tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331933282011-07-07T20:18:56.990-04:00Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. She openeth her mouth with wisdom: and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. ~Proverbs 31:10, 26, 28, 30Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.comBlogger841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-23983028126307877302008-11-16T19:20:00.002-05:002008-11-16T19:23:53.216-05:00

Tait Edward Zimmerman, Jr.Early, but healthy, Little Tait was born on November 6, 2008, at 3:29 pm, delivered by emergency C-section. At just 27 weeks along, he needed (and still needs!) all of the prayers he so lovingly received from all of our faithful family and friends. Thankfully, he has been breathing on his own from the beginning, and hasn't needed a respirator, which is apparently very

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-33004875048786129332008-10-04T01:34:00.003-04:002008-10-07T14:53:44.891-04:00

...To a midwifery near you....Picture taken on August 30, 2008ETA: February 4, 2009

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-82080221318272122392008-09-22T18:58:00.001-04:002008-09-22T18:59:32.973-04:00

Well, it's not even supposed to get up to 50 degrees here in the 10-day forecast, and there are a few lows in the 30's! It's 45 degrees out now, at 3 in the afternoon. Just about all of the leaves have turned, and the woods and driveway are paved with fallen ones. Somehow, 40 and 50 degrees here doesn't seem quite as cold as it did back home; I think I'm becoming slightly used to this cooler

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-87773369000274040472008-06-07T21:50:00.001-04:002008-06-07T21:50:36.105-04:00

Hello everyone!!! Lauren here.We had a beautifully wonderful honeymoon in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and are now enjoying life together in Alaska! I'll have to say that married life is even better than I thought it would be (and I had some pretty high expectations), and that I am married to the best young man on the face of the earth. Our relationship has grown closer each day, and we're

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-34280750682151368742008-04-24T10:55:00.004-04:002008-04-24T10:59:05.071-04:00

www.TaitandLauren.com

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-64687113861496582892008-02-04T22:39:00.000-05:002008-02-04T22:46:45.226-05:00

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ANCHORAGE HAS ISSUED A WIND CHILL ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 12 PM AST TUESDAY. INCREASING NORTH WINDS COMBINING WITH BELOW ZERO AIR TEMPERATURES WILL PRODUCE WIND CHILL READINGS OF 30 TO 45 BELOW ZERO THROUGH CHANNELED TERRAIN. THESE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO PERSIST THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-6995217138615913932008-01-25T00:07:00.000-05:002008-01-25T00:09:08.520-05:00

...until our wedding on May 3! This is the first time our countdown has been fewer than triple digits! :D Yes, I have it all figured out to the second: 99 days, 16 hours, 55 minutes, and 36 seconds!I'm working on getting our wedding website finished, and will let ya'll know when that is all done!

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-46003863248490309222008-01-10T23:34:00.000-05:002008-01-10T23:36:31.111-05:00

This is an absolutely hilarious short video about a "homeschool family." So cute!* * * * *http://www.timhawkins.net/video/homeschool.swf* * * * *

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-16684881910596210012007-12-23T00:39:00.000-05:002007-12-23T00:40:52.876-05:00

This post was originally published today on my family's blog, The Name Fitz.Two weeks ago, Mom and Dad and Dr. Thiel (the doctor we're working with in California) decided that Dr. Thiel needed to see Katelyn Grace as soon as possible. One week ago, Mom and Leslie left with the baby for California. They were gone for Mom and Dad's 25th wedding anniversary on the 18th, and will be gone for

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-20614193445341607152007-12-20T14:48:00.000-05:002007-12-20T15:01:07.932-05:00

Anchorage, AK - My home come MayCurrently:Fair -3°F Feels Like-19°F Updated: Dec 20 09:53 a.m. Alaska STToday Tonight PM Snow Showers High7°FPrecip50% Wind: NNE 6 mph Max.

