Category Archives: Random Life

Random Life from Winter to Spring and Back to “winter”

This was posted on April 20, 2021 by Sarah Maxwell.

Random life is just that: random pictures to give you a glimpse into the Maxwell family. This spring is beautiful and full, and we praise God for giving us opportunities to share with others.

While the United States is in turmoil, it seems for us as Christians, persecution is coming closer. We’ve known nothing of what most Christians in other countries live under, and yet so many of them REJOICE.

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled” (1 Peter 3:14).

I’d love to hear something the Lord is teaching you.

Love,
Sarah
PS: I hope to post a health update soon!

A Benji birthday evening, so we played a game with him.

Everything looks some brown, although you can see a hint of green. Amazing what some time does to green things up.

Dad cleaned up the garage after all the grit from the snowy roads

A Sunday lunch cleanup chat going on here.

The Springfield animal drive-through safari

A morning walk with a friend of Ellie’s 🙂

Installing a gate we received at no cost, and it’s perfect for the deck. Ellie likes to spend time out in the sun.

Dad and Joshua on a project, more on that later

Easter baking (Mom, Mary, and Jesse’s Anna)

Our friend from church wanted to surprise Anna one day with coffee, and she stayed for lunch.

An outdoor vet tune-up for Ellie with our favorite vet

This morning, we woke up to probably the most snow we had all season!

Spring can’t be hidden, and it will burst forth in even more beauty soon.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to
give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope
that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).

Random Life, Starting out the New Year

This was posted on February 22, 2021 by Sarah Maxwell.

Happy Monday, everyone! I’m overdue with Random Life (last one was end of November!), so I’m starting fresh: January 1st until now for Random Life.

The year started in full swing, with church, ministry, family times (including birthdays), and work.

In these changing times, we know our citizenship isn’t here on earth. May we use every opportunity to share Christ!

Love,
Sarah

You just never know what crew we might have for Sunday lunches.

Anna watched Nathan and Melanie’s kiddos so they could have time away.

Dad and Mom finished out the babysitting as Anna had some things she needed to do.

Candlelight and prayer as we remembered the Roe vs. Wade ruling

Mom with Axton and Elliot for their Monday afternoon playtime. The boys love it!

Ellie (barely) tolerating Arnold sniffing her. I think he liked the smell of Ellie’s ear drops she gets at bathtimes.

Although we’ve had a lot of cold weather lately, we did have some sweatshirt-worthy weather in January.

Making an anniversary sign for their parents

Dad, Mom, and I went to Joseph and Elissa’s to celebrate Caleb turning 1.

Flag time with Gigi (she was in the garage due to the snow)

Opening a wedding gift from a blog reader!

Axton felt pretty big to have a Bible like Grandpa

We had Christopher and Anna Marie’s kiddos over one night.

Ruthie’s birthday evening (well, not her real birthday but her gift of coming over to our house)

This foursome went on a Sunday afternoon walk in VERY cold temps.

Nathan’s crew going out for ice cream on one of the coldest days of the year!

The newlyweds got coffee and went on a walk on probably the coldest day of the year. Sweet memories!

Like I said at the beginning, you never know what crew you’ll find on a Sunday. This was a sweet lady from our church.

Arnold overseeing (literally) the new microwave installation

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works,
lest any man should boast”
(Ephesians 2:8-9).

Random Life from Family Times to Book Launch

This was posted on November 30, 2020 by Sarah Maxwell.

Y’all, happy Monday! We’re only 26 days away from Christmas. These past 7 weeks have been full of blessings and opportunities to lean on the Lord Jesus. We are grateful for His guidance in our lives.

There was a lot that went into Learning Lessons going to press and then the steps it takes to launch. I love seeing the books ship out and already hearing feedback from happy readers!

We are grateful for all the Lord has given us: work, church, serving opportunities, and time with family.

I hope our U.S. readers had a blessed Thanksgiving!

