A Three-Year-Old's Perception of Lip Balm

Posted by Gabrielle

I was putting on my lip balm before bed the other evening, and didn't realize it, but apparently Benaiah was watching me, because a little later, as Mommy was tucking him in for bed, he asked if he could have some "glue for his mouth too." :)
I'll teach him about the difference between lip balm and glue...And that our craft glue sticks are not something he should be applying to his mouth...

Jedidiah turns 9!!!

Posted by Gabrielle

Friday evening, we celebrated Jedidiah's ninth birthday! Yes, he really did turn nine on December 27th, but all of us were sick with colds and such, and it's no fun to celebrate a birthday then. So, we waited until we were better, and we're pretty much there!

Nine candles! Where has the time gone? Jedidiah, I remember when you were born. I pray you'll grow up to be a mighty man for God!

Mother and daughter waiting for present opening

I apologize for my lack of posts lately. I've been very busy with a number of things, but I've also gotten back into crocheting and have a number of new creations I'll be sharing on my crafting blog soon!

An update to the Christmas post

Posted by Gabrielle

Seeing as my post about Christmas elicited several inquiries as to what I received for Christmas, I've retrieved pictures off a sibling's camera and have added to the post. So, check it out here to see what I received for Christmas! :)

I've realized it really is winter here, seeing we have a slight dusting of snow on the ground that fell over the past hour or so! Maybe there will be more!

Wordless Wednesday: Sleeping Cutie

Posted by Gabrielle

Happy New Year!

Posted by Gabrielle

~the Hellwig family-November 2010~

Happy New Year from the Hellwig Family!

Christmas 2010

Posted by Gabrielle

Here are some pictures from Christmas! For the most part, I'll let the pictures speak about the wonderful family day we enjoyed!

The tree with all the presents underneath waiting to be opened

Daddy's sport watch from Timothy

Mommy's long-admired heart pincushions from yours truly

(picture by Arianne)

I received a book from Christianna that I've been wanting for some time but couldn't justify buying new for myself - Joyfully at Home, by Jasmine Baucham. Although I have quite a reading stack waiting to be finished, I've already started it! :)

Timothy's Walking with God from Elliot

Arianne's snowman oven mitt for her hope chest from Christianna

A couple of Christianna's new books from Daddy and Mommy

Elliot's long-desired Last of the Mohicans from yours truly

Jedidiah's ceramic painted bear ornament from yours truly

Tobias' cowboy hat from Christianna

Benaiah enjoying his new airplane from Daddy and Mommy (and wearing his 'worker man' hat from Timothy)

And, the Hellwig family, grandparents and an aunt and uncle gathered around the table for Christmas dinner!

A Conversation with Benaiah

Posted by Gabrielle

Benaiah and I had an interesting conversation this morning while I was finishing a crocheted baby hat. It's a baby girl hat with pink and white stripes and a matching flower accent. I'll be posting more about it on my blog once I get pictures as I'm working on perfecting the pattern so I can make them to sell.

Benaiah: *peeking curiously at my work* "Is that for Zadok?" (his very-loved stuffed lamb)
Me: "No, it's pink. Besides, I already made one for Zadok." (A bad first try in blue, brown, and white that came out too small)
Benaiah: *pausing for a moment* "Yes, you have it in your tray. Will you get it for me?"
Me: "Yes, I'll get it for you later."
Benaiah: *after a moment of contemplation* "Will you put a flower on it?"

I had to explain to a very distracted three-year-old why we do not put flowers on boy's hats (and on boy lamb's hats :)

A Three-Year-Old's Logic

Posted by Gabrielle

While at our church's "Love the Church" Conference a few weeks ago (which I still need to post about), we learned a new song called "I Love the Church". Since then, we have been singing it at church and around the home.

Here is the first verse and refrain:

I love the church, the flock bought with Christ's blood - 
Sheep gone astray He found and brought to God.
Guarded and fed by shepherds He provides,
We follow Christ, secure and satisfied.


May Christ be praised: "Preeminent! Adored!"
I love the church because I love her Lord!

Last night, a member of our family overheard Benaiah singing:

I love the church because I love the church!

He needs an elementary logic class! :)

Wordless Wednesday: Someone's Brilliant Idea

Posted by Gabrielle

Our Mortal Flesh

posted by Lisa



 I've been reminded recently of this hymn, often sung

at this time of year and neglected the other 11 months.

How often my mortal flesh needs to keep silence,

to be still, and even in the midst of whirlwind,

to listen, ponder the Word, consider my latter end,

and bless the God Who descended from the realms of

endless day to give me endless joy in His presence.

He has given us Himself.  The enormity of this is

staggering.  There are no words left to tell,

but His Word.  If men do not hear His Word,

there is nothing else.



Pray with me, that men may hear the Word, 

and with fear and trembling stand before Him, 

full of His unearthly joy, entering into eternal rest.



            Let all mortal flesh keep silence, 

        and with fear and trembling stand;

        ponder nothing earthly-minded, 

        for with blessing in his hand, 

        Christ our God to earth descendeth, 

        our full homage to demand. 

        King of kings, yet born of Mary, 

        as of old on earth he stood, 

        Lord of lords, in human vesture, 

        in the body and the blood; 

        he will give to all the faithful 

        his own self for heavenly food. 

        Rank on rank the host of heaven 

        spreads its vanguard on the way, 

        as the Light of light descendeth 

        from the realms of endless day, 

        that the powers of hell may vanish 

        as the darkness clears away. 

        At his feet the six-winged seraph, 

        cherubim, with sleepless eye, 

        veil their faces to the presence, 

        as with ceaseless voice they cry: 

        Alleluia, Alleluia, 

                Alleluia, Lord Most High!





May you cry also to Him, "Alleluia, Lord Most High!"