Video: Bach's Bible

         I've always loved Bach's music: it is richly Baroque, wide and varied in its emotions, and unending in creativity. I've also always loved the fact that he signed his compositions "Soli Deo Gloria"-to God alone be the glory. Here is a short video focusing not on his music, but rather on his Bible, and his evident love for his Creator.




Note: I found this video at a classmate's website, which is well worth checking out-- John Kraemer Music

Diagnosis: Bullion

The Drama Queen 

"Princess Bink" , my nine-year-old sister (who could also have been nicknamed Drama Queen), came to me recently with deep concern written across her face.

"I think I have Bullion in my elbow," she said, gripping that appendage. "Will I die?"

 Gulping down a laugh and trying to speak soothingly, I choked out, "Honey, I don't think bullion will kill you. Bullion are those little cubes we use to make broth."

Mixed confusion and relief flashed across her face. As she skipped off, eleven-year-old "Natasha" giggled, "She meant to say polio..." Where she heard about polio, and how she decided she had it, I'm not sure. She keeps me on my toes, though--she's a little replica of her oldest sister Tessa!

~Lissie

"Good News" is an understatement...

Well, this is another Eric Ludy video. But it's also absolutely incredible. I'm not talking about the quality or the narrator, although both are good. I'm talking about the message; namely, the Gospel.

If you have not yet experienced what is shown in this video, cry out to Jesus. Tell Him you need His righteousness. Tell Him that you cannot make yourself good enough to go to heaven. He will not leave your cry unheard, unanswered. This Resurrection weekend you too can have new life.

If you have experienced the King's saving grace, remember that it is not because of anything we have done; it is His grace. Preach the gospel to yourself. Return to your first love, be refreshed and renewed to serve your Savior-in His power.

Please hear this as though you have never heard the Gospel before.

Please hear it as it should be heard; utterly fresh, beautiful, mind-boggling, God-glorifying, soul-saving, life-changing, and worthy of tears and shouts of joy.

Please watch this video this Easter weekend, and be so filled with praise to the King who died and rose that you might know love and serve Him that you can't help but go and tell others.



Happy (almost) Resurrection Day.

He is not dead.

He is Risen!

Bravehearted Thots: Seek My Face

During this Easter season, seek the face of God. It is because of the resurrection that we can have hope. If not for the resurrection, we would be fools to believe in Christ and His ways. Meditate on the fact that He is the firstborn from the dead! O, death where is your sting? Christ has taken it away and conquered it for the soul who trusts in Him and finds it's hope in the living Saviour!

Time for Celebration

Happy One Month Anniversary, 

Anna and Aaron 

Sneak Preview....

Lauren Laplante Photography

Lauren Laplante Photography

Lauren Laplante Photography

Lauren Laplante Photography

Yes that's right, we got the official photos from Tessa's and Aaron's wedding. They turned out amazing! I know my mom will post many, many more pictures on our family blog, but I thought I'd put some up as a teaser. My eyes fill with tears every time I think of God's goodness and grace toward us in guiding Aaron and Tessa's relationship, the beauty of the wedding, the fellowship of good friends, and the memories Tessa and I have together.

Made Excellent for Marriage-Video

Whether you're married or not, this sermon is well worth watching. Eric Ludy takes Scripture and uses that to teach his six year old son Hudson how to prepare to be a godly husband; however, older people (like me!) can benefit too. On a word of warning, although he says nothing inappropriate or too personal, Eric Ludy is not afraid to get very practical in applying these Scriptures! Be ready to laugh, learn, and-gulp-be convicted.

Eric Ludy - Made Excellent For Marriage from Ellerslie Mission Society on Vimeo.

Seventeen Kids and Counting!

Yes, you read that right. Seventeen kids (and I said counting because Anna still counts but wasn't here). Seventeen kids....between two families. Not quite at the Duggar level, but still fun chaos. 

We had a good time of fellowship tonight with our friends the Nordstroms!

Their daughter Meddie arrived home from Ethiopia a little over two weeks ago (see my earlier post: She's Home!!!) Although they are still adjusting, Meddie is doing very well; when I see her I am always struck by her beautiful smile and joyful giggle.

