About Shanda

wife, mom of seven, friend, child of God

God's very good creation

Posted on July 13, 2007 by Shanda

(little but very colorful bug that I found while photographing the sunflower)

Good (adjective):

Of a favorable character or tendency

bountiful, fertile

handsome, attractive

suitable, fit

not depreciated

that can be relied on

profitable, advantageous

agreeable, pleasant

salutary, wholesome

amusing, clever

considerable, full, well-founded, cogent

true, honorable

adequate, satisfactory

choice

virtuous, right, commendable

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1:31

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Hope everyone enjoys their day today! It’s friday and I’m looking forward to relaxing (can I do that, I wonder?) after a very busy couple of weeks. I’m tired! (and my baby is “2” now, need I say more???)

Posted on July 12, 2007 by Shanda

There is nothing that will make you a Christian indeed, but a taste of the sweetness of Christ. Samuel Rutherford

(I love that quote!–Samuel Rutherford is wonderful to read–he is such a good example of someone who loved Christ with all his heart, soul, and mind)

I wanted to share another one of my favorite hymns. We sang this one in church on Sunday. I took the sunflower pictures in my garden this week–our first bloomed sunflower of the season.

Oh for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise,

The Glories of my God and King, the triumphs of His grace.

My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim,

To spread through all the earth abroad, the honors of Thy name.

Jesus! The name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease;

‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears, ’tis life, and health, and peace.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ;

Ye blind, behold your Saviour come; and leap, ye lame, for joy.

He breaks the pow’r of canceled sin, He sets the pris’ner free;

His blood can make the foulest clean;

His blood availed for me.

Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

hunting for frog, a tale of misguided youth

Posted on July 10, 2007 by Shanda

This is Patches. She is a young feline. She is hunting.

Yes, frog legs are considered a delicacy in some circles.

But, Patches’ family is quite shocked over her recent uncontrollable taste for Frog. It is something no decent cat should do.

It is spoken of in hushed tones. Her mother tried her best to get her to change her ways. “Think of your family! Think of your future prospects! Just look at what has happened to your pretty fur, disgraceful!”

Alas, Patches listened respectfully but decided to go her own way, back to the stream. There are frogs to catch down there.

The desire is strong and apparently we’ll just have to wait and see. Will she continue to hunt for amphibians? Only time will tell.

The frog you see in the photos lived to tell of his near demise. I have heard rumor that the frog community is quietly plotting revenge.

Guess who is 2?

Posted on July 9, 2007 by Shanda

Trying to hold up two fingers:

He’s usually with some kind of train . .

Today is Caleb’s birthday

He’s enriched my life abundantly . . .

Today we’re remembering all the good times.

And looking forward to many more.

“Oh, dear Lord, save our boy’s soul when he’s old enough to understand.

Grow him up to be a man

after your own heart.

May He love you with

his whole heart,

and find all his delight

in You.”

Amen

Just for fun: go here to see last year’s birthday.

lots of photos

Posted on July 7, 2007 by Shanda

My brother and his wife have been here since Tuesday night.

On Thursday, our friends Matt and Laura visited us.

On Friday we got our puppy.

Things have been busy, but it’s been a happy kind of busy–reconnecting with family and friends and adopting a new puppy.

I’ve taken a lot of pictures, hope you enjoy them!

Nathan and his family:

Here are some pictures of our visit with Matt and Laura. Matt lived in the area during a couple of summers (I think 2003/2004). We had him over to our house almost every week for dinner and he became like family to us. Matt and Rich love to run together and Matt is a wonderful, godly young man who is studying to be a Pastor. Last fall he married Laura and they live in Michigan. This was our first visit since last summer. We had so much fun and they stayed until almost 1 in the morning!!!!

Jake and E have their own bow and arrow sets now, the real thing! Matt is holding Rich’s bow.

I grabbed the camera quick to take this one. Caleb was feeling frisky after dinner:

We did our 4th of July sparklers on the 5th because of rain:

New Puppy:

Melissa and I went shopping the other day and I bought these NEW DISHES:

This china was all made by Homer Laughlin Co., the maker of my favorite FIESTA dishes. I bought these at an antique store for half price:

And here is the latest FIESTA color, EVERGREEN:

Last, but not least, I also collect china with violets on it and found this set at an antique store. They were half off—only 7.50!

Thank you for looking at my pictures. I hope you all have a nice weekend!

To fill the hour – that is happiness. Ralph Waldo Emerson

meet puppy Parker:

Posted on July 6, 2007 by Shanda

Here is the newest member of our family, our little dog PARKER.

Posted on July 4, 2007 by Shanda

Happy 4th of July!

My brother Nathan and his wife are here with their baby daughter.

We are grilling chicken spiedies later and we’re also having orange jello salad,

a big cake, baked beans, corn on the cob, deviled eggs, potato salad, chips, soda.

My sister Amanda and her family are coming, too.

Thanking God today for our country!

EDIT*****

Okay, dinner’s long over, everyone is STUFFED, Amanda and Jason went home with their girls.

Now I have some time (while the others watch “CARS”) to add the rest of Makayla’s photos:

Posted on July 3, 2007 by Shanda

“Take time to be holy, take time with your Lord;

Abide in Him always, and feed on his Word.

Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak.

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.”

“Take time to be holy, the world rushes on.

Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.

By looking to Jesus, like Him you will be;

Your friends who are watching His likeness will see.”

“Take time to be holy, let Him be your guide,

And run not before Him, whatever betide;

In joy or in sorrow, still follow your Lord,

And, looking to Jesus, still trust in his word.”

*Written by William D. Longstaff (1822-1894)

“”That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection.” Philippians 3:10

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21

Throughout the day I think of Christ and how much I love Him and need him, how much my soul longs for Him. There are times when I would love to be deserted on a island with nothing but my Bible.

There are so many distractions in my life.

However, we always make time for the things we love.

For instance, I love to read, so I read.

I love photography, so I take pictures.

I love my family, so I spend time with them.

I love Christ, so . . . . . . . . .oh, that I might love Him more.

“For to me, to live is CHRIST” Philippians 1:21