Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Everything's Coming Up Roses

Mrs. Beaver:

Yesterday we celebrated the end of another school year with a picnic at a local park.



The rose garden doesn't have picnic tables nearby so we just placed our meal on a set of stairs.

We kept this end-of-the-school year celebration simple--Little Caesar's--$5 per large--best deal in town for a large family!

Everybody was happy...



...including our two dogs. We didn't share our pizza, but we allowed them to sample the left-over soda that I'd bought the kids as a treat.

Poochita didn't think much of the Mountain Dew. she just looked up at us with an expression that said, "WHAT is this stuff?!?!?"

Sunshine, on the other hand, lapped up every drop.

A normally hyper puppy on "Dew"...hmmmmm....
...perhaps we should have given this decision a bit more thought!


I'm as happy as these yellow roses are cheery that another year of home schooling is finished. Completion is always rewarding, but this year even more so.

In November, through adoption, we added three new students to our "one-room school house." We all had plenty of adjusting to do. Our new ninth, sixth and first graders had, of course, never been home schooled.  More significantly, they didn't speak English. This year the three of them worked in Russian textbooks we'd purchased in Moscow. Mr. Beaver knows just enough Russian that he could make sure they were staying on track. Daria and Alexander also made use of Rosetta Stone to study A LOT of English. Oksana is learning the language through immersion.

The challenges were plentiful, but God's grace was even more plentiful. With His never-failing goodness, we made it through this tough "first." This is one adoption first we're happy to celebrate, certainly don't mind putting behind us.

A Love Story in Photos, Part 7

Mrs. Beaver:

Our hearts cry out to God, lifting up this blessing on behalf of the newlyweds:

"Now the God of peace,
who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep
through the blood of the eternal covenant,
even Jesus our Lord,
equip you in every good thing to do His will,
working in [you] that which is pleasing in His sight,
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen."
(Hebrews 13:20-21)

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

A Love Story in Photos, Part 6: The Elevator Series

Mrs. Beaver:

The century-old church where Aaron and Anna were married, has an elevator worthy of the aged structure. Photographers, Therese Miller and Lauren LaPlante, made good use of the rickety ride. The bride and groom have told us they had great fun posing in this unusual setting.





"I love the Lord, because He hears
My voice and supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."
(Psalm 116:1-2)

A Wet Adoption "First"

Mrs. Beaver:

Recently newly adopted Oksana played in the sprinklers for the first time. What a variety of expressions crossed her face as she explored the shooting water!

In some of these photos you'll see her partner in fun--Princess Bink.















(Photography by Tatiana)

Monday, June 27, 2011

A Love Story in Photos, Part 5

Mrs. Beaver:
(Photography by Therese Miller and Lauren LaPlante Photography)

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."
(James 1:17)

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Look Back, and Remember...


He has cared for you in the past.
In fact, He has dealt bountifully with you.

He will care for you now. 
He will care for you whatever the future holds.
He is faithful.
He is love.

Look back, and remember... Look forward, and trust.

Friday, June 24, 2011

A Love Story in Photos, Part 4

Mrs. Beaver:
(Photography by Therese Miller and Lauren LaPlante Photography)

"...the Lord has dealt bountifully with you."
(Psalm 116:7b)

 

Seventy degrees, No Humidity, No Wind...

Mrs. Beaver:

..time for a hike! We took along brother and sister, Caleb and Alexa.

Alexa has been an incredible friend to Daria as she adjusts to her adoption. They laugh a lot together and make a wonderful pair!



This is my favorite photo from the outing! Caleb is a gentle giant capable of keeping goofy, fun-loving Alexander in check.

A gift for Mom

Our little "zebra" enjoying herself in the jungle



We were blessed to be able to enjoy our marvelous God's grand creation...

...including seeing this magnificent bull elk in the elk preserve in the park.

Nothing will be...

Mrs. Beaver:

I had an especially sweet time in God's word this morning.



"Nothing will be impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)

Nothing,
   Nothing,
      Nothing.

Does it further His kingdom?
   Nothing will be impossible with God!
 NOTHING.
   Nothing,
      nothing,
         nothing!

Will it glorify Him?
   Nothing will be impossible with God!
For His glory, By His grace...
   Nothing, nothing, nothing,
nothing will be impossible with God!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Exceeding Joy

A Love Story in Photos, Part 3

Mrs. Beaver:
(Photography by Therese Miller and Lauren LaPlante Photography)

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting
(Psalm 118:1)

Thanks for Prayers!

Mrs. Beaver:

Thank you so very much to those of you who prayed for us last night!

It was incredibly unnerving to have the fire alarm system going off for about 1-1/2 hours due to dishwasher water that had run through a fire alarm in the basement. We had our very own waterfall!

With Mr. Beaver gone, I was at a loss as to how to get the noise to stop. I was also afraid it might start up again while we were sleeping.

One of the deacons from our church came over and blessed us by bringing the alarms to a stop. He also opened up areas in the basement ceiling (cold air returns and such) to help minimize the damage to the sheet rock. It was wonderful to be taken care of by the body of Christ, just as Jesus intended.

We're eating off paper plates while we wait for a plumber, but that inconvenience pales compared to the noise we endured last night.

Again, thanks for supporting us through your prayers. It's a gift from God to have so many friends!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Prayers Needed

To all our blog readers:

I hopped on here at the request of my mom, Mrs. Beaver, to ask for prayer. A pipe attached to the dishwasher burst at their house and water is now pouring through any way down that it can find, which means the light fixtures and fire alarms in the basement have water flowing through them down to the basement floor. This also makes the fire alarms to short circuit, causing every fire alarm in the house to go off. On top of all this, my dad, Mr. Beaver, is out of town for a business trip. So they covet your prayers that they would figure out how to stop the water and the fire alarms would stop going off so that everyone can have a good night's sleep! I can tell you from experience that all the fire alarms going off in the entire house is quite loud. Thank you so much friends.

~ Anna

A Love Story in Photos, Part 2

Mrs. Beaver:
(Photography by Therese Miller and Lauren LaPlante Photography)

To God be the Glory! Our great God be praised!