Wow, it’s been a great month for finding opportunities to settle down with a good book, or just grabbing a few minutes here and there!  Here are the books that passed the month of April with me.

Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick ~ This book was read and discussed by an online community.  You can access some of my thoughts on this book here.  It was a great book to read and study.  I didn’t write about the last couple of chapters because I am still processing them and seeking how to apply the material to my own life.

The Mine by Henry McIntosh ~ my step father gave me several chapters of the book he has written and is seeking to be published.  This is the story of miners in the Canyon City area of Colorado.

Freefall to Fly by Rebekah Lyons ~ There is a greater story than the one about you or me, and it is found in our stories !  My review of this book is here

Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer

In the Presence of My Enemies ~ by Gracia Burnham and Dean Merrill ~ Despite the terrible circumstances of being held as a hostage and the loss of her husband during the rescue, Gracia has become more than a “survivor”.  Loving our enemies and living forgiveness tough commands of our God.

This book is giving me much to think about and pray about.  I am so blessed to read Gracia and Martin’s story, my faith has been encouraged a great deal.  To read how God indeed sustained them and refined them during their captivity, how Scripture they had memorized came to mind and directed their steps and attitudes is a tremendous testimony to us Believers.  God will sustain us, His Word will accomplish much within us, and He is our strength, our comfort.

Tales of the Defended Ones by Beth Guckenberger.  You can read the thoughts I had after reading this book with my children here.

Only the Mountains do not Move by Jan Reynolds ~ A Maasai Story of Culture and Conservation.  This book discusses the traditional lives of the Maasai people, of Kenya and Tanzania.  The photographs are wonderful and I appreciate being able to “see” the world that may be known by our sponsor kids in both countries.

In my life this week…  Whew, it was a FHG (full, hard, good) week.  I’m concerned about how little schooling we are getting done this spring.  Our homeschool co-op wraps up in 2 weeks and I am hopeful that after we wrap it up a concentrated 6 weeks at home will help each of us get more on track.

In our homeschool this week…there was mostly independent working.  Two of my kiddos are on a living history field trip today.  Because of appliance issues and fatigue Mae and I have stayed home.

My favorite thing this week was…experiencing a different side of friendship as I struggled with appliance and van issues while my hubby is away at work.  A girlfriend texted me to see if she could take my kids to the field trip we had planned to do together.  And being a Navy wife, she completely understood the situation of dealing with life and deciding which things to handle on my own and which ones to call Builder about.  Another new friend, and a plumber, arrived after work on Friday to troubleshoot and fix the hot water heater (which is less than a year old)

My kiddos favorite thing this week was…Petal Rose and Chica are probably have the best time at the Living History event.  Mae is completely soaking up this “just be” time in her room as she putters and listens to a story.

Things I’m working on…some spring time yard maintenance and some deep spring cleaning.

I’m grateful for…friendship, extended warranties, the evidence of grace within me as the Spirit conversed with me all through the hardest day, reminding me that it wasn’t really hard comparatively speaking.  All these things are simply things.  We still had clean water, heat, transportation and each one of us is healthy and strong.

I’m praying for…families and friends who are walking through valleys, my children and my husband

Something I am ogling or have my eye on…I’m still looking at high school material for Mae.  Has anyone experience with Liberty University’s high school track?

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

We visited the “Experience Compassion” event in our city this past week.  Please take the opportunity if they come to your area.

I Found Hope – Change the Story from Compassion International on Vimeo.

With Compassion International’s Change the Story mobile experience you are able to experience the reality of millions of children around the world. Change the story is an immersive experience available to you for only a short time.

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I Found Hope – Change the Story from Compassion International on Vimeo.
With Compassion International’s Change the Story mobile experience you are able to experience the reality of millions of children around the world. Change the story is an immersive experience available to you for only a short time.

Raindly by Chica

While we didn’t get the drawing Chica completed this week into the slideshow, I do like to show off her work here on By Quiet Waters.  You can click the button above to see other fine work from this week’s Sketch Tuesday assignment.

 

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
 
Honestly I have quoted verse 28 many times, I have sought the truth of this passage, wrestled with it, never being able to reconcile it with this one thing.  Verse 29 was not familiar to me.

He uses my broken desperate need to conform me to the image of His Son.

 

Short Main Video from Compassion International on Vimeo.

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Short Main Video from Compassion International on Vimeo.

April 21 is the official date for Compassion Sunday, and is the day our family will be presenting the ministry arms of the organization.

Builder will have about 5 minutes in the morning services to show the short video featured in this post, and to invite the congregation to visit our ministry tables, as well as to return for the evening service. 

He will be speaking during the evening service, as will a woman from our congregation.  She just returned from mission work in the Philippines (a church building project our church was part of), during that mission trip she was able to meet her family’s sponsored child!

A few of our daughters will be at tables demonstrating Water of Life and Bite Back.  Another family will be at a table sharing the importance of letter writing.  Mae and I will be at the sponsorship table.

The weather forecast looks as though the weather will be great ~ it’s been cold, snowy, windy and cold all week.

Are you doing a Compassion Sunday this year?  I’d love to hear about it!

 

In my life this week…clarity from chaos continues, grief over the loss of another young man in our homeschooling community, hope springing from several conversations focused on the Gospel

In our homeschool this week…math is clicking along, but most else has shifted over as individually and collectively we prepare for Compassion Sunday, recitals, caregiving

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…be flexiable, creative.  This summer we are taking July as our summer.  This school year has had so many variables that we need the month of June to finish well.  And we are taking August to get a good start knowing next year looks similar as this one.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…We are attending an Experience Compasion Tour Friday afternoon.  The Coppelia Production is Saturday afternoon, Mae is dancing!  And Sunday is Compassion Sunday, our family will be presenting the ministry of Compassion to our congregation.

My favorite thing this week was…Early morning time with Builder on Friday.

I’m cooking…Tacos for dinner tonight.  I haven’t been doing much of the cooking lately, with so many helpful budding cooks in the home.

I’m grateful for…the comfort of God.

I’m praying for…the family who lost their son last week, the people of Boston and West Texas.  Also for the youth in our community, that they will see love and grace in the eyes of the community around them.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…