Scott and I received this email from Ella Beth's teacher the other day. We were tickled beyond measure. Love our girl!!!
--
Dear Amber and Scott,
I had to let you know of a precious moment in class today. I was teaching some countries to a small group of children including Ella Beth. We were working with the Asia map and learning India, Turkey and the Philippines. We played lots of games where I ask the children to point to the country. For example, "Touch India, Point to the Philippines....."
The last part of the lesson involves the children naming the country. I pointed to Turkey and asked Ella Beth, "What country is this?" She immediately replied, "Ham!"
I knew exactly where she was coming from! What logic!
Warm Wishes,
Rose
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Easter time
This year at Easter, our family enjoyed lots of time together. We celebrated each other, but most importantly we celebrated how much our Heavenly Father loves us. Ella Beth and Landon (3 and 2) are still a little young (in my opinion) to grasp the entire Easter story, but we did introduce it to Ella Beth. Our sweet girl is VERY sensitive, and when we briefly read over the part where "Jesus died"...well, tears welled up in her eyes. She didn't grasp that He died to save us, she was just sad that He died. I know that next year when we truly dive deeper into the story of Easter that we are going to need to tread lightly on this major detail. We are going to be working extra hard this year to give her the foundation of God's unconditional love so that will be her lens through which she understands Jesus' death. She and I read Little Girls Bible Easter Storybook for Mothers and Daughters
Of course, we had too many egg hunts to mention. All were fun! And I'm convinced that Easter is worse than Halloween when it comes to candy. Maybe it's because since I'm stuffing many of the eggs, I'm putting the "good stuff" in there! Candy is hidden in our house now. From the kiddos at least. Ahem.
and...Ella Beth is off! Girl's on a mission. :)
Landon was so proud of his eggs!
No time for a picture, mom. There are more eggs to find!
Once again this year, Landon had to open every. single. egg. before putting it into his bucket. :)
Every Easter morning lots of eggs "appear" in our front yard over night. (Thanks, Aunt Jamie and Uncle Jason!)
Most of our family was out of town for Easter this year (in Disney World...poor them, I know) so I won't bore you with any more egg-hunting pictures. Our Easter day was low-key and family-centered. Just the way this Castleberry Clan likes things. :)
Of course, we had too many egg hunts to mention. All were fun! And I'm convinced that Easter is worse than Halloween when it comes to candy. Maybe it's because since I'm stuffing many of the eggs, I'm putting the "good stuff" in there! Candy is hidden in our house now. From the kiddos at least. Ahem.
and...Ella Beth is off! Girl's on a mission. :)
Landon was so proud of his eggs!
No time for a picture, mom. There are more eggs to find!
Once again this year, Landon had to open every. single. egg. before putting it into his bucket. :)
Every Easter morning lots of eggs "appear" in our front yard over night. (Thanks, Aunt Jamie and Uncle Jason!)
Most of our family was out of town for Easter this year (in Disney World...poor them, I know) so I won't bore you with any more egg-hunting pictures. Our Easter day was low-key and family-centered. Just the way this Castleberry Clan likes things. :)
Haiti bound!
Apparently, serving once one the mission field is just the beginning. At least for me; and I love it!
I am happy to announce that Scott and I are leading a trip to Haiti this June 18-25. We are looking forward to all that God has in store for us. And, I am looking forward to serving others side-by-side with my husband.
I'd love for you to partner with Scott and me through prayer. If you would please pray for team unity, team flexibility, health before and during our trip, and specifically for us that we will not be overly anxious about leaving Ella Beth and Landon. We have no second thoughts of leaving our two sweet kiddos (not to say that it won't be difficult once June rolls around!), but we are excited to show our children what serving others looks like. I am excited that there is already a thread of "missions" in our family. Since coming back from my trip to Kenya last year, Ella Beth already has a heart for Africa. She asks at least once a week when she can go. I love that! I want our family to be open to the needs of others. I want us to be a family of contentment with what God has blessed us with so that we can use any "extra" to bless others.
I'd also love to invite you to partner with us financially if you feel led. Financial support is essential to our going on the trip. The total cost for our group's trip is $49,500 - which is $1650 per person. If you do feel led to support us financially, please visit https://my410bridge.org/aecastleberry This is the fundraising page for both Scott and me ($3300). Simply click on the "Donate" button under the thermometer. :)
Thank you for your excitement, prayers, and support as we plan for and lead our trip to Haiti. Our God is B-I-G!
I am happy to announce that Scott and I are leading a trip to Haiti this June 18-25. We are looking forward to all that God has in store for us. And, I am looking forward to serving others side-by-side with my husband.
I'd love for you to partner with Scott and me through prayer. If you would please pray for team unity, team flexibility, health before and during our trip, and specifically for us that we will not be overly anxious about leaving Ella Beth and Landon. We have no second thoughts of leaving our two sweet kiddos (not to say that it won't be difficult once June rolls around!), but we are excited to show our children what serving others looks like. I am excited that there is already a thread of "missions" in our family. Since coming back from my trip to Kenya last year, Ella Beth already has a heart for Africa. She asks at least once a week when she can go. I love that! I want our family to be open to the needs of others. I want us to be a family of contentment with what God has blessed us with so that we can use any "extra" to bless others.
I'd also love to invite you to partner with us financially if you feel led. Financial support is essential to our going on the trip. The total cost for our group's trip is $49,500 - which is $1650 per person. If you do feel led to support us financially, please visit https://my410bridge.org/aecastleberry This is the fundraising page for both Scott and me ($3300). Simply click on the "Donate" button under the thermometer. :)
Thank you for your excitement, prayers, and support as we plan for and lead our trip to Haiti. Our God is B-I-G!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Daddy Love
When I was going through pictures tonight, I found some from our last snow. I'm not in a single one...and I don't mind because the pictures I have are special to the Daddy in this house. :)
Snowball!
And framing these next two for Daddy...
I love this man. He's a great husband. He's a great Daddy.
Monday, March 22, 2010
The Art of Being Sheltered
I've been trying to process my thoughts on this topic for a couple of weeks, but I'd love to hear your input.
===
I shelter my kids. A LOT. And I mean to do it. I do it on purpose.
When we are in the car, the only music we listen to is Christian music (and on very special occasions fun, CLEAN, fast songs that just make us act silly). We typically listen to Seeds Family Worship - which is a fun and uplifting way for all of us to learn and meditate on Bible verses. The Bible verses are set to great music and most songs are sung by children. It's precious to hear my kids' little voices sing along. Melts my heart each time.
At home, we do not watch TV that has "real" people in it. Birdie is 3, and Buddy-Ro is 2. Everything they watch on TV is geared specifically for children and highly centered on values. We let them watch Barney, Strawberry Shortcake (sorry Buddy!), Little Bear (a huge favorite for the kiddos and the parents!), The Berenstain Bears, and Imagination Movers. Our kiddos don't watch TV every day, nor do they watch more than a couple of these a day when the tube is on.
We read uplifting books and magazines together.
We talk in terms of our values and manners. We discuss how we should treat each others and those we love. We talk about how much we love our family and friends.
That's pretty much it.
And we are perfectly OK with that. In fact, that's exactly what we strive for.
Firstly, our kiddos are 3 and 2. They are young, and their spirits are tender.
Secondly, when we surround our children with uplifting Truth, then those are the values they know.
As most of you know, I've really been struggling lately with God and Birdie's health. But in all of my struggles...in all of my fightin' words and flying fists...I have known that God loves me. That the God of the universe, the God of creation and life...He loves me and in Him I find salvation.
During these past few months, the darkest in my life in terms of my faith and trust, I have also been sheltering myself. I have only listened to Christian music. Songs like "Lead Me" and "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real, and "Before the Morning" and "Savior Please" by Josh Wilson, and "Hold My Heart" by Tenth Avenue North...those songs have been my life-blood these past few months. Songs that sing of God's love. His truth.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not close-minded and completely set apart from the rest of the world. I love me some country music and fun pop music that causes me to hop out of my seat and dance! And I'm a sucker for a good chick flick. :)
But what I need is Truth in my life.
I've been sheltering my own heart by not allowing it to be invaded by any other influence other than the ONLY influence that I need. I know how vulnerable my heart is, and how easily influenced it can be by this world.
The same is true of my children's hearts. They are the most impressionable and vulnerable little hearts. I want to protect them.
I want to shelter them.
So I do. As much as motherly possible.
--
Do you?
===
I shelter my kids. A LOT. And I mean to do it. I do it on purpose.
When we are in the car, the only music we listen to is Christian music (and on very special occasions fun, CLEAN, fast songs that just make us act silly). We typically listen to Seeds Family Worship - which is a fun and uplifting way for all of us to learn and meditate on Bible verses. The Bible verses are set to great music and most songs are sung by children. It's precious to hear my kids' little voices sing along. Melts my heart each time.
At home, we do not watch TV that has "real" people in it. Birdie is 3, and Buddy-Ro is 2. Everything they watch on TV is geared specifically for children and highly centered on values. We let them watch Barney, Strawberry Shortcake (sorry Buddy!), Little Bear (a huge favorite for the kiddos and the parents!), The Berenstain Bears, and Imagination Movers. Our kiddos don't watch TV every day, nor do they watch more than a couple of these a day when the tube is on.
We read uplifting books and magazines together.
We talk in terms of our values and manners. We discuss how we should treat each others and those we love. We talk about how much we love our family and friends.
That's pretty much it.
And we are perfectly OK with that. In fact, that's exactly what we strive for.
Firstly, our kiddos are 3 and 2. They are young, and their spirits are tender.
Secondly, when we surround our children with uplifting Truth, then those are the values they know.
As most of you know, I've really been struggling lately with God and Birdie's health. But in all of my struggles...in all of my fightin' words and flying fists...I have known that God loves me. That the God of the universe, the God of creation and life...He loves me and in Him I find salvation.
During these past few months, the darkest in my life in terms of my faith and trust, I have also been sheltering myself. I have only listened to Christian music. Songs like "Lead Me" and "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real, and "Before the Morning" and "Savior Please" by Josh Wilson, and "Hold My Heart" by Tenth Avenue North...those songs have been my life-blood these past few months. Songs that sing of God's love. His truth.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not close-minded and completely set apart from the rest of the world. I love me some country music and fun pop music that causes me to hop out of my seat and dance! And I'm a sucker for a good chick flick. :)
But what I need is Truth in my life.
I've been sheltering my own heart by not allowing it to be invaded by any other influence other than the ONLY influence that I need. I know how vulnerable my heart is, and how easily influenced it can be by this world.
The same is true of my children's hearts. They are the most impressionable and vulnerable little hearts. I want to protect them.
I want to shelter them.
So I do. As much as motherly possible.
--
Do you?
The Art of Being Sheltered
I've been trying to process my thoughts on this topic for a couple of weeks, but I'd love to hear your input.
===
I shelter my kids. A LOT. And I mean to do it. I do it on purpose.
When we are in the car, the only music we listen to is Christian music (and on very special occasions fun, CLEAN, fast songs that just make us act silly). We typically listen to Seeds Family Worship - which is a fun and uplifting way for all of us to learn and meditate on Bible verses. The Bible verses are set to great music and most songs are sung by children. It's precious to hear my kids' little voices sing along. Melts my heart each time.
At home, we do not watch TV that has "real" people in it. Ella Beth is 3, and Landon is 2. Everything they watch on TV is animated. We let them watch Barney, Strawberry Shortcake (sorry Landon!), Little Bear (a huge favorite for the kiddos and the parents!), The Berenstain Bears, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Our kiddos don't watch TV every day, nor do they watch more than a couple of these a day when the tube is on.
We read uplifting books and magazines together.
