Nathanael

Happy 19th Birthday Nathanael!!

Nathanael is someone who does everything whole heartedly!

He loves flying

Plays guitar

Is always down for playing sports or spending time with friends

One of the hardest workers

Extremely thoughtful

Always pushing himself to learn new things

And full of adventure 

You're one of a kind and we love you tons!!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6

NFH

Awhile back we had the joy of helping with the Nebraska Families for Homeschooling conference. It was a family conference in it's first year and ended up being such a wonderful weekend!! 

The theme this year was VALOR!

It was set during WW2 and everyone went all out!! For the majority of the time we would go between large groups that would have singing, memorizing Bible verses and a full drama to the small groups where they would have a lesson that tied into what they saw in the drama. And then they would play games and have other activities. There were a whole lot of other aspects to the weekend, but that is the general idea. Parents did some of the activities with their kids, but spent most of their time over having parent themed sessions.

There was a lot of 50's style and military costumes going around which added so much to the atmosphere!

Elizabeth was in charge of making all of the food for the staff during the weekend

Stephen helped with the parent side of the conference and then helped with some of the kids activities like this shooting range with marshmallow guns

Hannah led the large groups and was the staff coordinator

Susanna & Alaythia were in charge of all of the costumes and props for the full scale 8 part drama

Nathanael was a teacher on one of the teams as well as helping lead songs in large group

And Charissa helped with whatever needed done

The main theme of VALOR was that our choices, whether good or bad, big or small, have a huge impact on not only our own lives, but the lives of the people we come into contact with as well. Tomorrows battles are won or lost by the choices we are making today! It starts with our thoughts, which become our attitudes, which become our actions. Can't wait till next year's conference!

"Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit."

Matthew 7:17

(Just in case you were concerned, everyone was completely healthy before, during and after the conference which we are so thankful for!)

Alaythia

Happy Birthday Alaythia!!!

She is 21 years old and such a beautiful mixture of adventure and fun and attention to detail and style.

She has always loved physical activities and that hasn't changed at all!

This year she has enjoyed teaching piano lessons, living in Florida for a month with Andrew & Kori, experimenting with incredible new recipes, and going on adventures with siblings.

We are so grateful for you and love you Alaythia!

"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You."

Psalms 5:11

Charissa

September 25th was Charissa's 14th Birthday!!

(I know, I'm still
behind on posting... one of these days I'll catch up!)

This last year she has grown up so much! Not only in height (she passed up a few of us girls) but also in character, skills and responsibility.

She is hands down the favorite aunt and loves planning fun activities for all the nieces and nephews whenever she can!

Charissa is the last one in school and plugs away at her studies. She loves practicing with different hair styles and has become quite skilled at manicures. She is always available if you need help with a project or need to go run an errand.

This year she went to CYIA, which is a ministry that equips youth with the skills and tools to teach in front of children and share the gospel. She organized a 5 day club in our hometown and it was awesome to watch.

She enjoys sports, learning the penny whistle and making both useful and fun crafts. Whether its glass etching or making wooden trays to serve food on, she enjoys quite the variety of activities and there is a reason people always guess her a lot older than she really is!

We love you Charissa!!! 

Happy Birthday!

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."

2 Peter 3:18

Family Camp

We greatly enjoyed being a part of Homeschool Family Camp with the Bontrager and Bower families again this year! Since we started doing this about 14 years ago, it has grown so that we now do two different weeks of camp, and it is always such a blessing!!

Of course there are tons of pictures from the two weeks, but I tried to pick out just a few for y'all.

Family camp consists of teaching sessions in the morning and the evening...

fun skits...

memorizing Bible verses...

music...

prayer time and teaching from God's word...

and the rest of the time is open for fellowship...

good conversations...

lots of activities...

running games...

sports...

and any other adventure that you might want to do!

This year the theme was Faith, Family, & Freedom, and I think we all left camp both challenged and encouraged! And possibly a little low on sleep. But seriously, as the culture around us gets darker and more confused it is so important to stand firm on God's Word and to live in such a way that others can see the love and life that Christ brings! The topics seemed extra timely this year: restudying the foundations of faith in Christ and how that daily changes everything, the family as God's creation for stable relationships and life, the importance of fellowship with other believers as iron sharpens iron, and the unique and treasured blessings we have as a heritage of freedom because of our Founding Fathers' God-given wisdom in writing the Constitution.

Family Camp has been fun for us over the years, and we love the friendships we've made there. But more importantly, it has been a refreshing and encouraging time draw near to God.   Sometimes it is important to take time from our normal schedule to step away and seek God for where He wants us, individually, or as a family, or to reevaluate what is of value in our everyday lives, and what things need to be weeded out. Life is so precious and so short, and we want to be good stewards of it, for His glory!

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"

Colossians 3:23