"Is 'me' a noun?"

The girls and I were reading a book this morning. There were the general giggles and exclamations when we saw the cute and quirky pictures from:


When we finished, Bella said,"Maddie, Is 'me' a noun?" She pointed to herself and looked questioningly at me.
"Yes, Bella, you are a proper noun."
"I'm one too," screamed Lizzie. "Look I'm a noun verbing on a noun." She began jumping around. Then Wiggy, for no reason except that she likes to jump, copied Lizzie. Ah, looks like I've got a host of frogs (nouns) in my room (noun)!!

I love when they understand a concept!
What books do you enjoy reading to your sisters and brothers?

My B.F.F.

"You painted no Madonnas
On chapel walls in Rome;
But with a touch of diviner
You lived one in your home,
You wrote no lofty poems
That critics counted art;
But with a nobler vision,
You lived them in your heart.
You carved no shapeless marble
To some high soul design
But with a finer sculpture
You shaped this soul of mine
You built no great cathedrals
That centuries applaud;
But with a grace exquisite
Your life cathedraled God.
Had I the gift of Raphael
Or Michelangelo
O what a rare Madonna
My mother's life would show."

~Thomas Fessenden

"Said a mother to me one day: 'When my children were young I thought the very best thing I could do for them was to give them myself. So I spared no pains to talk with them, to teach them, to pray with them, to be a loving companion and friend to my children.'

~ selected

This quote is Mama, she gives herself to us, her children. Daily she places her own desires in the back of her mind and joys in our hopes. She is my constant friend, sister in Christ, encourager, confidant, book report listener, corrector, adviser, soup-mixer, (I'm sorry I ever tried those navy beans) girlfriend, fellow book-lover, kindred spirit, my example of a quiet and gentle spirit, laugh-til-midnight-in-bed-buddy, and my talk until it hurts gal, my best friend in the world.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH,

Mama!


{Happy Mother's Day} :)

"Women know
The way to rear up children (to be just)
They have a merry, simple, tender knack
of tying sashes, fitting babies' shoes,
And stringing pretty words that make no sense,
And kissing full sense into empty words;
Which things are corals to cut life upon
although such trifles."

~Elizabeth Barret Browning

Proverbs 31:27-31
"She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all." Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates. "

Poems and Ponderings

What Love Have I?

What Love have I to shed abroad?
What love grows in this worthless sod,
unless The Gardener add seed,
and pluck the wayward, fleshly weed,
sprinkle His pure righteousness
covering dry sinfulness?
What love grew I alone?

What love have I to shed abroad?
What love can I shine long and broad
from an extinguished flame,
doused by my own foolish rain?
Unless my heart’s desire
be lit with God’s immortal fire.
Fanned to blaze bright with glory,
telling His eternal story.
What love shine I alone?

Alone? Not I!
My Lord did die,
grafting His own Love scarred hands
Into my barren, fruitless lands.
A love that withers not, nor fails;
touched not by winds or driving hails
now His forever yield.

And the cold and deadly flame?
My Lord has wrought a happy change.
Warmer, wider does it seek
to cheer the faint and aid the weak,
brightens home and lightens labor.
I have no love but through my Savior.
His Love He shed for me.

