Katey just performed in her first harp recital since beginning lessons last July. Her instructor, Alla Yashneva, is from Russia and has proven to be a wonderful instructor for Katey.
After hearing that Lauren was also learning to play the piano, Alla invited her to accompany Katey in a rendition of “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”.
The Bates family blessed us with a visit during their trip to Arizona. Gil and Kelly celebrated their 27th anniversary with a trip to see the Grand Canyon and were joined by two of their children, Nathan and Tori.
During their stay with us, we enjoyed a time of sweet fellowship, too much food, and many laughs.
Friday morning, we set out for a place called Tortilla Flat which is about an hour east of Phoenix. We had many photo opportunities along the way as the weather and scenery were perfect!
After lunch, Nathan and Tori decided that they were going to climb the mountain across the street. Katey and Gil joined them for the 25 minute hike to the very top!
On our way back home, we stopped to see the Goldfield Ghost Town which is located along the famous Apache Trail.
Goldfield was finally abandoned in 1926 after the gold ran out. We ended up spending the rest of the afternoon and early evening there just browsing the shops, taking pictures, and enjoying ice cream in fresh waffle cones!
That evening after we got home, Nathan led us in a wonderful Bible study on the armor of God from Ephesians 6. I appreciated his heart for The Lord and willingness to share with us.
Saturday morning it was time to say goodbye but not before we celebrated Tori’s 19th birthday!
Tori humbly listened as Gil, Kelly, and Nathan each shared some of the Christ-like characteristics they see in her. We then gathered together to sing a few Christmas carols before it was time to go.
On the way to the airport, we stopped at Chick-fil-A for one last meal together.
We so much enjoyed our time of fellowship and laughter together and are grateful for their friendship. Here are a few of the pictures we took along the way…
Today we all celebrated Lauren’s 12th birthday. The festivities began a few days prior when some of her closest friends joined us for a surprise party! Katey had created a “photo booth” where the girls could wear fun hats, glasses, etc. and take pictures.
Happy birthday Lauren! We love you.
This year we were excited to have two other Arizona Bright Lights groups join us for our third-annual Bright Lights Christmas Party. What a beautiful sight it was to have 34 godly young women joined together to bring honor to the Lord.
We began the evening with prayer, reading Scripture, and some get-to-know-you activities. Then the girls enjoyed appetizers, cookies, hot chocolate, and lots of candy. Shortly thereafter, we split into teams and drove to Walmart (with the help of seven mothers and my good husband). At Walmart we sang Christmas carols at the front entrance of the store, praying that others would hear the gospel message through song.
We then went shopping for children at Sunshine Acres Children’s Home which is a Christian organization that cares for children who are separated from their parents. The girls were responsible for selecting and purchasing gifts for seven children in need. The girls also handed out candy canes that had Scripture verses about Jesus Christ attached to them and wished store patrons a “Merry Christmas”.
Once the shopping trip was done, we gathered back at the house and had a time of prayer for the children who would receive these gifts. The prayers were so sincere and humble that many of us had tears in our eyes. What a wonderful time of fellowship we enjoyed!
We just returned from a great trip to California! Our nephew Tyler joined us for three days of fun and activities which included Knotts Berry Farm, Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour, and my personal favorite, The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
Corporations all around the world are rapidly joining the fight to change the definition of marriage. With a vengeance, they are embracing an agenda and celebrating a lifestyle that the Bible teaches is sin, all under the guise of “acceptance, inclusion, and diversity”. I believe this video is a stark reminder to all Christians that we could soon find ourselves in the position of having to either stand alone in defense of Biblical truth, or give way to fear and bow to the golden image of a sinful culture.
The example in this AFA video is not something that is coming, it’s here now! If you’re like me, an employee of a large corporation, the prospect of either losing a job or being denied a job for which you’re well qualified, because of adherence to Biblical standards, is very real.
As for me, I will serve Jesus Christ and stand unapologetically in support of the Biblical definition of marriage. What would will you do?
“Disagreement is not hatred, and the truth is not hate speech. The truth is only hate speech to those who hate the truth.”
Bryan Fischer
Pomegranates are a delicious fall/winter treat, but many people are afraid of the mess or simply don’t know how to get the seeds out easily.
Once you have managed to open a pomegranate, you can go right ahead and eat it. But if you take the time to separate the arils (the seeds) from the white skin they’re attached to, your pomegranate eating experience will be less messy and taste much better.
The ATI Family Connection team just departed after a brief visit in Phoenix. They are making their way around the US with a message of encouragement for families to be strong in The Lord. It was such a blessing to meet the team and have them stay with us during their time here. We praise the Lord for the opportunity to meet and fellowship with other Arizona families that are desiring to live for Christ.
Below is a clip of the Waller Brothers Quartet singing “Are you Washed in the Blood”. I apologize for the shaky video. Along with forgetting to bring the butter, I also forgot the tripod!
Here are a few pictures from our time with the Waller family and Gabriel Cleator.
Although the celebration began 4 days ago, today is Katey’s official 16th birthday! The Balkan girls joined us for a day of festivities that included pedicures (I did not participate in this event), photo shoots, homemade waffles, and many other fun activities.
We just returned from spending all day Friday and Saturday at the Arizona Families for Home Education (AFHE) annual homeschool convention in Phoenix. This year, we signed up as exhibitors in order to promote our family ministry, Abiding Radio.
We just returned from spending all day Friday and Saturday at the Arizona Families for Home Education (AFHE) annual homeschool convention in Phoenix. This year, we signed up as exhibitors in order to promote our family ministry,
It actually went very well considering that it was our first attempt at running a vendor booth. We had been wanting to create a looping video that would explain what Abiding Radio is and how to listen.
We met so many wonderful, gracious people and are already looking forward to doing it again next year if The Lord is willing. Here are a few pictures from the event:
