Faces of Growth and Change

Lizzy received earrings and got her ears pierced as a birthday gift from Grandma and Grandpa. She was so brave!

Peter John (5th), Lizzy (3rd), and Amy's (Kinder.) first day of school. Peter John started at a Christian school this year, while the two girls are homeschooling as well as School of Choice. As you can see, Peter John has grown quite a lot this year.

Gretchen is in seventh grade this year at a Christian school. She started in the middle of August. We are grateful we live close enough to bike or walk, if necessary.

Favorite Children's Books This Year

1. Little Pilgrim's Progress by Helen L. Taylor

2. Dangerous Journey by Oliver Hunkin (adaptation of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan)

3. The Silent Bells by William MacKellar

4. The Door In The Wall by Marguerite de Angeli

5. By The Shores Of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder

6. Little House In The Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

7. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

8. Alexander The Great by Jane Bingham

9. The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles

10. The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

11. The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

12. The Mandie Collection Vol.1-11 by Lois Gladys Leppard

13. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

14. Landon Snow series Vol.1-5 by R.K. Mortenson

15. Bob Books (Beginning Readers) by Scholastic

16. The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau

17. The Children's Bible in 365 Stories by Mary Batchelor

18. The Adventures of Tintin Vol.1-8 by Herge

These are many of the books our children have enjoyed this past year, most of which they have read themselves. Some were read to them on our couch in the afternoon or evening.  When I was a child, I was not much of a reader, but since becoming a parent, children's literature has blossomed in our lives and in our imaginations. Some of these books we have read over and over again, particularly The Children's Bible in 365 Stories and Little Pilgrim's Progress.  They are worth that.

Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

Psalm 100:4-5
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
⁵ For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Elizabeth Sharon Larson on our move in 2006 from Ukraine to Hungary

Thank you, Lord God, for your faithfulness.  Thank you that you hold Your chosen ones with your hand. We are like little children that are carried on Your back. “The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him,
Who shelters him all the day long;And he shall dwell between His shoulders.” Deut. 33:12  We are safe in Your arms.  Thank you that when we go through trials and defeat, You are faithfully working all things together for good.  Your arms are underneath us. "The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms;" Deut. 33:27

Thank you, God, for my husband. He is Your son. You created him, you called him, and saved him from his sins. You made him your own. Thank you that my husband is upheld by Your righteous right hand (Is. 41:10) Thank you for his integrity, his faithfulness to me and to our family. Thank you for his willingness to use his multitude of gifts and abilities to serve God, even though it means giving up wealth and worldly honor and selfish fulfillment. He is laying up treasure in heaven, not on earth. Thank you, God, that You have led him all these years. Thank you for my husband's love for You and for Your truth. At personal expense, he has upheld truth and followed You.

Thank you, our Awesome God, for blessing us with Lizzy. We celebrated her birthday yesterday.  She is eight now, and I am so grateful for her. She brightens our lives. Thank you.

Thank you, for all Your blessings. Bless Your name.