thoughts....

Here I sit alone
Looking at this book
So oft here I sat
After God again I sook
But while looking for my Savior
I seem to find my woe
I look into my filthy heart
I'm black from head to toe
How could God love me?
Can I be free?
Did God choose such a worm from all eternity?
I could never deserve Him
Yet for me did Jesus die
He opens my foolish heart
And unblinded my blurried eyes
Look past yourself, your shame, your sin!
God is just and has always been
Yes, you were all filth and grime
But hearest not that sweeter chime?
By grace you have been saved through faith
Not of your own gain
But that gift of God, eternal life
Is that beautifully glorious strain
Be still, my heart, and know
That God is always nigh
Trust not in your futile strength,
But look to God on high!

Looking back and ahead

Looking back on Thanksgiving...

Our Thanksgiving Tree...everyday writing something I'm thankful for on a leaf and hanging it on the tree. Gathering with family and being thankful, what a blessing!

Looking ahead to Christmas...

Waiting expectantly this advent season for the coming of our Lord and Savior, the humble King, our God in flesh!

The snow is blowing around and the wind is whipping, but inside it's warm and inviting- it reminds me of life with Christ- the perils outside cannot penetrate into the warmth and comfort we have in Christ. (That was my feeble attempt of trying to make a metaphor.) So, wishing you all a Merry Christmas and all God's blessing for threw year!

Love,
madi

It's been awhile..

Yes, it's been almost a month, I know, but I've been busy! (You know, all those biology tests, history books, math quizzes, etc. not to mention reorganizing our garage, shall I continue?) Somehow I managed to mess up the blog layout, but those things can be fixed ;) Winter seemed like it had come, lots of snow and in the 30's, but fall decided it wanted another chance and came back with a warm 50 degrees! On another note, Robinson is growing so much, and is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. Here's a poem I wrote for him:

Life is such a blessing
A gift from God above
A joy enough to fill a heart
With peace and hope and love
The fresh sweet life that God has given
Life new and pure and sweet
The thought of new life and life eternal
Quickens the still heart's beat

O little life, O little child
Whose sweet smile brightens our day
We dedicate you to The Lord
The guide, our hope, your stay
He is the maker of your life
Of your eyes, feet, little hands
He's preparing a place for his people
Or rest on heaven's sands

And God bless you little one,
We pray He'll guide you there
And guide you to himself the Light
And heavens treasure rare
So thank you Lord, for this life
And life eternal in your Kirk
Give this child your favor, Lord
And in his precious life do a work.

Well, one of these days maybe I'll get my blogging life together and post more regularly, but for now-
God bless you!
~ madi

a poem and a picture..or two

Hey! I'm still alive- really. I thought I'd share this poem/hymn I put in my 'poem column' on my friend's blog. So here goes.

Since this month's theme was a daughter's role in the home, I thought I would a post this beautiful hymn about a Christian home.

A Christian Home by Barbara Hart, 1916

O give us homes built firm upon the Saviour,

Where Christ is Head, and Counsellor and Guide;Where ev'ry child is taught His love and favorAnd gives his heart to Christ, the crucified:How sweet to know that tho' his footsteps waverHis faithful Lord is walking by his side!

O give us homes with godly fathers, mothers,Who always place their hope and trust in Him;Whose tender patience turmoil never bothers,Whose calm and courage trouble cannot dim;A home where each finds joy in serving others,And love still shines, tho' days be dark and grim.

O give us homes where Christ is Lord and Master,The Bible read, the precious hymns still sung Where prayer comes first in peace or in disaster,And praise is natural speech to ev'ry tongue;Where mountains move before a faith that's vaster,And Christ sufficient is for old and young.

O Lord, our God, our homes are Thine forever!We trust to Thee their problems, toil, and care;Their bonds of love no enemy can severIf Thou art always Lord and Master there:

Be Thou the center of our least endeavor:

Be Thou our Guest, our hearts and homes to share.

I'm always convicted by those phrases; 'a home where each finds joy in serving others, and love still shines though days be dark and grim.' What a beautiful picture of a godly home! Christ sufficient is for old and young is another one. Those are just a few of the verses that really stuck out to me, and were an encouragement to me. What about you? What challenged/ stuck out to you in this poem? I hope you enjoyed it. God bless you and be with you as you continue to make Him the center of your least endeavor, and strive to glorify Him. 

~ you sister in Christ, Madi

(p.s.) sorry the verses are typed so weird!) 






Secondly, here's a few pictures from what we've been up to lately...

 me (right ;) and my friend Elisabeth at the Mother-Daughter Tea

our whole group (minus Robinson) Mrs. T., Elisabeth, me, Nonni and Mom. that's the new dress I made... looks better without the coat on! 

okay, there's Robinson at his first (and last :) Mother/Daughter Tea

the tea and the messages we heard from Mrs. Stacy McDonald were amazing! (I hope we get the CD's!)

