Encouraging Others - DAY 2

When we moved we were blessed to have overwhelming assistance -- family, friends, new coworkers, not only to move but helping with the unpacking.

Today we were able to bless a family who is trying to uncover the floor from the myriad of boxes which are still covering it since recently moving! This lovely family has 7 children ranging from 10 months to 10 years and a wonderfully resourceful mother who homeschools them all.

Tuesdays projects:
#1 Complete painting of front porch

• WORKERS: Steve and Chuck
  
• STATUS: scraped, painted DONE :)

#2 Assist Mom as needed with unpacking

• WORKERS: Amy, Tutu, Ria
• STATUS: Amy was able to help mom sort clothes and we made some good headway! Getting things sorted by size and put in the correct room (clothes get overwhelming for me with only 3 boys and they have 5!)
  
• STATUS (GIRLS) they were able to help the 2 girls in the family organize their room also sorting some clothes. They had plenty of breaks to just have fun and play as well!
  

#3 Keep 5 boys busy so the rest of us could get things done :)

• WORKERS: Bernie and Eugene
  
• STATUS: Enthusiastically completed! They had lots of fun on the tramp, tire swing, with Lego's and Nerf guns, with squirt guns and exploring, and even sledding ~ no there was not snow but a GREAT hill and it worked fine even without snow!
  

When asked how their "work" was today, they replied "We didn't work today, we got to play"!
We made some wonderful new friends today. God reminded me that often its just as much about getting something done as it is about encouraging one another. We pray they were encouraged by our time together ~ I know we were!

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:3-12

Serving others - DAY 1

Well, day 1, here we are, up early and ready to SERVE.... and wondering how we will be used this week. The organization we are working with is called Community Crossing . We are here as a family to see what mission trips can look like for families (verse the typical trip of youth groups). Here we are with 6 kids who traveled more than a days drive to serve, wondering can we really get anything done to be of blessing to anyone?

YES WE CAN!

Monday we had 2 projects to complete:
#1 Finish some painting and replace baseboards after painting at the "club house" where we are staying.

• WORKERS: Steve, Chuck and Tutu
  
• STATUS: painting - done, baseboards - in progress
  

#2 Help with some winterizing at a neighbors home.

• WORKERS: Amy, Ria, Bernie, and Eugene
• STATUS: discovered lack of some supplies at work site, modified plan did some cleaning, organizing and fellowshipping with the Grandmother and Great Grandmother.
  

Blessings went both ways!

Our evening was a time for family fellowship, fun and games.
this is our "mess hall" where we eat, play and share.This is our sleeping quarters - where we yes sleep! plenty of top bunks so everyone can have a TOP well not Dad, Mom or Baby!
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5: 14-16

Praying our light will shine and as we love the people here they will be not only blessed but encouraged in their faith walk!

On the road again but this time on a MISSION

We are setting off on an adventure... its been our desire to do a family mission trip for a while now. And God has finally brought all the pieces together! We are heading off to serve a poor community by ministering to the people through varrious small projects we can do as a family.

We were able to spend some time on our way there marveling at God's amazing creativity! We stopped at this natural bridge.... It was a nice hike to stretch the legs a bit! This is the view from below, over 85 feet high sits a 65 foot rock bridge.

The amazing ~and scary~ part is you can walk right over top of it....

and sit on the edge!

(OK, just so you know there is a small ledge below the children I WOULD not let them sit right on the edge!!!)
This was back at the base, it was incredible to enjoy nature all around us and marvel again at how God has created all things for his glory. How far and wide is His love for us!
We are so blessed to have this opportunity to grow as a family while we serve the Lord. More updates soon!

"What does the Lord require of you?
To act justly,
to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:8

a visit from the newest cousin

We were so blessed to get to spend the weekend with Uncle D, Aunt Kira and Emmry, (3 months) the newest K cousins, over the weekend. we ALL really enjoyed getting to know Emmy more!

