“Thou art fairer than the children of men.”

I thought I would share this quote with you- let me know what you think!



“Thou art fairer than the children of men.” 
— Psalm 45:2

The entire person of Jesus is but as one gem, and his life is all along but one impression of the seal. He is altogether complete; not only in his several parts, but as a gracious all-glorious whole. His character is not a mass of fair colours mixed confusedly, nor a heap of precious stones laid carelessly one upon another; he is a picture of beauty and a breastplate of glory. In him, all the “things of good repute” are in their proper places, and assist in adorning each other. Not one feature in his glorious person attracts attention at the expense of others; but he is perfectly and altogether lovely. 

Oh, Jesus! thy power, thy grace, thy justice, thy tenderness, thy truth, thy majesty, and thine immutability make up such a man, or rather such a God-man, as neither heaven nor earth hath seen elsewhere. Thy infancy, thy eternity, thy sufferings, thy triumphs, thy death, and thine immortality, are all woven in one gorgeous tapestry, without seam or rent. Thou art music without discord; thou art many, and yet not divided; thou art all things, and yet not diverse. As all the colours blend into one resplendent rainbow, so all the glories of heaven and earth meet in thee, and unite so wondrously, that there is none like thee in all things; nay, if all the virtues of the most excellent were bound in one bundle, they could not rival thee, thou mirror of all perfection. Thou hast been anointed with the holy oil of myrrh and cassia, which thy God hath reserved for thee alone; and as for thy fragrance, it is as the holy perfume, the like of which none other can ever mingle, even with the art of the apothecary; each spice is fragrant, but the compound is divine. 

“Oh, sacred symmetry! oh, rare connection
Of many perfects, to make one perfection!
Oh, heavenly music, where all parts do meet
In one sweet strain, to make one perfect sweet!”

~ C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, June 21

Isn't that beautiful? I think I don't realize enough the holiness of Jesus! He is pure light, and in Him is no darkness at all. How different we are! I have been learning so much this week! If you have the opportunity, try to listen to R.C Sproul's sermon on The Holiness of God, it really got me thinking, and thankful! (Thanks for bearing with my spur of the moment post- maybe I'll post a more organized post next time!)

Soli Deo Gloria,
God bless you all!
~Madi

Pictures, Anyone?

I'm back! With a few pictures, too. We took a wonderful 'family vacation' to Seattle at the end of April while we went to the Christian Heritage Homeschool Conference. We had a great time learning from the great messages the speakers gave. Voddie Baucham, Allen Wolfe, S.M. Davis and many more speakers were there, including Mr. Craig, who is the CH Chorale Director {I had SO much fun singing in the chorale this year!} We also went to the zoo and LEGO store on this trip- we had a blast! It was especially fun to have Grandpa come with us this year, too! Here are a few pictures, (there's many more but I did'nt want to put the other 100 I took on the blog- takes too long to upload =) Enjoy. 

 On the road

 A bit chilly on the Snoqaumie pass!

 The LEGO store. (Owen, Liam, Danek)

 Some silly pictures from breakfast at the hotel!

 At the Woodland Park Zoo!  (Liam and Danek)

We saw some great animals! (Yep. Just what I was thinking- he's nuts.) 

 Sometimes I feel like putting a picture of our house there!

Owen on the tractor

Owen and Nonni with Mom & Livi (stroller) in the background

Livi =)

Grizzlies!

Who knew it could take so long to get one decent photo?

Praise God for such a great trip!!!

~Madi

Monumental In Theaters Tuesday!

I'm so excited! Monumental is in theaters this tuesday only! If you are able to go see this movie, I would encourage you to, we will (Lord-willing) be going to see it. 

More updates and fun pictures later, but for now-

Blessings to you all,

Madi

With her Lord

In Loving Memory

"Grandma"Kathy Lyerla

July 10th 1949 - February 25 2012

   
                                                 Funeral held on Friday, March 2nd at 4 o'clock
                               Calvary Chapel Spokane 511 West Hastings Road, Spokane, Wa 99218

                                                              We love you Grandma!

A few fun pictures!

 Here are a couple fun pictures from our special time with Uncle Joe and family! (Sorry I don't have any of Aunt Cathy or Jackson!) We had so much fun and miss you guys!

