Silas' 1st Time Painting

Silas' Aunt Kristy bought him paint for his birthday and we decided to play with them today.  Outside there is about a foot of snow and actually it's a little warmer today, at freezing or a little above:)  Silas liked playing in the paint, but I think he liked playing in the water better.  Thanks Kristy for the paint, I'm sure we will play with them more in the future.

"The Worst of Sinners"

I have been reading this book by Dave Harvey "When Sinners Say I Do" and have learned so much.  I recommend this book to all married couples.  I am reading now about understanding I am the worst of sinners.  Some other quotes from the book that I need to grow in are:  "When I find myself walking in the shoes of the worst of sinners, I will make every effort to grant my spouse the same lavish grace that God has granted me," and "understanding I have an ongoing need of a Savior."  You probably know we have been remodeling a house, and it seems like that is all I think about here lately rather than caring for my husband.  I am thankful for this book and will hopefully finish reading it.  I always start a book, get halfway through and start another one.

Silas' 1st Time Playing in the Snow

It is definitely winter time here in RI.  We took Silas out in the snow the other day and I don't know if he liked it, hated it, or just wasn't sure about it.  We went to Roger Williams Park and tried to find a hill that wasn't very crowded.  It was a fun site to see all the kids in the park sledding, it was like a winter wonderland!  We found a hill close to where our friend Rachel lives.  She came out and played with us.  Silas loves Rachel and normally reaches for her the second he sees her.  Enjoy!

New House Remodeling

Our 100 year old house is getting a little facelift.  We are moving the existing kitchen into another room and tearing down a wall to make it more open, and redoing the original hardwoods.  Kevin and our friends here in RI have been working so hard at making this happen, we have a contractor doing the major work.  We move in now not until Jan. sometime.  

But just a side note, a lot of people here in RI have lost their job or are about to and it has made me really appreciate our home.  I PRAISE GOD for his many blessings and reminded that he provides these things for us.  I pray that we use these things for his glory and not our own.  Please pray for these people who have lost their job.

"The Valley of Vision"

This book was introduced to me while at our church in D.C.  It really has aided me in my prayer life.  It's a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions.  Here is one of the prayers:

Need of Grace

O Lord,

Thou knowest my great unfitness for service,

my present deadness, 

my inability to do anything for thy glory, 

my distressing coldness of heart.

I am weak, ignorant, unprofitable, 

and loathe and abhor myself. 

I am at a loss to know what thou wouldest have me do, 

for I feel amazingly deserted by thee, 

and sense they presence so little; 

Thou makes me possess the sins of my youth, 

and the dreadful sin of my nature, 

so that I feel all sin, 

I cannot think or act but every motion is sin.

Return again with showers of converting grace

to a poor gospel-abusing sinner. 

Help my soul to breathe after holiness, 

after a constant devotedness to thee, 

after growth in grace more abundantly every day. 

O Lord, I am lost in the pursuit of this blessedness, 

And am ready to sink because I fall short of my desire; 

Help me to hold out a little longer, 

until the happy hour of deliverance comes, 

for I cannot lift my soul to thee

if thou of they goodness bring me not night. 

Help me to hold out a little longer, 

until the happy hour of deliverance comes, 

for I cannot lift my soul to thee

if thou of they goodness bring me not nigh. 

Help me to be diffident, watchful, tender, 

lest I offend my blessed friend

in though and behaviour; 

I confide in thee and lean upon thee, 

and need thee at all times to assist and lead me. 

O that all my distresses and apprehensions

might prove but Christ's school 

to make me fit for greater service

by teaching me the great lesson of humility. 

Birthday cake pictures

Silas' 1st Birthday!!

Silas had a great First Birthday.  His grandparents from VA drove up for the weekend and he got lots of new toys.  Here are a few pictures of the big day and our weekend.