Characters.

What a joy of parenting to see different characters shine in our children!

Levi was left to write his sentence,

and this is how he applied the plot of the story to the writing assignment!

And how great it is to have technology (camera) to document such precious memories.

Conference- Virginia Beach.

Eric and I enjoyed a long week-end away at the CCEF conference in Virginia Beach.
What a treat! Our hotel was right on the beach, the convention center was a good 15 minutes walk, or there was the option of catching a shuttle. Lots of books purchased (mostly for church library) from the book stalls.....
And more importantly, God's design for marriage was expounded on, using the book of Ephesians.

One of my favourite quotes from one of the speakers:

"When you get married, there are three people in the marriage- and only one of them is perfect."

Running......

Running.

Life.

Busy.

Fulfilling.

Rewarding.

Many gifts.

Trying to keep the focus.

So thankful to have the ONE to focus on.

Le crew.

So THANKFUL for this crew.......God is good.

Levi.

October 3.

We welcomed our 5 child.

Levi Jordan.

10 pounds 3 oz.

By far, the worst "entry" into the world.

Making us ever grateful that all was well.

Delighful boy. With a delightful smile.

A new 6 year old.

May God work in this dear son's heart.....turning.....changing.....to serve the Creator always.

Love you Levi!

Letting her hair down....

I tortured the children with a fall photoshoot today (actually they were pretty good)....and I convinced Macayla to go with her hair down instead of the usual ponytail. I think I got some sweet shots of her here. She's growing into quite the young lady. I'll try to share more later.....I got a few great group shots. I'm all set for the Christmas cards this year! :)

Summer days.....coming to an end.

And we start a new schedules.....everyone has something "new" on their plate as far as schoolwork. Jacob has an entirely new course (of which some will be monitered), so he is taking that quite seriously. This summer seemed to zip by, with the trips North, Dutch relatives for a couple of weeks, and the last cottage week just last week. All good. I am so thankful to God for the means and flexibility of Eric's work schedule to be able to make these memories with my family.
The fall colours soon to come hold a special beauty that I look forward to. This is something I did miss in New Zealand- the distinct seasons.
The September month on the calendar has filled up with meetings, etc.........
And with that I leave you with Gideon and his oh so dramatic ice cream eating technique.

Quote.

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.

~Charles Spurgeon~

Jacob's day was "made!"

These photos actually need to be looked at in reverse order- I just couldn't be bothered changing them! Our uncle and aunt from Holland treated the whole family to African Lion Safari- it was a beautiful day! Thanks Oom Jan and Tante Gerie!

Teamwork!!

Kids & Technology

Check out this link.

www.headhearthand.org

Something for church libraries everywhere......

Take the time to watch the trailer (about 2 minutes or less). There is also a free downloadable study guide.

"In God's Technology, David Murray presents a Christian response to a digital revolution. After laying the foundation of four Biblical principles, he makes the case for disciplined discernment in our use of technology. He then presents a seven step practicial training program to develop disciplined discernment in our children, and he concludes with showing how to apply these seven steps to facebook use."

Brothers.

A photo from the cottage. Probably one of my favourite....warming my heart particularly because these two clasped each other's hand spontaneously. I pray that all my children may be each other's best friends for many years to come. (For those of you that may not recognize the feet, this is the oldest Valk boy...and the youngest.)

Cottage week.

And we are left with.....four + louds of laundry, sun-kissed faces and bodies, 17 earwigs, white(r) hair, well rested bodies, a sandy van, left-over fresh fish to eat, and many great memories! We had a wonderfully hot, hot week....and a great time enjoying Muskoka's beauty. (More photos to come....)

For the Kiwi Folk....

Buzy Bee lives on.........

New book.

I have read many books on the topic of grief, particularly dealing with miscarriages, as well as infant/child death. Such a deep, deep loss....such a deep deep heartache. I finished this book yesterday, and I believe it has come to the "top" of my list of books on this topic.

This families' fourth daughter was not supposed to make it into the world. They were given 2 and a half precious hours with their baby after her birth.

An excellent writer. Rich with quotes from scripture and elsewhere.

I have purchased two copies. One (for sure) will make it to our church's Resource Center.


A quote from in the book from Amy Carmichael:

Sorrow is one of the things that are lent, not given.
A thing that is lent may be taken away;
a thing that is given is not taken away.
Joy is given;
sorrow is lent.
We are not our own,
we are bought with a price.....
(Our sorrow) is lent us for just a little while
that we may use it for eternal purposes.
Then it will be taken away
and everlasting joy will be
our Father's gift to us,
and the Lord God will wipe away
all the tears from off all faces.

"Class Trip."

