My prayer:

As I arise today,
may the strength of God pilot me,
the power of God uphold me,
the wisdom of God guide me.
May the eye of God look before me,
the ear of God hear me,
the word of God speak for me.
May the hand of God protect me,
the way of God lie before me,
the shield of God defend me,
the host of God save me.
May Christ shield me today.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit,
Christ when I stand,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Amen

A picture is worth a thousand words

But are a thousand pictures worth anything???
I finally finished an old post in case you follow our blog I'd hate for you to miss it! If you want to read it try this MOM READ A BOOK TO ME
enjoy!
Amy Q

Our trip to Springfield IL

On our way through Springfield, IL we stopped to see Abraham Lincolns home (this is the most famous view of his home!)
Although is was really cold it was fun! We walked down his street with wooden sidewalks and gravel roads. Us four younger kids got to be Jr rangers for the day.

We got a tour of Lincolns home and got to see his bedroom and where his boys played. This was the only house he owned.

We went in to the tomb of Abraham Lincoln where his family (3 sons and Mary his wife) are buried except for his son Robert. There were flags from all the states at the time of his presidency.

Here we are in the front of the house. Mary Todd his wife never returned to the house after he died once the funeral was done.

Lincolns home looked a LOT different then our home it had VERY BRIGHT carpet & wall paper because it was the "style"

We also went to New Salem, a small town were A.Lincoln first worked:)

Abraham Lincoln was an honest man with a very hard job to do. He did a great thing giving all people their freedom!

By Ria

Baby Pictures

Babies are so cute, just thought I would share some of our recent sightings with you. the orange boys

Looks like Gr. and Gr. have a bunch of sweet "presents" this year!

The pink girls

proud papas and their little ones :-)





Ooooh, so cute :-)

12 months of 2009 in the Q fam...

12 months of 2009 with the Q family

12 Angry Men (Steve’s drama debut!)

11 Beds for making (plenty of room for guests)

10 Homeschool Conventions worked (and much sightseeing enjoyed)

9 Laying Chickens (we are getting used to country life – sorta)

8 Subjects studied at our Homeschool – enjoyed being in a co-op again

7 Serving Jesus daily desiring to reach those who don’t know Jesus here & around the world

6 Days for Work (5 at MFW and one at home always lots to do)

5 Golden Children: Gabe, Maggie, Eva, Mal, Zeko

4(+1) Trips to Michigan to reconnect with family and friends

3 Sports played (soccer-boys, volleyball, and basketball)

2 Instrument Lessons (all are taking piano and violin)

1 New Foster Baby (She came into our home in Aug at 6 days old)

We pray 2010 will be a blessed year for you and your flock!

Much Love the Quak flock

O Christmas tree.....

For the last 9 or 10 years we have have put out our manger at Christmas and put the gifts around that.
We haven't set up a large Christmas tree in over 6 years! Between little ones and moving it was one thing we intentionally skipped! This year it was decided (with a little persuasion from lots of helpers) that it would be fun. Though I miss the fun of cutting it down, it sure was easy to just pull it out of a box! They all enjoyed laughs and memories while pulling out homemade ornaments they had made in years past and finding special ornaments from loved ones.
the bead lady ~ the girls got all the lights up then nicely strung the pearls
finding an open branch was quickly a challenge!
not so hard for those gifted in height :)
it was neat to see them all enjoying the memories ~ it was suggested that putting it away can be just as fun :) when I mentioned maybe packing it up BEFORE Christmas you would think my name was scrooge! I just thought one less thing to do when we return - oh well!

We enjoyed a fire and Christmas music to set the mood then roasted marshmallows over the fire and feasted on s'mores! (thanks Gr K for starting that fun tradition!!!)

May your families enjoy warm memories together as you prepare to celebrate the birth of our King!
Love the Q fam

Joyfullness

2009 Volleyball season is done

After a few injuries, (mom thinks I should say minor injuries but they HURT) hard work, and LOTS of fun the season is over!My most improved area is serving at the beginning of the season I could barely get the ball to hit the net, but at the last game I got all but one of my serves over!

This is my friend Laura and I ready to return a serve!

This picture of me and my team: Erin, ("Tutu" that is what my dad called me because of my number 22) Alissa, Clarissa, Laura and Coach Jessica
We celebrated the end of our season with a banquet. Here my coach Jessica is giving me the character award of joyfulness and a new Bible.

It was fun making new friends and learning to play volleyball! I look forward to doing it again next year.

Posted by Tu tu

Standin' in the need of prayer

We are currently studying the civil war ~ I have always enjoyed this spiritual. May you be blessed by it today too!

It’s me, it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer.

Not the preacher, nor the deacon, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer;

Not my father, nor my mother, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer.

Not the stranger, nor my neighbor, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer;

Not my brother, nor my sister, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer.


There are many things we like to THINK WE can do ~ we can't on our own, not without God! So often it seems easy to lift others needs up to the Almighty one because they aren't OUR struggles. We need to humble ourselves and invite him to work in OUR lives too.

Today may YOU come before our wonderful Father, lifting up your heart to HIM who can do more than we can ever ask or imagine.
We are all Standin’ in the need of prayer!