~Madeleine Wynn~
3/22/2010

True and False Beauty

"Hearing a young lady highly praised for her beauty, Gotthold asked, 'What kind of beauty do you mean? Merely that of the body, or that also of the mind? I see well that you have been looking no further than the sign which nature displays outside the house, but have never asked for the host who dwells within. Beauty is an excellent gift of God, nor has the pen of the Holy Spirit forgotten to speak its praise; but it is virtuous and godly beauty alone which Scripture honors, expressly declaring, on the other hand, that a fair woman which is with out discretion is as a jewel of gold in a swine's snout (Proverbs 11: 22) Many a pretty girl is like the flower called the Imperial Crown, which is admired, no doubt, for it's showy appearance, but despised for it's unpleasant odor. Were her mind as free from pride, selfishness, luxury and levity, as her countenance from spots and wrinkles, and could she govern her inward inclinations as she does her external carriage, she would have none to match her. But who loves the caterpillar and such insects, however showy their appearance, and bright and variegated the colors that adorn them, seeing they injure and defile the trees and plants on which they settle? What the better is an apple for its rosy skin, if the maggot have penetrate and devoured its heart? What care I for the beautiful brown nut, if it be worm eaten, and fill the mouth with corruption? Even so external beauty of person deserves no praise, unless matched with the inward beauty of virtue and holiness. It is therefore, far better to acquire beauty than to be born with it. The best kind is that which does not wither at the touch of fever, like a flower, but lasts and endures on a bed of sickness in old age, and even unto death.'

~ taken from 6000 Sermon Illustrations, an alphabetical collection from leaders and writers of the ages, by Elon Foster

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman who fear the Lord, she will be praised."
Proverbs 31:30

A Peep Behind the Scenes.....

On a recent trip my family listen to this audio drama. We were fascinated! I've read the book and enjoyed it thoroughly- now to be able to hear it dramatized in an exciting, fast-paced, refreshing way was wonderful. I loved each of the colorful characters and, of course their accents. Even, six year old, Lizzie and five year old, Bella, listened and were engrossed. I was greatly convicted of my need to share my faith in God openly without restraint and fear. Rosalie's innocence and quiet modesty was a gentle example of what girls should strive for in our world today.

Lamplighter's description:
"You will be transported back in time to the world of the traveling theatre. Written in 1878, A Peep Behind the Scenes quickly sold over 2.5 million copies. Now, over a century later, it comes to life as a powerful audio drama! You will meet Nora, who, enticed by the lure of fame and blinded by the romance of the theatre, soon grasps the reality of what life is like behind the scenes; Augustus, who thrives in the very small world of himself; Rosalie, whose faith shines bright in a very dark world; Betsy Ann, convinced that nobody loves her because nobody ever did, until she meets the Good Shepherd, Who goes to extremes to seek and to find those are lost. Once you hear this seven-episode epic drama, you will be compelled to share it with family, friends, and neighbors, here and around the world! A Peep Behind the Scenes audio drama-an unforgettable experience!"
~ Taken from Lamplighter publishing.com

Death: Victory and Joy!

Each night before bed, Daddy gives us a bedtime snack of Charles Spurgeon from his Morning and Evening devotionals. What an amazing man of God! We sink into our beds overcome with hope and awakened to the mercy of our Heavenly Father. Some of my favorite quotes are about death. Martin Luther wore a ring with a skull on it and told his children, "to think on death often." I wish to share a few of Spurgeon's thoughts regarding death, heaven and the joy beyond.

"Now, recollect there is no pain in death, the pain is in life: when a man dies there is an end of life’s pain: death is the pain killer, not the pain maker."

"Some look with intense delight to the prospect of the Saviour’s coming, as a means of escape from death. I confess I have but slender sympathy with them. If I might have my choice, I would prefer, of the two, to die. Let it be as the Lord wills; but there is a point of fellowship with Christ in death which they will miss who shall not sleep; and it seems to me to have some sweetness in it to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, even though he descend into the sepulchre."

"Oh, if we could not die, it would be indeed horrible! Who wants to be chained to this poor life for a century or longer?"

"When you are in good health any form of religion may satisfy, but a dying soul wants more than sand to rest upon. You will want the Rock of Ages. Then let me assure you, that in light of the grave, all confidence, except confidence in the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ, is a clear delusion."

"I never yet heard regrets from dying men that they had done too much for Christ, or lived too earnestly for him, or won too many souls, or given too much of their substance to the cause of God: but the regrets all lie the other way, God save us from them for his mercy’s sake."

