Looking Back...

Time does indeed fly.

As the years bring new challenges and blessings, as the children grow (whether they're siblings or your own), and as you look back at photos, you think to yourself, "Where has the time gone?" I’m sure you’ve experienced this too.

My life has changed drastically in the past few years. Things that I never imagined would occur have happened; and though I tend to dislike change, I can see how God has used each event to His glory and turned them into blessings for me.

I honestly did not want to move from Texas—the state where I was born—the home I held dear. I recall thinking at the time: This is where my friends and family live—those I love dearly. I grew up in this house! We have relatives who are growing older—we’ll barely ever be able to see them...the list goes on. But, while I struggled with being content about moving, a thought popped unbidden into my head. What if God is doing all this for my good?

And really and truly, all has turned out for the good. Though I still miss those I left behind in the wonderful state of Texas, I have made new friends here in IL...friends and a church family that I love dearly. I have come to love our home on the lake, our church, the weather, even the glowing cornfields that sweep the land. Though I may never actually love the state of Illinois, I will always love what this state holds...and that is my friends, my family, and my home.

God is so good. And truly, joy has come in the morning!

In Christ Alone,

Jessica

P.S. Here are some photos from past years that I thought I'd share:

The McDonald Kids (except James) in Alabama in the year 2003 (I think).

Emma and Grace at the Weiss' house in Virginia in 2004.

James and Nathan celebrated their birthdays at the same time. I think this was in 2005...

The McDonald kids in Jamestown for the first time in 2001.

Kelsey B, Micah V, Nathan and Brandon H, Ben S and Christa, Tiff and I dancing in the backyard!

Our last Christmas in Texas!

I think they were arguing about what to play. :-) This is the fourth of July...back when we had Church at our house, I believe. Or at least the meal afterwards. 2004?

Playing "Four on A Couch" in our driveway. :-)

Singing around the piano after Church. AND CHECK OUT WHO'S IN THIS PICTURE! PJ and Elissa Pickle!!! :-D

Dancing at our Caroling party with some very dear friends.

William at the hotel we lived in in Peoria for a few months. Look how little and "baby-ish" he was!! *sigh*

Tiff, Melissa and William on the Evans swing. I think that might've been the first time we went to their house...

Our first Christmas in Illinois. William didn't like the camera flash me'thinks. :-)

Our second time in Jamestown...this time without James or Christa.

Sisters.
(this was while we were living at the hotel)

Lenna, Sierra and I at Thanksgiving.

Riding in the car on a nice day. I think this was some time last year.

Dad and Mom chopping pumpkins last year.

I was blessed to spend the last night I was 16 with two wonderful friends (and their dear families!)!

Sisters.
(there's less of us every year it seems...)

The McDonald Family- July 2008

What a week!! What a marvelously, busy, but glorious week this has been!

First, our beloved Great-Grandparents came to stay with us for two days! It's been soooo long since we've seen them and it was so good to finally do so!

On Sunday evening they arrived and we had a enjoyable time chatting and catching up.

On Monday we all went to Barnes and Noble where my dear Grandparents took us on an "Un-Birthday" trip! It's pretty much been agreed that that is one of our favorite stores on the map, so we had a lovely time there (we spent over four hours there, actually)!

We were loathe to see them leave early Tuesday morning. But that afternoon our next set of company arrived...

Jordan and Melissa Niednagel! We had read about them on blogs and what-not and even "met" Melissa over the internet, but had never met them in person! Well, they were traveling through and we were overjoyed to have them stop by!!

They arrived around 2:00pm and we had an amazing time meeting them and getting to know them.

On Tuesday evening we had the Riggenbach's and Ashton and Emil Bandy over for dinner. We had a fun Lebanese Feast and enjoyed a game of "Loaded Questions" over a slice of Tres Leches. And to top the evening off Jordan set up his video camera for some "Brain-typing" interviews...which was a bit nerve-racking *grin* but it ended up being a bunch of fun (we even convinced the Introverts to agree to be interviewed!!).

Unfortunately, Jordan and Melissa had to head out on Wednesday morning, but we were quite glad they could make it in the first place and look forward to fellowshipping again with them in the future!

So, here are the photos of the fun we had! Enjoy and God bless your week!

