Thanksgiving and Christmas

Hello! Hopefully you all had a great Thanksgiving and are carrying the "Thanksgiving Spirit" into the Christmas time as well!

This year was Aaron's family's year to be together on Thanksgiving Day. The night before we all went to Nashville to look at the lights at the OpryLand Hotel and then had dinner on a boat.

From the boat, you could see the lights of the city - the water was very calm and it was a beautiful evening.

Me, Esther, and Aaron before "dinner" -

Aaron and his grandmother -

Esther and her grandmother - On Thanksgiving Day we had a big meal and hung around and visited and played games and that kind of thing. The next morning, the ladies went to do some shopping and the guys finished out the holiday by splitting firewood and cleaning in a garage.
This year is the 3rd Christmas we've celebrated together, the 2nd that we've been married, and the first we've set up a big Christmas tree and really decorated. (Aaron's mono got in the way last year!) We had fun doing it together :)

Esther just after waking up from a nap - she wasn't sure what to think of the tree itself at first, but has reached the point where there's a couple ornaments that are real temptations to her :)

The first Saturday in December we had an open house at our home for the church people - it was pretty busy for both Aaron and I getting ready, but we really enjoyed it and hopefully the people who came did too!

For my family's sake, I've included a few pictues of our home decorated - Aaron had a bunch of things from before he was married, I had some, and some were given to us for our wedding.

I'll leave you with this picture of Esther and Aaron - she had a fever for a couple days last week, but is back to her cheerful self now...

Also, this last Sunday was our church's children's musical and this coming Sunday is our adult musical. If you remember, pray that is will go well!

More Birthday and Bible Bee

The week after Esther's birthday, Aaron's parents, grandparents, and sister and her husband, came up to celebrate. They came to church with us, then we all went out to eat at a place located in Mongtogmery Bell State Park, which is just down the road.

The scenery there was beautiful! We walked out on this "catwalk" type thing to get a better look.

The lake and the hills and the trees - most of the leaves are gone now, but there were a few left then.

We all came back to our house for cake and ice cream and to open presents. Esther's figured out the gift bags, but the other ones I had to help with :)

New socks from Alaska!

One gift was a little rocking chair just her size - she'll go in the living room and climb in it all herself.

A musical toy...

We were so excited that the Bible Bee was in Nashville this year! My parents and sisters came over to our house a couple days and we went there to hang out with them a couple days. Above is Hosanna, Miriam, and Priscilla -
Esther playing on the table -
For some reason, Esther really loved her Aunty Miriam :)
They had a 400th birthday party for the King James Bible! We were also able to watch the semi-finals and finals, look around at the vendors, go to a picnic with Bill Gothard, go to a family hymn sing, and meet up with Mrs. G. and Jonathan. I'm sure my Mom will fill everyone in on the details on her blog - We really enjoyed it and getting to spend time with the family!

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Traits of a Biblical Woman

Hello! I haven't taken any pictures this week and nothing really new has happened. Hope you all are having a great November!

This summer, I've been sort of doing a Bible study on these words - the defenitions, other verses about that topic, and Biblical examples of those that had these traits - it's been pretty interesting and I have a lot more to go - studying and putting into practice! I've been meaning to post this list for a while and since I don't have anything else, you get it today :)


Christain
...There is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal.3:28

Virtuous
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband....Pro.12:4
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. Pro.31:10
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Pro.31:29
...for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtous woman. Ruth 3:11

Good
That they may teach the young woman to be...good. Tit.2:4-5
...as long as ye do well...I Pet.3:6

Strong
She girdeth her loins with strength and strengtheneth her arms. Pro.31:17
Strength and honor are her clothing;... Pro.31:25

Honorable
Honor widows that are widows indeed. I Tim.5:3
Strength and honor are her clothing;...Pro.31:25
A gracious woman retaineth honor...Pro.11:16
The king's daughter is all glorious within...Ps.45:13
...Many of them believed; also of honorable women...Acts 17:12

Grave
Even so must their wives be grave....I Tim. 3:11

Holy
...That she may be holy both in body and in spirit...I Cor.7:34
The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness...Tit.2:3
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also...I Pet.3:5

Chaste
While they behold your chaste conversation...I Pet.3:2
That they may teach the young women to be...chaste. Tit.2:5

Wise
Every wise woman buildeth her house...Pro.14:1
She openeth her mouth with wisdom....Pro.31:26
...the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding...I Sam.25:3
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

Discreet
As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout; so is a fair woman which is without discretion. Pro.11:22
That they may teach the young women...to be discreet...Tit. 2:4-5

