Max's Meager 7's

Here are my lists. I thought I'd wait until the 7x7's craze died down a bit before posting mine. Of course, pressure from fellow bloggers has a way of raising the priority!

7 Things I'd like to do before I die:
1. Be involved in a ministry that uses apologetics as a tool for evangelism.
2. Be able to defend Christianity from an exegetical, philosophical, logical, and existential basis in the face of skepticism and hostility.
3. Travel the world in connection with point 1.
4. Rejoice with a godly wife, and raise many godly children.
5. Become well versed in and write about subjects such as: culture, philosophy, world religions, logic, history, literature, etc...
6. Be a tool used by God to bring many people to the knowledge of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
7. Learn to be unselfish.


7 Movies I enjoyed watching:
1. Through the Gates of Splendor
2. Luther
3. Horatio Hornblower series (have you guessed it's a family favorite? :)
4. P&P (BBC)
5. Q&A, Volume II, Ravi Zacharias at Univ. of MI.
6. Flywheel
7. North and South


7 Things I say often:
1. Aw man
2. Ssuch is life
3. How do you know that's true?
4. What's this pill for? (see Sally's preoccupation with health in her 7x7's)
5. I'm so glad I'm finally home!
6. Well...it's about that time. (bed time!)
7. ???


7 Things I'd like in a wife:
1. Loves God with her whole being, and has a heart for children
2. Has a cheerful dispostion, but is not superficially "bubbly."
3. Feels a personal call to, or (at the very least) is willing to follow me in a ministerial life
4. Considers punctuality important
5. Enjoy's and knows how to use humor, but is not bothered if life is not a constant laugh.
6. Is practical, hardworking, and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty.
7. Also has a taste for the poetic, romantic side of life. (I haven't seen many ladies that lack this, but hey, I think it's important!)


7 Things I can't do well:
1. Finish every book I start.
2. Get myself interested in financial matters.
3. Keep my desk organized
4. Cook
5. Understand God and time.
6. Keep my dirty clothes hamper empty.
7. Juggle 4 balls (or five for that matter)


7 Authors/books I like:
1. G. K. Chesterton - Orthodoxy, The Everlasting Man
2. Ravi Zacharias - Jesus Among Other God's
3. C. S. Lewis - A Pilgrims Regress (and others)
4. Gordon H. Clark - Various
5. Martin Luther - Bondage of the Will
6. C. H. Spurgeon - The Soul Winner
7. Francis Schaeffer - The God Who is There


7 People I tag:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. (this tagging can't go on forever!)



Well...it's about that time...

Moms 7x7's

This has been a good excercise for me! Here it goes....

Things I would like to do before I die.

1. Learn how to effectively tell people about Christ and Salvation.
2. Become an effective older woman "helping the younger"
3. Have a godly influence on my children, grand, and great-grandchildren.
4. Raise more children
5. Know God more intimately and fully.
6. At the end of my life, to have God's blessing of "well done thou good and faithful servant."
7. Turn our place into a glorious garden that is a paradise for adults and children alike.

Things I cannot do well.

1. office work
2. keep things organized
3. remember historical dates and details of events
4. be cold
5. wallpaper
6. remember birthdays
7. put up with mice in the house

Things I say often

1. alrighty then....
2. Good job!
3. I'll see you when you get home! (on the phone to Scott)
4. Really?
5. For Petes Sake!
6. glory be...!
7. Sis! (calling for Sally)

7 movies I like

1. Pride and Prejudice 1995 version
2. Flywheel
3. I am David
4. North and South
5. Wives and Daughters
6. Secret of the Vine
7. A Journey Home (in the film festival movies of this year)

Books I have enjoyed

1. Nourishing Traditions
2. Feed Your Kids Right
3. Harold Bell Wright Books
4. Stepping Heavenward
5. Emily Barnes Books
6. Marriage to a Difficult Man
7. Homemaking

Things I love about my husband

1. He has always kept me and family first.
2. Loves the Lord with all His heart.
3. Is passionate about truth, and has vision.
4. Is generous with his money.
5. Does his part in disiplining and rearing the children.
6. Is not rash.
7. Is intelligent.

