Birthday Girl

5 Years Old- Amazing Girl that we just adore!

Photo Credit: Peter Bang, very talented, very godly man.

Grieving

Our dear friends, Dave & Heather's 5 week old daughter, Aliva, went to be with the Lord this past Sunday evening. She was a beautiful little girl that is dearly loved by her family and friends. It is a time of immeasurable grief for them. Please keep them in your prayers in the days and months and years ahead.

My other dear friend Kriscinda, whose son Micah has been with Jesus over a year posted this link on her blog. I thought it was so excellent I wanted to post it here.

And to keep our eyes upward through is time:

How firm a foundation you saints of the Lord
is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He has said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed;
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters
I call you to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow.
For I will be with you,
your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes.
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”

Aliva with her two big sisters.

October 31st Events

Every year our church hosts a Harvest Party on October 31st. It is a nice event for young kids, they get to dress up and there are lots of games all over the church and you win candy as a prize just for playing. A few months ago I heard they might not have so I started thinking of ways the kids could dress up and bless other people, instead of just receiving candy. One idea I had was to go to a nursing home and give out presents to the people there. It turns out there is a Senior Day Center right down the street from us, connected to the county library. So yesterday the kids dressed up in their costumes and we went to visit the people at the Senior Center and give out candy to them. The Dabbs joined us and it was a lot of fun. We all really enjoyed being able to visit with the Seniors and the kids loved chasing down every person they could find to give them candy, stickers and crafts. I had my camera but totally forgot to take pictures while we were there. I did take some at the library though and then later at the Harvest Party (which did actually take place).

I made this dress for Karis a few years ago and though it was pretty big on her Mercia dressed up as a prairie girl. Her hair was in braids for about 10 minutes, when she discovered it.



This year I made a Williamsburg Colonial Girl Dress for Karis. Jotham was a fireman. That morning he wanted to be a bear but since I didn't have any fur on hand I couldn't make a new costume for him.


The Harvest Party is great for Jotham, lots of throwing.

I just loved Mercia in her bonnet.

Articles

Al Mohler has an excellent article to consider on the issue of Abortion. When I watch movies like Amazing Grace (about William Wilberforce) I am reminded that there is always perseverance needed to fight for what is good. In the days of Wilberforce, for fought against slavery, white people did not consider black people to be human. They justified the great sin of slavery by declaring the victim not worthy of consideration. In our day, the issue of abortion is no different. The great sin of abortion is justified by declaring the unborn child not a life. I pray our nation, our world, can change its view so that it can change its practice, but until then I feel we must stand for those who cannot stand for themselves.

Honesty

Years ago I read and enjoyed a series of science fiction books by Orson Scott Card. My Mom recently sent me this link to an article he wrote just a few weeks back. He is a democrat and I think you'll find this article to be refreshingly honest but also somewhat concerning about the state of journalism in our country.

Pumpkin Picking

A few weeks back we went pumpkin picking as a family. This year we tried a new farm, Gaver's in Mt.Airy. My neighbor had recommended it and we were not disappointed. We only did the pumpkin picking part but for $5 you can go into their fall festival which has animals, corn mazes (both little and small), big slides, and lots of other fun things. Next year we'll probably plan on going to the fall festival we just didn't have time the day we went. A few photos from our family time.

In the pumpkin barn, which you go through on your way in and out, they have a big sand box filled with hard Indian corn (instead of sand). I couldn't get over how much my kids loved playing in this. I think they would have stayed in it for hours.


A little pumpkin patch photo shoot.

Later that night we carved pumpkins, ate pumpkin pie and drank pumpkin nog (which was yummy).

The Lowe Family

As many of you are aware, the Lowe family has been going through quite a trial over the last few years, and more specifically the last few months. Matt had recent surgery to remove a brain tumor, but is still dealing with the effects. With medical costs adding up, we are seeking to do all we can to help them out with medical bills. Matt and Helen have 5 wonderful children, and are expecting their 6th child in late November.

This coming Monday, October 27th, friends of the Lowes will be hosting a fundraiser in their honor at the Greene Turtle Restaurant in Columbia, MD. The Greene Turtle will be giving 10% of the all the proceeds for the entire day back to Matt and Helen. So simply coming in and having lunch or dinner will help in the fundraiser. In addition, we will be having a raffle throughout the day to raise more money for them. The gifts range from restaurant gift cards, a framed redskins jersey, golf packages, Wii bundle package and photography packages.

The location of the Columbia Greene Turtle is 8872 McGaw Road, Columbia, MD 21045. The Greene Turtle has a large restaurant area that is family friendly, so feel free to bring the family. Matt and Helen will be there for most of the day, and I know they would love to see you all there!

If you have any questions about this fundraiser, please contact Dave at Dbrewer@covlife.org.

Hope to see you there!