In Christ Jesus Alone,

Jessica

Grandpa and Grandma's Visit

Grandpa David and Grace relaxing in the quiet of the afternoon.

Grandpa and Grace again. :-)

Grandpa and Grace at Barnes and Noble.

Grace, Grandpa and Abigail reading at B&N.

Great-Grandkids with Great Grandpa and Grandma!!

The little girls wave farewell from the front yard.




Jordan and Melissa Niednagel's Visit

When Jordan and Melissa arrived it was a truth universally acknowledged that we must go on a walk. So we all proceeded to do so. It was warm out, but the exercise was refreshing and the fellowship, even more so!

Caleb really enjoyed talking to Jordan.

Taking photos of the adorable cows that our neighbor owns.

Tiff, William, Melissa and I pose for a quick photo (our Melissa didn't go with us).

Jordan and Caleb.

Caleb picking berries.

Melissa picking berries.

Jordan thought that the berries were pretty tasty (and trust me, they were!). :-)

Jordan and Melissa N, Melissa, Caleb and Tiff working in the kitchen.

Emil and Caleb...I think they're taking "Robin Hood" personality tests.

Mr. R, Jordan and Caleb talking.

Jordan and Ashton.

Jordan and Ashton.

Emil and Mr. R...talking to whosoever is on the couch, I'm guessing. I can't really identify the people though. Sorry!

Chatting in the kitchen. The ultimate "central station". Really.

*cough* Ashton, actually.

Jordan and Melissa Niednagel. :-)

Caleb and Jordan doing card tricks. Caleb really enjoyed having a "guy" over! :-)

William, Melissa N, Mr. R and Mrs. R chatting...well, except William, who is, in fact, eating.

Jordan's Nikon camera...and a Canon got this picture. :-D

Everyone smiles as we get a "group" picture.

Mrs. R, Melissa Niednagel, Gretel R, Grace and Mr. R chatting in the living room.

Jordan got "brain-typing" interviews of most of us.

Wow, I think I should feel...famous or something! :-D Though I'm sure I made a complete idiot of myself with all my "ums", etc. :-)

Mrs. Riggenbach getting interviewed. She had us all laughing so hard! :-) Love you, Mrs. R! :-D

Me, getting ready to start talking...*cough*
(I was pretty hyper that evening too...)

Writing down directions, I believe.

Favorite Quotes, anyone?

So I was talking to a dear friend of mine who pointed out the fact that I don't post very often. And I realized that she is right. It certainly feels like I do, but when I looked at the dates of the posts...well, I saw the truth. SO...the question is...what to post about?
I have several ideas but I thought that perhaps an interactive one would be my best option. :-)

Here goes...

What is one of your favorite quotes?

Here's ONE of many of my favorites:

"A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool."

- William Shakespeare

P.S. I'd be interested to hear what y'all's are! :-)

Seven Grooms For Seven Sisters...*cough* I mean...Strike that...reverse it. :-)

So I had the recent delight of seeing the classic musical, "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers". What can I say? I thought it was fabulous!!

I understand that there was not really anything that Hollywood today finds "amazing" or "spectacular" about this movie (though I could be wrong), but I found that it gave me some good laughs, some new (fun) songs to sing, and some crazily amazing choreography to admire (believe me, it really is some amazing choreography!!). You really just don't see films like this anymore.

And anyway doesn't the Bible say in Proverbs (17:22), "A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones."? :-) Well that's exactly what I found this movie to be, merry, and I think it honestly did me good. I know that all of that sounds like a rather odd way to describe a movie to most of you, but I suppose I was never normal. :-)

Anyway, it was truly a masterpiece of the late 50's and in my mind ranks as one of the best musicals of all time. Of course, I simply adore musicals, so if you don't, you might not share my opinion. But at least give it a chance. Even setting the music and dance aside, the story is humorous and (thankfully) everyone learns their lesson in the end.

A highly enjoyable film, really.


