This Week’s Family Night is …

darts 004darts 007 One Friday night we were all  wondering what Jonathan would choose to do for his turn on Family  Night.  He surprised us by saying “Let’s play darts!” We all  thought   was a super idea so we ran out to the garage game room where the dart board was that dad had recently mounted on the wall.... shoot!Take careful aim ...... and ...

Bull's eye!DavidAs we began the first game we became very grateful for the protective padding around and below the dart board. Despite our lack Danielof practice  however, Daniel actually got a “bull’s eye” on the very first round and Michael got all three so close it caused a shout of exclamation to sound forth from the onlookers. Thank you Jonathan for your thoughtfulness in making it such a surprise!

darts 005Marksman MichaelAnd finally, Jonathan tallies the totals.

David’s Manhood Ceremony!

Dad sharing the vision. This month we gathered together for a special celebration  of a new stage of responsibility in my life. Prior to my manhood ceremony, Dad and I talked through the responsibility of being a young man. We also talked about some commitments which I made to guide me Friends and family! through my adult years. Some of these included the commitment to give a good report of people, to  court instead of date, to respect my body as a  temple of the Holy Spirit, and to respect authority.

Kenan and IOn the morning of my manhood ceremony, Dad and I had just finished   reviewing my salvation testimony when suddenly I heard a great shout of exclamation coming from downstairs. Dad smiled and said "I think my friends are here. Why don’t you go meet them." I was quite puzzled by this and looked out the window and was completely taken by surprise to see Kenan and Joshua Wilkes! I was so honored that they had traveled all the way from VA for this special event. Other friends, family, and church family made me feel so supported for which I am very grateful! Thank you everyone!

Risen to walk in newness of life! The Lord blessed us with good weather that afternoon at Sportsman’s Lake. I was baptized by Dad and Pastor Epling. What a privilege and honor to be identified with Christ as I enter manhood.

 

Dad was the main speakerDaniel praising characterWisdom from an older brotherExhortation from a brother in Christ

Scene of the baptismal service

Verse of the Month: August

Proverbs 6:5

Verse of the Month: June

We love living in "Salem"!

 

Clay Creations

One of my favorite Christmas presents were two kinds of clay that Mom bought for me. One is pure white and stays soft until baked in the oven. After it is baked it is ready to be painted. The other is already colored and can be used over and over. Jonathan and I have had a great time molding clay creations.

After I made the bear head I realized that the directions said it was too thick to be baked. This is why it is not painted. The second one was the dolphin. I made sure to make it the right thickness but while in the oven it broke. The same thing happened with Jonathan’s snake. By this time I was quite discouraged, but with patience and a little work we put them back together and they turned out just fine. Jonathan is not completely  finished painting his snake, but his flag and Psalms 81 plaque turned out extremely well.

I made the monkey with the colored clay. It was a lot of fun to create the surroundings and the fallen log he is perched on. I did the same with the dinosaur except I used the white clay.

The constellation Dolphinus tells the resurrection story. I made it the week of Easter.

It is difficult not to mix the colors of the colored clay

A monkey crawling across a fallen log.

It was fun to get the detail of hair on this one.

A mother robin feeding her chick.

In God we trust.

My first clay creation. How do you like his bow tie? :)

Half way painted.

Aptosaurus.

I got the idea from a book a friend gave me.

A Few Good Links:

In the Gap
Training and equipping youth and young adults to effectively influence children, model integrity, be positive leaders, and passionately love Jesus Christ.
Family Support Link
A ministry of the Advanced Training Institute designed to connect families for fellowship and support.

Site Credits:

Header image by Lenspiration, the photography portfolio of James Staddon.

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