Meddie with "T-Bird". An adoptive sibling (is that the right phrase?) myself, I feel so privileged to watch the way that Meddie's five siblings have opened their hearts and cheerfully sacrificed much to welcome her to their family. I also love how they are each other's best friends and stick with each other through thick and thin; they are a joy to be with!

My youngest brother with the Nordstrom's youngest boy. Eddie Joe has a sweet and gentle spirit and has been a wonderful big brother to Meddie.

Shhh....this is kind of a secret, but Eddie Joe was my favorite Sunday School student. He's my pal!

Can you guess where my dad works? No, we don't get the ice cream for free, but we do stock up on it as you can see. We think Dad has a pretty sweet job! 

Never forget that Blue Bunny is the best ice cream to be had; never settle for less than perfection. :)

 Yes, we have a resident comedian. "Alexander" keeps us laughing all day long with his acting skills, sound effects, and creative memory.

And I have to finish with this picture: our two families youngest daughters, representing three countries: Russia, Ethiopia, and America. They are good friends and so precious together!

Chit-Chat and Chatter

This article was a really good reminder to me to watch how I use my tongue--a reminder I sorely need!

Empowered Traditionalist-Talking About Boys

Christ Our Substitute

While reading Don't Call It a Comeback: the Old Faith for a New Day (edited by Kevin DeYoung), I came across this quote:

"This is the wondrous exchange made by His boundless goodness... Having become with us the Son of Man, he has made us with himself sons of God. 
By his own descent to earth he has prepared our ascent to heaven.
Having received our mortality, he has bestowed on us his immortality.
Having undertaken our weakness, he has made us strong in his strength.
Having submitted to our poverty, he has transferred to us his riches.
Having taken upon himself the burden of unrighteousness with which we were oppressed, he has clothed us with his righteousness."
(Don't Call It a Comeback: the Old Faith for a New Day, pgs 37-38, quote from Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion)


Praise Him for being our substitue!

A Once-a-Year Opportunity

Photo Credit

Last year I was privileged, along with the rest of my family, to attend the Summit VI conference for Christian Alliance For Orphans.  What a blessing that was! Over a thousand people gathered with the intent of learning how to better care for the vulnerable and needy as God commands us to.

No, this was not just a conference for adoptive families. The workshops and breakout session addressed many ways to care for orphans, from providing much-needed needed shoes for Haiti children, to helping foster children adjust as they reach adulthood.

The attendees and staff were warm and gracious; excited about fellowship and eager to share stories of God's goodness. The worship sessions were powerful and God-centered, a foretaste of heaven as we raised our voices in unison to our King.

But best of all was the focus on the Gospel. There was no "Let's help orphans because we want to be good people." The desire to serve and love came from a deep sense of gratitude to a Savior who rescued sinners from hopeless guilt and a Father who adopted unworthy children. Speakers and conference-goers alike constantly returned to the gospel as the reason for the way they lived, not simply because this was a Christian conference and that was the way to do things, but because their lives had been profoundly and forever changed by the Father of the Fatherless.

Have you adopted?

Are you adopted?

Have you considered adoption?

Do you hope to adopt in the future?

Maybe adoption isn't in the picture but you hope to find ways to minister to children who have many physical needs, and most of all, a need to know about Jesus.


Please consider attending Summit VII in Louisville KT, May 12-13.

Think about this for a moment...

Mondays aren't always easy to get up to: but below is some good news. Please don't skim through this-meditate on it, glory in it, relish every word, and fall deeper in love with your Savior.

"The Lord is gracious and merciful; 

Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness." 

                                                                                 ~Psalm 145:8

"The Rock! His work is perfect,

 for all His ways are just;

A God of faithfulness and without injustice,

Righteous and upright is He." 

                                                                            

 ~ Deuteronomy 32:4

"Yours, O Lord, 

is the greatness 

and the power

and the glory

and the victory

and the majesty,

indeed, everything that is in the heavens and the earth;

Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt yourself as head over all."

                                                                              ~1 Chronicles 29:11

"O taste and see that the LORD is good; 

how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"

                                                                             ~Psalm 34:8

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 

Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? 

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.

To Him be the glory forever. Amen."

                                                                          ~Romans 11:33-36