Milestones

A week from tonight we have another opportunity to pause as a family and reflect on our journey together.

To recount God's faithfulness to each of us. . . and on this occasion, especially Meredith.

Next Monday night is the Junior Blessing Ceremony, a precious tradition at Cypress Christian High School that helps families mark a milestone.  As our children enter into their final season in high school, we as parents are able to pray for and bless our students and charge them.  We can also present them with a special gift.

Today I received the sweet necklace I ordered for this special occasion.  I am thrilled with how it turned out.

Our prayer for Meredith on this special night and as she anticipates walking through the next chapter of her life's journey comes from Colossians 1:10 which reads

Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.


How exciting it will be in the coming months and years to see God merge the gifts He has given her with the calling He will place on her life.

Big decisions lie ahead.
Exciting times await.

Meredith,


As you embrace what lies ahead, we implore you to look to God's infinite worth for your help and satisfaction and to always act in a way that fits the great value and glorious nature of God and the gospel and your calling.


We're so thankful we get to share this journey with you.  It is a privilege to see God's hand upon you.

I hope to post pictures from this special ceremony next week!

A New Tradition

I was so excited today to find this handmade set of Jesse Tree ornaments.

I have been looking for just the right set for 2 or 3 years now.  The heirloom hand needlepoint set I thought I would get around to making, well....hasn't happened yet.  And I don't want to wait another year.  I love these wooden ornaments and they will be very child friendly!

You can find them here on Etsy

My preschool class made similar symbolic ornaments and used the pictures and symbols to lead us through the Bible narrative to the birth of Christ.  A simple devotion with all of those symbols can be found here.  It was always a gift to see young children grasp that the familiar old testament stories set the stage for the unfolding drama of Christ's birth.

I am thrilled to have this beautiful and handpainted set (from St. Paul, MN!) to use this advent.

Advent is latin for "coming".

Jesse was the father of David, to whom God promised a king from his family - a royal branch in the tree of the Messiah to come.  David's family was disobedient, but our covenant keeping God promised that "out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot...yes, a new branch bearing fruit from the old root - in that day the heir to David's throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world.  The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place" (Isaiah 11:1, 10)

The Old Testament points forward to the person and work of Jesus Christ.  "All of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding YES, And through Christ, our 'Amen' (which means "yes") ascends to God for his glory!" (2 Corinthians 2:10)

From Adam to the Messiah we will read the precious redemptive history, the pageantry to mankind, and on Christmas morning, we will proclaim together God's covenant keeping majesty in the glorious gift of Christ.

The first day of advent 2011 will be Sunday, November 27th. Do you have a plan to use with your family?  Maybe this is the year you want to start a new advent tradition with your family.  You still have a few weeks to have it ready.

The Jesse Tree tradtion is one way to actively engage your children of all ages in the celebration of Christ's birth, to draw your family together to worship during the season of advent and to properly understand and teach the history of salvation and the meaning of the incarnation.

I'm anxious to share with you all how it goes as this new tradition unfolds in our home.

Texas Thanksgivings

The Achterkirchs have been in Texas now for three months.
In some regards it seems so much longer.
So much has happened in a short time.

New roots have been established and nurtured.

We recently discussed our first three months together and delighted in seeing how God has been faithful.

How He has made a way for each one of us to feel at home here.

How He has blessed the many decisions we made months and months ago.

How He has knit our hearts together jut a bit closer for having made such a big transition together.

How He has drawn us to Himself as we seek Him in all things.  There is nothing like a major move and resettling to remember again how dependent we are upon Him who orchestrates our days in His good and sovereign grace!  How thankful we are.

Thankful for new friends.
Thankful for tall trees that cast cool shadows upon tree lined streets (we didn't have that in the desert!)
Thankful for our partnership with Cypress Christian in the Christ exalting education for our children.
Thankful for our friendly neighbors.  They are generous. Kind. Fun!
Thankful for how well our rental property is working out for our family.  It is quite comfortable!
Thankful for God's continued leading in finding a church home and family. We've seen Him at work in many ways through the work of many fine churches here and their love for us has been a blessing.

Thankful for Ian's position and the success he has had in his post and the obvious joy it brings him.
Thankful for a new and exciting ballet experience for our ballerina.

Thankful for green grass to run and play in and black dirt to plant in.  Not a cactus in sight! Hallelujah!

Thankful for world class medical care in this city and the wonderful care we had in David's recent ER visit and the upcoming care we will no doubt experience as we consult with doctors this winter.  With five children, we don't take quality care for granted.

Thankful for Mrs. Starbuck and the help she provides Charlotte in the learning center to be the best she can be in the classroom.  Her strategies have made a huge impact in helping Charlotte learn with dyslexia.  Mostly grateful that Mrs. Starbuck, and the school, are teaching Charlotte she is fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image - that she is an amazing student and a remarkable young lady!

Thankful for quiet days tending to the home and playing with David.  While I miss teaching, I rest in knowing this quiet season is a blessing.  A true gift!

