C.H. Spurgeon & A.W. Tozer

Two of my favorite authors right now. I've especially enjoyed reading Tozer's Knowledge of the Holy. There might only be 117 pages but each one is full of deep exhortation and encouragement regarding the attributes of the Lord. I thought I understood a teaspoon of the character of God, His awesome omniscience, omnipresence, immutability and self-sufficiency. This little book exposed a deeper meaning to each wonderful attribute of our Creator's character, His absolute purity and holiness, divine infinitude and wisdom. Without realizing it, I foolishly underestimated His greatness till I opened the pages of this book (::sigh:: the origin of sin - humans assuming that they're more than what they really are). Between meditating on His perfect word and perusing this book, it has drawn my hearts gaze closer to my Savior. I thank the Lord for godly men (and women) who seek only to draw others unto Him!

Child care was on my agenda everyday this week. It was an excellent "boost" in multiple ways. My wallet is grateful, I now know how far my patience "tank" can really stretch (of course, longer than what I thought!), and my reservoir of ideas to keep little ones busy has grown. The biggest challenge was finding ways for a two year old to be content and busy while I read my Bible out loud. :o) ...also, I believe I've met this week's quota for changing diapers.

It was so convenient to have a park within walking distance for me to take the kids to -- and every day was brimming with sunshine and pleasant weather! Here's a picture of my charges (I had about a two second window of time to snap that photo):

I took Shane to Sam Ash (music store) yesterday and we both had fun trying out the bongos!

Grandma and Grandpa, thank you for the box of clothes for Merritt. It came in this afternoon and she has already modeled for us. :o)

During my quiet times this week I've had the pleasure of reading in the Psalms. Here's a verse that brought great encouragement to me: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:14)

Before I sign off I'd like to share this quote from A.W. Tozer's book, Knowledge of the Holy.

"With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack? Surely we are the most favored of all creatures."

"In all our Maker's grand designs, omnipotence with wisdom, shines; His works, through all this wondrous frame, declare the glory of His name." Thomas Blacklock

Sunshine 'n smiles,

Chelsea

A mommy-in-training...

...it's intensive stuff. Here's a picture of eighteen month old Selah playing "life". :o)

Fascinated with lizard "innards"

I thought the title might catch your attention. You definitely know you're a "home-schooler" when, in the church parking lot, you find a poor deceased lizard with it's innards cascading onto the pavement and you (and your brother) stop to examine it. After careful scrutiny, we determined that the amphibian had suffered from a heat stroke and had burst open, thus the intestines coming out of it's mouth -- though, it may have well been smashed by an unsuspecting car. I will spare you any more gruesome details, for those of you who are "tree/animal huggers". It's just too bad that I didn't catch that candid moment in science on camera. :o)

As for an update...let's see how my memory serves me:

Today is of course eighty degrees outside (c'mon this is January!) and the sun is pleasantly shining here in Florida. It just seemed like yesterday that I was numbly fiddling with my hockey skates so I could join my friends on a frozen pond in Connecticut. Everyone had rosy cheeks and pink noses from the fifteen degree weather. I'm so glad that I've had a chance to experience different climates...

During this last week Cale's baseball picked up. He made the local high school team and began team practices. He also had a chance to continue a dialogue about the Lord with a lady he met a while back. It seems like this particular lady has begun to steadily read His word and attend a church. On a side note: for all of you who enjoy sports, Cale got the chance to "catch" Tommy John when he worked at the Yankee's Fantasy Camp. :o)

Delaney has been busy with school and various other activities (washing cars, polyurethaning a rather large cabinet, organizing stuff around the house, and continuing to enlarge her baking expertise). And yes, her room is orange. :o) She did a wonderful job "framing" that picture you see behind her. She found a neat poster that accented her room well, located several bamboo poles, cut them to size and fitted it all together -- what a clever girl!

Merritt's week was a normal one: playing, listening to books on tape, pretending, exploring, attending ballet class, and entertaining the elderly folks at a local nursing home. Merritt's new addition to her vocabulary is "furtherwise" -- meaning: in addition differently (combination of furthermore & otherwise). And yes, I certainly think it should be added to the dictionary. :o) I love sharing pictures so here is one of Merritt in her ballet outfit, ready to go to class...

The rest of us are either busy with work or household stuff. During his spare time, Daddy has been steadily pecking away at the various "home" projects, like more painting and fixing things. Mom has been dealing with a very annoying clogged tear duct. She went to an optometrist then saw an ophthamologist to get it flushed, but we're not totally sure that cured it. That could be a matter of prayer (this issue has been going on for a good two months and the alternative to that procedure is surgery, something Mother would like to avoid). Thank you!

Mom, Delaney, Merritt and I had the rare privilege of visiting a nursing home last Thursday. We don't get to go as often as we'd like because of our schedules. The following is a picture of Delaney and a lady we met there, named Sydney. Doesn't Sydney have a wonderful smile?

In case you've had trouble leaving a comment, I have fixed the settings so that whoever wants to, whether they're a "blog" member or not, can freely do so.

Mr. Mills, no pictures of Dad this time but here's one of Cowboy (taken today). :o)

We had to visit the vet yesterday and, at the risk of sounding boastful, he was highly admired (the ladies just gushed over him with comments such as: what a handsome dog, etc. He practically beamed!). I was rather surprised to find out that he weighs 109 lbs. -- I guess I've been over super-sizing his meals.

It's time for me to go. Thanks for visiting!:o)

~Chelsea

P.S. Merritt's effort at picture taking (it's of me, by the way):

Delighting in life!

There were strong gusts of wind, warm sunshine and four "happy hearts" this afternoon. Mom, Delaney, Merritt and I (Chelsea) enjoyed a leisurely hour soaking in the sun. Yes, it all sounds rather lazy of us, but it's good to delight in life! The picture to the right is of my youngest sis wearing my hat...

What a cute expression!

Our dog, Cowboy, sure enjoyed the company outside today. I threw one of his "prized" sticks into our pool for him to fetch, but the chicken wouldn't jump in. He'll place his paws on the first step but that's as far as his courage will take him. He raised quite a protest, howling and barking as though I was torturing him. But, I can't be unkind so I gave him a little hand and pushed him in... ;o)

I hope you're enjoying life!

~Chelsea

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 (that includes the simple things in life!)

Babysitting

Good afternoon!
I thought it would be fun to post a picture of the toddler I watch on Mondays and Wednesdays! She's the sweetest little girl, with the most agreeable disposition of any eighteen-month-old that I know. We all enjoy hearing her tiny feet pattering here and there, and listening to her attempts at talking. I think everyone should have a baby about the house! :o)

January 15, 2006

Welcome to the Owen family blog! We welcome you in for a bit of southern hospitality! To our family and friends: hopefully this blog will keep you updated on the happenings around our house (not to mention a few pictures now and then!) -- in the past, we haven't been very successful with even once-a-year letters...so, please don't get your hopes up! :o) A new year is always good for new intentions.

~ Chelsea (for those of you who don't know me, I'm the oldest of four kids...)

Here's a visual (although, this photo isn't the best -- we're hoping to get an updated one in the next few days):