Hymns

Today at piano lessons, I got to hear some of my favorite hymns played!! I love hymns. Especially the good old ones that are lacking in the chorus department. I mean, I love a good chorus as much as the next person......but after seven verses....it gets a little tiring.

I was recently telling a friend about why I loved hymns so much, and how one of my favorite things to do, especially when I am tired, or stressed, or discouraged, is go to our charmingly out-of-tune piano in our school room, shut the door, and just play hymns and sing. There is something about it that is just refreshing, and it helps put things into perspective. My friend said to me though, "Do you even feel like you are worshiping God when you sing these songs?" To answer very concisely-yes.

I love that hymns-especially the really really old ones, are so full of meaning. The lyrics are filled with melodious language, and you can imagine the author penning the words from their different situations that caused them to sing to the Lord.

But modern people don't relate. Do they? We don't have time to look up why Horatio Spafford wrote "It is Well With My Soul", when from the outside it seemed that it was anything but.

So. I have decided to share some of my favorite  things about hymns, and a few random lines interspersed throughout. Because I am really good at only remembering part of a song.  And it may make you chuckle a bit. But I am not making this up.Really. I'm not.

Here we go!

• When you are feeling a little lost, you could try: "He Leadeth Me" 
• When you are feeling really lost you could juts repeat that one line from " Down to the River" You know-the one at the end : "Good Lord-show me the way." It happens to be really comforting-especially if you just ran over a squirrel and you have no idea where you are.
• Really any Christmas hymn works for doing the dishes. Because bubbles = snow. It also takes away that grossed-out feeling you get when you find unidentifiable things in the sink. Because you can't sing "Joy to the World" and feel gross. It is impossible.

• You will ALWAYS win the "Song Game" *pretty sure the homeschoolers have a monopoly on this one* if you know a lot of hymns Also if you can manage to start the game on "What Wondrous Love is This" it is best because all the words in that hymn are in pretty much every other hymn.

That's all for now-thanks for stoppin' by!

Katie

SERIOUSLY?!!!

Have you been through the Terrified series by Wretched?!!

They are seriously awesome.

Mr. Friel has an amazing sense of humor, and he mixes it in with the tools 

that Christians need to confidently share our faith. 

I loved listening to these, and our family listened to them several times,

along with the Herman Who? series of lectures (also put out by Wretched).

Basically, if you listen to them, and then apply what you hear (there's the rub)

you will, with much prayer and a righteous heart,  be able to share our

faith with the people who frighten the wits out of you.

Hence the clever title, Terrified.

John 4:35

~Katie

*This post is not endorsed in any way by the Wretched Ministry*

Painted saws

Flowers are NOT my strong suit when it comes to painting.

But it seems like every time I do paint them, I am just in awe of the details that they have.

Even the smallest flower has so many intricate details, and they all seem to point to 

our Creator. God made so many beautiful things.

And while everything may not look beautiful around you right now,

know that somewhere, there is beauty.  

I am reminded of Isaiah 61:3 

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified."

Here is the latest project, that recalled this verse to me.

(In case you can't tell, it is a field of bluebonnets on the long saw. My dad kind of thought it was the ocean at first. The small saw on the right has an Indian Paintbrush on it.)

Um. yes. I accidentally painted on my table. Fortunately it will come off. 

Thanks for stopping by, and God Bless!

Katie

Family photos

So, we all have family stories that make us laugh.

Like the one where my great-great grandparents were married on a bridge that my great-great grandfather was building. Not that they planned it that way. He was working on the bridge the morning of the wedding, and time just got away from him. So she took the wedding to him, and they were married. That week the newspaper announced their wedding, and the completion of the bridge they were married on.

This pic is of his parents.

My mom found some other fantastic pictures of our family, so I will share a few more.

World War I, a soldier from my mom's side of the family. (not sure who he is, the name is smudged on the back)

My great-grandfather, WWII. This is the one who tried to smuggle a German Shepherd on board the Queen Mary (the troop ship), but they caught him before they left port. He is one of the two men smiling in one of the famous return photos.

This is a picture my great-grandfather sent to his mother. (third from left) His wife is in the photo to the right.

This is what the back of above picture says:

"Belgium- Nov. 1944

Looks kinda real, doesn't it? It's only a pose Mother.

The guy with [the] pipe in his mouth, and the little doll

smiling over his shoulder is me! Martha [his wife] keeps an eye on me.

L to R- Ficarella, Chanaca, Me & Martha, Mackey

Carpenter, and Metialf [sp uncertain] "

Isn't that so awesome? I am very excited!!

Great- Grandfather before the War

Not sure when or where this one was taken, obviously during the war at some point, but my mom and I thought his Bing Crosby hair style was pretty fun looking. 

Hope you enjoy this bit of history, thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Spring is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And we had baby birdies!!!!

But they didn't make it, and I was pretty sad...

Aren't they so cute-ugly?!

Not sure what happened to them, but this is a few days before we found out they didn't make it.

Titus is enjoying playing outside more in his playpen!

My garden is doing well! See the tiny soon-to-be pickles!!!!

Peas in a row :)

Wildflowers

So that is the beginning of our spring!!! I am very excited for everything to be growing and getting bigger over the next few weeks! Hope you are getting some nice weather too!!

Here are some projects I have been working on too!

Ted's Yellow Hat from Curious George

In my Etsy shop, with the Costumes and Dress-up

Girl's Creature Power Suit Disc Set!!! (very excited about this one!)

And a fun T-Shirt for tomorrow!

That's all for now! Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Curious George Color Mat & Survival T-Shirt

Here is the latest item in my Etsy shop. 

It is a Classic Curious George Inspired Color Blending Mat.

(That is a mouthful isn't it?!)

It has the primary color components underneath, and an

unattached balloon that goes over the top to make the "blended" color.

The kids can self-check by seeing the balloon strings are the same color as 

the balloons on top. 

It is a great lap game for small children ages 2-3, who need to keep busy for a bit!

 

 

And this:

 

is a T-shirt I made with sharpies for a boys birthday yesterday!

Hes LOVES the Survivorman series! 

So I made him this shirt to go along with some camping gear.

Here's the back! I think it turned out pretty good, considering the setup!

I made the design in Microsoft word, and printed it out.

Then, because it was dark outside and there was no light coming through the windows,

I wrapped my computer screen in saran wrap, and taped the page with the design on it

to the saaran wrap, so it wouldn't bleed through onto my screen, or onto the other side of the shirt.

And then I just traced it with a sharpie! 

Pretty easy right?!

Now I gotta make one for one of my sibs! :)

Wild Kratt Vests are up on Etsy!!!!!

Very excited to get these on Etsy finally!!!! 

Here is a link if you want to check them out!!!!!!!

That's all for today folks.

Short and sweet :D