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-32508645156369029812007-12-12T09:22:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:08:36.861-05:00

After we discussed practical home education on the phone one day, Tait sent me the following points in an e-mail:1. We will emphasize character education. We will work on character prior to formal education, and emphasize it just as one would academics. We will emphasize our children’s relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ much more highly than we will academics. Our motto must be “No

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-24865330124969047612007-12-11T06:40:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:09:49.181-05:00

I have a post up on my family blog explaining the situation. There are also some cute pictures!Read the Post

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-34545825792609456462007-11-06T13:38:00.001-05:002007-11-06T13:39:16.019-05:00

"Time is cried out upon as a great thief; it is people's own fault. Use him but well, and you will get from his hand more than he will ever take from you."~The Wide, Wide World, by Susan Warner

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-46412130838312561872007-10-09T14:12:00.000-04:002007-10-09T14:29:40.312-04:00

Today, Mr. Phillips of Vision Forum wrote about his wife. I have read very little that spoke to my heart as this did. Mr. Phillips brought to attention the many, many amazing results of one mother's brave decision. The situation seemed tragic, "but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." (Genesis 50:20)My sister and I were able to meet Mrs.

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-58731530352710922412007-10-08T22:53:00.000-04:002007-10-08T23:09:04.844-04:00

Guess what! I'm going to live in Alaska! I know you all already know that, but I'm kind of excited! Well, I'm not just excited about the living in Alaska part; I'm mostly excited about marrying the most wonderful young man in the world in just over six months! The moving to Alaska part kind of comes with that. ::smile::I put up a post on my family's blog about where we're going to live.How about

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-75852223402398136862007-09-25T16:13:00.000-04:002007-09-25T16:20:22.387-04:00

Mr. Phillips posted a wonderful article studying the variety of messages sent by the different dolls of today.Excerpt:One of the most iconic symbols of childhood play is the doll. Dolls have always served an important role in culture, primarily in preparing daughters to be mothers. At the heart of doll play are two important concepts: identification and imagination. For example, the baby doll in

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-15903089516527785382007-09-17T11:02:00.000-04:002007-09-17T11:20:31.737-04:00

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-6094087993825530782007-09-13T23:45:00.001-04:002007-12-22T23:12:36.427-05:00

Katelyn Grace was seizure-free today for the first time in well over a month!To give you an idea of what an improvement this is, her worse day was last Wednesday, the 5th. She had seizures at 2:20am, 4:20am, 6:20am, 8:20am, and then randomly throughout the rest of the day, making a total of about seven or eight.The ImprovementWe saw an osteopath in Atlanta later that day, and things have gotten

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-49847164138801182152007-09-07T08:38:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:12:46.640-05:00

For those of you who don't know, Katelyn Grace is my precious 7-month-old baby sister who has Down syndrome. This post was originally posted on my family's blog, The Name Fitz.I wish I had time to go into both the long and short of everything now, but the short of it all will have to do for the present. After having an EEG (electroencephalogram) a couple of weeks ago, Katelyn Grace was diagnosed

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-78144451176754523492007-08-16T22:28:00.000-04:002007-10-08T23:10:22.095-04:00

Important bit of news: Alaska is absolutely, positively beautiful!More important bit of news: We had a wonderful, productive visit with the Zimmerman family.Most important bit of news: Tait and I are engaged!We look forward to a life together spent serving the Lord and giving Him the glory for all of the the miraculous ways He has worked.There are a few old, familiar hymns that particularly stand

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-3106597046641559372007-07-06T22:16:00.001-04:002007-09-25T16:21:10.838-04:00

Well, my courtship might have something to do with it. And my 5-month-old baby sister might figure in there somewhere. And just normal busyness supplies the rest of my excuse.I'm trying to keep our family blog going fairly regularly. Friends and relatives are anxious for updates and pleasantly clamorous for pictures of a certain Alaskan and updates on a certain courtship.With that said, I'm

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-77710187153190303462007-06-23T18:32:00.001-04:002007-09-14T20:45:40.667-04:00

Grandmother’s Point of View by Grandma Betty [Written June 5, 2007] It’s been quite some time since I shared my “Views” with others. Fathers Day is coming up this month: this day brings memories of my Father, Michael Korodi, who was a lay Christian minister. He was also an astute reader of history and continuously studied and mused over the Word of God, the Bible. We children would

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-3910560458246140142007-06-21T23:20:00.001-04:002007-09-14T20:46:10.759-04:00

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-27289344657240492932007-05-26T18:24:00.001-04:002007-09-25T16:21:40.682-04:00

This post was originally posted earlier today on our family blog, The Name Fitz.* * * * *A certain young man has been hanging around here of late. His presence is especially surprising given the fact that the young man hails from the faraway state of Alaska. However, he claims to have a special motivation for these regular visits to the heart of the South.My story begins last May, when our family

