February 17, 2010
October 14, 2008
Summer!
Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Happy summer :)
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Happy summer :)
March 13, 2008
Musings on Music
Recently I've been thinking alot about music. Taking a good look at the stuff we Christians listen to, and what the world listens to. And sadly, they're often the same. This ought not to be! Shouldn't we be different from the world? Isn't that the only way we can be a light? There are a few things I'd like to discuss regarding music:
(1) Firstly, regarding ungodly music. Or rather, ungodly lyrics. Lyrics that obviously go against everything Christ taught. Lyrics promoting, laughing at, and enjoying those sins that Christ died for. I've found this is a great filter through which to run music. My dad tells the story of a couple that decided when they got married, that they weren't going to be entertained by anything that Christ was crucified for. Just think about that for 2 seconds. It's a good principle, isn't it? And surely that's the very least we can do, after all the Christ gave up for us! What is a couple of songs compared to the fulfilling joy of glorifying and honoring Christ, and having a better relationship with Him?! The question isn't, how close can we get to the edge and still be "Christian"; but rather, how far will we retreat from the edge in order to portray Christ more?
(2) Now, not all music is strictly "sinful" Some music seems on the surface, OK. But is it really? I don't know about you girls, but I am sick and tired of all these tweeny-bopper Barbie dolls telling us that all we need is "that perfect guy" and we'll be "complete". Or, my "favorite" Hannah Montana song, and I quote - "I know I've found the piece I've missing - I'm looking at him" speaking of her latest crush. Surely we can do better than this! And I include myself. How many times have I put on some fun music, not knowing how these subtle messages really affect ones life.
(3) Well, we can't just sit around listening to nothing, can we? Actually, yes :) Do we really need music as a background to everything we do? Now, I love music and am not saying never put on some Steven Curtis Chapman while you're washing dishes. But it seems to me that maybe the reason why there is such a "vacuum of thinking people" :) is because, we don't think! How can we think, if we have music playing 24/7? Just imagine how we would grow, if instead of playing music while doing chores, exercising, etc. we, for example, meditated on God's Word? Prayed? Worked on memorizing the Scriptures? Had a good conversation with our family? Let's be different from the people who walk around everywhere with their Ipod in their ears. Let's take dominion of music, and not let it take dominion over us.
(4) That being said, why not write your own music? If there isn't a worship song out there that says what you wanna say, why not write your own? It's easier than you think it is. I believe that everyone is capable of singing and making music to God. He did command it in His Word (Col. 3:16), so surely He will provide the means to doing it.
Let's remember our theme verse, Col. 3:17, and include our music and singing in doing everything to the glory of God!
February 1, 2008
Moving On....
This morning, Lydia went to observe a social worker from ABBA adoptions. This social worker was the woman who handled our lil Jessie's adoption. So we were able to recieve an update, along with some photies and birthday gifts from the family. Well, I've been thinking about how quickly we are able to move on with our lives. When we said good-bye to Jessie (who now goes by her given name, Negenia), I wondered when it would stop hurting, when we would be able to get through the day without tears from missing Jess. And then, that day came and went without our even realizing it. Now, a year and a half later, having Jessie with us seems so far away, like a dream (a great dream!).
Of course, that doesn't mean we love her any less, or that she somehow doesn't mean as much to us as before. It just means that life changes. Do you have relationships like that? Dreams that haven't come to bear? I can name many! I have friendships that have been so important to me, that I would wonder how I would get by if I had to live without them. But things happen, people move on, life keeps going! And we can live with those changes.
But we cannot live without our Saviour! I've learnt something today while pondering (for many hours driving in the car!) 'moving on' without Jessie. The only Person we need to hang onto for life is God Almighty. Yes, this is nothing new, but it did strike me today anew. I need to learn to live without needing people.
Needing people less, loving them more. And needing God more than needing His people!
Here's to a great weekend! Enjoy all of it my friends! Because life is moving on, and we'll never have this moment again.
