Here's the gang! Seated on the chairs are the original Harrison sisters with there respective husbands. Unfortunately, Great Uncle Ted, the only boy in the family, was ill and unable to attend.

CPC Ministry

Remember that Quilting Bee we had back in May? Well, this is where all those quilts ended up: at the Melvindale Crisis Pregnancy Center. On August 4th, our Stitch Together Group, met there to donate the quilts and spend an hour or so in volunteer work. But first, Angela, (the worker on duty at the time[third from right in the back row]) gave us a tour and briefed us on the work that is done there. They have such a wonderful ministery, helping girls and spreading the love of Christ. May God continue to bless them and those they seek to serve!

This is the clothes room. Mothers are allowed to take 6-8 outfits per child, and any shoes that are needed. There are also some maternity clothes avaliable for expectant mothers.

Here we are, helping to sort through boxes of donated baby clothes. We put them on hangers to be hung in the clothes room, or tossed them if they were soiled. There was some awefully cute little girlie dresses!

"Me First!" - The Biblical Way

(These thoughts just came to me last night, and I felt I should share them. Please understand that I am speaking to myself as much, if not more than to you. :-)

I know, most of you are probably saying right now, "There is never a time when we should put ourselves ahead of others! Doesn't the Bible say over and over to think of others first, put their interests ahead of ours, and seek to edify them?" But I would like to submit to you a time when it is not only right, but Biblical to put yourself first.

The world has so many ways of saying it – Self Esteem, Look out for Number 1, Defend your "rights". All of these sayings have a "Me First" attitude or underlying principle. People want to be first in everything, wealth, sports, fame, possessions; and yet they put everyone else ahead of them in the one thing that Jesus commanded us to be "self-seeking" about. What is that one thing? You will find it in Matthew 7: 1-6. Jesus begins by telling us to "Judge not.." This means any act of fault-finding, criticism, or condemning another person. He goes on to explain that we will be judged ourselves, with the same kind of judgement that we use on others. Then, in verse five, Jesus exclaims "Hypocrite! FIRST remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (emphasis mine) So what are we to put ourselves first in? Fault-finding! Jesus warns us against criticizing minor faults in others, when we have not searched our own hearts first and removed the grievous sins there.

The only time when we should put ourselves first is when we seek to apply a principle or lesson to others, or simply go fault-finding. Sadly, this seems to be a favorite pastime for many, and I am ashamed to admit that I have indulged in it too often myself. This is where the "Me First" principle comes in. If you think you see where a fault is, or a rebuke is needed in someone else, before you start correcting, FIRST check out your own heart, and HONESTLY seek places where YOU need to repent. Search your heart and pray that God will reveal your own faults, repent and turn from them with His help, and THEN you may be allowed to give a gentle, humble rebuke or reminder to another. First clean up your own act, and then maybe the little fault you saw in the other person won't seem as bad. At least you won't be a hypocrite by having the same sin that you correct others in, appear in your life. Sacrifice your pride, Confess your own sins, and then your rebuke, if needed, will be more readily received. If you see other's faults so much more easily than your own, just think what they must see in you! There are no good mirrors in the earthly realm of self-examination. If we just compare ourselves with others, we will usually come out looking pretty good. The only TRUTHFUL mirror is the Word of God. It all comes back to what standard we live by. Look in the Mirror of God's Word, at yourself, NOT others, and you will see how "dirty" you really are. Ask God to change your heart FIRST, and then He may be able to use you to help change the WORLD!

~Charity Joy

My Dad found this little poem from an old church bulletin that seemed to go with my article. Here it is for your perusal...

I dreamt death came the other night, and Heaven's gate swung wide.
An angel with a halo bright, ushered me inside.
And there to my astonishment stood folks I'd judged and labeled,
As quite unfit, of little worth, and spiritually disabled.
Indignant words rose to my lips, but never were set free;
For every face showed stunned surprise - not one expected ME!
-Anon

" The rose by any other name would smell as sweet".

