Double Digits

I can hardly believe our oldest son, Daniel is now 10 years old. Where do the years go? As I was packing last week I came across several boxes of photos. Not much packing was accomplished but I did spend a few hours reminiscing over the days when my children were so small. Several of Daniel's baby pictures were in the boxes. What a cutie he was, and how he has grown!

Before I know it Daniel will be a man and his childhood just a memory. I pray the Lord will equip us in raising a boy who, we hope and pray, will become a God fearing man.

Michelle

Singing for Tickets

 

Last week our local Christian Radio Station sponsored a stage show of Veggie Tales Live and they were giving away a few tickets, but you had to sing for your tickets. So on Friday morning I called the station and Nicholas was able to sing a veggie tale song on the radio. He won 4 tickets and a copy of the DVD "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything". Obviously with 8 in our family we all couldn't go so we decided to allow the boys to have a night out with Gary.

At the last minute we decided that Naomi could also go as a reward for excellent behaviour. We had planned to purchase her a ticket (which were half price at the door), but as Gary was picking up the tickets Nicholas had won a woman handed him an extra ticket that she had. So all of them got in for free.

Please forgive the poor photo, it wasn't easy to get a good picture in the dark. Apparently it was a fun evening for them, they were even given a bag of candy on the way out.

God is so good for providing such special treats for my children.

Michelle

A Day at the Zoo

 

We have recently been enjoying an Indian Summer here in St Louis, so we planned a family outing at the Zoo. We had a wonderful time. One of the benefits of homeschooling is the ability to take the field trips during nice weather and when the crowds are low.

During the day we saw many monkeys but, I'm not sure who was the biggest, the gorillia the kids were sitting on, or Jeremiah (take a close look at his face!!!)

Michelle

Our Home in England

 

The picture above is the best we have of where we will be living in England. This is the Training Building at Springhead Park House, Rothwell, Leeds. Our home will be the middle floor of this building.

We have not asked for anything for our new home, but back in the Spring my sister let people know that we would be moving to England and many offered items that they no longer needed. So she and my brother-in-law have been collecting for us and a couple of weekends ago they delivered it all to our new home.

Below is a list of what has been given to us.

Microwave
Toaster
Slow Cooker
Brown Casserole dish
brown soup dishes
cereal dishes
weighing scales
Cheese grater in box
2 jugs
toast rack
Jelly mould
3 x veg dishes
3 x large / medium small
Large glass dishes
Teapot
Butter dish with lid
6 x hot & cold mugs in box
Large Pyrex mixing bowl
Large green thermos
Container with lid
Pizza dish
Polyester cup with lids
Hand held grater
Ice cub tray
Potato peeler
Ladle
Large fork
2 x small saucepans
Cutlery - 11 forks, 9 knives, 9 steak knives, 8 desert spoons, 10 or so tea spoons
Dinner service set all matching (all round unless otherwise stated)- 6 x large plates, 6 x small plates, 6 x large oval plates, 5 x small coffee cups with 6 saucers, 5 x bowls
4 x white tubs - good for herbs - I guess
1 x small plate
4 x bowls
3 x large cups (mug size) with 5 saucers
Plastic cutlery tray
1 x fridge (medium size - half way between a small English one and large American single one)
1 x washing machine
Double bed with mattress
Double bed with mattress
2 Chest of Drawers
Small trunk / chest
1 single bed with mattress - adult size
1 single bed with mattress - 4 foot size - ok for Deanna (never used)
1 single mattress
Wardrobe - single - with 2 drawers
Small Chest of Drawers
2 x set of king or double (will need to check size) duvet covers
1 x laundry basket
2 x bedside lamps
1 x lamp shade
2 x set of single duvet covers for kids beds
2 x Sofas - 1 is 2 seater and 1 is 3 seater - both with removable / washable white covers
tons of cushions
Display cabinet
Coffee table
Large Chair
Hoover
TV - 14 inch
VCR
Up display spot light - really nice
Round table (was the one in the kitchen at Vicarage)
Toothbrush holder
2 x large towels

As you can see we have most of the stuff we will need and I have been told that since this list was compiled in the Spring more items have been added, including more beds, tv and other things. We really have been blessed by God's provision through the generosity of others, especially my sister and brother-in-law.
THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!