January 22, 2008
The Agony of the Cross
So…An update at last! :)
As many of you are members of BBC, you know that my dad has spent many weeks preaching on “A Promise to Live By”, with
21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Together with two books by CJ Mahaney, these sermons have made a profound impact on how I view the cross, my salvation, and the mysteries of Christ’s atoning death. Last week as I was preparing my Sunday School lesson, I was reminded and moved by a segment I read in Mahaney’s book, Christ: Our Mediator. Mahaney writes regarding the infinite suffering that God the Father and God the Son experienced for our eternal sake. Christ thought of us in His darkest hour. The Father abandoned His Son for us. I don’t know about you, but such thoughts should bring us to utter humility, gratitude, and obedience.
34And [Jesus] saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Christ’s suffering was so great that the burden staggered Him, the weight of it brings Him close to dying. Jesus faces the ultimate agony, the reality of becoming sin. He faces the ultimate agony of the wrath of God. He who knew no sin, must become sin.
I was re-listening to one of my dad’s sermons on this subject this morning, and heard something explosive that I had missed during its original delivery. As my dad was explaining, Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day as is the Jewish custom. As an eight day old infant, the Saviour was subjecting Himself to a life under the Law. His life would be a life in which he would live and fulfil that Law with perfection, a life in which he would be blameless. And He died for my immeasurable offenses against that Law, that Law which he lived spotlessly under for 33 years.
I pray that this would never become blasé to us, His children. Our salvation cost Him so greatly, and all I hope to accomplish in this post, is to encourage myself and my friends to never forget the agony of the cross!
My newest favorite quote:
‘Let the cross always be the treasure of your heart, your best and highest thought…and your passionate preoccupation’ CJ Mahaney
I am amazed at the depths of the wonders of the cross! And I am praying that we will always search more and more into His incredible work at
October 7, 2007
Simple In Essence
A couple of weeks ago, I was listening to a guy give his testimony of how he got saved. He grew up in a religious home, and during his teen and early young adult years he was a young man of conviction, being greatly disturbed by the message he was being taught that one can earn his salvation.As a result of his restlessness, he started studying the Bible more in-depth, mainly the book of Romans, looking for some peace of mind about this whole issue of earning one's own salvation, because he came to realize that if that was indeed the case, he was failing miserably and on his way to hell.He became even more confused the more he read Romans and the more he consulted all the different interpretations of the book.He worked hard to piece all that he was reading together in his mind, but he was struggling. Until one day when he heard the gospel being preached, and clicked!Now surely, after having studied the Bible so much himself, namely Romans which literally screams the gospel message in almost every word, he must have read the message of the gospel a hundred times over!How come the lights only turned on the one hundred and first time he heard the gospel?Obviously because it is God who gives us understanding and opens our eyes to the truth when He sees fit.I was struck by that powerful thought while listening to this guy's story.In all our intelligence and means to study all the doctrines of the Bible, understanding will only ultimately come through God's unveiling our eyes to the simple message of the gospel!What struck me about this guy's testimony was how he was so "intelligently" digging into the Bible looking for answers, but when it came to his moment of salvation, his ability to understand such a simple message did not come from his own abilities to understand.It must have come from God.Praise God for the simplicity of the gospel--the Good News of God sending His Son to "be a propitiation for the remission of sins", and then showing His Power to save us out of our helpless states of sinfullness by raising His Son from the dead!(Romans 3:23-25)
It was so exciting to listen to this guy speak with such enthusiasm about how God opened his eyes to the truth after so many years of struggling within himself.I thought about how glorious it must have been for him to go back to Romans and read with new eyes what he had read so many times before and now see how all the doctrines of the Word fit do indeed fit together.While all of that studying that he did before he could understand it all may have seemed in vain, it wasn't, because after he understood the gospel, his appreciation of it was greater I think because he understood all the underlying doctrines of the gospel from his studies.So, while in-depth understanding of the doctrines of God, such as the doctrine of Total Depravity, the doctrine of Grace, the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, are not necessary to be saved, even though anyone who is saved is essentially acknowledging a belief in these doctrines, it has to be necessary for any Christian who earnestly desires to grow spiritualy as much as possible, doesn't it?Of course, we have to be careful not to get so caught up in the doctrines of grace that we actually take the grace out of the doctrines.
