In my devotion time I picked up a book that I had previously put down for a long while. Now, I'm not sure why I ever put it down! It's the Busy Mom's Guide to Bible Study by Lisa Whelchel and I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it and just how much I learned by reading it.

The exercise for the day was one of my choice. I could read the Scripture aloud and emphasize one word at a time, choose a Topical Study, or use the Dictionary to re-define words and make the passage more clear.

I chose the Dictionary. I enjoy this exercise. It is interesting to me how the understanding of a verse can change slightly when the words are pulled out further.

The verse to practice this on was John 14:6.

"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

I looked up nine of the words and then tried to put it all together in some meaningful way! It is a little clunky but here it is.

Jesus spoke with authority to him, "I have been and always will be the only path and manner of living, an established fact, in addition to the principle or force that underlies the distinctive qualities of animate objects. Not anyone arrives or appears to the Creator of the Universe but by way of me."




I highly recommend this book and am thinking of trying out some of her other books. But not until after camp!

Scenery

The Candy Parade

We went to the parade for our county fair sometime in the last two weeks! (I really can't remember exactly when it was) The older three had been to parades before, but the youngest hadn't.

She was sooo surprised when they started throwing candy to her. She picked up her first few pieces and then turned around to us with the biggest eyes and said, "This is a Candy Parade!" It was magical to watch.

And also funny watching them scramble for candy!!



I NEVER get tired of seeing this. It fills me with pride and reminds me of the freedoms I have as an American but also the freedoms I have as a believer in Christ.



Nana and the girls waiting for the Parade to start.



Some of the Patriot Guard rode in the parade. They are an amazing group of people that I respect very much. And it just so happens that this couple are related to my dh!



Swimming earlier in the day -check, sunburn-check, dehydration from not listening to your mother about drinking more water-check. :(




waiting...



She fell. There were witnesses. Right, Dad/Grandpa Don?? ;)



This is the same kid who had terrible road rash on her leg from crashing her bike. Got a cool scar from the first one, we'll have to wait and see if she gets a scar from this one too!




My dh had been getting me flowers lately. First it was Garbera Daisies. Love them. Next, it was sunflowers. Adore them. thanks honey :)



Just because I love pictures of feet! :-D

Fourth of July

Every year we go camping in my mom's backyard for the 4th. We have a ball!

Here are some pics fo the weekend. There are many more, too many to post them all! :)



I thought this was a good one to start with! Doesn't he look awesome? ;)



This is my mom's dog. It is the same one as before only now, she is a small horse!!



Again with the handsome guy. :D




She insisted on wearing goggles even though they were too small. No permanent damage was done.



My mom won this car at a Fourth of July celebration when I was 4 years old. It is so much fun to be able to share it with the next generation. So many good memories of our Grandpa sitting on the back while we drove.





Sometimes all the activity is just too much and someone will fall asleep where they sit!



It rained. Hard. There was standing water in the tent and all the beds and bedding were soaked! Thank goodness for the shop-vac.




Saturday night we had a talent night and handed out prizes. David was VERY excited to get his 'treasures'!!!




The camping crew plus one. Our friend Lisa came for a night to have her first camping experience. What a way to get broken into camping!!!

Pretty pictures!!

Okay, this one is not pretty, per se. But I told Donna that laundry looked more artsy in black and white, so this one is for her!

Hard Lessons

Yesterday, we had an incident occur that was hard on us as parents and on our oldest dd. Our oldest is 11 yo and has an email account. We monitor it and keep tight control on who is on her email list. However, this day I hadn't seen the emails that had come through and our dd forwarded an email to her entire list without reading it first. ugh

What to deal with first? She sent the email to her dad and I and when we read it, we were appalled. It was violent and awful. Absolutely not something we would want her to read and definitely not something we would want her to send to other people.

We talked with her about it and she told us that she had not read it and sat down to send out an apology to everyone. Then we made her read it so that she would know what she had subjected others to. She was crying and apologizing. Next we made her type up another more detailed apology email to everyone explaining what she had done and asking for forgiveness.

But that's not all. She had several friends on her list that are irl friends and we had her call them personally to apologize to their parents. She then had to call two sets of Grandparents and an Aunt that she had sent it to to apologize. It was agonizing to watch her struggle through the humiliation and embarrassment as she admitted her failure.

Everyone she has talked to has been gracious and loving. We are blessed to have such friends to help guide our children in this walk with the Lord. Hopefully, we will not have this issue come up again. Some things are changing and some privileges will be lost, but hopefully she will grow and become a better person because of this.

CYT

Our second oldest went to theatre camp this summer. While it wasn't what she was expecting and she was a little disappointed, she had fun and met some new friends. :)

Here are some pics from that night.


I took this picture looking out the passenger window looking backward! Robin is leaning out and taking a picture of me at the same time!!!



I just thought this phrase was funny!




Okay, here are the pics of the show. I know, I know, the pictures are bad. I just couldn't get my camera to do what I wanted it to. :(