~ Do all things with love ~
Christian Books for Kids – Any Suggestions?Posted by Melanie Derrick on February 26, 2010
I am looking for great Christian story books for our kids to read. I would love to start building a list of great books for our home schooling family. Our childrens ages range from 8 months to 12 years old. I would love to get anyone’s opinion who’d like to share their favorite book titles.
Blessings!
Sledding with the KidsPosted by Melanie Derrick on February 19, 2010
Took the kids sledding today. It was so much fun. This is one great thing about homeschooling. We get these wonderful days together during the week. It was a great time playing together and bonding with each other. We get snow days afterall. =0)
Ethan Dancing with the RobotPosted by Melanie Derrick on February 2, 2010
Click here to watch Ethan Dancing Enjoy! =0)
Pain and Grief, The Way I See ItPosted by Melanie Derrick on January 15, 2010
There is so much pain in this world full of sin. Pain comes in so many different shapes and sizes. It comes in varying degrees. It often comes and slaps us right up side the head when we least expect it. Pain can be caused by something we have personally done or from what someone else does to us. A combination of both or unavoidable situations in life that are hard to deal with but never-the-less come our way. Pain can result from many things and for many different reasons. One thing I believe, based on my own experience, is that it is personal. It is something that only God can heal. Whatever the situation causing the pain, it is personal to me. I have to walk through the fire. No one can take that walk for me. Jesus has already taken my place on the cross. But, when it comes to trials, no other person can “fix” my problems. It is a wonderful blessing when God has strategically placed friends and family in your life to help you. To cry with, laugh with, mourn with, be comforted by and to comfort. Ultimately, with any situation, with any trial that comes my way, I have a choice to make. The choice that everyone has to make on their own. To run into our Heavenly Father’s open arms or run the other way. It’s a choice that no one else can make for you. I can choose to trust that no matter what, God, the Creator of all life, has my back or choose to rely on myself or others and fail miserably. I recently decided that screaming at the top of my lungs and banging on the door was a good idea. It may have helped me release a little bit of built up stress and anger, but it was avoidable. Had I been letting the Lord heal me, and work in my life like He wants to, I would not have had so much built up anger. If I would lay my pain at the feet of Jesus and quit picking it up, maybe I would heal at the rate God has in mind for me. I think because I keep taking my pain back from Him, I am dragging out the grieving process for myself. Along with the healing of my heart. I have good days, and I have bad days. I know God is with me through thick and thin; good or bad. All I have to do is open my Bible and be encouraged by the Holy Scriptures. To talk to Him. Then, be quiet and listen.
The first thing we have to do before we can heal from being hurt is to forgive. Forgive even when the person who hurt you hasn’t asked you for forgiveness and may never ask for it. Even if you you don’t think that person deserves your forgiveness. I don’t think one can really move on without this very important step. You can choose to forgive. It is a choice. It is not an emotion. It is a loving act. Unforgiving is a poison we can avoid. I am to forgive just as Christ forgives me. We don’t deserve it, but he forgives us anyway because God loves us. Forgiveness is a gift we can give others with God’s healing power.
There is a grieving process that we go through when we have lost something or someone. When I say, “something”, I don’t necessarily mean a material possession. I am thinking more along the lines of trust, love, a bond in a friendship, ect. Sometimes I think, “Why do I feel so bad, there are other people who are going through much worse.” This may be true and can help put a few things into a better perspective, but your pain and your trial should not be diminished. It should not be looked at as dumb, meaningless and unimportant. Everything about us and everything we go through no matter how small it may seem to us is very important to our merciful God. So I grieve. I cry. I yell. I hit my knees. I lay prostrate on the floor crying out to God for help; for strength, for love, for understanding. Sometimes I cry until my eyes are swollen and I can’t cry anymore. As I lay there taking a deep calming breath, God reaches down and lifts me up off the floor. He gives me a tender kiss on my heart and a gentle kiss on my soul. Then, He gives me the warmest, most comforting hug a daddy can give his little girl and says ” It’s all gonna be okay. I am here with you. Believe in me and have faith in me. It will all me okay.”