- Charles Spurgeon

Quotes from: Spurgeon.us

Poems and Ponderings

My Daddy is the wisest and godliest man I know. He inspires me through his daily dying to self and inexhaustible love for us. He and Mama are both wonderful communicators, so some of the best moments of my life are spent in deep and earnest conversations with him. Growing up under my earthly father's tutelage I have learned of my heavenly Father's righteousness and mercy. Daddy has taught me theology, politics, art, science, nature and, most importantly, soul matters. We catch snatches of good talks just about everywhere: in the car, on the way to the store, cleaning his office, on special Daddy/Daughter dates, round the kitchen table and before bed. Anywhere and anytime.
This Christmas I wrote a poem explaining the joy these heart to heart talks have brought to my life.
I based the poem on a picture I bought a few weeks earlier

The Herring Net by Winslow Homer


Telling Daddy

He guides the oars of wisdom
through waters of my soul.
He, in the stern
I, eager in the hold.

We fish.
Each wish,
each dream,
each scene,
leaps from the deep,
I cannot keep
them in.
I talk to him.

I set them out,
we sift them through,
just us two.
He explaining life in Christ,
of laying down my
self and rights.
Suddenly, the waves and wind
look small.
Duty is not hard at all.
Little things I know to do
turn golden in my eye

I leave a different person
than I came.
Wiser from his wisdom,
advancing the Kingdom,
trawling an inheritance
of the happiest kind.

~Madeleine~
12/24/2010

The other day was hair cut day and Bella and Louisa were formally introduced to the world of hair salons......... it was hilarious! We trooped into Pro Cuts looking like a bunch of drowned rats because it just happened to be raining. :) Standing at the door; dripping on the welcome mat, smiling and signing six names on the waiting list was just the beginning. Mama and I found enough empty seats to accommodate the gals and tried to quiet the loudest member of the group.....who was ecstatic over the fact that two of her younger sibling were going to be given a trim.
Lizzie : "Mama, this is going to be so wonderful. I am sure that Bella and Lou will hold still, cause if they move it wouldn't be good- would it?"

I turned to see a look of horror masking Louisa's (age three) face.

"Lou, what is wrong?"

Blank look and hands grasping the edge of the chair with a grip of steel.

"What they ganna do wiv those scissors, Adgie?

"Oh, those scissors, they are going to cut your hair with them. It won't hurt."

"Weally? For sure."
"For sure. Watch- they're going to cut mine now, see how much fun I'm having."
Me; sitting under the all too common treatments of the haircutting department. Snip, snip, snip..... endeavoring to appear excited.
The next Pro Cut's lady in line to cut my family's hair calls out, "Next!"
Louisa is led to the chair with fear and trembling. I smile at her. "Doing good, Wiggy. Isn't it great?"
A slight nod at me and a stare for the woman wrangling her hair.
Bella and Lizzie are placed in various chairs surrounding mine. ( What other girl gets to see three of her sisters having their hair cut at the same time while having hers cut, too.)
Bella; quietly shy, waits for the first snip of the scissors and grins at me from her red leather throne.
"Tilt your head to the left, honey."
"Yes, ma'am." Bella whispers, her face partly concealed by her hair- still watching me.
Then there's Lizzie, six years old- going on twenty! Discussing all the tools and implements used in the process. Questioning and laughing, fearful? Lizzie? Ha! She's an old pro at this whole hair cut thing, been through it a million times. ( well, maybe once.)
"Did you know that Bella... that's Bella over there, has never had her hair cut? It's her first time here. I've had mine trimmed before, when I was a little girl, only four. When did your first get your hair cut? What is that comb slanted for? Is it made to slant with my head? Speaking of heads, do you know, I had to have six stitches in my head once? I didn't even cry........ Isn't that so big?..........."
Lou sits like a statue through the whole proceeding, but as soon as the hand of the woman is lifted from her, she takes off like a rocket, lands next to Mama and proceeds to eat her sucker (given to her by the haircutter) with evident coolness.
"Louisa, say thank you!" Mama says.
"Thank you," lick, lick."
Each of us finish and head to the car. Well, we have passed another life milestone, now what's for dinner!