I think that most of you reading this can say along with me that we have boundless resources available to us to aid us in growing in our knowledge of the Bible.Why don't we take advantage of all of these resources more?I think it's easy for us who have grown up in homes in which we have always been taught the gospel, to become complacent with the knowledge that we do already have of the Bible.But I have found that when I truly examine my understanding of God's Word, I realize how little I actually do know.How I rob myself of great riches, mainly because of my laziness!
One of my favourite quotes comes from A.W. Tozer; he said, "Complacency is a most deadly foe of all spiritual growth."
And those of us who go to BBC have just the right opportunity to grow in our knowledge of the underlying doctrines of the gospel through the study of Romans that we've just started in Family Bible Hour.Let's take Neil's advice to heart and be willing to do that extra work of studying Romans on our own outside of FBH.I'm sure we won't regret doing so!
It was so exciting to listen to this guy speak with such enthusiasm about how God opened his eyes to the truth after so many years of struggling within himself.I thought about how glorious it must have been for him to go back to Romans and read with new eyes what he had read so many times before and now see how all the doctrines of the Word fit do indeed fit together.While all of that studying that he did before he could understand it all may have seemed in vain, it wasn't, because after he understood the gospel, his appreciation of it was greater I think because he understood all the underlying doctrines of the gospel from his studies.So, while in-depth understanding of the doctrines of God, such as the doctrine of Total Depravity, the doctrine of Grace, the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, are not necessary to be saved, even though anyone who is saved is essentially acknowledging a belief in these doctrines, it has to be necessary for any Christian who earnestly desires to grow spiritualy as much as possible, doesn't it?Of course, we have to be careful not to get so caught up in the doctrines of grace that we actually take the grace out of the doctrines.
I think that most of you reading this can say along with me that we have boundless resources available to us to aid us in growing in our knowledge of the Bible.Why don't we take advantage of all of these resources more?I think it's easy for us who have grown up in homes in which we have always been taught the gospel, to become complacent with the knowledge that we do already have of the Bible.But I have found that when I truly examine my understanding of God's Word, I realize how little I actually do know.How I rob myself of great riches, mainly because of my laziness!
One of my favourite quotes comes from A.W. Tozer; he said, "Complacency is a most deadly foe of all spiritual growth."
And those of us who go to BBC have just the right opportunity to grow in our knowledge of the underlying doctrines of the gospel through the study of Romans that we've just started in Family Bible Hour.Let's take Neil's advice to heart and be willing to do that extra work of studying Romans on our own outside of FBH.I'm sure we won't regret doing so!
September 1, 2007
I found this joke, and loved it! And of course, I had to share it!
An engineer, a physicist and a mathematician are staying in a hotel while attending a technical seminar. The engineer wakes up and smells smoke. He goes out into the hallway and sees a fire, so he fills a trashcan from his room with water and douses the fire. He goes back to bed.
Later, the physicist wakes up and smells smoke. He opens his doorand sees a fire in the hallway. He walks down the hall to a fire hose andafter calculating the flame velocity, distance, water pressure, trajectory,etc. extinguishes the fire with the minimum amount of water and energyneeded.
Later, the mathematician wakes up and smells smoke. He goes to the hall, sees the fire and then the fire hose. He thinks for a moment and then exclaims, "Ah, a solution exists!" and then goes back to bed.
I hope I am not the only one who enjoyed that! :)
An engineer, a physicist and a mathematician are staying in a hotel while attending a technical seminar. The engineer wakes up and smells smoke. He goes out into the hallway and sees a fire, so he fills a trashcan from his room with water and douses the fire. He goes back to bed.
