Monday, May 30, 2011

The INCH Conference

As a family, we have not had the opportunity to attend many conferences, so I was very excited that this spring four of us at least (Dad , Mom, Josiah and I) were able to make it to the INCH conference in Lansing. I have so many pictures and had such a hard time picking which ones to share with you, but I finally decided to just show you one of each of the lectures we went to, as well as some miscellaneous photos just for fun.


The first session that we listened to was two separate special talks by Eric and Leslie Ludy. Leslie spoke on "Set apart femininity" and Eric (very passionately according to Josiah) on "The Sacred Code of Honor."


We had lunch down by the beautiful Grand River. It was just the right temperature, lovely!


Though I have heard Dr. Voddie Baucham many, many times, I have never heard him speak in person, so this was extra neat. This particular message was on family discipleship. As always, Mr. Baucham, was passionate, humorous, poignant, and brought across many points of truth.



Eric Ludy spoke at the next session, and I was very blessed by his message on wrestling prayer.


Grace and Truth, was Mr. Ludy's next subject, and a very truth laden one.


There was an hour break for dinner, and for change of pace we took a nice walk down the block to a local restaurant.


Clara's station.


It was the neatest little diner; the walls were covered with interesting pictures, paintings, and other paraphernalia.


As we strolled back towards the Lansing center, we were given a beautiful view of the Capital building which was at the end of the street.


When we returned to the conference center, they had a time of recognition of the 2011 graduates before the keynote session.


The speaker was once again Dr. Baucham.

When Voddie Baucham finished, we walked out, the first day terminated, the second to come, and with tired fingers and full brains we made our way homewards.

The next morning found us up bright and early to make it to the first keynote session by Eric Ludy. Personally I seemed to write more notes earlier in the day than later, so this first message resulted in pages and pages of notes to be reviewed later.


During the next few workshops we split up, Josiah and Dad going one way, and Mom and I in another, one of the sessions we did attend was on "True Love" by the Ludy's. They did an excellent job on showing you should teach your children to focus on their one and only true love, Jesus Christ, and to build a personal relationship with Him before anyone else.

As on Friday, we were joined by friends for a delightful lunch by the river before slipping into the exhibit hall to check out all the booths.

The afternoon and "last" keynote speaker for the day was again Voddie Baucham. One thing that struck me about Mr. Baucham was the deepness of his voice; it resonated around the hall.

In one of the smaller workshops that afternoon, the Ludy's gave a talk to young people about being set apart and sanctified to God, and God alone.

By this time my little hand had gotten quite worn out, but Josiah still plugged away, jotting down all that interested him.


On the last session of the day, we split up again and Mom and I were able to attend a wonderful talk on the prelude to being a Proverbs 31 woman.
It was a wonderful conference, and I am so glad that some of us were able to attend it and that I have lots of notes so that I can pore back over the lessons taught.

~Chs

Saturday, May 28, 2011

God's Little Birds


"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Matthew 6:26


"Even the sparrow has found a home,
And the swallow a nest for herself,
Where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
My King and my God." Psalm 84:3


"By them the birds of the heavens have their home;
They sing among the branches." Psalm 104:12

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Wedding Shower


A couple of weeks ago we were privileged to go to Theresa's Bridal shower. The decorations were beautiful and there were quite a nice group of ladies.






A mutual friend brought forth a wonderful devotion, on preparing for marriage before we partook of all the lovely foods that had been made.


Theresa was blessed with many, many useful gifts from all her friends.





Please pray for Josh and Theresa (and us:) as we prepare for the wedding! Only three weeks away!!!!!!!!

~Chs

Monday, May 23, 2011

Passage for thought


Come, and let us return to the LORD;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight.


Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD.
His going forth is established as the morning;
He will come to us like the rain,
Like the latter and former rain to the earth.

Hosea 6:1-3



Thursday, May 19, 2011

Derby Day

Two Saturdays ago (yes I am abominably behind) I was priviledged to help out at "Derby Day," the fundraiser for Banbury Cross Therapuetic riding center. It was an amazing learning experience, as well as some of the most fun I have had this year. Following are a few pictures that I picked, and when you realize that I have 191 photos of the event, you can understand how I had such a hard time picking some to share with you.




To of the Bryson girls and I were set to work setting tables, and the setting must be exactly so or they must be redone.


The color scheme was red and black and everything looked marvelous with the stark red against the deep black.




The roses in the vase are real, the petals on the table, not so much;)

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Once we were finished with the first part of the set up, we (the volunteers) took a break for lunch.


As soon as we were finished refreshing ourselves, we returned to work, before getting cleaned up and changed for the start of the big event.


At 3:30 people began to pour in to the revamped arena, the ladies displaying quite a variety of hats and outfits.




There were all sorts of different fundraisers around the arena. One of them was a flower sale (since it was just before Mother's day) tended by engaging Carrie.











As soon as the banquet dinner was well on its way, we all turned into waiters and waitress and started "busing" tables. Which was a learning experience all on its own.


There also was an auction where they auctioned off the sponsorship of the horses as well as many donated items.

Smiles at the end of a long day!

So now, a few pictures later, this post is finally done. Please stay tuned for updates, I am really trying, and I have so much to say.
~Chs