as my husband even before we were saved. And how grateful I am that we were saved just a few weeks apart from each other and have been able to grow together in the Lord and walk with Him these past 44 years.

You have loved me and washed me with the water of the Word and blessed me beyond measure through the years of our marriage. Ephesians 5:25-26

You have loved your children and raised them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, sacrificing your own pleasures to invest your heart and time in them. Ephesians 6:4

You have loved the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and have given your all for Him. Mark 12:30

You have had a passion to help other men be who God wants them to be in their personal walks with Christ and in their family relationships. 2 Timothy 2:2

I pray this is a year of continued growth in Jesus and joy walking with Him.

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Teri

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face
shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his
countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. ” (Numbers 6:24-26)

Sarah’s Life Update

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Sarah Maxwell

Happy Wednesday, everyone! It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve posted much of a life update. Below you’ll see in a nutshell what’s been going in my life.

God has been so gracious, and these past months have been very full and definitely had its challenges. One being I injured myself during a workout so the healing process is taking time (doctor estimated 3-6 months). I’m close to the 2-month mark and doing much better!

I finished first draft of the book July 1st. Very, very excited and grateful.

The book cover is in process.

Editing is in full swing.

Copyeditor date is late next month.

Press date is the end of October.

The Titus2 website was a huge project and one I’ve worked on for months. I’m so happy to have it released!

You haven’t seen wedding pictures yet because it took me almost two months to work through them before I got them to the newlyweds. You’ll see some–don’t worry.

Besides all of the above, I’m attempting to keep up with work too (bookkeeping for several companies, help desk support for another one, among other things).

Love,
Sarah

PS: I’m really hoping to pull off a Random Life for next week!

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;
(for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one
another to provoke unto love and to good works:” (Hebrews 10:23-24).