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-57946093494778069282007-05-19T22:06:00.001-04:002007-05-19T22:24:02.353-04:00

I've been meaning to write something on this subject, but just haven't gotten a chance yet, with all the goings-on that have been going on of late. : ) Yesterday, I discovered an article on Ladies Against Feminism that says everything I want to say about this, and says it infinitely better than I ever could. Its title is "The Secret Garden" ... and no, it's not talking about the book.I know

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-82766015858439069512007-05-02T23:42:00.001-04:002007-12-22T23:21:10.813-05:00

Introduction * Part 1 * Part 2 * Part 3 * Part 4 * Part 5 * Part 6 * Part 7 * Part 8 * Part 9 * Conclusion4. "The next quality to look for is thankfulness.... Thankfulness is not a response to one's environment, rather, an expression of the heart."Just like cheerfulness, thankfulness is "an expression of the heart," and - as Michael Pearl puts it, speaking of a prospective wife - "a change of

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-72947742964168858702007-04-27T22:27:00.000-04:002007-09-14T20:47:16.201-04:00

~ Psalm 27:13-14 ~ I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-14184522149140700272007-04-17T19:13:00.000-04:002007-09-14T20:48:01.171-04:00

Jessica Weatherford lies small and helpless on the opertating table, staring at a blue surgical sheet hanging inches from her face.It blocks her view of the Caesarean operation on the other side, as a doctor delicately reaches for her baby.A baby Jessica's been waiting for.A baby she prays will live long enough to hold in her arms.So begins one of the most heartbreaking stories I have ever read.

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-6758229756236127302007-04-03T21:15:00.000-04:002007-09-14T20:49:07.749-04:00

Mr. Phillips, of the Vision Forum, recently published a quote from A.W. Pink on his blog concerning the relationship between the strength of families and the strength of a nation. The main thrust of the quote - particularly the second paragraph - is that "a nation is but the aggregate of its families, and unless there be good husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, there

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-44283774874861290672007-03-30T23:29:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:22:01.458-05:00

Anna Naomi Lofgren of Maidens of Worth wrote this beautiful poem: A True and Godly WomanToday the roles of men and ladiesAre often blurred or sharedLeaving one to wonder,"So, what has God prepared?"Some people would try to tell usThat we're the same in every wayThat girls should strive for equal rightsAnd not be stuck inside all day!But I want to be a lady,Following after God.Striving to do what

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-9668923436638176312007-03-16T13:28:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:22:19.721-05:00

Introduction * Part 1 * Part 2 * Part 3 * Part 4 * Part 5 * Part 6 * Part 7 * Part 8 * Part 9 * Conclusion3. "[Another] thing to look for in a prospective wife is cheerfulness.... Everyone has trials and adversities. The happy, cheerful girl has learned to deal with them and still enjoy life."Cheerfulness might be defined as the outward manifestation of a contented heart. On the other hand, a

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-48032498119048653352007-03-10T15:31:00.000-05:002007-09-14T20:50:34.811-04:00

People ask me how it happens that my children are all so promptly obedient and so happy. As if it chanced that some parents have such children, or chanced that some have not! I am afraid it is only too true, as some one has remarked, that "this is the age of obedient parents!" What then will be the future of their children? How can they yield to God who have never been taught to yield to

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-6193742263115590752007-03-05T15:42:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:32:51.614-05:00

Stepping Heavenward, by Elizabeth PrentissWritten in the form of a personal journal, this is truly a unique work of fiction. Although the story takes place in the 1800's, the main character, Katherine Mortimer, faces many of the same issues that young ladies face today: honoring her parents, loving God, controlling a quick temper, keeping her emotions in check, honoring her husband, loving her

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-88983880641993560422007-03-05T10:01:00.000-05:002007-09-14T20:51:48.150-04:00

I want to see little children adorning every home, as flowers adorn every meadow and every wayside. I want to see them welcomed to the homes they enter, to see their parents grow less and less selfish, and more and more loving, because they have come. I want to see God's precious gifts accepted, not frowned upon and refused.- Stepping Heavenward, by Elizabeth Prentiss; pg. 344

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-45424759838159951012007-03-03T00:12:00.000-05:002007-09-14T20:52:15.745-04:00

Surely too much is involved, too great a responsibility, too many and too precious interests, to venture upon wedded life without Christ. The lessons are too hard to learn to be attempted without a divine Teacher. The burdens are too heavy to be borne without a mighty Helper. The perils of the way are too many to be passed through without an unerring Guide. The duties are too delicate, and

