Random Life the Joy of New Life to Busy Times

This was posted on June 10, 2019 by Sarah Maxwell.

What a whirlwind these almost 7 weeks have been! Quite of few in the family traveled, we welcomed Deborah, kept up with work and ministry, and we said goodbye to Anna and Mary. Yes, the girls are off on another summer of ministry! We’ll have a separate post hopefully later this week asking for prayer.

Summer is here, and we look forward to opportunities to minister, be with the family, work, pursue Titus2 projects, write (hopefully soon for me!), and continue with “normal” life!

Also, Dad’s health is doing great! They’ll probably do an update soon on that.

Love,
Sarah

Mom and Dad shop monthly a big SAMS and Costco run. Mom has a heart to help the sisters-in-law out, so she shops for them too!

We’ve had so much rain this spring, we love to soak in the sunshine when possible!

Some of our Sunday lunches, we’ve had the most unusual combinations of family members present! Here, we watched Christopher and Anna Marie’s kids while they went out to do a ministry project.

We had a cool spring and then suddenly summer burst forth.

These two. This is actually Ellie waiting for Arnold to finish.

Mary and Anna had double baby-sitting duty. They watched Joseph and Elissa’s kids, and then when Melanie went into labor, Anna took on their kids.

These aunts are very active and love to include the kids exercising!

I love seeing how the younger families include Gigi in outings.

These are some expert bug catchers! Their mama is very generous to let them borrow her containers. Her only request? To put them next to the sink so they can be washed!

A random life everyone-in-the-kitchen picture!

Cleaning Melanie’s house before the girls left.

Our first tornado siren event of the year, and John, Chelsy, and Axton joined us since they don’t have a storm shelter. A huge tornado went south of us, but thankfully the damage was minimal compared to what it could have been.

“Baby” Elizabeth enjoying holding Axton.

A Dad and Mom work project (transplanting tomato plants)

Anna Marie doing a fill-in-aunties’-playtime

Last minute plans — we watched Nathan and Melanie’s kids so they could go out to dinner.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought
nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
1 Timothy 6:6-7

Titus2 Father’s Day Specials

This was posted on June 7, 2019 by Sarah Maxwell.

Father’s Day is right around the corner, and what could be better than a gift that might impact your husband spiritually? Men these days face many temptations, and they need biblical direction and godly leadership to combat that. Steve, husband for 44 years, dad to eight, and grandpa to 14, gives dads the tools they need. We’ve created two special bundles for Father’s Day valid through June 16th, 2019.

Dad’s Leadership, MP3, On-the-Go Bundle: Manager of His Home, Feed My Sheep, Preparing Sons, Anger-Relationship Poison = $20 ($29 normally)

Fatherhood Resources: Buying a House Debt-Free, Preparing Sons, and Redeeming the Time = $34.99 ($38.85 normally) includes free shipping in the United States

“I had always thought about family devotions but had failed at any attempts. Feed My Sheep has been an incredible help and inspiration to me. I am so thankful that you did this as it is such an effective means of learning for me, and I am sure others as well.” A dad

“I think every family should read Buying a House Debt-Free, and I encourage you to catch the vision for your sons.” Jim Bob Duggar

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in
faith, in charity, in patience.”
Titus 2:1

Speaking in Hartford, Alabama

This was posted on June 5, 2019 by Steve Maxwell.

Teri and Steve are going to be at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Hartford, Alabama (way south) on June 23rd/25th and would love to meet you if you are in the area. Steve will be preaching at their Sunday services and Tuesday evening.

Topics:

Sunday AM: Believer or Follower?
Sunday PM: A Godly Heritage
Tuesday PM: A Living Sacrifice

Details:

Email contact: (we will forward) managers@titus2.com
Phone: 334-806-0043
Website: lbchartford.com

Special service times on Sunday, June 23rd, 11 am and 1 PM (Lunch served between)
Tuesday, June 25th, 6:30 PM

Location: Google “Lighthouse Baptist Church, Hartford, Alabama”

In the Y of Hwy 52 and Slocomb Road (Green metal roof building, rectangular in shape, rather than traditional church building/temporary rented facility).

“We will not hide them from their children,
shewing to the generation to come
the praises of the LORD, and his strength,
and his wonderful works that he hath done.”
Psalm 78:4

Deborah Maxwell’s Newborn Photos

This was posted on June 3, 2019 by Sarah Maxwell.

I had the joy of taking Deborah’s newborn photos when she was 9 days old. We scheduled it for late afternoon, and we again used the master bedroom which we also used for Benjamin’s.

Deborah definitely gave some challenges, but with newborn photos, one learns to adapt and stretch their creativity. She didn’t sleep much, and she didn’t naturally curl into a newborn position.

We know some of you love photography, and newborn photos are a way to bless families with lasting memories. To get ideas and tips, you can Google it. You’ll find ideas from what kinds of props (you really can do with just a few items) to lighting to posing. After that, practice, practice, and practice.

I used my Nikon D800 with two lenses: Tamron f2.8 28-75mm lens and my Nikon f1.4 50mm. I didn’t use a flash.

Love,
Sarah

To begin with, I used the little boys to see what my lighting was like and the background. I used a fleece reversible blanket–white on one side and black on the other.

Yes, Deborah was only 9 days, but she seemed so much older!

She looks just like a little doll! So grateful for another opportunity to do a newborn photo session!

“That the generation to come might know them,
even the children which should be born;
who should arise and declare them to their children.”
Psalm 78:6

Family Handyman Magazine

This was posted on May 31, 2019 by Steve Maxwell.

Christopher has gifted me with a subscription to The Family Handyman Magazine for a number of years. He knows that I’m always interested in learning better ways of creating and maintaining things around the home. If moms are looking for something very inexpensive and practical for your husband, you might consider gifting your husband with it. If you go to The Family Handyman’s website, a 1-year subscription is $10 or $15/2years.

We will have some ideas later from Titus2 for Father’s Day that will be a spiritual blessing to his heart.

“Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.”
Titus 2:6

Tears for Their Loss

This was posted on May 29, 2019 by Sarah Maxwell.

Memorial Day, Christopher’s family took Gigi to the cemetery to visit Grandad’s grave. While there, they saw a young man, standing by himself, in evident agony. Gigi went over to give him a hug and listen as he shared his story. His dad died three years ago, and he loved him a lot. He’s following in his dad’s career footsteps, and this is the first time back to visit the grave since moving.

The above picture is a beautiful example of the comforting of a young soldier by an 87-year-old widow whose husband served in Vietnam and was critically wounded in that service, almost losing his life then. May we never forget the sacrifice people have made and are making for our freedom.

Heartache and loss are all around us. Are our hearts tender to discern the needs and then empathize and show Christ’s love?

“Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort,
according to thy word unto thy servant.”
Psalm 119:76

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