Later, the physicist wakes up and smells smoke. He opens his doorand sees a fire in the hallway. He walks down the hall to a fire hose andafter calculating the flame velocity, distance, water pressure, trajectory,etc. extinguishes the fire with the minimum amount of water and energyneeded.
Later, the mathematician wakes up and smells smoke. He goes to the hall, sees the fire and then the fire hose. He thinks for a moment and then exclaims, "Ah, a solution exists!" and then goes back to bed.
I hope I am not the only one who enjoyed that! :)
July 29, 2007
10 things my dogs have taught me
We can learn alot from our canine companions, if we will only keep our eyes open for them.
1. Eat with enthusiasm
2. You're never too old to play
3. Greet others with great excitement
4. When a friend needs to talk, just listen
5. Obey - when you feel like it :)
6. There's nothing like a nap in the warm sun
7. Talk is overrated
8. No matter what happens, don't stop wagging your tail
9.Wherever you go, always come home
10. Forgive and forget
1. Eat with enthusiasm
2. You're never too old to play
3. Greet others with great excitement
4. When a friend needs to talk, just listen
5. Obey - when you feel like it :)
6. There's nothing like a nap in the warm sun
7. Talk is overrated
8. No matter what happens, don't stop wagging your tail
9.Wherever you go, always come home
10. Forgive and forget
May 1, 2007
Men Are Just Happier People!
What do you expect?
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental $100.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.
You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.
No wonder men are happier.
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental $100.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.
You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.
No wonder men are happier.
April 27, 2007
We've Been Tagged
1.How many candles on your last birthday cake?
-Alli (21) Katy (19) Lyds (16) Jessa (15) Dani (12)
2. How many siblings do you have?
-It's just us
3.How many first cousins do you have?
-20
4. Name five smells you like.
-men's cologne
-Skyline
-cinnamon rolls
-horses
-glue =)
5. Name the four funniest people you know.
-Neil
-Uncle Jimmy G.
-Lauren and Beth
-Grandpa
6. How many different countries have you lived in?
-The United States of America, South Africa, and for Alli and Katy, Australia
7. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
-my legs
-my knees
-my curly hair
-my nose
-stronger feet for ballet
8. Name the friend who has touched you more than any other.
-Stacey
-Keri F.
-Aunty Tombie
-Gillian
-Kelsey
9. Have you ever volunteered your time anywhere?
-Yes, we all have.
10. Do you cry often?
-Duh (our poor dad!)
11. Something you are looking forward to?
-seeing the Crichtons again in June!! =)
12. A friend you wish you could see again?
-Nicola
-Erin
-Joy
-Jessie
-Kelsey
13. How many people have you cooked a home-made meal for?
-our family, the Beetge's, the Paynes
14. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
-married, 3.5 kids =)
-married, kids, running Kumon centre
-married, maybe kids, working in an adoption agency
-studying veterinary in PTA or serving in Congress
-somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, studying paleontology
15. Tag five people:
-Kaitlin
-Barry
-Danielle Taylor
-whoever else reads our blog =)
-Alli (21) Katy (19) Lyds (16) Jessa (15) Dani (12)
2. How many siblings do you have?
-It's just us
3.How many first cousins do you have?
-20
4. Name five smells you like.
-men's cologne
-Skyline
-cinnamon rolls
-horses
-glue =)
5. Name the four funniest people you know.
-Neil
-Uncle Jimmy G.
-Lauren and Beth
-Grandpa
6. How many different countries have you lived in?
-The United States of America, South Africa, and for Alli and Katy, Australia
7. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
-my legs
-my knees
-my curly hair
-my nose
-stronger feet for ballet
8. Name the friend who has touched you more than any other.
-Stacey
-Keri F.
-Aunty Tombie
-Gillian
-Kelsey
9. Have you ever volunteered your time anywhere?
-Yes, we all have.
10. Do you cry often?
-Duh (our poor dad!)