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-8731678872166453942007-02-28T21:51:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:23:05.241-05:00

Introduction * Part 1 * Part 2 * Part 3 * Part 4 * Part 5 * Part 6 * Part 7 * Part 8 * Part 9 * Conclusion2. "She will need to know how to pray."Communication with God is an important part of the Christian life. In Scripture, we are commanded to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Since I have not learned New Testament Greek, I don't know exactly what it means by "without ceasing,"

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-87136906886947826392007-02-21T20:43:00.001-05:002007-12-22T23:22:51.296-05:00

Introduction * Part 1 * Part 2 * Part 3 * Part 4 * Part 5 * Part 6 * Part 7 * Part 8 * Part 9 * Conclusion1. "The first qualification is that she love the Lord and be His disciple." If a woman does not understand the relationship between Christ and His church, how can she have a proper understanding of the relationship between a man and his wife? Ephesians 5 draws a clear parallel between the

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-47886202328342445712007-02-10T17:10:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:23:22.329-05:00

Introduction * Part 1 * Part 2 * Part 3 * Part 4 * Part 5 * Part 6 * Part 7 * Part 8 * Part 9 * ConclusionSometimes we look around us and wonder, "Where in the world is the Lord going to find a godly, upright young man to marry me someday?"At these times, we need to stop and remember that responsibilities are ours; results are God's. God gives us our responsibilities in His Word, and promises to

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-30784674093566295942007-02-06T23:40:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:23:48.899-05:00

Twins Alex and Brett Harris, of TheRebelution, recently conducted a "Modesty Survey." While I don't necessarily agree with or approve of every aspect of it, I appreciate the motivation behind it.Part of the survey allowed those taking it to submit written answers or comments. One young man, Shannon Moeller, wrote a fantastic article comparing modesty to safety on roofs, or "parapets." I know it

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-57635472991403547162007-02-03T11:27:00.000-05:002007-09-14T20:53:54.808-04:00

Click over to our family blog to see the new gift that God has given us in the person of a little down syndrome baby girl!

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-41787601330885528242007-02-02T18:24:00.000-05:002007-09-14T20:54:09.434-04:00

You absolutely must look at our family blog!!! There's lots going on over there!

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-81310887561542585102007-02-02T14:27:00.000-05:002007-09-14T20:54:30.105-04:00

There's some exciting activity right now on our family blog, The Name Fitz! We're pretty sure Mom's going into "real" labor, but she's had several false alarms so far. Check our family blog for live updates!!!

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-9220158167007228472007-02-01T11:57:00.000-05:002007-09-14T20:54:58.786-04:00

I just finished reading a wonderful article by Alex & Brett Harris entitled Christians Can't Multitask.I know. When I first saw the headline, I thought the same thing that's probably running through your mind right now. What in the world? Now that's strange. What's wrong with multi-tasking?Through reading the article, however, I discovered a few things. Although multi-tasking in and of

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-53594844952713175562007-01-31T00:52:00.000-05:002007-09-14T20:55:24.017-04:00

Children need a mother who teaches them, not a teacher who doesn't have the emotional energy to mother them. Young men need a father who teaches them to work, not a father too busy working to teach them.The best schooling for children is a good home life, not a home that is all school.-Michael Pearl, To Train Up a Child, pg. 91

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-5722051709083166712007-01-22T10:04:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:31:23.945-05:00

What a wonderful idea! An online conference! You can click on the add on my sidebar or the banner at the bottom of this post to see what topics are going to be discussed and other details.The following is a message from Jennie Chancey on her website, Ladies Against Feminism.We are very excited to tell our readers that technology has finally made a long-held dream come true: the opportunity to

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-59041870538978490142007-01-19T08:18:00.000-05:002007-09-14T20:55:53.299-04:00

My family just started our own blog, The Name Fitz. Click here or on my new sidebar link to see it!

