Changing the Design

UPDATE: I think we've settled on the current background & header. I took the header picture at Willowbank a couple of weeks ago on a stormy day. We'll probably change these settings with each season. Feel free to add comments on the design below!

If you've recently visited our blog, you'll notice we've changed the background. Sara and I got bored with our previous template so we're trying to change things around a bit.  We'll be looking at different themes and backgrounds to see which ones we like more so the current theme probably won't be our final one.

We would appreciate your suggestions, tips, and ideas on blog design. :-)

Thanks in advance!

Blessings,

Bible Reading Challenge Progress

Last year, (ah December 31st) I joined Kaylene's Bible reading challenge (reading the entire Bible in 6 months), and it's going well. I'm happy that my sister and I found Kaylene's blog and joined. Eden and I chose Blue Letter Bible's chronological reading plan, so I read some of Genesis and I'm about 3/4 through the book of Job. I like the chronological plan, because I read the Bible in the order that it actually happened. Each of Blue Letter Bible's reading plans are intended so you can read the Bible in a year, so I read one assignment in the morning and one in the evening; and sometimes I read a bit during the day. I've already been blessed by reading the Bible on a more regular basis and I'm enjoying every minute of time spent reading it!


-Sara Lee

Happy Birthday, Jude!

We're happy to have had our little brother Jude for the past ten years! We are thankful to God for blessing us with a brother to enjoy and make our family complete. It is our prayer that Jude will continue to seek God with his whole heart and fulfill God's plans for his life.

Happy 10th Birthday, Jude!

Blessings,

Sara-Lee (for all the Richardsons)

Matthew 5:44 Challenge

I've been working hard on two challenges that I started on Jan. 1st. The first one is to read through the Bible in six months. The other challenge is to memorize Colossians 3 in twenty-five days with Living the Journey.  Both take a considerable amount of time.  I have to read an average of seven chapters per day to keep up with the Bible reading program. And it does take some time to memorize one verse every day while keeping in memory the previous verses you've completed. Then just yesterday, Jenna encouraged us to join her in the Matthew 5:44 Challenge! It's a really good one that I couldn't imagine missing out on so I've added that to my list of commitments. :-)

Here's how I'm keeping track off these challenges: First, I got a folder in my favorite color: red. Next, I printed off the Bible reading plan, Colossians chapter 3, and a couple of sheets of loose notebook paper. I also added several index cards which I've found handy when memorizing verses on a regular basis. I place the folder by my bedside so first thing when I wake up, and just before I go to sleep I can work on my commitments.  Each morning, I write out my memorization verse for that day on an index card, then I add the Bible passages I'm supposed to read that morning & evening.  I slip the index card into my Bible to keep that information handy.  To further help me in the study of God's Word, I also keep a list of the Bible verses I read that speak to me personally. Then once I'm finished my Bible reading, I can go back and study further.

So, I've definitely made progress!  Right now, I'm more than halfway through the book of Job and a mere 3% finished the reading plan. I've successfully memorized four verses of Colossians 3 and am working on verse five.

I'll be starting Jenna's challenge today by writing out Matthew 5:44 and hanging it up in our bedroom! If it turns out good, I'll photograph it and post it on our blog.

Please consider joining Jenna in the Matthew 5:44 Challenge and keep us updated by commenting on her blog or writing about it on yours.

Blessings,

Heydon Trust Nature Reserve

The Heydon Trust has always been one of our favorite nature reserves. We've visited the reserve countless times and formed many happy memories there. It is the perfect place for bike riding and picnicking. And because we live right across the street from the reserve, it is a quick "retreat" too.

However, Heydon Trust isn't only a reserve, it is also home to a quaint chapel. This single-room sanctuary is one of the oldest buildings still in use in Bermuda. Gregorian worship services are held there daily and it is open to visitors during daylight hours.

Heydon Trust is a wonderful place to relax and have fun, yet also serves as a beautiful spot for prayer and reflection.

Blessings,

Another Year Is Dawning

We live at the Willowbank Hotel (a non-profit, Christian hotel), and enjoy spending time interacting with the guests and staff that are here.

We spent New Year's Eve working on jigsaw puzzles, playing the piano, and fellowshipping with the guests and staff around the fireplace. The evening went by quickly as we had so much fun interacting with others and sharing testimonies of God's faithfulness. My sisters and I took turns playing hymns and singing at the piano and were delighted to be a blessing to those who spent the evening with us. Soon, midnight arrived and we opened the year 2010 by singing hymns and reading from God's Word.  Afterwards, a light snack was served and we soon said good night.

One of the staff members suggested this song be sung as it written specifically for New Year's Day. I love the words and would like to share it here:

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.

Another year of progress, another year of praise,

Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,

Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy grace;

Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;

Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,

Another year of training for holier work above.

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee

~Written by Frances Havergal

It's my prayer that through sharing our experiences here that you will be encouraged to continue following God's will and be drawn closer to Him. May God richly bless you and your family in the year 2010!

Blessings,

 (for the all the Richardsons)

The Challenge Begins Tomorrow!

Okay, so I've decided to read the Bible chronologically using Blue Letter Bible's chronological reading plan. The plan is designed for a 12-month period, so I'll have to double the amount of chapters read each day.

I also found this article helpful as it explains how to modify a reading plan to the time frame that you choose: Customizing A Bible Reading Plan

My sister Sara has joined me on the challenge so we are looking forward to doing it together!

May God richly bless you and your family in this new year!

Blessings,

Peach Blossoms!!

Yesterday, we were delighted to see several peach blossoms on our peach tree in the backyard.  We moved into our new home only a few months ago and were excited to see that a peach tree was on the property.

Now that there are blossoms on the tree, we can look forward to eating fresh peaches for breakfast next spring!

Blessings,

And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.Genesis 1:12