The Inspire! Conference Coming to Connecticut and New Hampshire!

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Sarah

We are excited to share dates for two upcoming conferences:

June 7-8th, Southington, Connecticut
June 14-15th, Manchester Area, New Hampshire

We’d love to have you attend. Here’s a note from a family who came to Steinbach.

“Thank you all for coming to Canada and for your obedience to the Lord in all you do!! Our whole family was truly blessed by yours!! My husband had started leading a time in the Word (much to my delight), and the kids are looking for ways to bless each other. They are also speeding through the Moody books and sharing the stories with me as they go. Our 10 hour drive was well worth it!! Thank you, thank you, and God bless your family abundantly!!”

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord of one mind.“
Philippians 2:2

The Expo!

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Sarah

Friday afternoon, after a smooth load-in at the Expo, we drove over to the church where the evening’s sessions were held. Uriah is such a blessing. He is home-sweet-home in whatever place we park. We are grateful for the Lord’s provision.

That evening, my parents gave two sessions: Be Inspired! and Keeping Our Children’s Hearts. It was a blessing to talk to those who came and learn more about their families. We drove back to our RV park, and Anna made us delicious fruit smoothies.

The next morning, we awoke, refreshed and ready for the day’s activities. Beginning at 10, and ending at almost 4, Dad or Mom were always giving a session. We had plenty of opportunities to talk with those who came by our book tables, and the booth stayed busy. Working together as a team is a favorite activity of ours, and the Expo was no exception. What a joy!

Homeschool parents invest so much in their children’s lives. Some have an easier road, while others have to persevere through health challenges, a child with special needs, or many young children.

Parents shared how much they were blessed by my parents’ sessions throughout the day. It was a message that spoke to their hearts.

Joyfully His,
Sarah

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper;
and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”
Isaiah 54:17

Some Pictures

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Sarah

We have settled back in for two weeks at home. More on that part later. A weekend report will be coming in the next day or two.

Meanwhile, I’ll leave you with a few miscellaneous pictures. Please join us in praying for those affected by the tornados. I am amazed at how quickly life can change. It could be us tomorrow: waking up with everything fine, and by mid-afternoon, everything is gone. May we take each day/hour/minute and live it how the Lord Jesus wants us to.

Sarah

“Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble,
and he saveth them out of their distresses.”
Psalms 107:19

We’re … HOME!

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Sarah

After an incredibly fast-paced, record-breaking, 34-minute pack up last night, we were on the bus and ready to drive. Mom and Anna put a quick dinner together of chili cheese dip (see Moody Book #1 for the recipe), which was a delicious treat.

Mile after mile ticked away as we drove. Dad and John switched places about 11 pm, and at 2 am, we stopped because of a line of thunderstorms ahead. For some in the family, sleep comes easily in the bus while it’s moving, but others simply doze. When the bus stopped moving, though, everyone did sleep. At 6:45, we began the rest of the drive and pulled into our driveway about 8:20. We quickly prepared for church. What a delight it was to make it back in time for worship.

We had a special lunch with the family (thanks Anna Marie and Christopher!), and afterward most took naps.

I look forward to sharing with you about the Expo and how the Lord blessed. It was truly exciting!

Rejoicing in Jesus,
Sarah

By the way, Christopher and Anna Marie are redoing their dining rooms walls.

The babies turned to watch Christopher play the harmonica.

“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting
to everlasting upon them that fear him,
and his righteousness unto children’s children”
Psalms 103:17

1500th

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Sarah

This marks a very special post, one I’ve been waiting for: our 1500th!

Thank you for faithfully reading. Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for your encouragement. It is a joy to share with you how the Lord Jesus works in our lives. It is a joy to be in the service of the King.

Set up went great this afternoon. We pulled Uriah into the vendor hall and quickly unloaded. We’re looking forward to what the Lord will do tomorrow–and after that–homeward BOUND!

Rejoicing in Jesus,
Sarah

“Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve,
and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.
He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for
thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.”
Deuteronomy 10:20-21

“Check Your Passports!”

