one day at a time...

We just want to say thanks for all your thoughts and prayers over the last few weeks.

Most people think we are crazy -- this week I have felt like we are too!

But God is so good, he gives us hugs from a friend, a smile on someones face, and sunbeams (thankfully we aren't in MI or that wouldn't be so!) just when we need a little does of encouragement!

And there is hope for tomorrow!

Because we serve a mighty God.

Thankfully this journey of life we will never walk alone.

May you be filled with his peace today!

Love the Q fam

a happy birthday to YOU

Another double digit celebration last week for our little girl! (sorry can't find pictures right now! we'll post them as soon as we find them!)



We had a special pancake breakfast -- she didn't mind that the decorations didn't get hung or that the cake never got baked -- I'm feeling like a bad mom but there has been alot going on! We enjoyed going out for dinner with Gr and Gr Q -- that was a treat! And yes the waitresses sang happy birthday, totally embarrassing her! Lots of mail and packages made her feel VERY special!



We celebrate the beautiful young lady she is growing into and I am SO thankful for all her help with the baby and just around the house! She is always quick to help the other children in school, or in play. Very willing to help in the kitchen often surprising me by cleaning it all up!

She is enjoying Bible In Me on Wednesday nights and does well with her Bible memory, she enjoys piano lessons and playing with her sister (most of the time :)) She enjoys friends but is content to just be home as well. We are so thankful for the blessing of Eva in our family and pray the God will use her to bless many more in her life!

Happy Birthday sweetie!

Resting in HIM

I have been reading Psalm 116 -- a friend, Beckie B put it to music and sang it to me Wednesday night, I have been so blessed to read it over and over. Here is the passage from the Message version:

Psalm 116
1-6 I love God because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy. He listened so intently as I laid out my case before him. Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels. Up against it, I didn't know which way to turn; then I called out to God for help: "Please, God!" I cried out. "Save my life!" God is gracious—it is he who makes things right, our most compassionate God. God takes the side of the helpless; when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.
7-8 I said to myself, "Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you've been rescued from death; Eye, you've been rescued from tears; And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling."
9-11 I'm striding in the presence of God, alive in the land of the living! I stayed faithful, though bedeviled, and despite a ton of bad luck, Despite giving up on the human race, saying, "They're all liars and cheats."
12-19 What can I give back to God for the blessings he's poured out on me? I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God! I'll pray in the name of God; I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it together with his people. When they arrive at the gates of death, God welcomes those who love him. Oh, God, here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service! I'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice and pray in the name of God. I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it in company with his people, In the place of worship, in God's house, in Jerusalem, God's city. Hallelujah!

When the grief of this earth seems too much -- we can look in hope to what is to come for those who love Jesus.
Do you love him? http://www.needhim.org/ if you want to read more!

May God fill you with his grace, peace and love today!
Amy

sometimes its hard to understand WHY...

WHYdo paper cuts hurt so much?

WHY is it so hard to change the sheets on bunk beds?

WHY does the dryer take longer than the washer?

WHY do we have to eat with silverware? (ok that was for my oldest!)

WHY does hair tangle? (ok that was for the girls!)

WHY is there cancer? WHY can't doctors make everyone better?

WHY doesn't every mommy know how to love and care for her child?

I could go on and on!!!

Some of the WHYS are ones we say just because and life goes on. But as we are walking through each day, more and more in awe of what a gift today is, I ponder how huge the whole picture of life is. This life of which we only see this little glimpse.

There are so many thoughts in my head, so many ponderings. Knowing that our God is loving and good so the infamous question -- "why do bad things happen if there is a loving God?" I do know that God uses all things for his glory. He loves us and desires to grow us closer to him through each struggle. As we've studied James "considering it joy... when we face trials ....and growing to be mature and complete" All of that is easy to memorize HARD to live! There are so many scriptures that float in and out of my mind --I am SO thankful that God is surrounding me with his words!

As we morn the end of Lisa's life on earth we have hope and are able to rejoice in her complete healing and celebration with her heavenly father in her new home. I know Lisa desired to be a wife, mother, friend for much longer than she was able yet God's plan is different and perfect. This new friend of mine, who I had only just begun to get to know, has challenged me to live every day full of love and peace -- none of us know how many days we have. Lisa was an incredibly fun loving person who enjoyed her family, laughing, reading books, and playing together. I am honored to team up with this family in schooling together. We will miss Lisa's fun spelling tests, and reading our French history, as well as her jokes at lunch time!