-Melanie
To learn of God’s great love and plan of salvation please visit http://www.calvaryaurora.org/how-to-know-god/
Been a WhilePosted by Melanie Derrick on
It’s been a while since I have been able to sit down and write (type). It feels good. Got everyone down for bed at a reasonable hour. The house is picked up. I’m in pj’s and ready to relax at the computer. The last month has been busy for our family. As I am sure it has been for everyone.
December was bustling with activity, gift gathering, enjoying the blessing of family and friends and rejoicing in the celebration of Christ’s birth. We spent our Christmas with family in New Mexico. It was terrific getting spend time with Pat’s parents, brother, aunts, uncle and oodles of cousins. The kids loved having a bunch of cousins to play with.
We spent New Years weekend with Pat’s cousin Krista and her family. I had a fabulous weekend scrapbooking and spending time with their family. We truly enjoy our time with them and were blessed by their generosity. Pat, Jeff and the older boys went goose hunting in the mornings and afternoons. It’s my understanding they had a fantastic time together cooking breakfast, making coffee and hunting in the goose pit.
We started school after our break this week. So far, so good. We have had a couple of fairly smooth running days. Pat is home during the morning because of his new job schedule. It is a blessing having him here with us. It is such a huge help to me and we have home schooled together as a family. It’s great. He taught history yesterday and science today. They learned about electricity and their experiment produced a teeny tiny glow of light from a small bulb with copper wire, nails and oranges. Amazing! The kids have had blast with him here. We have all had a little more fun. How awesome is it that we are able to learn together and grow closer in our personal relationships with each other? Pat’s isn’t home in the evening, but he’s here when I need him most. And, we get to spend more quality time with him than we would if he were home at night. God’s timing is perfect. He knows what we need, just when we need it. Thank you, Lord.
I hope you are having a remarkable start to a new year. I pray your year is filled with an abundance of His blessings.
A Great ThanksgivingPosted by Melanie Derrick on December 2, 2009
We had a great Thanksgiving. I hope everyone who reads this did too. We spent the day together playing, talking and of course cooking. Everyone helped me prepare and cook our meal. It was wonderful. I don’t ever want to forget these wonderful days with our children. The big boys even helped Papa fix a table for me and hooked up the tv, dvd player and the Wii. I made the Turkey and gravy. Zachary made the sweet potato casserole and the chocolate pie. Papa’s favorite. Cameron made rice krispie treats and green bean casserole. Noah made the jello for Ethan, the mashed potatoes and sliced the cranberry sauce. Papa peeled and boiled the potatoes. We also had pumpkin pie (of course) and cherry cheese cake. I was going to make it from scratch, but cheated instead. I’ll try Grandma’s recipe next year for the cheese cake. It’s my favorite dessert. Our friend Amber stopped by for dinner and made delicious sweet iced tea. Even though we forgot the dressing, we had a very enjoyable day. I am so thankful for our family and friends. I am thankful for God’s Love and forgiveness. I am thankful for the Grace He gives me each day. I give thanks to God for restoration and for carrying us through this life. I hope you enjoy the pictures from our day.
Many Blessings!
Fall 2009 SlideshowPosted by Melanie Derrick on November 23, 2009
I am having fun making slideshows. It’s also free!
These are misc. photos during the Fall this year. We went to a farm where they have a lot of fun activities in addition to the pumpkin patch and crazy corn maze. It was a little chilly and windy, but we all had a great time.
Also included are pictures during birthdays and just hanging out around the house.
I love our family. xoxo
Cameron’s BaptismPosted by Melanie Derrick on November 22, 2009
A few years ago, our Cameron became a Christian by accepting Christ as his Lord and Savior. In obedience to God and following Jesus’ example, Cameron was baptised in August 2009. Our church holds a wonderful baptism and church picnic at the Aurora Resevior each summer. It was a hot and glorious day. A special day for our family as we celebrated Cameron’s walk with Christ and decision to follow Jesus Christ.