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-33205258088273622472007-01-17T21:51:00.000-05:002007-01-17T21:54:16.998-05:00

I just changed my web address tohttp://morepreciousthanrubiesblog.blogspot.comJust to make it easier to read ... it says "more precious than rubies blog." Please make any necessary changes to Bookmarks or other links leading to my blog.Thanks!Lauren

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-30984701734827837762007-01-17T16:03:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:24:08.426-05:00

God chose this one special man and this one special woman to become the father and mother of a great nation. Sarah wasn't commended for being a wonderful mother. She spent most of her life childless, being an old woman before her only son was born, and then she died before Isaac was grown. She was commended because she believed God and called her husband lord. She was the kind of wife God

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-59684813464918129132007-01-15T00:42:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:24:32.738-05:00

As most of you may know, my mom is due to deliver her fifth child sometime in February. Yesterday, Leslie and I, with the invaluable help of a dear friend, Mrs. Helen, hosted a baby shower for her. Leslie and I, in the course of our planning, considered various baby shower games and activities. Somehow, they all seemed meaningless and trite. What could we do that would make this baby shower

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-26035636395874374872006-12-05T22:32:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:14:09.818-05:00

On a recent family vacation, during our long car rides, we listened to S.M. Davis' talk entitled What God Has to Say About Having Children. (I can't find it anywhere on the Internet. If I could, I would include a link.) It was a wonderful lecture and had many great points. Hoping that this information wouldn't go in one ear and out the other (which seems to happen quite often for me), I

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-71796254147399784772006-12-01T12:44:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:14:37.247-05:00

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.The Lord has really emphasized this to me again and again over the past few weeks. What a comfort it is to know that if we put our trust in Him and acknowledge Him in all that we do, He will direct our paths!

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1160583999820955432006-11-29T23:48:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:15:38.688-05:00

One of the many ways that the Lord has blessed us over the past few years is by bringing our family closer together. He truly has made my siblings and me best friends. We enjoy doing things together and talking together.It is so easy for us to distance ourselves from the other members of our families! Everyone has heard of "sibling rivalry," and it seems to be accepted today today that

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-67439400868151701562006-11-27T22:24:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:17:04.898-05:00

Jeremiah 35:1-10, 18-19The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habaziniah, and his brethren, and all his sons, and

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-12110515558772273292006-11-27T14:57:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:17:50.582-05:00

Grandmother’s Point of View by Grandma Betty “God’s best gifts are not things, but opportunities.” Galatians 6:10 says: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” This quotation and verse appeared in a devotional booklet recently. Applying this concept to the pre-Christmas gift-buying effort, it seems that we

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1162010613574077612006-11-21T02:19:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:24:54.887-05:00

Proverbs 31:10-12 - Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.This last verse is one which I think that most of us girls never really think about: "...All the days of her life." This means the days of our married life; it

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-75122417999766720802006-11-21T02:18:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:19:20.780-05:00

So Much More, by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth BotkinWritten by two sisters and including interviews with their father, this book describes the wonderful relationship that should exist between fathers and daughters. It is a very helpful and encouraging book that addresses the subject of life purpose. It clearly describes our role as women and reveals feminism for what it truly is.Emotional Purity:

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-86150571373848173732006-11-20T13:16:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:20:15.851-05:00

Godly womanhood ... the very phrase sounds strange in our ears. We never hear it now. We hear about every other type of women: beautiful women, smart women, sophisticated women, career women, talented women, divorced women. But so seldom do we hear of a godly woman - or of a godly man either, for that matter. We believe women come nearer to fulfilling their God-given function in the home than

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-7677857659090534002006-11-14T21:22:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:25:27.280-05:00

"I don't know who ya'll remind me more of: the Von Trapps or Little House on the Prairie!"-our neighbor, upon observing my sister working on schoolwork sitting on a blanket on our front lawn

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-43377235647306557202006-11-09T23:19:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:28:12.117-05:00

This evening, my mom and I were on a panel, along with a few other women, answering questions asked by some of the local homeschool moms. Everyone else on the panel had graduated at least one child from high school ... except me, of course. I have, however, been homeschooling for longer than any of the moms. I've been homeschooling all of my life, whereas they had only been homeschooling for

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1163015450484995852006-11-08T14:48:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:30:08.607-05:00

Today, the United States Supreme Court heard the Partial-Birth Abortion Cases Gonzales v. Carhart, 05-380; and Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood, 05-1382. A ruling is expected in July.For some reason, partial-birth abortions seem to many Christians to be more wrong than normal abortions. Our views, just as everyone else's, have been influenced by "abortion rights" activists. The truth is, it

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1162845622023489352006-11-06T15:40:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:30:56.224-05:00

