A friend

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.


Are we loving at ALL times?

10 good uses of the time God's given you

I know that most of the time we are running crazily and not at a loss for things to do (especially you homeschoolers with a lot of siblings :D). That's usually the case for me. Once in a while though, I will have time when things are done and I just am not sure what to do! Later I realize that there are tons of things I could and should have done and wonder why I couldn't see it. :) I decided to make a list of worthwhile things to do whether I feel like I don't know what to do or just feel like I'm not using my time wisely. If any of you have this problem ever, I hope this helps you as well! :)

1) Build into the lives of your siblings
Some ideas: Play a game with them, do a creative art project, make a fort, bake something, write them an encouraging note, take a walk.... etc.

2) Bible reading, study, meditation and prayer
This is an obvious one that we sometimes put off or just leave it because "we already did that today". I'm pretty sure you can't have too much of any of these. :)

3) Ask one of your parents or siblings if they need help with any of their responsibilities (and help them). :)

4) Read
What a wonderful and fun way to learn so many different things!

5) Cooking and baking
This is not only fun and improves your skills, but the results can also be a blessing to your family, neighbors, or...... pretty much anyone! :)

6) Write a letter
Don't you love getting letters in the mail? So does almost everyone else! God will often place someone on your heart that may need encouragement, or just pick someone you know. :) Whether it's just a few sentences saying you're thinking about them or a 5-page letter, people really appreciate you taking the time to write to them and it makes them feel special. :)

7) Work on a nursing home ministry
Spend some time preparing a few songs for you and your siblings to share. People LOVE this! Also, make sure you spend some time talking with the residents if you do this. They especially love seeing families together. :)

8) Use any homemaking skills you have learned
Sewing, knitting, crocheting (there are so many more)...
Make a baby blanket or find another neat pattern and make it for someone else or for your family.

9) Spend time learning or practicing an instrument
It's 1% talent/skill and 99% hard work. :)

10) Get extra responsibilities done
For example: tomorrow's schoolwork, pick up your bedroom... things that don't need to be done now, but you might as well get them done while you have time!

There are so many more worthwhile ways to spend your time, but here are a few ideas. :) Try making your own list to use when you need it! Any ideas you'd like to add to this list?

Let's be set-apart and use God's time wisely! It's so sad to see the way so many teenagers waste their (God's) time. These are some of the most important years of our life and we can do so many things to serve God right now!

~Marissa

Andrea's new blog

Hey everyone!

Andrea started a photography blog! Check it out My Father's World Photography at:
mfwphotography.blogspot.com

She loves glorifying God through taking pictures, so we decided that she would start her own blog, and I'll keep posting on this one. :)

Enjoy!

Blessings,
Marissa

On the farm

Andrea and I enjoyed watching Ian attempting to lead the sheep the other day. They're getting pretty strong, but so is he, as he proved! :)

Ian was so happy when he finally was able to get him all the way across the pasture! :)
"Touch the post!!!"
He did it! :) haha

What a happy little boy... he's such a joy to be around!

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
John 4:13-14


Serving the King,
Marissa

Buddies :) ... and other random pictures

A few mornings ago I went to get my brothers up and found them snuggled up together in Seth's bed. :) I'm so glad my brothers have each other and that they're best friends (even though they have their arguments)!

Other pictures from this month:

Lilacs

Andrea trying to get the cat to cooperate. :)

That's all for now. :) We're getting ready to leave for Andrea's second-to-last soccer game.....

In Christ,
Marissa

4-H cake decorating-meeting #2

Last night was our second 4-H cake decorating meeting. I'm having SO much fun learning and getting to try different things on these cakes. :) We still have lots of things to learn but I thought I'd post the cakes we've done.

This is mine from yesterday:

And here's Elaina's:

I hope everyone is having a great week! We're getting lots of rain here.... good for the yard! :) We got bees a few days ago though and they're not doing so well with the colder weather. Oh well, the sun will come back soon! :)

Blessings,
Marissa

Creation Vacation!

I'm finally getting around to posting about the Creation Museum. :) We had SUCH a fun trip! Andrea took lots of pictures... :)

This one is out of order... sorry.

Okay, from the beginning!

It was about a five hour drive from here. Not bad, but Seth got tired on the way there. We ALL got tired on the way home. :)

This is for the Calhouns. :)

Umm... Andrea was... having fun during the drive.

We stayed at a campground about 20 minutes from the museum. It was beautiful!

Thank you, Uncle Tom and Aunt Robbie for going with us! We had so much fun with you!

We walked down to the Ohio River and took lots of pictures.

My brothers are the best! :)

Finally.... at the Creation Museum!

A miniature Noah's ark. It was so neat!

And.... a bigger one. :)

What an awesome and encouraging place! I'm so glad we were finally able to go check it out. :) It really encouraged me to learn more about creationism and defending my faith. Don't just believe it, live it and share it!

Our God is an AWESOME God!

~Marissa