Prudent
...a prudent wife is from the Lord. Pro.19:14

Sober
Even so must their wives be...sober...I Tim.3:11
...That women adorn themselves...with...sobriety...I Tim. 2:9
The aged women...not given to much wine...Tit.2:3
That they may teach the young women to be sober...Tit.2:4

Submissive
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Eph.5:22
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own hubands, as it is fit in the Lord. Col. 3:18

Subject
...As the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Eph.5:22
Let the women learn...with all subjection. I Tim.2:11
...Be in subjection to your own husbands...I Pet.3:1
...Being in subjection unto their own husbands: I Pet. 3:5

Obedient
...That they may teach the young women to be...obedient to their own husbands...Tit.2:4-5
...They are commanded to be under obedience...I Cor.14:34
Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord:...I Pet.3:6

Reverent
...The wife see that she reverence her husband. Eph.5:33
While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. I Pet. 3:5

Gracious
A gracious woman retaineth honor:...Pro.11:16

Kind
...in her tongue is the law of kindness. Pro.31:26

Loving
That they may teach the young women to...love their husbands, to love their children, Tit.2:4

Gentle
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: I Thes.2:7

Not Slanderer
Even so must their wives be...not slanderers...I Tim. 3:11
Learn to be....tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I Tim.5:13
The aged women likewise, that they be...not false accusers...Tit.2:3

Not Contentious
...The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. Pro.19:13
It is better to dwell in the corner of a housetop, than with a brawling woman...Pro. 21:9
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. Pro. 21:9
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. Pro.27:15

Faithful
Even so must their wives be...faithful in all things. I Tim.3:11

Joyful
...and she shall rejoice in time to come. Pro.31:25
He maketh the barren woman...to be a joyful mother of children...Ps.113:9
With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought...Ps.45:15
....Rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Pro. 4:18
...Mary said...My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Lk.1:46-47

Shamefaced
...Woman adorn themselves...with shamefacedness...I Tim.2:9

Diligent
She...worketh willingly with her hands. Pro.31:13
She...eateth not the bread of idleness. Pro.31:27
...If she have diligently followed every good work. I Tim. 5:10
And withal they learn to be idle... I Tim.5:13

Fear the Lord
...A woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Pro.31:30
...Because the midwives feared God, that He made them houses. Ex.1:21

Trust in God
...Holy women also, who trusted in God...I Pet.3:5
Now she that is a widow indeed...trusteth in God....I Tim.5:5

Have Faith
Through faith also Sarah herself received strength...because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Heb.11:11
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not...Heb.11:31
...the unfeigned faith...which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice;... II Tim.1:5
Daughter....thy faith hath made thee whole...Mtt.9:22
O woman...great is thy faith...Mtt.15:28
And He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee;....Lk.7:50

Not Afraid
She is not afraid of the snow for her household:....Pro.31:21
...and are not afraid with any amazement. I Pet.3:6

Meek and Quiet
...Even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
I Pet.3:4

Pray
Now she that is a widow indeed...continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. I Tim.5:5
....Hannah...prayed unto the Lord....I Sam. 1:9-10
And a certain woman named Lydia...which worshipped God...Acts16:14
...Anna...served God with fastings and prayers night and day...Lk.2:36-37

Hear God's Word
But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Lk.10:42

Do Good Works
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. Pro.31:20
...That women adorn themselves...with good works. I Tim.2:9-10
Well reported of for good works;...if she have diligently followed every good work. I Tim.5:10
...Dorcas: this woman was full of good works...Acts 9:37

Silent in Church
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak;...
I Cor.14:34
...it is a shame for women to speak in the church. I Cor.14:35
But I suffer not a woman to teach...the man, but to be in silence. I Tim.2:12

Teacher
The aged women likewise, that they be...teachers of good things; Tit.2:3
...Your daughters shall prophesy...Acts 2:17

Modest Apparel
...Women adorn themselves in modest apparel...I Tim.2:9
....Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning...I Pet.3:3
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Pro.31:22
Ps.45:13-14, Deut.22:5, Eze.16:15, I Cor.11:15

Single
...The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord...I Cor.7:34

Married
I will therefore that the younger women marry...I Tim.5:14
....She that is married careth...how she may please her husband. I Cor.7:34
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. I Cor.11:9
...I will make a help meet for him. Gen. 2:18
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing...Pro.18:22
....Let every woman have her own husband. I Cor.7:2
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her....she will do him good...Pro.31:11-12

