Trade As One - Christmas Shopping

Trade As One

2 Years ago today

we got the call.

Sunday Reflections

A man may be called to preach the gospel in the same place for years, and he my, at times, feel burdened by the thought of having to address the same audience, on the same theme, week after week, month after month, year after year. He may feel at times at a loss for something new, something fresh, some variety. It will greatly help such to remember that the one grand theme of the preacher is Christ. The power to handle that theme is the Holy Ghost; and the one to whom that theme is to be unfolded is the poor lost sinner. Now Christ is ever new; the power of the Spirit is ever fresh; the soul's condition and destiny ever intensely interesting,. Furthermore, it is well for the preacher to bear in mind, on every fresh occasion to rising to preach, that those to whom he preaches are really ignorant of the gospel, and hence he should preach as though it were the very first time his audience had ever heard the message and the first time he had ever delivered it. To preach the gospel is really to unfold the heart of God, the person and work of Christ; and all this by the present energy of the Holy Ghost, from the exhaustless treasury of Holy Scripture.

--C. H. McIntosh, Notes on Numbers, 1869 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Romans 1:16-17

Apple Picking

It seems that every year we go apple picking later and later. This year we did not make it until last weekend. It was a nice sunny day and after the boys soccer games (yes we are still in full swing running like crazy between soccer practices and games) we headed up to North country for some fresh apples. Thank goodness everybody loves apples in our family.

Now, there is a fashion statement. Just going on record that Emma picks her own outfits everyday:)

Nate lost his top tooth the night before so he was eating apples on the 'sides' only.

Fall colors

(on trees and on Emma)

For some reason I am having a hard time enjoying this fall. It has been really cold this year (we have all of our winter jackets in the car already and wear them each time we are at the soccer game or practice).

We got plenty of apples and I have been busy this week making pies. Some I gave away some I froze (and we ate one).

Hope you are all having a colorful Autumn.

Another Lazy Days Skirt

This is a skirt I made from left over fabric from one of the strip collections. I bought one last spring and made a very cute bag with some of the fabric. I did not know what to do with the rest of it so I saved it for a later project. Well it came in handy today and it turned out great. The great thing of being part of the sew a long is seeing all the different ideas from one pattern from all over the world.

Lazy days skirt Day 2.

I made two more 'lazy days' skirts. For those of you out there wondering where in the world I find the time to make these it was right after we put the kids down to bed at 8pm and I was done by 9pm (I felt like I had a little energy left in me). Plus this pattern is SO EASY everybody should try it. (pattern here) Today I knew I had to make two.

I got this fabric a long time ago at a fabric store (OK we all do this right? We see fabric we like and do not need but have to have it for some later project because it is so darn cute!!!) this is one of those fabrics. Everything else on it (the trim) is left over fabric from my summer sewing projects.

Aren't they cute? The girls have not seen them yet but I am sure they will be wearing them tomorrow.

This is day 2 by the way for all of you on the other side of the world :)

Sew-a-long Lazy Days skirt

I joined "sew-a-long lazy days skirt" on the Day to Day blog last week. Great idea not enough time. I also noticed that most of participants are from Australia which means it is already Tuesday there and I am just posting my Monday post.

Anyway my first (and hopefully not last) lazy day skirt (pattern right here) is made from an old dress which I do not wear anymore. It is all about recycling this week for me. No extra trips to the stores to spend more money. I will try to come up with stuff to do and make with things around the house (and wait to see the Christmas gifts I am working on). After cutting off the bottom part of my old dennin dress I just finished it and dressed it up with a small heart up front.

I am sure I will hear from Jo tomorrow she wants one as well.

Sunday Reflections

Our soul-thirst is powerful, and it makes all of us idolaters. To be sure, not many of my contemporaries bow before actual pagan altars. Nevertheless, the Bible sees idolatry as a universal problem. To be alive is to be an idolater. One of the most basic questions in spiritual formation must be "What am I doing about my idols?" not "Do I have any idols?"

--James Wihoit, Spiritual Formation As If The Church Mattered So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

1 Corinthians 10:12-14

New hair do Idea

What I love (and sometimes do not love) about Jo's hair is that there is no such thing as the same hairdo for her. She really only has the same hairdo twice. The possibilities are endless (just think braids can go in every direction and pattern).

There are many places where you can get inspired including the TV. Can you guess what movie I watched last night?

Sunday Reflections

"But what happens if and when I sin?" you may ask. "Do I then forfeit my sonship and cease to be God's child?" No. Think of the analogy of a human family. A boy is offensively rude to his parents. A cloud descends on the home. There is tension in the atmosphere. Father and son are not on speaking terms. What has happened> Has the boy ceased to be a son? No. Their relationship has not changed; it is their fellowship which has been broken. Relationship depends on birth; fellowship depends on behavior. As soon as the boy apologizes, he is forgiven. And forgiveness restores fellowship. Meanwhile, his relationship has remained the same. He may have been temporarily a disobedient, and even a defiant, son; but he has not ceased to be a son. So it is with the children of God.

-- John Stott, Basic Christianity
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it -- I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while -- yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

2 Corinthians 7:8-10

Deerfield Fair

I did it. After many years living in New England I took my children to the largest fair in NH. Lots of animals everywhere.

The girls fell in love with the piglets.

Poultry was a big hit as well especially the ducks.

Since our kids received a ton of dairy education from our dear friends in NY they were looking forward to seeing the cows and oxen.

This oxen was HUGE.

Another highlight was a flying circus performance.

Lots of trucks everywhere.

And the biggest hit was a pigs scrimage. I have no idea what I was thinking taking my kids to see it since Sam and Nate annouced they are signing up next year.

Until next year.