Sarah

Dad and Mom working on Scheduling Kits together

Christopher’s family worked on their garden before bad weather rolled in.

We had snow the end of October, and Dad took Christopher and Anna Marie’s kids on rides. They really enjoyed their time! What a great grandpa!

Celebration after voting day–the kids’ helped campaign for a local guy.

Dad and Mom working on a project together

Watching Nathan and Melanie’s kids so they could have dinner out. Love having a full table!

Gigi often eats with us on Saturday nights, and Jesse and Anna joined us that night.

Quite a game going on here, even Grandma joined in.

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing
give thanks: for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Random Life from the Book Deadline to Autumn

This was posted on October 12, 2020 by Sarah Maxwell.

Wow! Another month has flown by. The book is back from the copyeditor, and we’re in our final two weeks before going to press. I can’t wait to share more details with you next month!

Life stays busy here at the Maxwell home, and here is a peek at what’s been happening.

We enjoy seeing Christopher and Anna Marie’s family outside, so here Dad was spending some time with the little boys.

Nathan’s crew has done some campaigning! How many of our blog readers have been helping out this fall?

Sunday family lunch: this crew included Joseph and John’s families

Axton and Kyle feeding Ellie treats. They like to use a little toy to give it to her.

I spent many hours on the back deck editing this August and September.

Right after my book went to the copyeditor, I watched Nathan and Melanie’s kiddos (except Debi), so they could have some time away. Isn’t this a cute capture?

Aunt Anna motivated Benji with a reward, and he met the goal!

Christopher and Anna Marie’s family picture

The illustrator works best off a picture, so here Betsy and I staged a picture. For those of you who get the book later, you’ll see how much changes from a photo to illustration. It’s a neat process to watch!

Nathan and family made tons of applesauce.

Axton’s time with Grandma on Monday afternoons

Dad and Mom went to Joseph and Elissa’s to celebrate Calia’s birthday!

John and Chelsy and boys came over for dinner and Bible time one evening

Mom and Dad have spent quite a bit of time doing Titus2 projects. Here Mom is packaging sticky tac, which goes in the Scheduling Kit for Managers of Their Homes.

Sunday lunch with Jesse and Anna: great times!

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10).

Random Life From Summer to Showers of Blessings

This was posted on September 14, 2020 by Sarah Maxwell.

Life is a whirlwind, and we’re grateful for all the Lord has set before us. His blessings are abundant, and we praise Him!

Dad and Mom had an amazing time in the mountains. We’re happy they had a time of refreshment and enjoying God’s creation.

August came to a close with full schedules, and we welcomed September. Last week, we experienced several days of cold and rain–breaking a temperature record from the early 1900s.

For me, days blur together in a whirlwind of editing. We’re almost there, and I’m grateful to everyone who has helped with the project. This is my final week before the book goes to the copyeditor. My to do list is growing for after it’s off.

We love you all! What is something you’re grateful for today?

Love,
Sarah

One Friday afternoon, I took an editing break and spend several hours with Nathan and Melanie’s family mini-golfing and then out for dinner. It was refreshing (and warm! :)).

Christopher and Anna Marie invited us over one evening for a thank you party for all of Mom, Anna, and Mary’s help while Anna Marie was in treatment.

Just a little bit of creativity to try to fetch a toy.

Kyle and Calia love vegetables, fresh from the garden!

The time Dad and Mom were gone, we had gorgeous weather here in Kansas. Editing is more enjoyable in the outdoors. I’ve spent many hours these past weeks editing on our back porch. I put in earplugs (to block out distractions) and set to work!

Ellie can actually be a lapdog. I hear her dad was.

Dinner at John and Chelsy’s while Dad and Mom were gone

Sunday family lunch, lots of happy times!

There’s such a lot of cuteness packed in this girl!

Friday, Mom watched Nathan and Melanie’s kids so they could have an evening out.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand
of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Random Life From the Different Summer to Settling In

This was posted on August 12, 2020 by Sarah Maxwell.

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