Michelle

Saving Money

About a year ago the Lord led me to a blog called Money Saving Mom from which I learned a lot about saving money and being a better steward of the money that God has given us. So during this year I have been refining my skills with finding the deals!

One of the places I have really been able to save is at Walgreens. The pictures below show just some of what I have been able to purchase there last month.

3 large boxes of Kleenex
2 12oz bottles of Sunlight Dish liquid
4 toothbrushes
Alka Seltzer cold medicine
6 bottles Pert 2-in-1 shampoo
Loreal Cleanser
6 bottles of Dimetap cold medicine
Rimel Liquid Foundation
9 bottles hair product for the children
12 AA Energizer batteries
3 Skippy peanut butter
4 48oz Breyrs Ice Cream
2 Scrubbing Bubbles Bath Cleaner
3 Aqua Fresh toothpaste
7 jars of Ragu sauce
1lb Spaghetti
3 78oz Laundry Detergent
2 10oz Dawn Dish liquid
2 large box Puffs tissues
5 18oz Softsoap Bodywash
1 Softsoap hand soap
1 11oz Palmolive Dish liquid
2 packets Ricola cough drops
4 bags of Chocolate candy



Before sales and coupons the total of the above items came to $267.64
After sales and coupons the total came to $83.22
Then I had a Walgreens gift card (from deals I had done in September) which was for $57.19. So I only ended up spending 26.03 in cash for all the items above plus I have earned over $40 for my November gift card.

That was what I call a deal.


It has been a treat to be able to purchase good quality items for my family, but the Lord has reminded me that while it is good to receive, there is so much joy to be found in giving. I have found much joy in being able to share many of these items with others. I was first introduced to this idea of shopping wisely and sharing from Shop, Share and Save by Ellie Kay.


So, if you haven't been saving money at Walgreens ... you might want to give it a try. You will find all the details on how at www.moneysavingmom.com

Michelle

Daniel's Surgery

 

Last week Daniel had surgery to remove a cyst from his right wrist. The doctor was very pleased how well the surgery went. He was expecting it to last about 2 hours, instead they were finished in just 29 minutes.

Daniel did an excellent job and was very brave throughout the whole ordeal. Next Wednesday he returns to the hospital to have his stitches removed - hopefully that will go as easily!!

We really appreciate all who prayed for him. Thank you.

Michelle

Deanna's Birthday

I can hardly believe that our 'baby' is getting so big. We celebrated her 3rd birthday last week by spending the day together playing. We went to Jefferson Barracks Park and enjoyed a picnic followed by a 2.7 mile bike ride. I know that's not far, but for Jeremiah riding a 12" bike - it was a looooong way!

She has grown up so much this year. She has left behind the diapers and baby talk. She now communicates extremely well and can keep up with the big kids (most of the time). She has her own chores around the home and is getting quite proficient at clearing the table after meals. Although she does like to eat what is left on all the plates!!!

She has been an incredible blessing to us and we are grateful to God for placing her in our home.

Michelle

Praising God

“Sing forth the honour of his name, make his praise glorious.”

- Psa_66:2

"It is not left to our own option whether we shall praise God or not. Praise is God’s most righteous due, and every Christian, as the recipient of his grace, is bound to praise God from day to day."

Spurgeon

Elaina's Birthday

Last week Elaina turned 9!!

To look at Elaina now it is so hard to beleive that when she was born she weighed only 1lb 6oz and had an apgar score of 1. The Lord healed her and she has developed into a beautiful, strong and very smart girl.

We have a rule in our home that when it is someone's birthday we all have the day off from school and do something fun together. So we took a picnic lunch and went to Queeny Park in St Louis. We spent the afternoon climbing trees, playing at the playground and getting a little lost on a walking trail.

Michelle

Passport Photos

We knew we still needed to get passport photos taken but were in no hurry as we can't apply for their passports until their registrations come back, but last week we found a deal we couldn't turn down.

