Random Life from Changing Seasons to Anticipation

This was posted on April 22, 2019 by Sarah Maxwell.

Spring had a slow start, but now it’s in full gear, with warm temperatures, abundant sunshine, and trees budding out.

This past month has been full with normal life and work, launching Mom’s book, time with family and friends, and opportunities to seek Jesus more fully.

For the anticipation part, we’re excited about Nathan and Melanie’s newest addition, now due in less than a month. When will Baby Maxwell vote to come? Any guesses?

Love,
Sarah

An after-lunch-on-Sunday happy kiddo + aunts + uncle rousing game of tag. If you watch the progression of pictures in this post, you’ll see how much spring really blossomed.

We take the seats out of the van (Nathan and Melanie let us borrow theirs), and use a wooden platform Dad had built years ago. It turns an ordinary van into a cargo-type van!

Dinner with friends (and they love Ellie and wanted her to come)

Saturday work project: oiling garage doors and replacing a spring which broke the day after Dad’s heart procedure

One Sunday, Joshua hurt his nose while playing outside and ended up with a nosebleed. Anna’s quick thinking kept it at bay, and it wasn’t serious.

Abby made a treat for Anna who was studying hard for some tests.

Mom and Dad love to do projects together

Liddy (left) and Ruthie (right) helping Danny (middle) learn to ride his Strider

Some days just call for a cat nap (aka Pickles, Tina’s cat)

Did you know Ellie is really partial to fleece blankets?

Jesse playing with the kids one day–I believe this was ball tag of some kind.

Melanie’s Dad raises goats, and Nathan’s family brought this little one back. Her mom didn’t accept her, so they are bottlefeeding her. She acts more like a cuddly puppy than a goat!

This past week, we girls were able to take some time off work and enjoy a shopping trip out. And coffee.

When temperatures reach 80, the shade is just the best place to be when you’re a dog with lots of fur.

Since we don’t have a fenced-in yard, sometimes I’ll run Ellie next door, and we’ll play with Christopher’s kids in his yard. Monkey in the middle is a favorite of Ruthanne’s.

Speaking of Ruthanne (and Lydia), they wanted to go on a run with the aunts. Ruthanne figured out a plan: they could ride their bikes while we ran. Great idea, and great company!

Grandpa and Benji, his helper, putting away things after church

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor
height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39

Christ Is Risen!

This was posted on April 21, 2019 by Sarah Maxwell.

Christ conquered death! HE IS RISEN! Amen!

“He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when
he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered
into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day
rise again. And they remembered his words.”
Luke 24:6-8

“Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold
my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side:
and be not faithless, but believing.”
John 20:27

Whatever you may be struggling with in your life right now,
remember Christ’s words to Thomas, a man who doubted.
“Be not faithless, but believing.” We can trust God fully with our lives.

And with that trusting heart, we can proclaim, “Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul“
(from a hymn written by a man who had experienced
deep tragedy and pain, Horatio Spafford).

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Grateful, It’s Worth It

This was posted on April 19, 2019 by Sarah Maxwell.

I’m grateful for parents who want to grow old together. In a world that de-values marriage, it’s a joy to have parents who love each other and are committed. As Mom shares in her new book, My Delight, it’s not always been easy.

Only four months away from 45 years since they said “I Do,” my parents love to spend time together, and they are living boldly for Jesus! As an encouragement to our blog readers, know that your example is watched by your kids … and the world. Show them that your marriage is worth fighting for.

I love this quote from one of our pre-release readers of My Delight.

Many couples stay married only because they know they should and sadly settle for a marriage of strife or, at best, a ho-hum co-existence. Teri gives hope, from experience, that there is a better option – endeavor to build a delightful marriage. A wife can do much to create and maintain an enjoyable marriage, and this book gives both encouragement and ideas to realize that hope. Linda

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the
man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”
Genesis 2:18

Sweet Journey

This was posted on April 17, 2019 by Teri Maxwell.

Sometimes a treasure comes into our hands. We received a several page letter from a young mom about her experience with Sweet Journey along with her filled-in copy of the book plus a few pages from her notebook. She wanted us to use what she sent in any ways that might encourage others. You will see from her pages that she is not only a lover of Jesus but a thinker and artist.

