...for another contest!

March's Contest is now open.

"Your Favorite Historical Figure and Why"

1. Describe in 50 words or less your favorite historical figure and explain why.
2. This person can be anyone, living or dead.
3. Please remember to sprinkle all your entries with love, choosing your words carefully.
4. Entries will be accepted starting today, February 22, and will continue through March 14th.
5. The winner will be announced the following week.

This month, we will have two winners! We are giving away a copy of 'Elsie Dinsmore' to the two top picks. Again, my children will be picking the winners from all entries received.

The first copy of 'Elsie Dinsmore' has an 1896 copyright (hence the 'historical figure' aspect of this contest). This one is in very good condition, however it does have an inscription on the first page dated 1925.

The second copy does not have a date (the page has been removed), but is old as well. There are advertisements in the back of this one with books for sale for $0.75, so I am guessing it is relatively old as well!). This copy appears to have been more lovingly owned in the past (well-read). The pages are all intact (well, except for the missing one with the publisher's information), however the spine binding is loose from the pages. (I think I said that right!).

Have fun! We look forward to reading your entries!

...for disclosure policies!!

This policy is valid until further notice *smile*!


This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received will not influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest with our family's belief system. We retain the right to accept or reject any advertisements that are in conflict with our beliefs. We strive to always honor and bring glory to our Lord - through regular posts and any advertisement-type posts.

...for hard work paying off!

This past weekend Marlee participated in the Awana Bible Quiz. There were over a dozen represented at this year's quiz. Marlee and David have been a part of an Awana Club for two years. Each year, the kids in grades 3rd - 6th get to compete in a regional quiz.

Marlee did very well again this year at the Quiz. She placed 4th, along with her partner, in their book level. There was stiff competition this year with approximately 16 girls in their level.

Way to go, Marlee!!! We are very proud of you!

...for giving

For Valentine's Day I gave my sweet this beautiful plague.

I ordered it from Fruitful Vine Creations. I can't say he was excited (since it doesn't come with any horsepower or an engine or anything), however, he was very, very appreciative. So much so, he even hung it up that same day in our room without being asked. It now hangs above our bed, and it is a wonderful reminder, each time we enter our room, that we indeed are one, as God intended.

Thank you to Tonya for helping me express to my husband the depth of my love and for your 'Cottage Industry'. May the Lord bless you and your household.

...for holidays

Yesterday, as I was browsing the e-cards at www.familylife.com, I came across the following Valentine's Day Card. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. For the full effect, you'll need to head over to their e-card section and 'watch' it.

A Valentine may play a love song for you,

but God sings you the sweetest song in the universe.

The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

- Zephaniah 3:17

A Valentine may give you flowers,

but God sent you the most beautiful rose of all, Jesus.

I am the rose of Sharon, And the lily of the valleys.

- Song of Soloman 2:1

A Valentine may take you out to dinner,

but God has invited you to the most amazing feast ever given.

Then he said to me, "Write: "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!"' And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."

- Revelation 19:9

A Valentine may bring you chocolate,

but God provides you with something even sweeter, His Word.

How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

- Pslam 119:103

A Valentine may be far away,

but God is always with you.

...teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

- Matthew 28:20

A Valentine may give you something,

but God has given you everything.

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

- 1Timothy 6:17

A Valentine may love you for a lifetime,

but God loved you before you were born and will love you for all eternity.

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

- Jeremiah 31:3

Praying you're blessed by the wonderful love of God this Valentine's Day and always!

for freebies!

Have you ever visited the Homeschool eStore? If not, you don't know what you are missing! This month they are giving away a free lapbook from In The Hands of a Child on Mary Cassatt.

Mary Cassatt was an American painter during the late 1800’s. Your student can complete a lapbook on one of the first impressionists in history with the Project Pack from In the Hands of a Child. This 56-page unit includes a 9-page Research Guide with information about Mary’s childhood, family, and her experiences as an artist as well as examples of her work. In addition, you will find 17 hands-on activities to help your student learn about this famous woman!


Why not head on over to Homeschool eStore and check out all their great selections...not to mention to get yourself a free copy of the Mary Cassatt LapBook?

Blessings!

...for love

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and for me, I didn't always look forward to it because my birthday (which is very near to Valentine's Day) took precedence (how is THAT for self-centeredness?). Now, I reflect on Valentine's Day as a reminder for our call to love one another.

Today, during my quiet time, I was going over the 'Love Chapter' and testing myself on how well I have loved...and how well I have been lovable.

