Halfway There!

Photo from Google Images

The end of last month marked the halfway point for the challenge to read the Bible in six months. I must admit that I fell behind quite a bit a few weeks ago. I could blame a host of excuses such as a broken arm, getting up too late, daylight saving time, and so much more. But those are just excuses. So these past few weeks, I've been working on catching up. This challenge has highlighted to me the importance of setting aside time to read and study the Scriptures. It's so easy to get sidetracked or distracted, and set aside God's Word to do something else that seems important or urgent. But the psalmist says, "I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." 

After lots of time put towards catching up, I'm only a week behind and just about halfway finished. I've been gaining blessings as I continue with this challenge. One special treat was when I received a new Bible as a gift from a youth ministry for joining their memorization challenge. This new Bible has my name inscribed on the cover and encourages me to dig deep into the Bible and search out the treasures stored there. Another blessing I've received as a result of joining this challenge, is being able to read the Bible from cover to cover chronologically. While I've read most of the Bible stories, it's been helpful to read through the events in the Bible in the order that they actually took place. For example, I read in the book of Samuel about David being pursued by King Saul. Then the Bible reading plan directs me to a psalm that David wrote during these trials. This adds context and meaning to the Psalms and makes for a well-rounded experience.

Even if you aren't a part of this challenge, I encourage you to set aside time to read God's Word. It's so easy to get distracted, but if you form the habit of reading regularly, it'll become easier. 

What is your favorite time of day to read the Scriptures? What do you enjoy most about your time in the Bible? Please leave a comment and let me know!

Crystal and Fantasy Caves

On Monday, Dad and Mom took us to see the Crystal and Fantasy caves located about an hour away from where we live. Crystal and Fantasy caves are located within walking distance of each other and their features are similar too. It was a special treat to look at these spectacular creations that God has made in the earth.

The tour guide gave us a brief history of the caves and how they were discovered before taking us in. There are over 80 steps leading down into each cave and it was quite breathtaking to look at all the different formations as we descended deeper into the cave. The bottom of the caves are filled with crystal clear salt water that ripples in soft greenish-blue hues. Looks are deceiving though and in some areas of these subterranean lakes, the water reaches depths of over 50 feet! Drops of rainwater that has filtered down through the layers of rock fall from the top of the caves, making the cave feel damp. But the cave is still active, and the stalactites and stalagmites are still growing!

I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the marvelous formations and amazing beauty that are in the earth. Certainly, if you ever visit Bermuda, the caves will be one sight you wouldn't want to miss.

These pictures are only glimpses of the wonderful landscape we saw in the caves!

Remember, you can click on each picture to enlarge it.

Sara, Leah, and Jude were waiting in line at the ticket office!

Look at those palm trees in the background!

Simply stunning cavescape!

Mom took this picture of me on our way down to Fantasy Caves!

Blessings,

Spring Gardening

This past week we've been blessed with lovely weather, and Mom thought it would be a perfect time to work on our garden. We spent the morning just weeding the garden --those weeds grow in quick and we had to carefully remove them without disturbing the delicate bulbs. Once we finished removing the weeds, we went to our local plant nursery and chose our favorite flowers: marigolds, geraniums, and allysums. We also purchased two lilacs that we've never grown before but I think they'll make a lovely addition to our garden family. :-) Gardening is a favorite hobby of mine and this mild spring weather was the perfect opportunity to revive our garden. 

These lilacs are so striking -we couldn't resist giving them a try in our garden!

We carefully dug around the bulbs and took out the weeds!

Mother enjoys gardening just as much as I do! Here she is carefully transplanting
a geranium plant to it's new home. :-)

I got in on the action too and helped remove weeds with my good hand. :-)

Jude planted these Allysum seeds around the border of the
garden. They should begin to germinate in a week and a half.

I've made quite a bit of progress on the mystery project, but if I post pictures it would no longer be a mystery! :-) So far, no one has guessed correctly. Hopefully, I'll finish it later this week and post pictures of the finished project and announce the surprise!