There, that wasn't to bad as long as people know that things change and I may remember something more important later, than I wrote down! The people I tag are....Simon Parish,
Tamra Klaty, Chase Klaty, Lydia Neidhart, Natalie Semmens, Susan Semmens, Cathy Neidhart

Heart of the Home

Just as it is woman who makes a house a home, it is Mother who is the heart of the home. When she is gone, there is a gigantic void that a sister and daughter is unable to fill. (As I've found from experience!) Our sweet Mom left Friday afternoon for a weekend retreat up in the quietness of the mountains with Mrs. Seymour and Mrs. Pool, sisters in Christ and fellow homeschool Moms. Her cheerful smile, warm and ready hugs, the times she sits and just talks with each one of us, her merry laughter, her zest and energy, are all greatly missed by her family! We pray that she enjoys blessed rest, fellowship, and rejuvenation (sp?) while away, and that she will hurry back to us tomorrow!


Praise the Lord for Mothers!


~Sally Beth

" Worship is the submission of all of our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by his holiness, nourishment of mind by his truth, purifying of imagination by his beauty, opening of the heart to his love, and submission of will to his purpose. All this gathered up in adoration is the greatest expression of which we are capable."

~ Archbishop William Temple



Lord, teach us how to worship you . . .

Happy Valentines Day!

 

A Picture Update!

Simon and Mr. Marxmiller give us smiles as they pose in the rose garden . . .


Mr. Marxmiller, a WWII veteren, lived just down the road from us two years ago, before we moved. After the war, he and his beloved bride created a unique paradise on their property. Their beautiful land borders a lake, which supports all sorts of wildlife, from wild pigs, to bobcats. He planted a bamboo forest, built a fishing dock on the lake, planted a forest of fruit tree's, created a rock pool where he keeps enormous koi fish, and situated numerous ponds, scattered throughout his land, which swarm with goldfish, lilies, and frogs, which really do sit on the lily pads! :-) In other words, he has been a dream come true for a bunch of adventuresome little neighbors.

As soon as the Daniel and Max reached 'apprenticeship' age, Mom climbed in our squeeky, missing hubcabed minivan, and drove them down to Mr. Marxmiller's house, to see if he needed any help around his place. That one act created a legacy of memories that has been handed down all the way to Jeremy! Simon and now Jeremy also faithfully 'go to work' most Tuesdays, and do whatever needs doing . . . mowing lawns, cleaning out fishponds, clipping roses, sweeping the breezway, raking the driveway, clip bamboo, anything! Every so often, I too am summoned, but instead of yard work, to do what a woman does best . . . clean, scrub, dust, vacuum and the like! :-)

Mr. Marxmiller's influence on each one of us is a precious memory. His war stories, his love for his buried wife, the opportunity he has given each of us to learn how to work for someone else, and his zeal for the outdoors are an inspiration!

He has been one of the many that have taught us what important lessons we can learn from the aged ones among us. How meaningful, encouraging, and important it is to sit at the feet of the elderly, and listen to their wisdom. 

Thanks Jeremy!

Jeremy has recently taken over an important job in our household, washing the car! With his bucket, soap, rag, and scrubber, he can make our family car so clean it sparkles! I remember attempting to wash the car all by myself a few years ago and missed a great many spots! But Jeremy shines it up so well, it looks brand new. :-) If anyone is in need of a wash, just give Jeremy a call at (559) 626-0916!

By the way, has anyone made the discovery that a car washing session provides the perfect atmosphere for a grand old water fight? :-) 

Up on the slopes

Mom, Simon, Jeremy and I were blessed to enjoy another day of skiing/snowboarding up in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains last Thursday. While enjoying the fantastic view, exhilarating exersise, and sparkling sunshine, we met up with quite a few families from a special church up in Oakhurst that God has brought into our lives and hearts. They had driven up, and were enjoying the day also, many for their first time. Here I am at lunchtime with Leah Telian, little Miss Julia Telian, and little Mr. Wyatt Beacker (sp?) We have been so blessed with the Telian's friendship, as well as other families we have come to know through theirs. They made the day truly special! The sunshine glittering off the powdery snow provided a breathtaking view. Praise God for his magnificent creation!


After a hard days ski, we all trundled off to a mountain pizza place. Pizza never tasted so good as when you are coming with exhausted muscles and hungry tummies, enjoying the fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ! :-)

Dad's 6x7's

Seven Things I Would Like to Do Before I Die:
1. Be a bold witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ
2. Fulfil my calling as a husband and father
3. See my grandchildren and great-grandchildren
4. Be a qualified elder
5. Become debt free
6. Overcome my shyness
7. See the Custer battlefield


Seven Things I Cannot Do Well:
1. Hang sheetrock.
2. Speak in public.
3. Auto mechanics
4. Remember the names of plants
5. Play Dutch Blitz (unless Katherine Huber is on my team)
6. Build square and plumb
7. Engage in small talk


Seven Movies I Enjoy:
1. Flywheel
2. The Secret of the Vine
3. Gods and Generals
4. Pride and Prejudice BBC
5. Horatio Hornblower
6. ?
7. ?