October 15-22, Leslie and I were in San Antonio with our grandparents for Vision Forum's Independent Christian Film Academy and Festival. Even though we know nothing about filmmaking, and weren't interested in it at all (before we went, at least), we got so much out of both the Academy and the Festival.There were several reasons that we went:1. Grandma and Pop needed a chauffeur. I was only

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1162514089118006792006-11-02T19:26:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:32:00.076-05:00

One of my favorite sessions at Vision Forum's Film Academy was Isaac Botkin's dissection of a short film his family made. The Botkin kids made it in one month, especially for the Film Academy. Benjamin, Anna Sofia, and Elizabeth Botkin composed and digitally orchestrated the music. Isaac, Benjamin, Noah, and Lucas Botkin did the voices. Benjamin, Noah, and Lucas built the ships on the

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1162175633165617722006-10-29T21:20:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:32:33.524-05:00

This afternoon, our grandpa took us to see the movie "Facing the Giants." It was amazing! It would have been like just another sports success story if it weren't for one thing: all the credit for every success was given to God. There are so many sports stories out there which all have the same story line: a team keeps losing, but because a coach or somebody inspires them, they start

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1161990558261848662006-10-27T19:03:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:33:13.261-05:00

Grandmother’s Point of View by Grandma Betty There are 46 chromosomes in the one initial cell of each human life. Animals were created with different numbers of chromosomes than humans, so they never did and never can evolve into human beings. As you can see, I find the science of genetics very fascinating! It is amazing to my finite mind that each of us has the same number of

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1161788967831860232006-10-25T11:05:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:33:39.015-05:00

This was posted on Mr. Phillips' blog today. What a blessing! As you can see, there was a lot more to this film festival than simply films!From an International Attendee at the Film Festival:"What a blessing last week has been for me and my family, even though they could not be there with me. The day after I came back we watched Facing the Giants in the cinema and my family was stunned. What a

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1161409547555467812006-10-21T01:39:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:33:58.593-05:00

Leslie and I, and Grandma and Pop Fitz are in San Antonio TX this week for Vision Forum's Independent Christian Film Academy and Festival. It's hard to believe that we only have one full day left! I'll be posting soon about our first few exciting days at Pearl Stables for the Film Academy. In between the Film Academy and the Film Festival, we took a roadtrip around this area of TX, visiting

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1160581813849507212006-10-11T10:47:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:34:26.817-05:00

The skirt is finished! Shannon worked hard on it the last couple of days, and finished it up very nicely with Mom's help. Here are a few pictures of the finished product, with Shannon inside of it.When asked what she learned, Shannon responded that she learned "how to sew on the sewing machine, and how to follow directions." She says that she enjoyed working with Mom, and that making the skirt

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1160282891218052152006-10-07T23:00:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:35:32.786-05:00

Leslie and I wanted to post something tonight, so she dictated most of Pastor John Robinson's Farewell Letter to the Pilgrims to me, from memory - punctuation and all!While we were taking a walk the other evening, Leslie started reciting Pastor Robinson's letter while pretending to write it on a railing.(She can also recite Patrick Henry's Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech from start to

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1160096899211176082006-10-05T21:01:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:35:51.120-05:00

"Oh look! A towtruck! It has yellow tows and purple truck!"-Shannon

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1159045049172331452006-09-27T23:42:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:36:16.110-05:00

I had to laugh to myself when I read this article. It is very characteristic of Grandma Ardt. She has always possessed a love for flowers and plants in general. I remember we were going for a walk together around our neighborhood once when she and Grandpa Ardt came to visit. Pointing out a particular plant, she said, "See those plants? They are called 'yuccas.'" Now, these happened to be

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1159041356605883872006-09-27T23:37:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:37:03.955-05:00

My maternal grandma used to write articles for a publication that was put out by her church in Ohio. (Now, at the age of 84, she and my grandpa - my maternal grandparents - are missionaries down in Mexico.) Her column was entitled "Grandmother's Point of View." In it, she taught little life lessons that every young woman needs to learn.The Bible commands Christian women who have already

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1159073659353139342006-09-24T00:42:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:37:24.123-05:00

Wait not till the little hands are at restEre you fill them full of flowers;Wait not for the crowning tuberoseTo make sweet life last sad hoursBut while, in life busy household band,Your darlings still need your guiding hand,Oh fill their lives with sweetness.Remember the homes whence the light has fled,Where the rose has faded away;And the love that glows in youthful hearts,Oh, cherish it while

