Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Hiding God's Word in Our Hearts

One of the things I have learned this past year is how necessary it is for Christ followers to memorize the Word of God. I am definitely still working on diligence in this area, but I have discovered that it is quite a rewarding and fun thing to do, actually!

When I first got serious about memorizing and meditating on God's Word, I started by making a list of verses that were especially liked or were helpful to me as I came upon them. Then, one at a time, I would memorize them (as I kept adding to the list).

This month I have tried a couple new things. One was memorizing 10 or so verses on a certain topic. I used a book called Light for My Path (which has verses organized by subject), and this month I memorized verses on brotherly love.

Another thing I started which I have really enjoyed is doing one chapter per month. For December I did (or am almost done with) Psalm 18. I must admit, lots of days it has been a real challenge to commit time to memorizing when I don't feel like it. God has really helped me though and over the past many months has been strengthening my memory (it really is a muscle!). I have tried to devote about 10-15 minutes from my quiet time in the morning plus about 10 minutes before going to sleep to memorizing... longer than I had originally expected, but it's worth it. :)

I think I'm going to do Psalm 103 for January. It is such a wonderful reminder of the great things God has done.

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits--
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:2-5

Would you like to share any memorizing techniques? :)

In Christ,
Marissa

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

It's Christmastime!

This week and last week we have had off of school to enjoy Christmas, spend time with family, and just relax and slow down a bit. I have a few pictures of things that we've been doing these last few days...

The kids got to sing in church a couple of weeks ago. They were so much fun to watch! :)

Of course, we have been playing in the snow! We went sledding at our neighbor's house yesterday.... that was a lot of fun!
Our friends new baby just arrived a few weeks ago and all of us have had lots of fun getting to see her!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season celebrating the Savior!

Blessings,
Marissa

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Questions..... and random facts :)

1. How do you spend your day?
Marissa:
Being home schooled, we are often flexible with our schedule, so of course every day is different (that's what makes life so interesting!)! At 8:30 we do Bible study as a family. After that, we do our "academic" schoolwork until around lunch time. Then after lunch we often something going on involving music (lessons, practices... etc.... although sometimes they're before lunch or later in the evening... it depends on the day.) :)
When we have extra time at home and everything that needs to be done is done... we like to work on projects (sewing, crocheting, knitting....), cook/bake, read, sing..... we love being home and doing things as a family.

2. Which missionary "hero" encourages you most in your faith and why?
Andrea:
Well...there are lots of extraordinary missionaries but I would have to say Brother Andrew is one of my favorites, because he had such faith in God as he smuggled Bibles .
Having complete faith and trust in God is something I often have trouble with, and Brother Andrew has encouraged me in this... so that's why he is one of my missionary hero's. :)


Hannah, we did not go to your friends' shop when we were in Sitka, but I'm pretty sure that our cousins did. We were in a different part of the city at the time.

Erin.... hopefully!!! We're definitely looking out that way! It would be VERY awesome if we lived closer!!!!!

We're going to try to think of three random Christmas facts about our family....

1. Our Christmas Eve tradition is to go to the Christmas Eve service at our church, come home and have a yummy Christmas Eve dinner, then the kids exchange gifts.
2. Our Christmas Eve tradition is going to be different this year! We're going to eat earlier, then the two of us will be at church from 4:30-8:00 to play in the services. We'll definitely still have a great Christmas Eve, though!
3. We have lots of fun each year going to a Christmas tree farm and cutting down our tree! Elaina is the official Christmas tree cutter of the family. haha :) She loves doing it!

We probably won't be back until after Friday... so HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!!!!

Luke 2:11-12
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

In Christ,
Marissa and Andrea

Friday, December 18, 2009

Tags and Awards

This took us so long to get around to! Sorry! Recently we were awarded/tagged by Hannah, Kelsey, and The Cowgirls (thanks, girls!), and we are just getting around to doing them. Instead of doing each one, we're going to use Jenna's idea () and answer 7 questions that anyone has. So let us know if there's anything you would like to know about us and we'll do out best!

In Christ,
~Marissa and Andrea~

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

What's been going on around here...

Lots! Today is the first day in a while that I have actually wondered, "What should I do now?". I have to laugh at myself because normally we are so busy with school, practicing instruments, lessons, everyday life..... and I so often wish I had more time to read, sew, cook.... etc. Now when I don't have anything that needs doing, I have to think about what I should do.....

Last Monday we had our winter orchestra concert.... I can't believe half the year is over already! The concert went pretty well though and was a lot of fun. :)

Yesterday Danielle, Mary and I did a Christmas harp trio at a nursing home. I hope the residents enjoyed it.... haha I think they did. :)




Right now I'm listening to Andrea play one of my favorite hymns on the piano. :)

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise the Thee.
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Alright, I think I've rambled enough for now.

Blessings!
Marissa

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Happy Birthday, Marissa!!

Today is Marissa's 16th Birthday and I just wanted to say how much I love her and how proud I am of her. She has been such a wonderful daughter, sister, friend and mentor. She has blessed my life in so many ways by being my best friend, my amazing sister, and my favorite person to laugh with, to sing with, to talk with, and to just be with. (: I love her very dearly and I am so glad she is my big sister!!

I love you, Marissa!!


In Christ,
~Andrea

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Giveaway at God's Daughter

Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you all know that Miss Raquel over at God's Daughter is having a giveaway for this book! So go check it out! :)
http://god-sdaughter.blogspot.com/


Wednesday, December 9, 2009

December ALREADY?

Wow, this year has really flown by for me! It has been such a fun year and although it has gone by really fast, a lot of great things have happened this year. :)

At the beginning of the year I made a list of 10 things (character qualities... etc.) I was going to work on for the next 12 months. It was looking at the list again this morning and it was very encouraging to realize that I actually have gotten better at many of them this year! :) Of course I still have lots to work on in probably all of those areas, but as I have seen, God is faithful to help me with each and every one!

Christmas is quickly approaching and before we know it 2009 will be over.... wow. Let's not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas as we celebrate the Savior's birth this month!

Have fun shining the light of Christ!

~M~
"When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way,
you will command the attention of the world."
-George Washington Carver

Saturday, December 5, 2009

First snow!


My crazy but awesome brother wearing shorts. :)
Oh dear, Seth. I think he had snow in his mouth or... something.


Sorry about the bad quality!

Anyway... the first snow is always very exciting!
~M~