We talk in terms of our values and manners. We discuss how we should treat each others and those we love. We talk about how much we love our family and friends.
That's pretty much it.
And we are perfectly OK with that. In fact, that's exactly what we strive for.
Firstly, our kiddos are 3 and 2. They are young, and their spirits are tender.
Secondly, when we surround our children with uplifting Truth, then those are the values they know.
As most of you know, I've really been struggling lately with God and Ella Beth's health. But in all of my struggles...in all of my fightin' words and flying fists...I have known that God loves me. That the God of the universe, the God of creation and life...He loves me and in Him I find salvation.
During these past few months, the darkest in my life in terms of my faith and trust, I have also been sheltering myself. I have only listened to Christian music. Songs like "Lead Me" and "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real, and "Before the Morning" and "Savior Please" by Josh Wilson, and "Hold My Heart" by Tenth Avenue North...those songs have been my life-blood these past few months. Songs that sing of God's love. His truth. Also the North Point AWAKE cd.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not close-minded and completely set apart from the rest of the world. I love me some country music and fun pop music that causes me to hop out of my seat and dance! And I'm a sucker for a good chick flick. :)
But what I need is Truth in my life.
I've been sheltering my own heart by not allowing it to be invaded by any other influence other than the ONLY influence that I need. I know how vulnerable my heart is, and how easily influenced it can be by this world.
The same is true of my children's hearts. They are the most impressionable and vulnerable little hearts. I want to protect them.
I want to shelter them.
So I do. As much as motherly possible.
--
Do you?
The Art of Being Sheltered
I've been trying to process my thoughts on this topic for a couple of weeks, but I'd love to hear your input.
===
I shelter my kids. A LOT. And I mean to do it. I do it on purpose.
When we are in the car, the only music we listen to is Christian music (and on very special occasions fun, CLEAN, fast songs that just make us act silly). We typically listen to Seeds Family Worship - which is a fun and uplifting way for all of us to learn and meditate on Bible verses. The Bible verses are set to great music and most songs are sung by children. It's precious to hear my kids' little voices sing along. Melts my heart each time.
At home, we do not watch TV that has "real" people in it. Ella Beth is 3, and Landon is 2. Everything they watch on TV is animated. We let them watch Barney, Strawberry Shortcake (sorry Landon!), Little Bear (a huge favorite for the kiddos and the parents!), The Berenstain Bears, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Our kiddos don't watch TV every day, nor do they watch more than a couple of these a day when the tube is on.
We read uplifting books and magazines together.
We talk in terms of our values and manners. We discuss how we should treat each others and those we love. We talk about how much we love our family and friends.
That's pretty much it.
And we are perfectly OK with that. In fact, that's exactly what we strive for.
Firstly, our kiddos are 3 and 2. They are young, and their spirits are tender.
Secondly, when we surround our children with uplifting Truth, then those are the values they know.
As most of you know, I've really been struggling lately with God and Ella Beth's health. But in all of my struggles...in all of my fightin' words and flying fists...I have known that God loves me. That the God of the universe, the God of creation and life...He loves me and in Him I find salvation.
During these past few months, the darkest in my life in terms of my faith and trust, I have also been sheltering myself. I have only listened to Christian music. Songs like "Lead Me" and "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real, and "Before the Morning" and "Savior Please" by Josh Wilson, and "Hold My Heart" by Tenth Avenue North...those songs have been my life-blood these past few months. Songs that sing of God's love. His truth. Also the North Point AWAKE cd.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not close-minded and completely set apart from the rest of the world. I love me some country music and fun pop music that causes me to hop out of my seat and dance! And I'm a sucker for a good chick flick. :)
But what I need is Truth in my life.
I've been sheltering my own heart by not allowing it to be invaded by any other influence other than the ONLY influence that I need. I know how vulnerable my heart is, and how easily influenced it can be by this world.
The same is true of my children's hearts. They are the most impressionable and vulnerable little hearts. I want to protect them.
I want to shelter them.
So I do. As much as motherly possible.
--
Do you?
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