Seven Things I Say Often:
1. Do not lean on the table
2. Chew with your mouth closed
3. Pass the food to the left!
4. Heavens to Betsy!
5. Hey... Bob!
6. This is Scott (cell phone)
7. Howdy!


Seven Things I Appreciate About My Wife:
1. Her love for our Lord Jesus Christ
2. Her embracing of her calling as a woman
3. Her faithfulness to me over 23 years
4. Her passionate love for our children
5. Her cooking
6. Her romantic nature
7. Her ability to work and play hard


Six Books That Have Impacted My Life, and One Which I Thoroughly Enjoyed (Not Counting the Bible):
1. Debating Calvinism (Five Points, Two Views)
2. The Church Effeminate
3. Psycho Heresy - The Psychological Seduction of Christianity
4. 12 Steps to Destruction - Codependency Recovery Heresies
5. How Christian is Christian Counseling? - The Dangerous Secular Influences That Keep Us From Caring for Souls
6. The Potter's Freedom
7. Archeology, History, and Custers Last Battle

Jeremy's 7x7's

Alrighty, here they are!


7 Things I want to do before I die:


1. Be a father and a husband

2. Go hunting and get something

3. Live out in the country and own land

4. Play tennis well

5. Have a home library

6. Be a fireman

7. Own my own horse


7 Things I Can't Do Well:


1. Play volleyball

2. Shoot clay pigeons

3. Build things out of wood

4. Keeping calm before we go on trips

5. Play tennis

6. Eat kale

7. Play basketball


7 Things I Say Often:


1. No

2. No, it's in! (In response to "Thats out!" in various games)

3. Yes

4. O.K

5. Come on

6. Cool

7.Wait


Movies I Am Fond Of:


1. The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe

2. Chariots of Fire

3. Horatio Hornblower Series

4. Flywheel

5. Saints and Soldiers

6. D Day

7. Pride and Prejudice 1995

7 Things I Want in a Future Wife:


1. For her to love God with all her heart, mind and soul

2. Likes to live in the country

3. Likes to play sports

4. Likes to travel

5. Someone who likes to visit and discuss

6. Wants to homeschool

7. Someone who likes horses


7 Books I Like:


1. White Fang

2. The Mutiny on Board HMS Bounty

3.Moby Dick

4. Ivanhoe

5. Benjamin Franklin

6.A Friend of Squanto

7. Summer of the Monkeys

People I Tag:

1.Sam Deladurantey

2.Mom Parish

3. Mr. Klaty

Upon Request . . . Sally's 7x7's!

Thanks to Miss Nikkae Huber, I have been tagged to provide my list of 7x7's. It has been such fun to read other's lists, and I have enjoyed putting a bit of thought into some of these topics.


Seven Things I Would Like To Do Before I Die:


1. Marry my Man, and enjoy a lifelong marriage that is God honoring, joyful, and romantic
2. Become a woman of God in whom the heart of my husband may safely trust
3. Become skilled in the art of natural medicine and healing (with herbs, essential oils etc.)
4. Raise many little 'mommies' and 'daddies' in the nurture and admonition of the Lord
5. Complete a wardrobe of historical gowns and accessories from the past
6. Travel the world
7. Become mistress of a home that radiates with God's love, warmth, welcome, and cheer


Seven Things I Cannot Do Well:


1. Imagine life without sunshine
2. Remain calm during heated debates
3. Imagine life without the Saviour
4. Remember to add the salt to my homemade bread
5. Stop my countinual singing. ;-) Much to my younger brothers dismay . . .
6. Imagine life without music
7. Keep focused when attempting to read 'heavy' books


Seven Movies I Enjoy:


1. Pride and Prejudice BBC's 1995 version
2. North and South (This fabulous movie is set in England, not in the states as it's title might suggest)
3. The Horatio Hornblower series
4. Gods and Generals
5. Iron Will
6. Flywheel
7. Most Historical Costume Dramas (Wives and Daughters, Jane Austen, etc.)