We had only seen her a few times soon after she was born, when we were up over the summer. Of course we enjoyed time with Daryn and Kira too :)
Also hanging out in the great outdoors with Uncle D -- I think some hunting lessons were going on! I heard some duck calls a few times. The kids were slightly disappointed that Kimber (the dog) wasn't able to come for the weekend too -- next time they come I think Kira may bring him to stay :) sorry didn't catch any pictures of them outside ~ busy with the babies!
We enjoyed playing games of Ticket to Ride (thanks Gr and Gr for that gift!)Hopefully we didn't overwhelm them with our crazy lifestyle of a family of 8!!!
We had 5 soccer games, plays, and of course normal kids chaos around the house :)
The boys finally got up the courage to hold her before they left.
Even the crying didn't deture Eugene -- he is used to a few tears!
We were just as sad as Emmy here, when they left! We are so blessed to have wonderful family willing to come all this way just to spend a little time with US! THANKS D and Kira (AND Emmry!) for making the drive WE LOVE YOU!
The Q fam

A day in the life of a homeschool family

We are into our 11th year of educating at home! And I was one who said "I would NEVER homeschool...." Interesting the roads God brings us down! (It was mainly because I was worried my children would turn out like THIS:)

He enjoys doing this to annoy me but he's so cute :)

As we begin a new year of school thought we would share a bit about what we are learning. (well, I had hoped to get this up awhile ago we are starting week 9 in school ~ but here is the overview anyway!)

The middle 4 "Tutu, Ria, Bernie and Eugene" are enjoying traveling around the world! The curriculum we use for school is called Exploring Countries and Cultures and as we travel around the world we learn about the people, the places, the biomes and various other interesting things in each continent. oh almost forgot art and music too ~ call our home phone and you can hear HELLO in 10 different languages!

a world map made by Eugene

a nature notebooking day -- learning about deciduous and coniferous forests

We are also studying the book of Matthew, praying for people around the world with an amazing book Window on the World and reading missionary biographies which are very inspiring! Yes to all you teachers they all do the 3 R's too (Reading - love the library!, wRiting and aRithmetic for all you non-teachers:) )

The day they received their passports in the mail -
great timing as we were "traveling" to Mexico later that day!

The youngest learner in the bunch is learning to sign as well as say lots of words, "read" books (she LOVES looking at them!) play with toys and so much more!

Our oldest "Chuck" began high school at home this year (yeah its almost unbelievable!) he is using a program called Ancient History and Literature for Bible, History and English, Jacobs geometry and Exploring Creation with Chemistry, and German with Rosetta Stone. He is starting week 10 and he and his dad have a healthy competition staying ahead of one another in Taking the Old Testament Challenge daily bible reading! He is working on starting his own blog to share more thoughts with you -- we'll let you know when its live!

here he is doing some reading

Well that about sums up our school schedule -- add some extras like piano, violin, volleyball, soccer, lego robotics, chess club, and co-op and it makes for a busy schedule! (more posts on all those to come!!!)

Oh, the kids didn't want me to forget about home ec -- cleaning, laundry cooking and child care are all in our daily routine too!
So there is a glimpse into a day of our homeschool family ....
and if you haven't seen the homeschool family video by Tim Hawkins here it is ~ enjoy! (we have watched it tons of times and still laugh!)



Blessings
Amy Q

Half way around the world....

...2 children may not even know that there is a family working very hard to bring them HOME into their forever family! Our dear friends are nearing the end of the 16 month journey to adopt 2 children from Russia.
You can see more at this link http://www.qadoption.myevent.com/

Your prayers for them are much appreciated!

Happy Birthday Burnie!!!!

We had a birthday party for Burnie!!
The theme was U.S. military,
they got to do a treasure hunt --
had to follow directions they did well for the most part!

because it was his 10th birthday he got to have 10 friends over

we had a cook out around the fire it was just a little bit cold

This is last years picture but its so cute!

and he needs a hair cut REALLY bad now so I like this one better :)

happy birthday bro
~ Ria

A day at the soccer fields

Chuck and little one

Burnie and Jack, ready to play!

Tutu staying warm and listening to music

Ria and cutie in the wind

ME playing goalie, really I'm ready =)

Posted by Eugene