Our Bountiful Blessings

Posted by Christina

As several probably have been wondering when we will ever post again... I have been wondering the same thing😄 Life sure does know how to take off! But amongst it all, I am reminded so often that each and every moment in life is definitely a bountiful blessing from God! God has been so faithful and good to us by giving us countless opportunities to live life the way He wants us to. Oh, may we never take anything for granted as we come before Him in thanksgiving and praise; not just praise in word, but in deed and in truth. We must imitate Him with our daily conversation, just as a child would want to imitate the one in whom he admires.  

Here is a brief run-down of our family's life within approximately the last three months:)

Starting with...
Merry Christmas!

Christmas: A time set aside to remember and celebrate what God did for mankind in that He humbled Himself to become one of us, die for all of us, and rise again so we all would have an opportunity to seek Him and have a relationship with Him Who is the Savior!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 

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We were able to  go to Grandpa and Grandma's home for Christmas! We had such a fun, relaxing, and enjoyable time. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma!!

Grandpa, Grandma, Papa, and Mama:)

The candle light service at Grandpa and Grandma's church. 

         
  The men after a good meal:)

 Joanna, Carolyn, and Grandma made a family favorite: HAYSTACKS!!!

The "matching" pairs

The "coordinating" pairs...or in Christina's and Josiah's case, the "Christmas colors" pair:)

Abigail anticipating the gifts

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD."

Romans 6:23

Enjoying the family time

One of the "opening-present" sessions..

Because of our big group, we have realized it is easiest to draw names for the "gift exchange". We call that time "Christmas in July", due to the fact that that is when we gather together and draw the names. Along with that comes the challenge on whether one can keep who he drew a secret until the time of revelation. And, you had better watch out, because there are ones who question you and try to find out who has who all throughout the months prior! Like others, it got pretty exciting this time!! 

Our future photographer???

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Our friend Joy, Laura, Christina, Charity, Anna, Mama, and Joanna

Papa & Mama, Grandma & Grandpa

Sweet friends, Daniel and Amanda💗

Merry Christmas from the Ron Linzey family!

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Elisabeth and her wonderful husband Nathan at a friend's wedding

                                                                           

                             Charity, Joanna, Anna, and Elisabeth                               

Our Dear Parents

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Nothing like setting aside some time for a tea-for-two:)

                                      Christina and Carolyn                        Joseph and Mama

                  Amanda and Anna (with a violin video in the back:)  Charity and Sarah

   Amanda got her first violin!! And how excited she was...and still is!!!

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And we welcome into the world...

~Priscilla May Linzey~

Praise the LORD for a healthy baby girl! She is such a joy to our growing family!

        Face-timing a brother who wasn't able to make it..       Abigail, you're not the youngest anymore!  

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD!"

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"The Heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork." Psalms 19:1

A few of us have been blessed to go on a few trips earlier within these past few months and we have been able to see God's hand at work not only where we were able to go, but also within our own hearts. 

The first major one was Joshua. He was in Maine for about four months helping a dear family whom we are friends with, who is church planting up there. He has assisted in renovating a run-down type of building into a church/parsonage. He has gotten a lot of experience and tools under his belt! God has done so much during this time and he is becoming such a man of God! Charity and I were able to meet up with him and the family for about three weeks right after they had their 5th child. It was such a wonderful experience and we were so blessed seeing what the LORD had done and is doing up there! ...These following pictures are just a taste of the many different things we were able to experience while we were there!  

Joshua at Mt. Washington in New Hamshire

Christina, Joshua, and Charity at Mt. Washington in New Hampshire

                   Putting insulation in as a team:)     Christina, Charity, & Josh with the McFarland children

Good friends...Charity, Gwyn, and Christina:)

Mrs. McFarland and Gwyn took us to a restaurant literally on the ocean! It was amazing! 

Celebrating a sweet young lady's birthday with a day of ice-skating! 

One of our highlights was seeing God work in a new church plant! God is still doing great things! Here below is a picture of Joshua, Christina, and Charity singing "A Faithful Heart" during a service.

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

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Laura was able to go to Mexico for about five weeks while visiting a missionary daughter of some members at our church. Laura had helped with making some pillow cases for the children at the children's home the missionary is involved with, and then the LORD allowed her to be able to meet those same children and interact with them! Some of her highlights while being there were, being an encouragement to her brothers and sister in Christ, observing the people she was around every day, helping to cook pure Mexican meals while visiting with one of the care takers of the orphanage... and of course, learning bits and pieces of the language! 

We have been so blessed! May we constantly seek God and rest in His love. And as we seek to be faithful in what God has called us to on a daily basis, let us be dynamic Christians (dynamic: energy with a goal in mind and a determination to reach and accomplish it) instead of dramatic Christians (dramatic: energy that is fully capable of doing and accomplishing, but has no goal and purpose to reach it, therefore lives in vain).  

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." 

Matthew 5:16

Portland Headlight at Fort Williams. 

This picture was taken on Cape Elizabeth, on the coast of Maine.