Here is part of her letter:

I just wanted to take this opportunity to personally write and let you know how valuable your book Sweet Journey has been in getting me back on the bandwagon of daily prayer and Bible reading. I am 27 years old with four children.

Before, it was a chore to make time to open my Bible. It felt more productive to get the dishes done. Now I crave my Bible time. I am like Martha and Mary wrapped up in the same body! I now feel like I am better balancing my roles as mother, wife, daughter, and disciple. So nice!

I wanted you to know how valuable your study was in providing a focused, attainable path back to daily Bible-reading and prayer. I now have a journal half-filled with chapters and am working on memorization again. I have torn out a few pages of the completed “Homework” assignments so you can see them and know that they were effective in my own sweet journey. I have also sent you my copy of your book, complete and filled out, as a gift to you and your family to say “thank you” for choosing to minister to mothers everywhere! Please look through the book to see months of progress.

What joy the contents of that package brought to our hearts. It’s our great desire for each of you to have a sweet journey with Christ.

This book is a perfect compliment to My Delight. We’ve noticed some ordering the new book have also purchased Sweet Journey.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105

Kansas City Homeschool Conference And Time With the Kiddos

This was posted on April 15, 2019 by Sarah Maxwell.

Last weekend, Nathan and Melanie attended the Midwest Parent Home Educators’ homeschool conference. It was the perfect refresh for Melanie as she prepares for the next school year and winds down this one. We appreciate the local and state homeschool groups who put on conferences to encourage other homeschoolers. Putting on a conference is a big investment of resources and time.

Meanwhile, Mary and Anna held down the fort with the five kids. What special memories they made! From lots of great outdoor time (weather = stunning!) to surprises for Mom and Dad (like a sparkling clean house)—everyone loved it! We’re so blessed to have family nearby.

Love,
Sarah

Cooking tortillas (some of the sisters-in-law like the Costco tortillas as they make great, “fresh” tortillas with minimal time)

Great niece + nephew + aunts + uncle ball tag time

“Train up a child in the way he should go:
and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6

My Delight: Loving My Husband, Teri’s New Book!

This was posted on April 8, 2019 by Teri Maxwell.

At the heart of every family is a husband and wife. That relationship is the beginning and hopefully lasts until death do us part. How would you describe your marriage? Humdrum—wonderful—just existing—lacking?

No matter which answer you give, you’ll find practical encouragement in Titus2’s new book, My Delight: Loving My Husband.

Whether you’ve been married three years or fifty, My Delight will encourage you to strengthen your marriage God’s way. You’ll find help to make your home a haven, how to nurture yourself to be the best wife possible, practical examples to show your husband you love him, what it means to build him up, and much more! In addition, there are thought-provoking questions in each chapter to help you apply what you’ve read. Single ladies desiring to be married or those in a relationship currently, this would also be a perfect marriage-preparation book for you.

To read more about My Delight or to order, please visit this link. The books are in stock and ready to ship!

Teri’s conversational style and candid personal
illustrations make this an enjoyable, applicable, and often
convicting read. No matter how long you’ve been married,
you’ll find insight into improving your marriage. Lisa

Teri shares practical tips to help us be the loving wives
that God has equipped us to be. Michelle Duggar

It’s been several years since the Lord laid a burden on my heart to write a book. Last summer, Steve gave a gentle nudge, asking me to pray about the topic. The Lord confirmed that this was indeed the time! Not only has the Lord blessed me with personal experience as Steve’s wife for 44 years but also as a Titus2 mentor.

From prayer to publishing, My Delight is the result.

We believe My Delight has the potential to change marriages around the world. If you purchase three or more copies (that’s just one copy for yourself and gifting two friends!), you’ll save 10%, and enjoy free economy shipping in the United States. What could be more worthwhile than encouraging a friend to have a delightful marriage?

Thank you for your enthusiasm!

Trusting in Jesus,
Teri

“That they may teach the young women to be
sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.”
Titus 2:4

Titus2.com

Encouraging, exhorting, equipping Christian Families in Jesus Christ