11. Something you are looking forward to?
-seeing the Crichtons again in June!! =)
12. A friend you wish you could see again?
-Nicola
-Erin
-Joy
-Jessie
-Kelsey
13. How many people have you cooked a home-made meal for?
-our family, the Beetge's, the Paynes
14. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
-married, 3.5 kids =)
-married, kids, running Kumon centre
-married, maybe kids, working in an adoption agency
-studying veterinary in PTA or serving in Congress
-somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, studying paleontology
15. Tag five people:
-Kaitlin
-Barry
-Danielle Taylor
-whoever else reads our blog =)
April 20, 2007
Things you can only get away with on an elevator in front of people you'll never see again in your life
1. Make race car noises when anyone gets on or off.
2. Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering: "Shut up, all of you just shut UP!"
3. Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside ask: "Got enough air in there?"
4. When arriving at your floor, grunt and strain to yank the doors open, then act embarrassed when they open by themselves.
5. Greet everyone getting on the elevator with a warm handshake and ask them to call you Admiral.
6. Meow occasionally.
7. Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce "You're one of THEM!" and move to the far corner of the elevator.
8. Ask each passenger getting on if you can push the button for them.
9. Say "Ding!" at each floor.
10. Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.
11. As the elevator's descending, raise your arms like you're on a roller coaster and tell the other passengers "Look, no hands!"
*www.winn.com
Note: We do not necessarily endorse everything found on this site
We've Been Tagged
1.How many candles on your last birthday cake?
-Alli (21) Katy (19) Lyds (16) Jessa (15) Dani (12)
2. How many siblings do you have?
-It's just us
3.How many first cousins do you have?
-20
4. Name five smells you like.
-men's cologne
-Skyline
-cinnamon rolls
-horses
-glue =)
5. Name the four funniest people you know.
-Neil
-Uncle Jimmy G.
-Lauren and Beth
-Grandpa
6. How many different countries have you lived in?
-The United States of America, South Africa, and for Alli and Katy, Australia
7. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
-my legs
-my knees
-my curly hair
-my nose
-stronger feet for ballet
8. Name the friend who has touched you more than any other.
-Stacey
-Keri F.
-Aunty Tombie
-Gillian
-Kelsey
9. Have you ever volunteered your time anywhere?
-Yes, we all have.
10. Do you cry often?
-Duh (our poor dad!)
11. Something you are looking forward to?
-seeing the Crichtons again in June!! =)
12. A friend you wish you could see again?
-Nicola
-Erin
-Joy
-Jessie
-Kelsey
13. How many people have you cooked a home-made meal for?
-our family, the Beetge's, the Paynes
14. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
-married, 3.5 kids =)
-married, kids, running Kumon centre
-married, maybe kids, working in an adoption agency
-studying vetrinary in PTA or serving in Congress
-somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, studying paleontology
15. Tag five people:
-Kaitlin
-Barry
-Danielle Taylor
-whoever else reads our blog =)
-Alli (21) Katy (19) Lyds (16) Jessa (15) Dani (12)
2. How many siblings do you have?
-It's just us
3.How many first cousins do you have?
-20
4. Name five smells you like.
-men's cologne
-Skyline
-cinnamon rolls
-horses
-glue =)
5. Name the four funniest people you know.
-Neil
-Uncle Jimmy G.
-Lauren and Beth
-Grandpa
6. How many different countries have you lived in?
-The United States of America, South Africa, and for Alli and Katy, Australia
7. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
-my legs
-my knees
-my curly hair
-my nose
-stronger feet for ballet
8. Name the friend who has touched you more than any other.
-Stacey
-Keri F.
-Aunty Tombie
-Gillian
-Kelsey
9. Have you ever volunteered your time anywhere?
-Yes, we all have.
10. Do you cry often?
-Duh (our poor dad!)