Mother
I will therefore that the younger women...bear children...I Tim.5:14
He maketh the barren woman...to be a joyful mother of children....Ps.113:9
Her children arise up and call her blessed;...Pro.31:28
...If she have brought up children...I Tim. 5:10
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. I Thes. 2:7
That they may teach the young women to...love their children. Tit.2:4

Homemaker
I will therefore that the younger women...guide the house...I Tim.5:14
He maketh the barren woman to keep house...Ps.113:9
She looketh well to the ways of her household....Pro.31:27
That they may teach the young women to be...keepers at home...Tit.2:4-5
Every wise woman buildeth her house...Pro.14:1

Esther's First Birthday

This post is going to be mostly about Esther. She had her first birthday on the 25th! These first few pictures are from a little before that -this is an outfit that she got for her shower that I thought she'd never be big enough to wear! I really didn't think it would fit until I actually put it on her...

In "Daddy's" office at church - over the last 3 weeks or so, she's learned to walk :) It started with a step here or there that we weren't quite sure if we were really seeing what we thought we were, than she'd take 5 steps, fall, 5 steps fall..., now, she can make it all the way down the hall!

All "dressed up" for winter :)

We ended up going to MN for one day - but it was a good day. We had a good visit with my family and finished up some things and Esther got a birthday present...

We had to help her open them up, but she enjoyed the experience :)

We were able to get our winter squash while we were in MN - This acorn squash must have crossed with something!

The fall colors down here are very pretty - we had a couple of pictures taken in front of a red tree - the sun was pretty bright though.

Esther on her first birthday!

I made some cupcakes. Esther was "helping" and got into the dough and the frosting...

We gave her the whole thing and she grabbed the whole thing, tried to put a handful of frosting in her mouth, then tried to cram the whole thing in her mouth...we would have taken more pictures, only I dropped the camera. We also let her have a little ice cream, but we did not let her eat the whole cupcake :)

Cards from family and friends in MN-

On Wednesday night after church, they had a little birthday party for Esther and one of the deacons. It was a lot of fun! Esther is one blessed girl!

People were so sweet and brought her presents :) She seemed pretty interested in watching as we opened them and even did a little clapping...

That's for me?!

Our family -

The end of the party -

Virtual Tour

Hello from Dunkin' Donuts! We've decided to save time and money and just use the internet uptown...

And welcome to our home! This is the living room where you would come in the front door - we normally use the side door ourselves. Those aren't actually our tools - a "handyman" from the man we're renting from came and fixed a few little things around the house. We also had it sprayed for insects this week .

You can tell a baby lives here! We haven't done a lot of decorating, partly because we haven't unpacked everything, and partly because with a baby around, the less stuff the better!

This is the kitchen. Aaron's parents are letting us borrow a fridge and microwave stand. The wallpaper is sort of pastel pinks and blues, so it's a blessing that I have a lot of blue towels anyway!

The other side of the kitchen -

The table (the "window" opens into the Living Room) and Esther's favorite shelf -

The kitchen leads to the laundry room/mudroom and the side door. I'm really enjoying having the laundry area close to the kitchen and the rest of the house!

The other side of the laundry room - it was fun stacking those shelves. At least we know we'll have plenty of jam, salsa, and pickles to eat :)

Down from the Living room/Kitchen is a hall leading to the bedrooms (3), closets, and bathroom.

Esther's room -

The bathroom -

Another picture of Esther's room - I didn't take any of our room or of the office/storage room...So anyway, we're enjoying it and we look forward to seeing you here in person!

Here's a recent picture of Esther - She's been sleeping through the night (wonderful!), and she has 5, going on 6 teeth. She can't walk yet, but I think she could if she tried :) In spite of the fact that her schedule is rather crazy here, she's doing well and is out growing her clothes.
She also has started enjoying looking at books (instead of eating them!) and likes to have us read them to her - over and over and over! Another one of her "new" things is playing with cell phones. It's the only "toy" that she really fusses when we take away from her...
Last Sunday she was playing with my Bible (don't worry, I was watching to make sure she was careful) and I thought it would make a cute picture.
Aaron pruned the trees in our yard. He's also started more of a regular work schedule now and goes to the office to study and has started to make more visits.
Aaron's been talking about buying a trimmer since before we were married and he finally had a good reason too! (the reason being we have a yard to trim....) We took a picture to commemorate this exciting event :)

As for the new baby, we have an appointment scheduled for next week and we've decided on our top boy/girl name and some backups.

I'm enjoying being home more - maybe I'll actually be a better homemaker if I'm home! The church people have been very good to us and we're keeping busy - Hope you all are having a great fall!