September 1st!

So though summer isn't officially over yet,

 I'm SOOOO excited that it is September,

as it ushers in my favorite time of the year!

 

Summer has sure flown by with lots going on,

in a variety of ways. And we have so much to be thankful to God for!

 

"I will extol you, my God and King,
    and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you
    and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
    and his greatness is unsearchable."

Psalm 145:1-3 ESV

 

1.  We've really enjoyed having Papa Bob and Meemom here all summer,

and a wonderful visit from Papa and Grammie!

 

 "Their trust should be in God,

who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment."

1 Timothy 6:17 NLT

 

2. We were very blessed by lots of various trips, outings, visits, and social gatherings!

One of the fun visits from special friends we had this summer.

 

3.  Praise the Lord, we were able to purchase and store over 100 pounds of blueberries in the freezer!

 

"Taste and see that the Lord is good . . ."

Psalm 34:8

 

We ate quite a few in the process too! :-) 

Like in this blueberry Danish that Caroline made . . . .

Daddy, the biggest blueberry lover of them all, somehow ended up with a whole Danish! ;-)

 While the youngins had much smaller portions. ;-)
(The boys weren't so sure about this arrangement!)

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
 so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

4.  Ted recently received news that his position at work was being eliminated
in yet another merging/restructuring process. 

But the good news is,

that after nearly 30 years there, (and in the last few years,

developing and managing his department)

he was able to be demoted to a position beneath his current one! ;-) 

Indeed, we truly thank the Lord he will not end up being unemployed!

 

 "One generation shall commend your works to another,
    and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
    and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
    and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
    and his mercy is over all that he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
    and all your saints shall bless you!
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
    and tell of your power,
to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord is faithful in all his words
    and kind in all his works.
The Lord upholds all who are falling
    and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand;
    you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Psalm 145:4-16

 

5.  We are thankful that with this demotion,

 Ted can still work from home here in SW WA.

However, we're seeking the Lord's will as to what to do with our failing Internet speed,

 that is hindering the work from his home office.  

 (We are needing to consider a local move that would enable him to still work from home.)

 

 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phil. 4:6-7

 

5.  The Lord has definitely been filling our hearts and minds with His peace

through this time of uncertainty,

as well as faithfully providing other significant opportunities

for us to grow deeper in our reliance on Him.

We are so grateful that we can trust Him and rest in the fact that

He is always working all things together for our good

and for His glory! 

 

 "The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and kind in all his works.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
    he also hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord preserves all who love him,
    but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
    and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever."

Psalm 145:17-21

  

6.   Bowes Academy has started for the 2015-2016 school year!

We are so grateful to be able to homeschool!

 

 ". . . .being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Phil. 1:6

7.  The "Quads" are all being blessed in their various endeavors,

and we thank the Lord for that! 

 

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Ephesians 2:10

 

8.  We're still waiting on the Lord's perfect timing, will, and blessing in regards to filling our quiver with more souls that need a loving forever family and the saving knowledge of Him!

 

9.  Praise the Lord, Benjamin's dental infection that swelled up his face last week,

is subsiding.  He just needs to have one of his top, front baby teeth wiggled out this Thursday. 

(We'd be grateful for your prayers for this, too!) 

 

10.   Our family's fun-filled birthday season is upon us!

 

"This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24

 

We thank the Lord for each and every blessing He has abundantly bestowed

over the summer and into this next special time of year! 

Summer project - Rebuilding the tree fort!