11. Something you are looking forward to?
-seeing the Crichtons again in June!! =)
12. A friend you wish you could see again?
-Nicola
-Erin
-Joy
-Jessie
-Kelsey
13. How many people have you cooked a home-made meal for?
-our family, the Beetge's, the Paynes
14. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
-married, 3.5 kids =)
-married, kids, running Kumon centre
-married, maybe kids, working in an adoption agency
-studying vetrinary in PTA or serving in Congress
-somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, studying paleontology
15. Tag five people:
-Kaitlin
-Barry
-Danielle Taylor
-whoever else reads our blog =)
February 16, 2007
Happy B-day sisters!!!!!
I know that it's a bit late but happy birthday to Dani (who's turned twelve on the tenth of Feb) and happy birthday to Katy (who's turned nineteen on the ninth of Feb.)Oh, and congratulations to us for having to spend all of our money in two days :)
January 24, 2007
Dialogue with Dani...More About the 5 Peas
Question: If you could be any character in any fiction book, which character would you choose and why? (Answers in alphabetical order).
Alli:
Jo March from Little Woman and Little Men. She is such a strong and unique woman who goes against the flow. She is loyal to a fault and brings spark to everyone she knows. She is intelligent, well-spoken and gutsy. And she gets the guy =)
Dani:
I would like to be Maggie from Maggie's Dare because she reminds me of myself in alot of ways, but at the same time, she is what I strive to become. She isn't afraid to take risks even when her choices may be unpopular. And she gets the guy =)
Jessa:
There are actually two characters that I would like to be because I just couldn't decide which one to choose! First one would have to be Arwen from Lord of The Rings. I mean, she's an elf, how cool is that?! Everything from her language to her pointy ears to her dresses are absoloutly stunning! She's graceful, courageous, and a great horse rider! Then my second choice is Keely from Disney Channel's Phil of the Future. (It's not a book but, hey it's fictional!)Keely is a teenager who is a free spirit and doesn't care what others think of her. She is energetic, spunky, full of life, and a great friend. She is always willing to help others, even at the cost of her own comfort. And they both get the guy =)
Katy:
Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Predjudice because her descisions are governed by her heart rather than society's expectation's. And she gets Mr. Darcy =)
Lyds:
Allison beat me to the chase for my first choice! I will have to go with Lucy from the Chronicles of Narnia. She discovers a new world where animals talk and magic potions cure any wound! Plus, she gets to ride a lion. She doesn't get a guy but, hey, she becomes queen!
Readers, we would love to get to know you better too, so why don't you share your answer with us in the comment section!
Alli:
Jo March from Little Woman and Little Men. She is such a strong and unique woman who goes against the flow. She is loyal to a fault and brings spark to everyone she knows. She is intelligent, well-spoken and gutsy. And she gets the guy =)
Dani:
I would like to be Maggie from Maggie's Dare because she reminds me of myself in alot of ways, but at the same time, she is what I strive to become. She isn't afraid to take risks even when her choices may be unpopular. And she gets the guy =)
Jessa:
There are actually two characters that I would like to be because I just couldn't decide which one to choose! First one would have to be Arwen from Lord of The Rings. I mean, she's an elf, how cool is that?! Everything from her language to her pointy ears to her dresses are absoloutly stunning! She's graceful, courageous, and a great horse rider! Then my second choice is Keely from Disney Channel's Phil of the Future. (It's not a book but, hey it's fictional!)Keely is a teenager who is a free spirit and doesn't care what others think of her. She is energetic, spunky, full of life, and a great friend. She is always willing to help others, even at the cost of her own comfort. And they both get the guy =)
Katy:
Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Predjudice because her descisions are governed by her heart rather than society's expectation's. And she gets Mr. Darcy =)
Lyds:
Allison beat me to the chase for my first choice! I will have to go with Lucy from the Chronicles of Narnia. She discovers a new world where animals talk and magic potions cure any wound! Plus, she gets to ride a lion. She doesn't get a guy but, hey, she becomes queen!
Readers, we would love to get to know you better too, so why don't you share your answer with us in the comment section!