Let's review 1 Corinthians 13 as I reflect on how well I have done:

Love suffers long and is kind - ahh. I have failed here more times than I can count. I am still learning the virtue of patience, especially with my dear family. Also, sad to say, I am not always kind, to my husband or my children. God is still working with me, and each day, I am a bit closer to not letting situations quench the Spirit within me!

Love does not envy - This one I have improved in from my former self!...my prayer here is to teach my children to rejoice when others succeed, especially their siblings. To feel the complete joy in seeing someone else accomplish something and not thinking, 'I wish that could be me!'.

Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up - This one, also, is more a part of the personality God gave to me. I am rather shy, and would prefer for someone else to be in the spotlight.

(Love) does not behave rudely - I think this one goes along with 'Love is kind'..when I am not being kind, I am being rude...and I can be quite rude at times, though the times are fewer and fewer these days. Praise the Lord!

(Love) does not seek its own kind - I'm not sure what this one means, exactly. However, if it means that love would like to see others excel at our expense, than yes, I am doing well here...most of the time. *smile*

(Love) is not provoked - ....it's a verse like this that makes me ever so grateful for the Holy Spirit...on my own, I am easily provoked...especially by careless words spoken by family. However, I have been on the opposite side of this equation, so the times I have felt provoked are seasoned with the realization that I have been the button-pusher myself!

(Love) thinks no evil - Again, I have noticed great changes in my thinking since coming to the Lord. Where before I would think of all types of revenge on a person, now my first thought (most of the time) is to pray for them. God is so incredibly good!

(Love) does not rejoice in inquity, but rejoices with the truth - I can say amen to this one! I no longer rejoice in inquity, and I always rejoice when the truth is proclaimed! There is a funny story here, but I will save that for another day! (ahhh...that will keep you coming back, eh?).

(Love) bears all things - I am learning this! Again, I feel this ties in with being patient, but it also stands on it's own for dealing with people and circumstances where extra grace is required.

(Love) believes all things - This is where I have to take every thought captive! There are times when I hear the enemy whispering, twisting God's promises, and I have to shut that off and stand on the Word alone. I do believe, Lord, help my unbelief...these are words I have spoken and/or thought at times.

(Love) hopes all things - My hope alone is in Jesus Christ and His death, resurrection, and ascension!

(Love) endures all things - In our society, there is truly very little we have to 'endure' as believers...compared to believers around the globe. I pray I would have the faith to endure whatever the Lord allows to be put before me.

Love never fails - Oh, the sweet, wonderful good news in those few words! Love, the Father of love, never fails. Through Him and in Him we can LOVE as He has loved.

This Valentine's Day, why not take the time to walk through the 'Love Chapter' and do a self-evaluation? Remember and rejoice in who the Father of love is...and bring glory to His name!

My next step? To ask my husband and my children how I am doing shining forth the love that is working in me.

May each of you feel the love of our Savior, not only on Valentine's Day, but every day.

Now for some pictures of love at our house:

Her bubble was being invaded just a little bit....

...and our Marlee-girl just delights in her brotherly bubble invasion!

Dad and Mom can't be left out!

(...and no, the kisses aren't because I was sharing the funnel cake *smile*!)

...for snow-much fun!

This year we have had a tremendous amount of snow! We are all so thrilled by the enjoyment it brings. For me, I enjoy sitting in the living room, sipping a hot cup of cocoa, favorite book in hand or listening to teaching on my CD player, while looking out and seeing the beautiful snow! For the kids and husband, they love getting out and playing in the snow!

The wonderful white winter wonderland this year afforded Troy the opportunity to take David out and teach him how to operate the snowmobile. David is over his fear of 'fast and loud', much to his Dad's delight! No longer do we hear the words, 'Not so fast, Daddy! Go slowly!'...or see his little hands covering his ears. Now, he is catching up to his older brother and sisters. Though, I still think the girls are the true Speed Demons in our house!

The lessons started off all smiles:

When Dad said, "Hit it!"...David clamped it down!

Dad got a bit nervous! (For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.) When giving an 8 year-old driving lessons, don't forget the 'sound mind' part...:

...else you could end up like this:

I'm sure this is not a picture of David fleeing the scene of mishap!?!?!?!:

Okay, so the pictures were staged, but they were fun! David really did get snowmobiling lessons, but it was across the street in the field. We couldn't get close enough to live action shots, so we had to make do in the backyard!

I am so thankful that this winter the Lord said to the snow, "Fall on the earth." ...and before we know it, the snow will water the earth and bring forth and bud, and it will bring seed to the sower and bread to the eater. God is so amazingly good to us! Let His name be exalted and glorified!

Blessings.

...for contests and filmmaking!

