Books of the Bible and Silver Eagles

On Sunday, Charis and Matthew were presented with a Silver Eagle Award. This award is given by Bro. Bob Wright, a man in our church who started this program in 2004 for any child of East Side who could recite the books of the Bible in order. Charis and Matthew were the 37th and 38th recipients of the Silver Eagle award.

In the summer, we had started working on helping Charis to learn them, so she would find it easier to follow along in her Bible during preaching. One night, we noticed Matthew trying to say them before she did. So, we switched gears and worked with him as well. Knowing how easily embarrassed Matthew gets, I decided to let them go together to quote the books and receive the award. So, they both went to Bro. Wright on Sunday, November 30th and quoted the books of the Bible. As you can see, I was correct in my assumption, as Matthew kept inching closer and closer behind the pulpit while Charis stood in confidence.



I am so proud of both of them. And still enjoy listening to them recite the books.

Not to be outdone, Andrew loves to "recite" the books of the Bible too. So, sit back (pause the music) and get a kick out of the smilebox videos as each one says the books of the Bible!

Make a Smilebox postcard

In the second video of Matthew, toward the end, he's trying to see me behind the camera. I still get a good laugh when I watch it! As for Andrew, well, nearly anything he does (good, of course) is cute! I had finished recording the first video, trying to keep him somewhat in order and he decided he wanted me to record him doing "Matthew, Mark, Luke and John." Hence, the second video... how many "First and Seconds" did you pick out?

*~Foto Friday~*

Today's Foto Friday theme is "Special Friends" per Tracy and so I am going to have to post a couple of pictures.


The first ones are the Andrzejewski's, our dear friends and missionaries to Portugal. They left a year ago with assurances to our children and theirs that it would be 5 years before they could come back for furlough. Charis is counting down the years (only 4 more to go) and keeping up with who will be how old (the kids, not the adults)when that time finally comes!



And the next ones are the Lanham's, who moved away 3 years ago to a far away coast called King Cove, Alaska. Charis doesn't think it's too far away and that we should be able to get there quickly (if we could travel as fast as her finger does across the United States wall map!)







It would fill quite a page for me to upload all the pictures of all my friends who hold a special place in my heart, but these two will have to do for now...

Darkness - a poem

I was carrying Andrew down the stairs this morning before sun-up. It was so dark I could hardly make out the steps as I counted my way down. He lay his head on my shoulder, relaxed in complete trust. As I pondered his faith in me, I began this poem. Amazing how the Lord uses little mundane things in our lives to speak to us!

He's leading me in a new path
One I've not been on before.
I'm not the first, won't be the last
He's led so many more.
This place is so much different,
yet the same as all the rest.
It's one more time of molding me;
my faith in Him to test.

We say, "I'm afraid of the dark!"
But that's truly not the case.
For darkness holds just shadows
Which light can fast erase.
What we fear most is the unknown
Of what may lie ahead.
But with my hand held close in His
I know I'm safely led.

Just as He's brought me through before
He'll do so once again.
And I'll come out rejoicing,
Bringing glory to His name.
So as I travel down life's road
The next step I can't see.
I'll lay my head upon His shoulder
For he is carrying me.

I suppose I must....

I love Christmas time, and would rather keep all the Christmas decorations up and Christmas music playing, but I suppose I must take the tree out and pack away all the decorations for another 10 months and 6 days (if I wait until the day after Thanksgiving). So, my blog is getting its 2009 facelift and the music changes for awhile. I am so thankful that I can have Christmas all year long in my heart though. It's not about the tree and the lights, the decorations, the food or the presents. But rather the presence of my Lord and Saviour. Christmas is about the babe in a manger who willingly left His throne in Heaven to take on the robe of flesh; becoming man so He could feel our infirmities and give His life for ours on the cross. Christmas extends to the grave where He lay buried for three days and then gloriously arose to promise us eternal life when we simply put our faith in Him.

Christmas is the joy that flows through my life.
Christmas is peace that comes from trusting God.
Christmas is love that shows to all mankind.
Christmas is Christ! And when you know Him, you have Christmas all year long!