January 23, 2007
HELP! :)
Hi readers! We're doing a little bit of revamping and 'redecorating' here at the 5 Peas blog. We finally figured out how to add individual authors (see 'Contributors') but we can't manage to figure out how to arrange the authors in order!! If anyone knows how, please post your suggestions here.
Bear with us. :)
Bear with us. :)
January 15, 2007
Be Thankful
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over head, and a place to sleep... you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, spare change in a dish some place and a nice car/truck/motorcycle in the garage..... you are among the top 8% of the world's most wealthy.
If you woke up this morning in good health, you are more fortunate than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle unfolding all around you, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing inthat someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass this along to remindothers how much we really have to be thankful for.
Author unknown
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, spare change in a dish some place and a nice car/truck/motorcycle in the garage..... you are among the top 8% of the world's most wealthy.
If you woke up this morning in good health, you are more fortunate than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle unfolding all around you, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing inthat someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass this along to remindothers how much we really have to be thankful for.
Author unknown
January 8, 2007
Fresh Beginnings
Hi Everyone.
Can you believe that another Christmas holidays has gone by in what seems like a flash?! And now what looms ahead for most of us SA students (unless you're a SA university student, like a couple lovely sisters of mine who only go back the middle of Feb!) is another brand new school year. I realize that some of you foreign readers may be in the middle of a grade, but you also are starting back up again after a nice Christmas break, I hope.
I admit that starting on Day 1 can be kind of daunting and depressing, but it can also be exciting! The beginning of the school year, in my life at least, marks the real beginning of the year, because it's not only the time that we start a new school grade, but that's also when all the other activities our lives consist of go back to normal. The church schedule goes back to normal, youth meetings start up again as well as other ministries you might be involved in, sports seasons begin or resume, etc. It's the time of fresh beginnings! Look back on all the areas of your life from last year, and be grateful for the successes in those areas, as well as resolve to improve yourself this year in those areas where improvement is needed. And, if you're like me, improvement is always needed! Let's be passionate about all that we spend our time on: our schoolwork, ministries, other church involvement, friendships, extra-curricular activities, as well as the new things we'll venture to do this year. May we guard ourselves from falling into laziness. May glorifying God be the driving motive behind all of our ambitions for this year. And let's remember, as one of my family's pastors reminded the congregation in a recent sermon, that the way to determine whether or not each day, year, or our life was a success is by examining how our relationship with Christ grew and how we fought the spiritual battles that we faced. 2 Tim 4:7--"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Here are some more words from the wise on school/learning to inspire and humor you:
I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt
This one's especially for you public and private schoolers.=) For us homeschoolers--this explains a lot about our mothers:
If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers. ~Edgar W. Howe
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ~Alvin Toffler
A deadline is negative inspiration. Still, it's better than no inspiration at all. ~Rita Mae Brown
Have a great year you guys!
Lydia(Pea #3) for the 5 Peas
Can you believe that another Christmas holidays has gone by in what seems like a flash?! And now what looms ahead for most of us SA students (unless you're a SA university student, like a couple lovely sisters of mine who only go back the middle of Feb!) is another brand new school year. I realize that some of you foreign readers may be in the middle of a grade, but you also are starting back up again after a nice Christmas break, I hope.
I admit that starting on Day 1 can be kind of daunting and depressing, but it can also be exciting! The beginning of the school year, in my life at least, marks the real beginning of the year, because it's not only the time that we start a new school grade, but that's also when all the other activities our lives consist of go back to normal. The church schedule goes back to normal, youth meetings start up again as well as other ministries you might be involved in, sports seasons begin or resume, etc. It's the time of fresh beginnings! Look back on all the areas of your life from last year, and be grateful for the successes in those areas, as well as resolve to improve yourself this year in those areas where improvement is needed. And, if you're like me, improvement is always needed! Let's be passionate about all that we spend our time on: our schoolwork, ministries, other church involvement, friendships, extra-curricular activities, as well as the new things we'll venture to do this year. May we guard ourselves from falling into laziness. May glorifying God be the driving motive behind all of our ambitions for this year. And let's remember, as one of my family's pastors reminded the congregation in a recent sermon, that the way to determine whether or not each day, year, or our life was a success is by examining how our relationship with Christ grew and how we fought the spiritual battles that we faced. 2 Tim 4:7--"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Here are some more words from the wise on school/learning to inspire and humor you:
I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt
This one's especially for you public and private schoolers.=) For us homeschoolers--this explains a lot about our mothers:
If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers. ~Edgar W. Howe
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ~Alvin Toffler
A deadline is negative inspiration. Still, it's better than no inspiration at all. ~Rita Mae Brown
Have a great year you guys!