A few weeks ago we posted a picture of mom and the rose bush that Grandpa and Grandma had given her for her birthday. Well here is the fruit of that lovely plant! Unfortunately a couple days before this bud opened, two other of its kind were decapitated off their branches by some of the thieving individuals that make their homes in the woods behind us, but that made this one even more treasured to admire as one of God's most delicately designed and deliciously fragrant creations!

Grace

Guess Who Had a Birthday? :-)

This is a picture of Dad 40-some years ago. Isn't he a cutie!?

We are so thankful to the LORD for a loving Christian father, who protects, provides and cares for us. Happy Birthday Dad!

Love from,
Your family

Happy Birthday!!

Yesterday was Grandpa Learned's birthday and today is Grandma's! What a blessing it is to have such wonderful, Godly Grandparents, who have given so much of their live's for HIS Service, in either spreading The Word as missionaries in Africa, or ministering and spending time with their church and family. May God bless you both with many more years of life as you continue to live for HIM! We love you!

Evening at the Pond

Grandpa and Grandma Learned are down visiting for this weekend, so last evening we all headed down to Patriot's Park pond near our public Library for some relaxing family time. Even though we were not able to use the paddle boats, I think I can say that we all had an enjoyable time as we either walked by the pond, climbed the huge willow trees or just sat and admired the beautiful sunset that God had painted for us in the sky!

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God!!!

The Saushall Gathering!

Last Saturday a Sau-shall (pro.: social) was held at our home as the Sauves and Marshalls gathered for a time of fun and fellowship! Throughout the afternoon and evening we played volleyball, tossed water balloons, ate dinner, sang around the piano, shared many moments of joyful laughter and above all had a great time!! Following are a few of the memories that we were able to capture of the newly named event: The Saushall!!!

See related article at: www.6inthefamily.blogspot.com

While the rest of us played, (or tried to play) volleyball, Allison sat on the sidelines and took pictures of our exciting, and then not so exciting game. 

One of the most hilarious, exhilarating, and tense games: Water Balloon Bedsheet Toss!!!! I don't think anyone went home totally dry! 

 

Instant makovers! The afore said bursts of joyful laughter were brought on by none other than the Marshall girls as they presented to us their masks of transformation!  

Of course we had to try the masks on too! 

Saturday Afternoon Senior Home Ministry

For the past few months we have had the wonderful opportunity to be part of a Saturday afternoon Senior Home ministry with some friends of ours. It has been such a blessing for us as we go and minister to these older people, many dear saints, and sing with them and pray for them. (This is a picture of Charity accompanying us with her flute while Karen plays the piano.)

Here are all the dear people we minister too. This past week there was only 23, which is about average. Other times we have had thirty or more come to worship the Lord through song with us. Praise GOD! 

This dear couple (sitting at right) has been married for 67 years(!) and are still very much in love. :-)  

Why did the Turtle Cross the Road?

Yesterday we had a most exciting time when our neighbor spotted a turtle walking across the street in front of her house! We of course all ran out there to see what was going on and couldn't figure out where this size of turtle (about 6 to 8 inches) had come from. After some inspection and discussion, and as we headed back to our house to think of what to do, Faith and I suddenly remembered that one of the neighbors down the street did in fact have a pet turtle! So off we all went (that is 6 of us kids) to knock on the front door and present the little creature to its very startled owner. I don't think we will ever know how she got out of her crate, off a deck, across the yard and into the street, but who says that you don't need a little excitement in life sometimes?!!!

Saturday, July 16, at the Worden's

Can you see where we are going? I barely could!!! We went through several storms like this on the way to Eaton Rapids, where it was almost inpossible to see where you were going and thunder clashes vibrated the whole vehicle!! Thankfully we were able to get through them all safely and it turned out to be a lovely day as we visited with the Worden family.

The adults solving the world's problems. 

A most exciting game of Foosball!! 

Size doesn't make a difference when your having fun!

Sunny Flower! ; )