Please Pray ~ An Update

Austin has been losing weight and strength 

over the last couple of months. 

It's a balancing act as we seek to manage meds and lifestyle. 

He trusts in the LORD.  We do too. 

What a blessing it is to know that He does all things well. 

Eternal perspective is imperative always, but, 

especially in times like these. 

Our Great God is Faithful. 

He is able to do amazing things.

He already has. 

Throughout this trial we pray that the 

LORD would be exalted. 

That He would be magnified. 

That He would be praised.

It's the reason we exist. 

Whatever He deems best is what we want. 

For Austin.  For our family.  By His grace.

How precious each day is! 

Austin was taken off one of his heart medications

due to the fact that it seemed to be aggravating his Crohn's Disease.

However, it is apparent that this medicine is

necessary for Austin's heart function.

If he cannot tolerate it (or its cousin) 

he will require the placement of a pacemaker. 

We pray that all will go well with this drug. 

But, if the LORD can use Austin more 

effectively with a pacemaker, that is what we want.  

His will, not ours, be done.

Our times are in His hands. 

Our children belong to Him. 

Please pray for Austin's body to accept this medicine. 

Please pray that the Crohn's would not flare 

due to the re-introduction of it. 

And, of course, please pray for complete healing. 

Our God is able.  But, His ways are not ours ~

They are higher. 

HIS will be done. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! 

With Love, 

Camille

Challenge 20 - Winner and Top 3

Well we had a wonderful amount of entries for our 'Animal Magic' challenge and the team found it really difficult to choose the top 3 but here they are:

#8 - Leah Ann

#32 - Nikki Byrne

#54 - Louise

Congratulations to you all, please grab the top 3 badge from our sidebar and add it to your own.

The winner of the prize of 4 digistamps from Meljens Designs (as chosen by random.org) is

#63 - Berni C

Well done, Berni.  To claim your prize, pop over to Meljens Designs, choose which 4 images you'd like and them email Dee Morris who'll send out your prize.

Meet the Scraggles.

This is a Scraggle.  Scraggles are funny little creatures (similar to Fraggles--if you remember that muppet show from the 90s?! HA!}  They live in Scraggle Patches, have wild hair, big eyes, and love to teach kids all about the short vowel "a".  We had a family of 4 Scraggles come to visit our class last week.  While they visited, my first graders had a blast learning to read and write words with short vowel "a"!  

Everyone chose a Scraggle to decorate.  Then we brainstormed a list of short "a" names to write on their shirts.  After the silly creatures were decorated and named, they were glued to our class Scraggle Patch--for students to practice reading the short "a" names during stations!  

I have some wonderfully creative first graders!  Here were some of my personal favorite Scraggle names:  Zaxby, Batman, Dragon, and Alvin!  Ha! :)

{Teacher friends, I created a packet full of "Scraggle-ific" literacy activities to go along with our Scraggles.  If you are looking for a memorable way to teach short a, please click the picture to take you to TpT shop!}

On Being Real

On being real.

Being real with our children.

Facing up to our sin.

Owning it.  Confessing it.  

Praying with them and asking them to pray for us.

They will.

It's a beautiful thing to walk this path with them.

Share our faith in the trenches with them.

Look to the LORD with them through 
all the joys and sorrows of this life.

God is Faithful.  All the time.

He will never forsake us.

He will give the grace and strength needed.

He will forgive us when we fail.

Day by day.

Moment by moment.
Over and over and over again.

How precious HE is!

If you wonder where to begin.

How to begin?
Begin first with HIM!

Seek the LORD in prayer.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him."

~ James 1:5 ~

Read His Word.

(Proverbs is a great book of wisdom).

Pray His Word.

Memorize His Word.

(I speak to myself here the most).

We must ask Him to forgive and mold and shape us.  
He will.  By His Grace.  For His Glory.

Looking to Him each step of the journey
together with you!
He alone is worthy of all our praise.

With Love,
Camille

Challenge 21 - Orange & Black

Wow, another two weeks gone.  I just can't believe it.  We had almost 100 entries for the last challenge - wow!  So hopefully you're all up for another great challenge.  This time our sponsor is the ever-popular KennyK and the prize is your choice of 4 digis.

I'm sure you're all familiar with the wonderful work of Kenny K's Shop but what about the man (and woman) behind those wonderful creations. Take a look here to see their journey, http://www.kennykdownloads.com/about-kenny-and-elena.php

So here's what the design team came up with to inspire you to join in with us:

Shirley

ALAN

Caz

Lisa 

Sandra

Michelle

Donna

Patricia

Hopefully, that's got you all fired up to join in with us.  Now for the rules:

1. Your card must be new for this challenge and follow the theme set.
2. Your card must be for a man/boy.
3. Your post must mention Cards for Men and contain a link back to the main post.

The challenge will run from now until midnight (British Summer Time) on 21 October 2012.  Leave a link to your post (not just your blog) in the link list below.  If it's not there for some reason, leave a comment and I'll add you in before the draw.  Good Luck.

Fast Forward.

Ok, does anyone else feel like someone has hit the fast forward button?  How in the world is it October already?!   The chalkboard and quote above is on display in our kitchen right now, as a reminder to our family to enjoy each day as it happens, and to remember what is truly important in life.  I think we all just get SO busy-- that we forget to take the time to look around us, and enjoy the little things!  I know I do.  Plus also, who doesn't LOVE Ferris Bueller?  I mean, really!!!  

Have a blessed week, sweet bloggy friends.  Take some time to "stop and look around"!

It's a Battle

It's a battle. 

The battle for contentment.

Just when I think I have this one figured out, 

something comes along to rock my boat.

Paul said ~ "I have learned, 

in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

~ Philippians 4:11 ~

It is something that has to be worked at.

It has to be learned.

In fact, contentment cannot be 
achieved in our own strength.

It's impossible.

Two verses later Paul states ~

"I can do all things through 

Christ which strengthens me." 

 ~ Philippians 4:13 ~

It doesn't come naturally. 

Discontentment does.

But, the LORD promises to give grace.
HE promises to give strength.
We can do all HE calls us to in HIM!
What a blessing!

 

"Discontentment comes from elevating 

the things of this world above the things of eternity."

~ Pastor Cam ~

If only we could (go, do, get, be)...fill in the blank ~ 

A holiday. A spouse. A new something or other. 

Discontentment will not be remedied 

by stuff or circumstances. 

On vacation or in a new home,

our hearts go with us. 

Nothing will bring lasting contentment. 

Nothing, that is, except the LORD Jesus Christ. 

If we have HIM, we have EVERYTHING.

How liberating and wonderful this truth is! 

By God's Grace, if we are in Christ,

nothing will be able to shake our foundation. 

Absolutely nothing! 

HE is ALL!

With Love,

Camille

**Photo in this post courtesy of our Calvin ~

Thank you my love!  XO