Lydia(Pea #3) for the 5 Peas
December 24, 2006
To You and Yours...
Merry Christmas from our family to yours! We hope that each and every one of you have a memorable, special day celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour. Thanks for commenting on our humble musings - we appreciate you all!
Lots of love! The Peas
Photo: for those of you who don't know us personally, from left to right: Lydia (#3), Dani (#5), Halle (cutest dog ever), Katy (#2), Jessica (#4), Alli (#1)
December 14, 2006
A Christmas Challenge
We want y'all to think about something for a minute. Think about your family. Think about how blessed you are to have been given a family - your family. Yeah sure, they're not a perfect family...maybe they're a little broken. But aren't we all? We all have issues - that's what it means to be human.
The point is this: you - yes, you - have been so incredibly blessed with a family while millions of children around this globe are alone. Let it sink in. So many children don't know the loving touch and gentle words of a mommy. Many have no idea what it means to be swung up on dad's shoulders, high above the world, feeling like nothing can ever go wrong cos, hey, dad's here. So many people on this earth are alone this Christmas - widows, widowers, lonely people, orphans. No lively dinner times where everyone stumbles over one another's words to tell their news. No family to confide in and share daily life. Alone. Alone.
It is not a comfortable thought, is it? It's tempting to push this devestating reality out of our minds - ignorance is bliss, right? Yeah, its bliss, but its no way to make a difference in God's world. Thoughts of orphans and widows makes us feel guilty and helpless. I mean, what can I do? But as Christians we cannot ignore this. If we do so, we might as well rip James 1:27 right out of our Bibles. The verse says this: pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble. God loves the fatherless and, as His children, so should we.
So during this Christmas season, when it is tempting to focus on one's own family, let's share God's concern for those who are alone. Let's light our world by reaching out to those less fortunate than ourselves. Why not include some lonely members of your church in one of your Christmas celebrations? Maybe make some cookies for a grieving widow in your local body of Christ? You only have a little to offer those who are alone? So what? A little goes a long way. Be creative - we can all make a difference. Let's shine Christ's love this season.
We encourage you to watch a music video by Steven Curtis Chapman, who has a real heart for orphans. The song is called All I Really Want for Christmas and can be found at the links below.
Windows - http://media.emicmg.com/SPD11231/video/wma/300/AllIReallyWant.asx
Real -
http://media.emicmg.com/SPD11231/video/real/AllIReallyWant.ram
May it touch and challenge your hearts as it has ours.
The Peas
December 7, 2006
The Goodness of God
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our Salvation!
Ponder it. God - the Maker of the universe, the Most High King, the One who holds this earth together. This God daily loads us - pitiful, pathetic, transient specks on this earth - with benefits. What benefits? Clothes on our backs, food at our tables, homes, cars, sunshine, music, friends, birds, health, babies, colour, the list cannot be exhausted. And this over and above God's gift of redemption! There are no words to adequately describe the goodness of our God!
Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our Salvation!
Ponder it. God - the Maker of the universe, the Most High King, the One who holds this earth together. This God daily loads us - pitiful, pathetic, transient specks on this earth - with benefits. What benefits? Clothes on our backs, food at our tables, homes, cars, sunshine, music, friends, birds, health, babies, colour, the list cannot be exhausted. And this over and above God's gift of redemption! There are no words to adequately describe the goodness of our God!
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