Poems and Ponderings

~I Like The Fall~

I like the fall,
The mist and all.
I like the night owl's
lonely call-
and wailing sound
of wind around.

I like the gray
November day,
and bare, dead boughs
that coldly sway
against my pane.
I like the rain.

I like to sit
and laugh at it-
and tend
my cozy fire a bit.
I like the fall-
the mist and all.

Dixie Willson

~Autumn~


The morns are meeker than they were;
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a Scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on.


Emily Dickinson

Two new favorite movies!

A Summary of Many Months

In which we visit a Castle.


This lovely castle/mansion/ mission was built during the 1800s and was a delight to my old-fashioned heart. We were able to tour and see various rooms and three stories of this mansion. There was an endless supply of pictures I could post, but I will not overdo it.

The Kitchen:


The Dining Room: (wouldn't you love to set yourself down at a feast such as this!)

The Library: (this one has everything a girl needs- a large supply of books and your very own Knight in Shining Armor.)


Next we headed to Pikes Peak. The view was amazing. Please notice the clouds swallowing up the landscape, they looked even more surreal from the tip top.
Psalms 36:4,5
"Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.....

... Thy righteousness is like the great mountains, Thy judgements a great deep. O Lord You preserve man and beast."



"Hey! Look this paper says that the if you aren't back on the train in fifteen minutes they will leave you on the top. Huh! Let me see that!" (They really told us this and you can be sure we were on the train fifteen minutes before it left :P)

We then rode to a haunting reminder of the past, some Indian ruins called The Cliff dwellings. They were a favorite of pretty much all involved,

except Louisa who was incredibly scared an Indian brave was going to come shrieking up to scalp her any moment. ( I am not joking about this, I guess it comes from watching too many Roy Rogers' movies.)

Mama and Bella peering into a home that once belonged to a family with an elderly person, notice the supports on either side of the doorway for aid.

All of us kids "hanging out"!

While I admire the intricate stonework, Louisa finds the perfect hiding spot, "No injuns will find me here."


The Threesome.

That morning we went to, where else......

We visited Focus on the Family's Visitors Center and had a fantastic time. Even us big kids (Dad included) were impressed. The sets were very realistic.

The actual bell that was rung at the opening scene when the Whit's End door is opened!

As Lizzie was going to go down the long, long three story slide, she met Eugene heading down. He was so nice and agreed to pose for a snapshot, he's a bit shorter than I supposed.

The girls met the cutest little girl at the Garden of the gods RV camp, they played for hours together.

Big screen movie night at the camp. The viewing is projected onto a large sheet while we kickback in our lounge chairs. We invite all our neighbors and pop in some of those good ole' family films that we love-one of which is FIREPROOF.

Bella's birthday shebang! Please observe Lizzie's dirt with a little face on it. ha, ha. ( the little girl in the middle practically latched onto us and was integrated into the celebration. She even had cake and ice cream. :)

Nana (my Mom's mom) made the girls matching capes and skirts. The theme of the party was Queen Esther, thus the crown on Bella's head.

The BIRTHDAY GIRL all dressed up in her finery, also Lizzie and Louisa in the background preening. I cannot believe Bella is five years old, she is such a sweetie!

Ah, here comes the cake......Nana baked.

To top off the fun trip, Bella won a bag of cotton candy in a drawing at the local train ride and
she shared the treat with her sisters. ( I am afraid that stuff in not very healthy for you, something that blue has to have at least a pound of artificial ingredients.)

Nana and Katie, laughing

GIGGLE

We had the privilege to go to the Baby Conference in July. Mama and I love dressing the girls alike and so this day was white dress day. I have a great time listening to men of God expound Scripture and debate the precepts surrounding it. Some of the best times were in the hallways of the conference center where I met so many godly young women and formed ties that can be used for His glory.