I just HAD to post this. boy the CDA resort has some good dessert! (of course the finger sandwhiches were good, too.) and the fellowship was absolutely wonderful!

this was awhile ago, but oh well. that's Lexie, me, Autumn, Molly and Livi('s back :)

Autumn, Molly and Lexie. too cute.

A giveaway!

I know it has been a long time since I posted...but I thought you might want to check out this giveaway and announcement of Sarah Bryant's (KBR ministries) new book! Check it out here.
Blessings,
madi

Standing in need...

"Sinful man stands in need, not of inducements,or assistance to save himself, but precisely of saving; Jesus Christ has come not to advise, or urge, or woo, or help him to save himself, but to save him."
~ Dr. Warfield

today's morning 'devotions'

Morning, September 6

“In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”
— Philippians 2:15

We use lights to make manifest. A Christian man should so shine in his life, that a person could not live with him a week without knowing the gospel. His conversation should be such that all who are about him should clearly perceive whose he is, and whom he serves; and should see the image of Jesus reflected in his daily actions. Lights are intended for guidance. We are to help those around us who are in the dark. We are to hold forth to them the Word of life. We are to point sinners to the Saviour, and the weary to a divine resting-place. Men sometimes read their Bibles, and fail to understand them; we should be ready, like Philip, to instruct the inquirer in the meaning of God’s Word, the way of salvation, and the life of godliness. Lights are also used for warning. On our rocks and shoals a light-house is sure to be erected. Christian men should know that there are many false lights shown everywhere in the world, and therefore the right light is needed. The wreckers of Satan are always abroad, tempting the ungodly to sin under the name of pleasure; they hoist the wrong light, be it ours to put up the true light upon every dangerous rock, to point out every sin, and tell what it leads to, that so we may be clear of the blood of all men, shining as lights in the world. Lights also have a very cheering influence, and so have Christians. A Christian ought to be a comforter, with kind words on his lips, and sympathy in his heart; he should carry sunshine wherever he goes, and diffuse happiness around him.

Gracious Spirit dwell with me;
I myself would gracious be,
And with words that help and heal
Would thy life in mine reveal,
And with actions bold and meek
Would for Christ my Saviour speak.


From Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon

~ madi

'photography'?

I thought I'd share some of the pictures I've taken recently- photography if you could even call it that. =)

(With a little editing ;) SO here ya go.

*** forgot to add this quote from the book ' Just Irish' (Charles Battell Loomis, 1911)***

             " The poor man never knows the cares and responsibilities that beset the man of wealth, 

                and the man without a Kodak does not know how keen is the disappointment  of a picture missed - be the cause what it may."

 (this one is a little blurred in some parts )': oh well.

until next time,

~ madi

another adventure on the journey

Introducing Robison Valor! He was born at 11:40 yesterday morning and weighs 7lbs 14oz and 21 inches. Long story short, the midwife did not get to our house in time and I ended up being the only one there to help when he was born, because Dad was teaching at church! The midwife got there soon after, and made sure Mom and babe were okay. I was really nervous but had been at Owen and Olivia's births- and everything went great. (Dad got home after everything was cleaned up and ready to go! He did take me out though- and I was kinda glad I forgot to ask for decaf on the carmel macchiato : ) 'Robin' is so adorable and has really cute dark hair (so far), he has quite a bit of hair too! I am so excited to have (another) little brother! 5 brothers are going to take a lot of energy though. Thanks to the friends and family who have come to visit, brought meals, prayed for us, etc. you're such a blessing! 

The lad himself- this picture doesn't do him justice ; )

Robinson and yours truly

Danek, Owen, and 'Robin'

Can't believe fall is almost here and school is starting soon! Hope you all have a great holiday weekend!

~ madi

better late than never

okay so i have not posted in a month...i've been a little occupied, but it's better late than never to post  right? here's some pictures from the past month...

here's Olivia on the 4th of July...

(r) Olivia and Mollie C.

delivering phonebooks has been quite an experience! it was hard work (most the time :) but we mostly enjoyed it. you can see we had our van pretty full... we delivered over 1500.

 a funny picture of Livi...isn't she cute?                     

(top) Aiden at the warehouse (where we picked up the books)

Olivia at the park

                                             

 Danny showing his targets at the shooting range :)

and last but not least some pictures of my handsome cowboy Owen =)

(i took these outside church on Sunday morning. isn't he the cutest? -i mean handsomest, cowboys aren't 'cute'.)

Olivia, our friend Ivan, and Owen.

                                               
SO there is a quick update.....maybe i won't take such a long break next time ;)
~madi