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posted by James on 11/15/09

Yesterday we saw one accord in action as everyone worked together for our annual fall cleanup. We had great fun in the process!

4 Comments » | posted in Tidbits

posted by Daniel on 11/14/09

“Daniel Staddon! You may step forward and recite Psalm 145.” Amidst roaring applause and flashing lights, the moderator’s voice boomed out over the loudspeakers of the spectacular Ball Room at the J. W. Marriott, where the final three contestants in the Senior group of the 2009 National Bible Bee were embroiled in a grueling tie-breaker for the first place prize of  $100,000. There I stood. I cannot explain the excitement, intensity, and suspense that rushed over me as the reality of the situation broke upon me. My mind was still a little confused over the rushed events of the past few days, making all the weeks and months I had spent preparing seem like a dream. A dream waiting for this very moment.

This was when it was so helpful to remember where the Lord had led me to place my focus months earlier! When I began preparing, I had carefully calculated exactly how much memorization and study needed to be done every day in order to master all the content and be 100% ready for the Local and National Contests. But alas! I found myself constantly getting farther behind schedule. If I wanted to be totally prepared, I was going to have to begin sacrificing time with the Lord and the rest of the family. They wouldn’t mind if I skipped a few family nights, would they? Jonathan and David can do a few things without me for a while. My morning prayer time isn’t that important, is it? But then the Lord stopped me short, “Daniel, which is higher priority – people or the prize?” After thinking long and hard over this, I replied, “Lord, I’m not going to be able to prepare like I had planned. But I purpose to put my relationships with You and others above winning. I’m going to do my best, but if you want me to win, it’s really going to have to be a miracle of your doing.”

From then on, it was up to Him!

And it was an exciting ride.

17 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by James on 11/13/09

While in Virginia last weekend, we decided to take an afternoon off to go for a little hike in the Shenandoah mountains. We only had two hours, so we figured we would go as far as we could.

It hadn’t rained in a while, so we crossed several dry creek beds. Then we came to a big bridge that crossed the main creek. “Look, there is water!” someone said. We all stopped to look at the water.

A little further down the trail, we saw a small, tumbling waterfall. It looked very pretty. We stopped to take pictures.

Further up there was a bigger waterfall. This one was several feet high. We had to stop to take more pictures. After all, it was much better than the first one!

As we progressed up the valley, the waterfalls became more and more significant until we reached a very spectacular sight. You could hear it before you could see it. An 80 foot waterfall cascaded picturesquely down the side of the mountain ahead of us. Everyone had their camera’s out now!

From hiking that very same trail several years ago, I remember that first truly big waterfall was exactly that: the first. They only got bigger and grander the higher you climbed.

On the way back, we passed up the Better Waterfall, the Pretty Waterfall, and the Place of Water. It was hard to believe that we thought those places were very neat earlier. But that is when the writings of old Isaiah echoed clearly back: “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him” (Isaiah 64:4).

It’s important to stop and enjoy the blessings that are around you; but don’t stay there. Get up, press forward, climb the next mountain. God’s got a bigger waterfall of blessing down the trail.

5 Comments » | posted in Family News, Photography

posted by Donald on 11/11/09

Just as Nehemiah saw the work that needed to be done on the wall that surrounded Jerusalem, we began to see after six years here in West Virginia that serious refinishing work needed to be done on the porch that surrounds our house.

By dividing the work among ourselves we were able to coordinate everyone’s schedules for maximum efficiency and duration over a long period of time. The project spanned two months from August 29 to October 29 and took about 200 man hours, including the two “Blitz Days”.

On Wednesday, September 2nd, after some experimenting, David and I made a discovery. By soaking the boards first and giving each face a few more strokes with the brush, the color of the wood would dramatically change. Rinsing immediately then took away the mildew and dirt in rivers of green and black scum. It was spectacular. We always  looked forward to the final rinse when the color of the wood would shine through. “Soak, scrub, rinse” was the three-step process we used for the remainder of the time, first, by hand, on the banister, then   with a friend’s power washer on the larger posts, facing boards and floors.

Pre-washing is what took so long. It was the real work. It  was at this point that I realized how impossible it would have been to do the job alone and I especially appreciated David’s cheerful servant spirit during this time. Once we did a major section of the front rail early in the morning when it was still cold. I was encouraged when   I saw that he worked with endurance and joyfulness anyway. Overall, the Lord provided many cloudy days while at the same time holding off the rain. On one or two occasions the temperature reached 38 degrees–but not 35, the minimum drying temperature for the stain.

On September 19 Dad declared a Blitz Day. We opened the five gallon container of stain for the first time. It turned the light brown oak to an even more beautiful cedar color that looked to us like gold when illuminated by the sun. Even Daniel took some time off that day from studying for the National Bible Bee. (Seven days before we stood on the porch   listening to his good report that he had passed the Local Competition.) On another Saturday afternoon Mom and Michael took over the staining so that Jonathan, David and I could work on the  church  float for the Apple Butter Festival. What an encouragement! Even with so many things going on, the porch work would not stop!

On another Blitz Day Jonathan, David and I  were able to take out an entire floor section in  one five- or six-hour period that made the rest of floor look more do-able from that point on. We also did the porch swing, picnic table and walkway railing, then the posts behind the garage, and the sandbox and the mailbox!

But by this time it was October. And “playing games of chance” with the weather in West Virginia is dangerous! On the 41st day of the project a second coat was applied to the floor by the front door. The leftover stain was just enough for touching up the doghouse. I thought we were finally finished.

Then on Monday, October 26th, a terrible discovery was made. In our haste we had  missed four small–but rather noticeable–places.

No!

“Yes”, the Lord would say. “Let it remind you not to identify yourself with your works only! Your perfection is in Me.”

The next morning as we were taking out the garbage as we always do on Tuesday, we happened to look into the five gallon can that we had used first. Lo and behold a few drops were left in the bottom of it! It was just enough to finish off where we had missed. The Lord was merciful!

That Tuesday was the 60th day. Nehemiah’s wall was finished in 52 days. Now we can identify with his feeling of accomplishment a little better. I also learned that what we work on as a team we tend to appreciate as a team. And the more difficult and complex the task is the more grateful we become for the part that each member plays. Don’t let anything become a chore. Assignments from God are not chores merely but character-builders for the Lord, and team-builders for the family.

8 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Esther on 11/8/09

God gave us an amazing opportunity to encourage a couple of churches here in Oklahoma City by playing a violin quartet. Last Sunday evening, we played Tracy Biddle’s arrangement “In His Presence” at Southern Temple Baptist Church, and this Sunday, we played it at Western Hills Baptist Church. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of the music program at this church. Otherwise I would never make time to practice violin while I’m here. I am very grateful for the willingness of Sarah Espinida, Barbara Sutton and Sarah Waller to make time to practice together. God really blessed the sacrifice, effort and dedication. One dad came up to us after the service and said that he watched the intent faces, deep concentration, and determination, and would be sure to remind his kids later that that’s what it takes to play their instruments well.

The neatest thing was how God put the service together. The speaker gave a sermon on the power of God’s Holy Spirit, and then we played a special on “Abide With Me”. So amazing to watch God piece the whole thing together to His honor and glory. What a God we serve!

9 Comments » | posted in Family News