This spring we worked on a Canadian History unit. And we live right in the area of some of the battles of the war of 1812. Fort George (or "St. George" as Levi called it all day-I think he missed a lesson somewhere) was the destination! This actual fort has been restored. The staff there was great, answering many (and every) question. We saw a musket demontration, tried a cookie baked on an open fire (I wasn't running back for the recipe on that one!), and tried on some uniforms. Some of these are drummers, and from different armies! Then we were off to Queenston Heights for a picnic, and a climb up Brock Tower. A great day was had by all!

Sum...sum....summertime!

It's that time of the year again.....at least in this hemisphere! We are finished our schoolwork, and are excited to settle back and enjoy things such as........

Working hard in the gardens.....those hard working boys spreading mulch!

Trying on Oma's sunglasses!

Picnics at the park with family!

Trying out new summer recipes!

The pool is open and being used, cottage weeks are booked, summer "to-do" lists are being created, and all around enjoying a new season of God's creation.

Day at Brock Youth University.

These were the high-lights of our day! Jacob and Macayla on the high ropes course and the rock climbing wall. This third one is Macayla up at the top there (with the red helmet). She was able to choose between that part or lower on that bridge! Brave girl. She must take after me.....I also did that course later in the afternoon. A morning of team games, working together, enjoying the gorgeous sunny day.....and an afternoon "hanging" around with helmets and harnesses. Excuse me while I go and put the 17th layer of aloe vera on my neck!

"Usual Weirdness"

National Conference 2010: Download Promotional Material | CCEF

National Conference 2010: Download Promotional Material | CCEF

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We were able to attend the 2009 conference. What a blessing! We are aiming to go again this year......anyone want to have a Valk child(ren) in their home? :)

He calls himself "Bob."

-
Who said "Bob the Builder" needs a tool-belt?

THE POWER OF THE CROSS

O to see the dawn, of the darkest day;

Christ on the road to Calvary;

Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten then

nailed to a cross of wood.

O to see the pain written of Your face,

bearing the awesome weight of sin

Every better thought, every evil deed

crowning Your blood stained brow.

Now the daylight flees, Now the ground beneath

quakes as its Maker bows His head,

Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life

"Finished!" the victory cry.

O to see my name written in the wounds,

for through Your suffering I am free.

Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live,

won through Your selfless love!

This the power....of the cross....Christ became sin for us.

Took the blame, bore the wrath.

We stand forgiven at the cross.

Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

(This song was sung at our Homeschool Easter Program with a 50 children choir- Beautiful!)

Nieces.

We had a little photoshoot with all of the cousins, and these are two of my favourites! Cute,eh?

Hey Gideon, what happened?

"Fell off laaaddderrr!"

As Eric enjoys giving his arm some "fresh air," Gideon is happy to walk around the house with the arm brace, letting the world know what happened to him. Quite funny! Eric goes next week for a follow-up x-ray/appointment. Hopefully the brace goes, some physio for the wrist and we are on the way to full healing.

Lava.

Jacob has a new friend. A crested gecko. For many years, he has had quite the fasination with reptiles. He picked "the crested gecko" as a topic for a speech competition last fall. He has been researching and creating a habitat for months now. Believe me. We have been hearing about it quite thoroughly! So. This afternoon, he took the better part of all of his saved money and bought this little guy. Quite cute, actually, in a "mom doesn't want to touch" cute-kinda way.

With this many boys in the house, I've decided to embrace the extraordinary amount of mud, trucks, weapons, dirt-bikes.......and crawling creatures. Therefore....Meet "Lava" ("he"- too young to tell appartently) is the newest "member" of the family. If you are wondering he turns a brick red colour- hence the name. Cute-to look at.

Book.

A little book I recently read. I figure it took only about 1.5 to 2 hours to get through. Another read I recommend.

"What are you centered on?"

The author described these symptoms that arise from NOT being cross centered in your life:

* You often lack joy.

* You're not consistently growing in spiritual maturity.

* Your love for God lacks passion.

* You're always looking for some new technique, some "new truth" or new experience that will pull all the pieces of your faith together.

I think for many of us (including myself) we can, with honesty, see ourselves with many (or all) of these symptoms.

"Sometimes the most important truths are the easiest to forget. It's time to get back to the starting point of the Christian life- the cross of Christ. Jesus' work on your behalf must be the central motivation for your life and faith- the main thing. Never lay it aside, Never move on. Mahaney shows you how to center every day around the cross of Calvary and how to escape the pitfalls of legalism, condemnation and feeling-driven faith."

Sovereign Grace Ministries is currently have a great sale for the month of February, including this book. GREAT prices!

http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/

Only by His Grace....living at the Cross.

Identical 9 year olds!

We had a wonderful road-trip last week. Creation Museum, Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a splendid aquarium, and the world's largest Trail Museum. Those Americans know how to do it all BIG! We also celebrated Justin and Kadin's birthday while we were away. I went to the local grocery store to pick up a cake, so I can't take any creative credit for that one! We are thankful to the Lord for those boys....and pray that they will grow up to love and serve their Creator!