December

I can't believe we're already more than half-way through December! God has blessed us with continued beautiful weather! There are so many things to be thankful for.

The LORD showed me something really neat this morning in my devotion. I was reading an article that Mom had shared with me and I found it very encouraging. Here are just a couple things from it I wanted to share with you.

"You do not find life in trying to find yourself. You find your life in pouring your life out for others. This is when you find abundant life! 'Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others' (Philippians 2:4)

Lord, help me to live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for others.

Others, Lord, yes others,
Let this my motto be,
Help me life for others,
That I may live like Thee.

I've got a life, exciting and free,
I've found the secret, it's not about me!
~Nancy Campbell

And I've found this to be so true. When I am focused on others instead of my own problems, I am so much more content and happy. So I encourage you, when you are feeling lonely, confused or self-pity, look to the LORD to give you the strength to give OF yourself to OTHERS!

I couldn't believe that in the middle of December, we were able to go on a walk together!! We had a girls day with Mom which was really special. Dad, Greg and Sam took a day trip with a friend and were not home until after dinner. We girls did some fun things with Mom after we finished some work. One of those things was an energizing cool walk! :)

Hannah is such a caring and loving sister. She is constantly encouraging and loving others and is an inspiration to me. I see a deep love for the LORD growing in her heart and a hunger and thirst after things of Him! I am excited to see how the LORD will continue to use her to bless others.

Dad and Bekah snuggling while he did some work.
Peanut was so cute- just had to get a picture. :)On Sunday, we 3 oldest girls and Mom were blessed to attend the Messiah sing-along after church, but this meant we had to drive separately so that Dad and Greg could take the younger ones home after church. Before we took off, Greg was making some funny faces at me from the other car. :)
At the Messiah, we also met up with some friends from church actually and Amanda and I, who were singing alto, got to sit with them. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of Mom and Emily in the soprano section. We had a fun time together though.
Dad has a special tradition for each birthday - he takes each of us out individually for breakfast! Samuel and Rebekah were so excited - one went Saturday morning, the other went Tuesday morning before Dad had to go to work. It was a special time for both of them!

Dad is such our expert sound man! He listens in the headphones for the mix of all instruments and voices. :) I am so thankful for Dad - He is our encouragement and support, and always has words of praise after each concert! We love you, Dad!

A couple weeks ago, we were asked to play some music for a ladies December party! It was a special time, anticipating our upcoming weeks in Arizona. It felt a lot like some of the concerts we did last year (only we played a lot shorter this time).
What a joy it is to sing together as a family and praise the LORD, share the gospel through song and work as a team to glorify the LORD!!I love it!
Mom does such a fabulous job on the piano. She is our support, encouragement and motivation! We love you, Mom!Bekah is so good at helping with the dishes. Her servant's heart is such a blessing to each one in our family.
Samuel adds such joy to my day. His bright smile and unprompted compliments to his sisters and Mom are precious! He'll make a wonderful husband one day! :) A couple days ago, we 4 were practicing music together, going over the songs we will be doing in Arizona this next year. We had a wonderful, relationship-building time together.

This morning, Hannah also shared a passage with me that uplifted my spirit and reminded me of some of God's promises. I want to share that with you in closing.

"Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in Thy word. I know, O LORD, that thy judgements are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight." ~Psalm 119:73-77

May the LORD richly bless each of you as you spend time in the presence of our Maker and Redeemer. May you be known BY and FOR your faith as you shine brightly in the world for Christ!

Blessings to you,
~Dani

November Update

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." ~Isaiah 12:2

The LORD has been so faithful and good to us this fall. His love never fails and His mercy endures forever. I can't begin to express how thankful I am for His patience in teaching me, for I am a slow learner, but desirous to change and be conformed to HIS image. The joy He gives me becomes my strength when I am discouraged or confused... He is teaching me to be THANKFUL for His purposes in the circumstance, whether it be pleasant or not. I was reminded of this as Mom was helping me with a school subject that was overwhelming to me - that God has something much more important to teach me THROUGH the difficult algebra than just figuring out how to solve the equation. So I am seeking to learn through the circumstances the lessons He has for me to change and grow me in His likeness. His Word has become even more precious to me as I am learning more about the character of God and how to apply what He has taught me. This morning I read in Philippians and was encouraged in this race we are running as ambassadors for Christ - not to give up but persevere and press toward the HIGH calling!

"Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are befroe, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13b-14)

I was encouraged this morning to keep striving for the prize at the end of the race. His Word is full of riches and I have also been enjoying a lot in Isaiah...

"And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shally thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." (Isaiah 58:10-11)

This verse was a great encouragement to me to give of myself to those around me and the LORD will refresh me like a watered garden that has no lack! What a beautiful picture.

What did you all do for Thanksgiving? We had some of our family and my grandma's caregiver and her brother over in the evening which we all enjoyed. We got to share a meal together, play a few games and converse. The rest of the day, our family got to spend together which was restful and special.

Some of the other things we have been busy with are explained in the pictures below.


We got to be part of a homeschool activity - a Plymouth Plantation day - some children reenacted main characters from that era. It was fun to hear about each character!
Hannah shared a report on gratefulness. A couple children did reports on different character qualities.
This young man acted as an Indian. :) The children all liked his outfit!

Greg has been busy with a lot of photo opportunities, including our yearly photo. He is very creative in each of his projects. The LORD has gifted him in so many areas!
Rebekah was faithfully practicing her piano - but the cat loves her so much, he followed her to the piano and was playing in her lap, slightly distracting her from her music! :)


Sam took this picture for us. I got to make Rebekah some pajamas. It was a fun project as I have not had much time to sew.
We took a few pictures while we were outside - this was before we had snow!
Rebekah in her new pajamas! :)

This night, we were doing a family devotion about Thanksgiving. Hannah posed for me.

We were blessed to join the C. family for a few minutes last week as Greg came to take a family picture for all 15 of them. We girls got to come along for a short visit with our dear friends! We are very blessed!

May the LORD bless and refresh you as you spend time in His Word and seek to know His will for your life. May He dwell in your hearts by faith that you, being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend the breath, width, length and height of His great love for us which passes all OUR understanding!

Unto Him be the glory,
~Dani