Blessings!

Just as quick reminder: If you haven't voted on my poll in the right sidebar, please do so. Thanks!

He Is Risen!

Today as we think about Jesus' resurrection, may we be ever grateful for the Gift that God sent to us, for Jesus choosing to die for sinful mankind, and for that bright and glorious morning when our Savior rose from the dead --forever defeating death! Hallelujah!!

Here is one of my favorite worship songs. These are the lyrics and you can listen to on a YouTube video I inserted below.

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

~Stuart Townend

Just as quick reminder: If you haven't voted on my poll in the right sidebar, please do so. Thanks!

Blessings!

March Peace Report

This month I joined Jenna at Feminine Farmgirl in the Peace Challenge. I didn't do as much memorizing as I'd like to have because I'm also working on reading the Bible in 6 months and have been quite busy keeping up with that. However, I did read several Scripture verses that promise us of God's peace and also prayed that God would give me peace in not-so-peaceful situations. :-) Here are a few verses that helped me:

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 14:17

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Romans 15:13

Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11 

This month, Jenna will be hosting the Feelin' Feminine Challenge and will also be doing a challenge on the fruit of the Spirit, self control. I hope you can join us as we continue to study these fruits of the Spirit and pray that your walk with Christ will be strengthened just as mine has been through this study.

Hope you all have a blessed week!

Hurricane Hunters

A couple of weeks ago, we had the opportunity to join other home-schoolers to meet the Hurricane Hunters and have a tour of their aircraft. If you're not familiar with the Hurricane Hunters, they are a squadron of the US Air Force who fly into hurricanes and tropical storms to get updated weather data. They play a crucial role in providing important information to local weather stations who, in turn inform the public on the nature of the storm.

We were glad to be able to meet these brave airmen(and women!) who fly directly into violent storms on a regular basis. They were friendly and answered all the questions we had regarding their job and the plane they fly. We are grateful for the work that they do to keep us well-informed on storms that may be threatening Bermuda or the coastal regions of the United States.

 Jude really enjoyed the outing!

If you would like to read more about the Hurricane Hunters, you can visit their website by clicking here.

As a quick side note: I've added a poll in the right sidebar, and I encourage all of you to vote for your favorite topic that I write about. Thanks in advance!

Crochet Hooks, Mystery Project, and Little Peaches

Last week, Mother took us to a local department store and we spent the afternoon there shopping. While she and the younger children shopped for some spring clothing, I went to the fabric and craft department which had a 25% sale on all their yarns and a large portion of their fabric! I already have quite a bit of fabric waiting to be made into some lovely garment, so I decided to purchase yarn and a set of colorful crochet hooks!

I've also decided to start a great spring project, but I thought you all can have a fun time guessing what I'll be working on. As I make progress, I'll post pictures of the mystery project and you can continue to guess what it is. Once I'm finished the project I'll show you the finished photos, and in addition to revealing the mystery project, there will be a special surprise announced at the end of the project too!

The yarn I'll be using is worsted weight, the project will use about (4) two ounce balls, and a size G6 crochet hook. Any ideas? I know that information won't be very helpful but go ahead and make a guess. :-)

This week I was delighted to discover miniature peaches on our peach tree! They are little fuzzy green buds that look like a tiny peach! How amazing is our Creator who makes such beautiful things for us to look at (and of course eat!).

Hope you all have a blessed week!

Saturday's Poem: My Hand in God's

My Hand in God's

Each morning when I wake I say,

"I place my hand in God's today";
I know He'll walk close by my side
My every wandering step to guide.


He leads me with the tenderest care
When paths are dark and I despair--
No need for me to understand
If I but hold fast to His hand.


My hand in His! No surer way
To walk in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed:
Warmed by His love, and comforted.


When at day's end I seek my rest
And realize how much I'm blessed,
My thanks pour out to Him; and then
I place my hand in God's again.
~Florence Scripps Kellogg