Christian Filmmakers 24-hour Film Contest

January 18, 2008: On March 1st, Christian filmmakers across the country will participate in an exciting and challenging event — a 24-hour film contest. Organized by members of Christian Filmmakers.org, an online discussion and networking tool for Christian filmmakers, the contest will be sponsored and promoted by several noteworthy organizations and will offer a prize of $500 to the winning entry.

The competition will begin at 6:00 AM on March 1 with the publication of a list of “security elements,” three of which must be included in every film submission. This will verify that the film was produced within the 24-hour time limit. Each entry must be uploaded to YouTube and the link given to the judges by the contest deadline of 6:00 AM on March 2. Membership in Christian Filmmakers.org is not required.

Nathaniel Bluedorn, administrator of Christian Filmmakers.org and the driving force behind the 24-hour film competition, explains, “Christian Filmmakers.org is a growing network of faith-based filmmakers. We started in August and we have more than 250 members now. We’re doing this contest to energize filmmakers and incite interest in filmmaking. More importantly, we want to expand networking among Christian filmmakers.” Christian Filmmakers.org boasts an international membership of Christian filmmakers at all skill levels from hopeful to veteran, specializing in every aspect of film production.

More details on the competition, including a complete list of the official rules, can be found at http://www.christianfilmmakers.org/contest

Christian Filmmakers.org is the outgrowth of a Google Group which was originally conceived as a means for maintaining contact among alumni of the 2005 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. Launched on August 22, 2007, Christian Filmmakers.org has rapidly grown to include 273 members at the time of this writing. The site is focused on facilitating discussion and building relationships between Christian filmmakers without excluding anyone on the basis of gender, race, or denomination.

Website: http://www.ChristianFilmmakers.org
Contact: info@christianfilmmakers.org

...for celebrations!

Last month, our baby, turned 8. Where did all the time go? I still remember his awesome birth!His birthdays are usually bittersweet for me, as I watch my little boy turn into a young man.

However, we had a grand time celebrating with him - through the chicken pox even! - and I think he had a fabulous day. I'm usually not very creative in the cake department, but this year, I tried my hand at something new. David was thrilled!

Notice the door and windows. We didn't have graham crackers (which was called for) so I used Sesame Wheat rounds instead...lol!

Yeah, I think he was happy with his cake fit for a Knight!

The mighty warrior boomed in his most knightly voice, 'Let that Princess go or I'll huff, and I'll puff.........'

"...and I'll blow your castle down!!! And your little dog, too!"

Okay, there was no dog, but I don't get to use that line very often, and it seemed so fitting there!

That was our family celebration day for January. Happy 8th Birthday, Doo Boy!

May the Lord bless you and be with you as you celebrate your family celebrations. ..and remember, even if you don't have a family celebration in a month, every day is a celebration because Christ is King, always! So, rejoice and be glad!

Blessings.

...for mourning and healing

Please visit Heather's Blog

An amazing testimony from a godly woman. May the Lord continue to bless her and her family, and may you also be blessed by our Heavenly Father through Eric, Heather, and their family.

Blessings.

...for fun and giveaways!!

So, I ordered a set of books, but we already own one of them, so I am having a contest!

Since this is my first 'contest', there won't be a lot of rules. It's open to anyone and everyone. Since I'm not real sure how the comments work, I will post the winner, and that person will be responsible for emailing me. Let's see, the contest will end on Wednesday, February 13, 2008.

The book I will be giving away is 'Boyhood and Beyond' by Bob Schultz.

Now, here is the task before you....Write a poem that goes along with the following picture:



The poem can be short or long, can rhyme or not. Oh, please remember to use appropriate language. All entries will be moderated, any that are not 'family friendly' will be not be posted. The judges will be, well, our family!

Have fun!

Please put your entries in the comment section...but for you seasoned bloggers, I guess that was a no-brainer!

Blessings.

PS - Feel free to tell your family and friends!

...for welcomes and introductions!

So, I've decided to enter the world of blogging. (Well, I started one of our trip this summer that I hope to finish at some point, and I started one for updates of a friend's little boy, but this one will be more varied.) I'm not sure how often I will blog, or if I will be as eloquent with my posts as some of the tremendous authors of blog sites I have visited, but I will do my best.

One of the things I hunt for on other blogs is a bit of information on the author of the blog. So, without further adieu here is my Welcome and Intro:

Welcome to my page! I am Camille, daughter of the King, wife to my lord, and mother to four great kids! My journey began nearly 41 years ago, and only in the last 7 years have I experienced the rebirth that was taught to Nicodemus.

This spot will be for updating family and friends on the goings-on in our life, and random thoughts for the season I am currently in...being a wife and mother.

May you find laughter, inspiration, and edification as you join me on my journey.

Blessings!