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1159071162115845472006-09-23T23:43:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:38:13.413-05:00

Grandma's House has always been - and always will be - a special place for me. It is a place where there is always love and laughter and a full cookie jar. When I was little, it was a place where I was always listened to and treated with love and kindness - especially by Grandma. The memories I have of my Grandma will last my entire life. Grandma could make everything alright, no matter what

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1158201560923855492006-09-13T22:39:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:39:32.880-05:00

The other night, in our family devotions, after discussing various other subjects, we arrived on the subject of children. We were originally talking about how easily unbiblical and ungodly ideas and standards infiltrate the church, many times without it being readily apparent.After my parents were married, they waited five years to have children. Their reasons?1. They wanted to wait until they

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1157867563824309382006-09-10T13:49:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:39:50.080-05:00

A few of my favorite cartoons that people have sent us over the years.

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1157861096669451642006-09-09T23:29:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:40:24.060-05:00

These are pictures of my youngest sister, Shannon, during her first sewing lesson. Shannon is eleven years old, and Mom is just starting to teach her the art of sewing. Mom is a wonderful seamstress, and has made everything from clothing to curtains to bedding to table covers. For the past several years, Shannon has been watching my other sister, Leslie, and me with our various sewing

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1157662729465161992006-09-07T16:54:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:41:01.905-05:00

Lately, I've been examining my attitude. Often, I get this awful feeling that can only be diagnosed as a lack of contentment. When I'm feeling discontented, I have made a point of trying to figure out exactly what is making me feel that way. If I can just force myself to think about what has made me discontented, I am almost always shocked at how minor the "problem" really is.I have to be so

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1156447105858308912006-08-24T15:17:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:41:24.761-05:00

Always the Same by Ron Hamilton I am His, He is mine; Jesus knows my name. I can rest in His arms; He’s always the same. When I fall, when I call, Jesus takes my hand. Cleansing me, lifting me, He helps me to stand. In His love I’m secure; we shall never part. In His Word I will trust and give Him all my heart. In the dark of the night, when my heart would fear, Lovingly, tenderly,

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1156396854961827612006-08-24T01:14:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:41:41.562-05:00

1 Samuel 12:24 Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things He hath done for you.Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 But thou, O man of God … follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1156373882885088822006-08-23T18:42:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:42:44.243-05:00

I thought it would be interesting to do a character sketch of the virtuous woman. It's sort of a self-assigned essay for me. Through writing this, I hope to get a fuller understanding of what it means to be a virtuous woman. Now, writing all of this is one thing; applying it is quite another! It will certainly be something to pray about!There are so many wonderful passages that describe the

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1156372600035914462006-08-23T17:27:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:43:15.967-05:00

My grandfather was a Colonel in the Air Force during World War II. When he was a young man, married, with four children, Major Lee Shanks shared the Gospel with him. When asked if he believed the Bible, my grandfather replied that he believed most of it. "Okay," returned the Major, "let's go through the Bible and tear out the parts that you don't believe."Although the Major never did actually

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1156349430058712352006-08-23T12:08:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:43:33.358-05:00

This is one of my favorite songs, written by Ron Hamilton. Shannon, my youngest sister, asks to sing it every single Sunday morning.Lord, Bless Our Home by Ron Hamilton Families all around us are crumbling ev’ry day, Yielding to the enemy and throwing life away. Bind our lives together, Guard us with Your truth; When the struggle seems too great, Lord, keep our eyes on You. Thank You

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1156308644378490232006-08-23T00:10:00.000-04:002006-11-27T22:43:27.871-05:00

One of the first things I'd like to do on this blog is to thank my parents for the immeasurable amount of their own lives that they have invested in my siblings' and my life. For the past nineteen years, my parents have centered almost every aspect of their lives around their family. Just before I, the eldest child, was born, my parents made the joint decision for my mother to stop her dental

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33193328.post-1156305488995533602006-08-22T23:16:00.000-04:002007-12-22T23:45:05.789-05:00

I believe I first got the idea of starting a blog from my parents. We had just attended a Worldview Conference in Georgia, put on by American Vision in May of 2006. During the five-hour car trip home, we were all eagerly discussing ways to apply what we had learned. Not only did we learn an immeasurable amount from the lectures, we also gleaned so much from just talking to people at the

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18272296542746073361noreply@blogger.com0