THANKS FOR YOU PRAYERS FOR THIS FAMILY DURING THIS TIME!

I am sharing some of our fun memories with Lisa from some of our field trips:

Lisa planned a scavenger hunt at the zoo, here she is trying to get some of the kids excited about it --they weren't so sure it would be fun (Mal, Eva and Alex)

On a trip to the Bray conservation center Lisa gives Luke a hand as they explore the pond and its amphibians.

The St Louis Zoo was a fun day where Julia is king of the apes while Lisa looks on.
A family photo: Brad and Lisa with Alex(11), Renee(16), Julia(8) and Luke(13) (Robbie 18 was not with us)

"Until you have given up your self to Him you will not have a real self..." --Mere Christianity by C S Lewis

SNOW DAY! YEAH!!!

We feel like we are back in MI! What fun to have everything covered in a blanket of white snow.
We spent our morning putting the finishing touches on our basement suite or apartment or in-law living quarters or whatever you want to call it! Making sure it was welcoming for Gr and Gr Q who arrived today! YEAH! We are thankful they arrived safely and are all settled in. They were hoping to come south to be in the warmer weather! hopefully soon! She will begin radiation here next week. We are looking forward to lots of games, and fun time together while they are here 2 months or so. The kids already got game time in tonight -- they love it! You'd never know his blood thinned by moving south-- he was out most of the day -- it did require 3 cups of hot cocoa to warm up in between!

Yesterday sledding was "the best ever" as the kids said. It was icy and very fast! today they had to work on the track then it was ok "better for making snowballs!" is what I heard.

They enjoyed building race cars! Thanks Alvaros -- the idea works in snow just as well as at the beach :)

We were blessed to see lots of angels today. Praise God they are always around us -- its a delight to see the snow angels too!

Praying you have a blessed day!

the snowy Quak flock

no pressure

Ok, I am feeling a little behind in keeping you all updated on the Quak flock! But my computer decided it didn't like its power cord so I have been on a forced fast from my lap warmer -- laptop! THANKS to the other Amy for providing a temporary cord!!! or should I say life line -- NO!

We will try to get some more pics up soon, birthdays, muck boots, cleaning -- well not pictures of that but we've been busy getting ready for company!!! YEAH! MI Friends this weekend then Dad and Mom Q are going to be here for awhile -- we can't wait!

So just be patient -- I know there is NO pressure :) just wanted you to know we are still here, trying to stay healthy and warm. And we are blessed when we think of each of you....

Philippians 1:3-6
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayer for all of you I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

May you "carry on" in your good work today though HIM!
Blessings,
Amy Q

Home sweet home

We returned home after 2 weeks! That is a long time to be gone but it feels good to be home.

Some of you asked how we travel 10 hours with 6 kids -- well here are some of our "tips for fun family travel" and NO we don't have a DVD player -- really its ok!

bottles "to go" work great! especially with such wonderful big brothers who help!!!

• lots of family friendly audio adventures -- some of our favorites; Adventures in Odyssey, Jonathan Park, Down Gilead Lane, Keys for Kids, The Pond (the chocolate story is MOMS favorite!) Your Story Hour, we try to check some books on tape out to take as well.



• 140 mile snack -- everyone likes to look forward to a treat! this way its not constant food rummaging -- EXEMPTION -- DRIVER (if its mom) or NAVIGATOR (if its mom :))



• car bingo boards these come and go but especially for the little ones they enjoy "shutting" all the windows



• The classic ABC billboard game or license plate version



• driving at night has been a great hit for all of us -- the kids think of it as a sleepover in the car -- only kids could look forward to that! and we like the lower noise volume and fewer stops!!!!



• We have a travel game box that only comes out for trips so the games/toys are special and we know where they are



• always start your trip with prayer

This van is FULL!! Of passengers that is we actually had room in the back (on the Nov trip) this time we were full to the brim!

So for anyone who wants to take a little road trip we'd LOVE a visit.... no excuses! and no pressure :)

I hope to post some Christmas pictures here soon -- somehow life seems to fly by!

Q mama

From our family to yours -- MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A few pictures from our year

Easter photokids on the beach on Lake MI

homeschool family Camp

a Christmas wreath of smiling faces!

We are praying you are enjoying time with family, celebrating the BEST gift ever --

JESUS CHRIST!

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year!