twenty sixteen//

So we've almost made it thru 2016 y'all!! How was your year? Mine was good and I thankful to Jesus for granting me with a great 2016. Here are a few highlights of my year, one from each month, in order.

                                           |spending time in Fort Myers FL with my family|

                                                                 |the snow|

                        |winning 1st place trophy at quiz retreat with these lovely ladies|

 | learning how to play ukulele|

 

 

|being able to work with family|

 

 

 |lake tobias with the Sauder clan|

 

 

|fundraiser for Chad, Jo & family|

 

 

 

|an AMAZING week at Rubies|

 

|harvest time|

 

|being able to archery hunt with a cross-bow|

 

 

|living life at home with my family|

 

 

|we didn't do anything that astounding in December other than spend time with family, which is the best!|

 

Now we look to a new year: 2017!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!

(Pinterest)




 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:11-14 ESV

 

 

Merry Christmas to all my wonderful blog readers! May Jesus bless you this Christmas season!

//life lately//

 

 

life lately....

 

    baking cookies for the annual Sauder cookie exchange

                                                                      

                         right now Aubree absolutely adores all her babies and puppies.....

                                            Happy Birthday Mom!! You're amazing!! =)

                                                                
                 the evening of Mom's birthday we all went to Hershey to see the sweet lights!

 

Merry Christmas!! 

Christmas.....

Yes, so many people say it is the most wonderful time of the year, and I agree. But, are we really, truly, focusing on what really IS the reason its the most wonderful time of the year? Jesus is really the reason for the season. He came, as a baby, down here to our sinful world, and lived a perfect life, so that we can have forgiveness of sins and a life in heaven with Him!! So I am challenging you this Christmas season to thank Jesus for all that He did for you and to celebrate Him this season. I am not saying that all the family get-togethers, food, gifts, etc. is all wrong, but sometimes I think we focus on that more than really focusing on Jesus and the Christmas story. This is a challenge for you, as well as me!
Merry Christmas y'all!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Martin family Christmas*

Hi All!! It seems like a while since I did a picture/life post, so here is one for you 😃 Some of our extended family members are going to be out if  state + country over Christmas, so we did our Christmas early. It was kind of fun to be able to start the Christmas season earlier, but at the same time it didn't quite feel "right" beings Christmas is 3 weeks away 🎄 But all in all, it was great!
Grandpa + Grandma are very generous when it comes to gift giving, so this year they took  most everyone shopping for gifts and we were each aloud to spend a certain amount. 2 groups of little girls went to a doll store to get clothes for their American dolls, the big girls went to "big girl stores," and the guys went to Weaver's Store. It was a lot of fun spending time with Grandpa & Grandma. Anyway, saying all that I have some pictures of our family gathering!

Mmhhhh....wonder what's in this one?!

Aubree got dolly stuff, which was a great fit for her beings she loves her babies!

And of course the boys get to add to their farm toys!!

 

 

 

The younger ones played a candy cane game!!

 

 

And the ladies played now you have it now you don't!

\

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into our family gathering!! Merry Christmas!!

 

 

Proverbs 27:17

I am copying these paragraphs from an online source, because I like how they say it:

The phrase “iron sharpens iron” is found in Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” There is mutual benefit in the rubbing of two iron blades together; the edges become sharper, making the knives more efficient in their task to cut and slice. Likewise, the Word of God is a “double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12), and it is with this that we are to sharpen one another—in times of meeting, fellowship, or any other interaction.

The proverb also indicates the need for constant fellowship with one another. Man was not made to be alone, for did not the Lord God say this, even before the Fall (Genesis 2:18)? How much more, then, after the Fall of Man, do we need to come together with our brothers and sisters in Christ for seasons of fellowship and prayer? Clearly, this was recognized by the saints of the early church (Acts 2:42–47), who “devoted themselves” to teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer, all corporate activities that provided opportunities for sharpening one another.

There are two points to make about the above proverb. First, the meeting of two together in the Lord’s name will always guarantee blessing. It is a means of grace that the Lord Himself promised—where two or more are gathered in His name, there He is among them (Matthew 18:20). Also, we see a similar meaning in Malachi, for those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard (Malachi 3:16). When we sharpen one another in real Christian fellowship, the Lord bends an ear from heaven and is pleased. Not one word about Him which brings Him glory escapes His notice.

Finally, a knife that has been sharpened will also shine more because all the dullness has been rubbed off its surface. Likewise, we will shine better for our Lord if we do the things mentioned above consistently, all of which will unite us in harmony. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). Therefore, as the author to the Hebrews says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24–25).