Normally passport photos at Walgreens cost $7.99 which multiplied by 6, plus tax would come to just over $50. Last week Walgreens had a sale for buy one get one free. That was a good deal, but what made it a great deal was on Friday and Saturday they had a coupon for $5 off $20.

So what normally would have cost us over $50 ended up (after sale and coupon) being only $20.17.

I thank the Lord for allowing me to find that great deal.

Michelle

Awesome!!!

Listen to this! We have been checking into a trip to Branson MO to see the Christmas lights at Silver Dollar City theme park. We have wanted to go for many years now. With us headed to the mission field, we figured this would probably be our last chance to go. So, we have been looking at hotels and such to see what kind of a deal that we could get; we even have a package saved online, while we check other things out before making a decision.

This morning at Church a friend climbed all the way up the hill to tell Michelle that they wanted to offer us their time share in Branson to use in Nov/Dec and then risked life and limb to go back down the hill to their car (this is not an easy hill to navigate). When Michelle told me, I was speechless. This is so awesome! (I reserve the word "awesome" for God and this deserves that treatment) For no one knew we were thinking about this except our Father. God does stir the hearts of people.

Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights, in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow.

James 1:17

Our Father is sooooo GOOD to us!

Gary

Fighter Verses

Recently the Lord has laid it on our hearts to get serious about scripture memorization.

I have really enjoyed memorizing scripture - it has not been easy, but the truths that I have discovered are incredible. It is wonderful to be able to meditate on these during the day and learn more and more about the nature of God and what it means to live a Christian life.

We have found the Fighter Verses from Desiring God a helpful tool in this endeavor.

While it is good for me to memorize scripture, I have to admit there is something very sweet about hearing your children recite scripture - especially when it comes from the mouth of a 2 year old!


Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil...and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6:10, 17

Michelle

Bike Riding

Last week we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon together riding bikes in a local park.

The park wasn't close enough to ride to and our van isn't big enough to transport 7 bikes (Deanna rides on the back of Gary's). Thankfully our neighbor lent us his truck so we could transport the bikes to the park.

We had a great time in the near perfect temperatures, enjoying each others company and marvelling at God's beautiful creation, except the swarm of crickets that jumped all over us as we rode past a field. Thankfully Elaina wasn't hurt when one cricket jumped on her arm and scared her so much that she fell off her bike!

Michelle

God's Provision for Jeremiah

On Saturday we were at Walmart buying shoes for Elaina and Naomi. While we were there Jeremiah saw a pair of cowboy boots and asked if he could get them. Cowboy boots weren't in my budget so I suggested that he asked God if He would allow him to have a pair. Little did we know the Lord would answer so quickly.

The following evening at church a friend approached me with this question "What is Jeremiah's shoe size?" I told her I thought he was about a size 12. Her reply was "Someone has just given my son a pair of cowboy boots that their son has grown out of - so would Jeremiah like my son's boots?" They were a size 12 - perfect! Jeremiah was so excited that he had to take his shoes off during church so he could wear his new cowboy boots.

What a loving Father we have that he is concerned about and provides for His children.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights

Michelle

Still Waiting ...

We have had several people ask recently if there is any news regarding the children's registration applications. The answer is still 'no'.

The paperwork has now been in England for almost 2 months. The process could take up to 7 months so we are still waiting .... as patiently as we can ;-) and still praying for the Lord to bring it to us sooner.

We looked on their website today to see if they had posted anything and the following is what we have found:

Since the announcement of the proposed changes to the route to British citizenship (earned citizenship) we have been receiving significantly more applications than usual.
All applications for citizenship are subject to enquiries to ensure that the statutory requirements have been satisfied. These enquires can take some time to complete. The additional applications will result in slightly longer waiting times and we anticipate that applications made since January will take up to seven months to complete. Someone who applied in June 2008 should not expect to hear from us before the end of December 2008. However this is only an average waiting time and some applications may be dealt with more quickly and some may take longer, depending on the nature of the enquiries to be carried out.

We sent our applications in the middle of July.

We want to thank those of you who have been praying with us.

Michelle