In Christ Alone,

Jessica


P.S. And here's my favorite scene from the movie:

cra·zy- with great enthusiasm or energy

bus·y- not at leisure; otherwise engaged

hap·py- delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing

I think that the above words pretty much explain the last four weeks. :-)

Daniel, Christa and Joshua left the 7th of this month in the morning at 3:00am. We were quite loathe to see them leave, but are eagerly anticipating their *next* visit. :-)

The Passionate Housewives Ladies/Daughters Tea went well!! It was very encouraging to see how many people showed up and we had a very uplifting (and challenging) talk by Mrs. Erber and then one by my dear mother as well. Everything went as planned, which we were all incredibly thankful for. And a big thank you to all the Ladies that helped put everything together and the "men" helpers in the kitchen!

The Fourth of July celebration was amazing. We even managed to get some *intelligent* people to dance, which was delightful! :-) All else decided that a game of Ultimate Frisby (don't get me started...) was more in their line. :-) There were fireworks, food, games, singing, recitations and much more!! It was a wonderful day as well weather-wise! The temperature stayed around 78!!! God is sooo good!

Joshua was also baptized on the 6th! The same day we decided to get our family portrait done since we were all together (something that doesn't happen very often anymore.). I'll be posting that soon (hopefully.)!

Here's a link to my Photo Album where I have the photos. Enjoy!

In Christ Alone, Jessica

God Bless the USA

I just realized that I didn't post anything for Independence Day (my favorite national holiday...er...one of them anyway.) I have a few photos from our Fourth of July bash at the Sanford's home, but I need to download them and don't have the time at the moment. :-)

'Till then, I thought I'd share with y'all the words to one of my favorite "Americana" songs (Some of us young people at Church sang this at a Retirement home a few days before the 4th), "God Bless the USA" (the lyrics to this version are from the one sung by Jump5).

God Bless the USA

If tomorrow all the things were gone

I'd hoped for all my life

And I had to start again

With just my family by my side

I'd thank my God above

To be living here today

'Cause the flag still stands for freedom

And they can't take that away

And I'm proud to be an American

Where at least I know I'm free

And I won't forget the men who died

Who gave that right to me

And I gladly stand up next to you

And defend her still today

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land

God Bless the USA

From the lakes of Minnesota

To the hills of Tennessee

Across the plains of Texas

From sea to shining sea

From Detroit down to Houston

And New York to LA

There's pride in every American heart

And it's time we stand and say

And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the USA

Oracles of Fire Book # 3- Last of the Nephilim by Bryan Davis

It’s no secret. Ask my family—I’ve been on pins and needles waiting for "Last of the Nephilim" to come out. It was a tortuous wait, but I wasn’t disappointed.

As I curled up on the couch and opened the crisp new pages, the world went away. I was swept into a land of ancient legend, history, fantasy, biblical truth, and adventure—all in one deliciously captivating book! As I immersed myself in the story, I was reminded of how much I love this new series, "Oracles of Fire." Mr. Davis has once again proven himself a superb writer and storyteller. I read far into the night, devouring page after page, not wanting to put it down. I had to discover what would happen to all the characters from the previous books (Yes, Bonnie and Billy return!).

Basically, the world is in jeopardy. Mardon (the son of King Nimrod) has found a way to join Earth and Hades and has also raised up an army of Nephilim. Second Eden is in trouble, as evil has entered. Every person there is in peril, as well as those on earth. Who can defeat them? Our familiar heroes! All the former dragons and their children are called to battle these ancient adversaries, once and for all.

I honestly cannot do this book (or this series) justice in one simple review (I'm not much of a "book reviewer"), but I can tell you this, don't let this one slip by. Not only is it worth your time, but it's absolutely worth your money. And not only will you walk away eagerly looking forward to book #4 ("Bones of Makaidos") but you will also find your faith invigorated, as you recall to mind that God can do amazing things through ordinary people—just like you and me.

Often, I avoid hardship, praying God will give me a path without pain or trials. But this book reminded me that God uses all things for our good and His glory; and that when Jesus calls me to do something, He will also give me the strength to accomplish it (Philippians 4:13).

I pray that along with enjoying a fascinating, well-written story, you will embrace this simple truth: God will equip you to accomplish whatever He calls you to do; and though your strength may fail, His never will.



You can buy "Last of the Nephilim" HERE.
You can read about the "Dragons In Our Midst" series HERE.
You can read about the "Oracles of Fire" series HERE.
You can buy all the books (and audio books) HERE.