                                                              Danek and Eleanor

                                       Owen, Eleanor, Danek (and the back of Olivia's head :)

                                                       Aiden, Jackson and Uncle Joe

                                                                     

                                                                      ...Eleanor!

                                                          Liam, Danek, Owen, and Eleanor

                                                                     Owen and Eleanor

....I didn't have very many pictures, { :( } but there's a few for ya. Love & miss you guys!
-Madi

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! (and other topics)

...sadly though, it's a little late for that. So over here at the Lyerla's house it was in the 40's but now it's in the upper teens and snowing like crazy! Well anyway, I'm just going to let you know I probably won't get to post much (like I have been :) ) for a while, as I'm helping out a lot around the house extra because my mom has morning sickness. (Yes you read that right! #7 :) ) But I just wanted to encourage you to check out:
aholyexperience.com. You can find many encouraging posts, and a challenge to take the Joy Dare and record 1000 things you're thankful for in 2012! (don't we all need to be more thankful?)
And last but not least, thank you cousins Eli and Jack (and Uncle Joe and Aunt Cathy) for the fantastic time visiting! We will miss you!
And another last but not least, Happy 4th birthday Henry!
In Him,
Madi

Idols?

Our family has just started the book, "Peacemaking for Families" by Ken Sande. Tonight's chapter was on idolatry. We usaully think of idols as wooden or metal statues worshipped by pagans. And though we might 'know' that anything can be an idol, we can sometimes deny that we are 'that kind of person'. And often we deny that what are really idols in our hearts, are really idols. Here are a few questions that challenged me to check for idols in my own heart.
1. What am I preoccupied with? (What do I think about when I wake up and go to sleep?)
2. (Fill in the blank) If only ________ then I would be happy, fulfilled, and secure.
3. What do I want to preserve or avoid?
4. Where do I put my trust?
5. What do I fear?
6. When a certain desire isnt met, do I feel frustration, anxiety, resentment, bitterness, anger, or depression?
7. Is there something I desire so much that I am willing to disappoint or hurt others in order to have it?

Two other things I learned, are 1) idols don't have to be bad desires to be bad, and 2) idolatry is something that happens when we're not fully satisfied with God.
The good side? God offers forgiveness and the power to overcome these sins, if we will repent and turn to him!...Well these are just a few scattered thoughts that I've tried to put into words, but I hope they at least gave you a general idea :)
I pray God will bless today and all this next week to all of you!
-Madi

There is room in my heart for Thee!

These two verses are from one of my favorite hymns, "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne", and I just thought I'd share them...

Heavens arches rang
When the angels sang
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth Didst Thou come to earth
And in great humility.
O come to my heart Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee!

When the heav'ns shall ring
And the angels sing
At Thy coming to victory
Let thy voice call me home, saying "yet there is room
There is room at my side for thee"
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me!

- Emily E.S. Elliott

The Dishwasher's Prayer

The Dishwasher’s Prayer
By Elise Hooper

As I begin my morning chore, and dishes start to clink,
I ask that You would join me here next to the kitchen sink.
I’m feeling cross and kind of rushed–there’s so much here to do!
This job is never ending and there’s sweeping to do, too!
When all my heart cries out against this work I do each day,
I pray that You would bless me in a very special way.
Grant me a smile as I begin, infuse my heart with joy!
Guide me as I clear the plates and wash where little boys
Left fingerprints for me to wipe and crumbs to sweep away.
May I remember as I serve my loved ones every day
That You began this fine display of service to your friends
And most of all, you serve me, too, and your work never ends.
Today as I am standing here, my hands in sudsy water,
I’m thinking of a time when I’ll be standing with my daughter.
Shall I be cross and pouty then? For surely she will see
That Mama has a sour face and she will mimic me.
Shall I wish to be somewhere else? Or shall I sweetly do
The work my family makes for me? Oh, yes, I’ll serve them too.
So as I wrap my apron round and put away the food
I pray that You would sit and rest and let me serve You, too.
For I know when I do these things for those surrounding me,
I’m also doing them for You. Ah! You have helped me see.


I really like this poem! I need to memorize it and recite it while I'm washing dishes :)


Well Happy New Years soon!
- Madi

Christmas baking

We've had lots of fun lately with making Christmas gifts, shopping, etc. but especially liked decorating a gingerbread house, and making/decorating lots of spritz cookies! Here is a sample of our work : )

Have a very merry Christmas! God bless you!

~Madi