Dad and Jonathan were able to get a picture with one of our media heroes, Mr. Duggar! We love those Duggars....they are the greatest.

Yay! Mama, the girls and I with Mrs. Duggar, who won the "Mother of the Year" award.



Back at home we went to our local Rodeo. Ride em' Cowboys. We were duded out in our western duds, the weather was perfect and we managed to nab a front row seat. Shelbi, Savannah and I were immersed in the cowboy culture enough for all year long and all in one night! Ha. Especially when the bulls came out- I could have fled. ( I hate bull riding.)

So, thhhhattt'ssss all folksss. From us gals on the ranch, so long.

Self Esteem or Christ Esteem?

How God describes mankind.......according to Psalm 14 :

We are;

Fools,

saying there is no God,

corrupt,

abominable,

not good,

going aside in our own way,

filthy,

no good,

working iniquity,

stupid,

eating up God's people,

not calling upon the Lord,





and according to Romans 3:



not righteous,

not understanding,

not seeking after God,

going our own way,

unprofitable,

doers of evil,

people with throats as open graves,

deceitful,

poisonous,

full of cursings,

bitter,

swift to shed blood,

destructive,

miserable,

people who never know peace,

having no fear of God.



What God is...........according to Psalm 103:



Holy,

full of benefits

forgiving of iniquities,

healing our diseases,

redeeming us from destruction,

crowns us with loving kindness,

tender,

merciful,

satisfying,

renewing our youth,

executes righteousness and justice,

makes himself known,

merciful,

gracious,

full of compassion,

has mercy in plenty,

he will not always chide,

will not keep his anger forever,

has not dealt with us according to our sins,

not rewarded our iniquities,

great in mercy toward those who fear Him,

a father to the God-fearing,

pities His children,

knows our frame,

remembers we are dust,

has everlasting mercy on those who fear,

merciful unto children's children,

keeps His covenant with commandment keepers.



Doesn't this make your heart want to sing! Christ is all- all we need and should want. Whenever I find passages such as these I am broken, broken that I cannot do more. Joyful that He has done so much.



"Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions, according to your mercy remember me for your goodness sake, O Lord."
Psalms 25:7



What a pleasure it is for me to remember that Charles Spurgeon said,



"Nearness to God bring likeness to God. The more you see God the more of God will be seen in you."

Isn't that amazing- as Christians, Christ has taken all our attributes and placed them in His tomb while placing us on the mounts of His love so all can see His beauty written on our souls.



"The man who is deeply discontented with himself is probably growing fast in the full likeness of Christ."

~ Charles Spurgeon

Living Love at Calvary

"If monotony ties me, and I cannot stand drudgery; if stupid people fret me and the little ruffles set me on edge; if I make much of the little trifles of life, then I know nothing of Calvary Love."
~Amy Carmicheal

Do YOU really LOVE?

Please take.......

I did.

Boy, I felt like crying.

Why haven't I been more bold? Why haven't I told the many people I come in contact with of Christ's amazing love, of the law and how it affects our lives. Why?

I was a coward. By God's mercy, as a family, we are now telling others of the gospel. Please click here to see the resouce we use to reach people for Christ in a friendly way. These are great conversation starters. I have given out at least a hundred since we bought them.

I thank the Lord for showing our family that we can speak of the glory of the Lord in the gates.

"That I may show forth all Your praise in the gates..... I will rejoice in Your salvation."
Psalm 9:14

"The word of God I think of as a straight edge, which shows up our own crookedness. We can't really tell how crooked our thinking is until we line it up with the straight edge of the scripture."

~Elisabeth Elliot

For all she does...

"To my mother I tell the truth. I have no thought, no feeling that I cannot share with my mother, and she is like a second conscience to me, her eyes like a mirror reflecting my own image."

~William Gerhardi