Seven Things I Say Often:


1. Really?
2. Has anyone seen my glasses? (Not so often now that I have contacts)
3. I don't know . . .
4. Mama?
5. Thats nasty!
6. Ooo thats so cute!
7. Ya


Seven Things That Would Attract Me In a Future Husband:


1. That he love God with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength
2. That he be man enough to do and go wherever God leads him despite the pressures and idea's of men
3. A man who is able to protect and defend me ~ Strong enough to protect me physically, courageous enough to protect me emotionally, and gentle enough to protect me spiritually
4. A man who has learned how to communicate well
5. A man who is humble, honest, and full of integrety
6. Enjoys athletics and being out in Gods beautiful creation
7. A spiritual leader who has a visions, hopes, and ideals for his future and family


Seven Books or Authors Who I Enjoy Reading: (Besides Gods Word)


1. Harold Bell Wright
2. Jane Austen
3. Stepping Heavenward
4. In My Fathers House
5. Biographys of Godly men and woman who served their Lord in days past
6. Margaret Gaskell
7. Beautifully written old novels that inspire pure ideals and promote true womanhood/manhood

Several People On Whom I Inflict This Tag:


* Mr. Max Parish
* Miss Cara Horn
* Miss Kristalyn Huber
* Miss Carol Deladurantey
* Mr. Dad Parish

You are not required to comply, of course, but tis' fun if you have the time! :-)


To God Be The Glory!

Simon's Patented Darning Technique

Duct tape has many good uses.

 

The Greatest Victories are Those Achieved in the Solitude of the Heart

I made a delightful discovery in the form of a very special book I've recently begun.
"Hinds Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard is the story of the little ugly and deformed Much-Afraid and her journey up the mountains to the palace of her King. This thought-provoking allegory has encouraged and challenged me to reach for Him alone, and with everything I am. The following passage touched my heart so, that I was compelled to share it on our blog. :-)


Much-Afraid looked at him earnestly. " I have often wondered about the wild flowers," she said. "It does seem strange that such unnumbered multitudes should bloom in the wild places of the earth where perhaps nobody ever sees them and the goats and the cattle can walk over them and crush them to death. They have so much beauty and sweetness to give and no one on whom to lavish it, nor who will even appreciate it."
The look the Shepherd turned on her was very beautiful. "Nothing my Father and I have made is ever wasted," he said quietly, " and the little wild flowers have a wonderful lesson to teach. They offer themselves so sweetly and confidently and willingly, even if it seems that there is no one to appreciate them. Just as though they sang a joyous little song to themselves, that it is so happy to love, even though one is not loved in return.
"I must tell you a great truth, Much-Afraid, which only the few understand. All the fairest beauties in the human soul, it's greatest victories, and its most splendid achievements are always those which no one else knows anything about, or can only dimly guess at. Every inner response of the human heart to Love and every conquest over self-love is a new flower on the tree of Love.
"Many a quiet, ordinary, and hidden life, unkown to the world, is a veritable garden in which Loves flowers and fruits have come to such perfection that it is a place of delight where the King of Love himself walks and rejoices with his friends. Some of my servents have indeed won great visible victories and are rightly loved and reveranced by other men, but always their greatest victories are like the wild flowers, those which no one knows about. Learn this lesson now, down here in the valley, Much-Afraid, and when you get to the steep places of the mountains it will comfort you."

Family Fellowship

We were blessed last weekend with a visit from my Alaskan uncle, Uncle Larry! After enduring six grueling hours of traffic from San Fransico, he arrived in Orange Cove safe and sound; an experience that caused him to observe that there were more cars on that road than in all of Alaska! ;-)
We enjoyed each other through much visiting and fellowship, a fantastic volleyball tournament, and driving to the Parish Family Shooting Range, to shoot our guns. Uncle Larry, Dad and I, (Sally) topped off the day with an invigorating climb to the top of our mountain. The evening light and blooming sunset provided an awe-inspiring view!
The Semmens family have been a tremdous blessing to our family. Their Alaskan lifestyle and persective is refreshing to us Californians, but most importantly their love, encouragement and support have made all the difference for our family, especially through some challenging changes the Lord led us through last year. Thank God for family!

Daniel and Kendra were able to drive up that weekend also, providing a double blessing! We were thrilled to see them again, not to mention cuddling our precious Jaelynn. Grandma Shirley and Great-Grandma Lucille came for lunch and generation pictures Saturday afternoon. It's wonderful to see the result of faithfulness through the generations!

Sunday afternoon was spent relaxing in our living room, talking over each other's hopes and dreams for the future, laughing our hearts out, and discussing various issues. In my opinion, that is one of the best ways to spend a Sunday afternoon! :-)

The above picture is of Uncle Larry and Dad on the top of the mountain. There are more pictures below!

Five Generations!

Family photo! Sorry it's a little blurry . . . 

Handing out the rifles

Hit it Dan!

Uncle Max!