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Sarah

Here’s the story–finally!

Entering the United States went smoothly. About ten miles down the interstate, we stopped at a weigh station. It was a little unusual in that it was off the interstate in a small parking lot. As we finished, a vehicle pulled up in front of us, a man got out, and started running toward us, waving us down. Mom opened her window, and he said we should check our passports. We found that statement a bit confusing and maybe by the questioning look on our faces, he continued. He told us they had been behind us at the border. When it was their turn, they gave the agent their passports, but when he handed the passports back, there was an extra passport. They gave the extra one back to the border agent saying it wasn’t theirs. This man who stopped us said he was so glad the weigh station was open so he could catch us and see if we perhaps left one of our passports.

Sure enough, we counted, and we had seven–one short. We expressed our gratefulness to this man and headed back north. When we reached the border, a friendly US agent said, “Didn’t you just go south?” Yes, it’s true, our bus is hard to miss. Dad explained about our passport. Right then there was a knock on our door, and it was a uniformed border agent. We also saw an undercover SUV parked next to us. The agent from the SUV explained he had gone after us to give us the passport.

So, there you have it. An amazing story of the lost passport and how it was found. We praise the Lord for all the details that worked together for us to recover the passport. We were grateful for the kindness of the one man who followed us to inform us and the border agent who, far above and beyond the call of duty, came after us to return the passport. Border agents have a pretty thankless job, but we are grateful for the job they do and amazed at the professionalism of the squad at Pembina.

Eight US citizens thank you, Pembina!

Sarah

“Bless the LORD, O my soul:
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”
Psalms 103:1

A Step Into the Past

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Mary

On Friday, we were blessed to tour the Mennonite museum in Steinbach, Manitoba. The city of Steinbach, founded by Mennonites, is packed full of Christian history.

Our conference coordinator was very kind to take us to the museum. We enjoyed the indoor area of the museum that informed us of the Mennonites’ lineage and culture.

My favorite part of the museum was the outdoor village. Replica houses, churches, printers, blacksmiths, barns, and a restaurant lined the streets. It was fascinating learning about their lifestyle. I couldn’t imagine the struggles they endured as they immigrated to Canada often during the autumn resulting in many deaths during the winter.

We were amazed at the small kitchens, knowing how much work those women would have done without electricity! Houses which attached to the barn, were called housebarns, which nicely described the functionality of the two buildings.

Thankfully the rain mostly held off till we were finished!

Jesus’ Girl,
Mary

A survival chest with basic items.

This quilt depicts a Mennonite settlement. It looks really pretty, but wait until you see the pictures below.

See how the squares look like fields, some with crops?

Now see the houses!

An old printer!

The blacksmith’s shop

Can you imagine working in your fields with this tractor?

A housebarn, looking down the hallway into the barn area.

Here’s where that hallway leads you to.

And finally, you end up here!

A summer kitchen. Don’t you love the floor?

The pioneers used Roman numerals to determine the correct location for the logs. In fact, because of that system they were able to transport this original house to that location. Here the family’s finding those numbers.

A replica of a house partially underground.

“We will not hide them from their children,
shewing to the generation to come
the praises of the LORD, and his strength,
and his wonderful works that he hath done.”
Psalms 78:4

Life at the RV Park

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Sarah

We arrived safely in Ft. Wayne last night. It was a pretty drive from Canada. We have a few days to work on projects (including two books!) before the Expo. The weather was gorgeous, and we are grateful for all the Lord allowed us to accomplish.

Rejoicing in Jesus,
Sarah

Spot Joseph, John, Anna, Jesse, and Mary. Hint: if you look closely, check the picnic bench to the left of the bus.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
and be ready always to give an answer to every
man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is
in you with meekness and fear.”
1 Peter 3:15

Titus2.com

Encouraging, exhorting, equippingChristian Familiesin Jesus Christ

The Inspire! Conference Coming to Connecticut and New Hampshire!

The Expo!

Some Pictures

We’re … HOME!

1500th

“Check Your Passports!”

A Step Into the Past

Life at the RV Park