Thankful for the Houston agency that came just yesterday to  complete our final report on David due in China upon his one year anniversary of adoption.  Praise Him!

Thankful for the increase in college options right in our midst.  This state boasts great schools...and just in time for spring break visits with Meredith.

Thankful for Bluebell ice cream....best ever....and from Texas!
Thankful for Warrior athletics...Peter is challenged and growing as an athlete, a young man and a disciple.

Thankful for the conservative nature of this new place.  The folk are God fearing and down to earth.  We fit in so nicely here!

. . . .I could probably go on and on and on, but these were the highlights of our recent family conversations about our time here in the first few months.  How good to recount His faithfulness together!


1 Chronicles 29:13
Now, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name!


1 Chronicles 16:8
Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done!




And we're thankful for you, our family and friends who faithfully uphold us in your prayers and bless us in amazing ways even from afar!  We love you!

Fridays

The best part of Fridays for Charlotte is heading to the barn to ride Holly.

The best part of Friday's for me is heading to the barn to watch Charlotte ride Holly.

There is just nothing better!

It is such a wonderful way for both of us to end the busy week together.

She sure works hard.

 

and she is very concentrated!

Mr. McDonald is such a good instructor.  Patient.  Gentle.  Kind.  Inspiring.

This hour on Fridays is the best hour of the week. . .for both of us!!!

 

Though she stretches her hour to an hour and a half by brushing Holly down and offering to put her away. . .

She told Mr. McDonald today she wants to work at the barn when she is older.

He said he'll be holding her a spot!!!

Then she inquired about boarding a horse of her own. . .

And I told her it was time to GO!  (She is my sweet dreamer!)

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Well, we survived homecoming and all the festivities and all the football.

My sister reminded me that Texas and football go together like peanut butter and jelly.

She's right!

Tonight was the last game for the middle school team.

The Cypress Christian Warriors battled the Woodland Christian Warriors.

Our warriors were victorious. . .a great way to end a wonderful season!

I have to say. . . it's been fun watching Pete give his best out there!

He has grown as a player

and made some fantastic friends throughout the season, too!

Our school takes football seriously. . .

but they also take discipling seriously.
Because Cypress football is more than a competitive game that young men play. . .

It is an intentional curriculum that uses football to build men.

Peter has learned about faith, love, humility, commitment, trust, encouragement, contentment, courage, and servant leadership.

I wonder if this little man will play football one day!!!

I can't tell you how thankful we are for the coaching staff.
They love our boys . .

YES, they love our boys.  That is their coaching philosophy as found in the handbook:

"to love the players so that they will love one another.  We want to motivate your son to be the best they can be by love, not fear or incentive.  By building a team that is based on love, each player will want to give their best effort out of love for their teammates."

Biblical football  is competing
By the power of God
According to the Word of God
For the glory of God

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving!"


Here is Peter with his buddy James.  Next week, they'll be trying out for the BB team!!!

Peter,
We are so proud of your commitment to the Cypress team, for all the hard training and long practices. Indeed, God is growing you into a man after His own heart and we rejoice that He has placed godly men in your life to mentor you.  What a fun and fantastic season we all enjoyed.  To God be the glory!

Go Warriors.

Whatever!

That was the theme of  Cypress Christian School Homecoming 2011

". . .whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable. . .dwell on these things."  Phil. 4:8

Tonight was dinner out with a group and the homecoming dance.
Meredith was escorted by Bobby Miller.

Homecoming Mania

Today was a half day of school.

Full of Homecoming festivities in preparation for tonights big game against the Eagles.

We're new to Texas football.

We're new to homecoming mania.

But, it sure is fun!

Charlotte is lined up with the fifth graders for the parade.

Mr. Navaotny, head of school, in his smashing white tails.

Claire is lined up with second grade for the parade.

After the big parade, elementary had their own parade with class decorated wagons! Adorable!
Here is Mrs. Miller's second graders

And the fifth graders. . .
The room moms made mums for all the girls in the class.
Yes - we're new to mums, too.  A cultural phenomenon for sure!

The Middle School Football team was celebrated - Here is Peter with his buddy.



And then the drama class of which Meredith is a part,  presented a Warrior Fairy Tale. . .

It went something like this . . .

Once upon a time in the fair land of Cypress there lived a great and valiant warrior.
He spent his time guarding the golden football

And rescuing damsels in distress -
Here she comes now. . .

The princess lived in her tower.

One day, a foul creature (get it!?) intruded upon the peace of Cypress and tried to steal the golden football and capture the lovely princess. . .

Oh myyyyyy. . .

The warrior and the eagle endured a fierce battle. . .

At first it looked like the foul bird was going to be victorious. . .

But help was on the way (enter varsity senior football players) . . .

And the eagle was captured!

He was fried up and served to the victorious team.

Mmmmm....mmmmm......mmmmmmmmm..... finger lickin' good!!!

And what ever became of the princess?
Why the valiant and brave warrior gave her a mum (see definition below) and took her to the homecoming dance!

The End.

The homecoming mum:

For the uninitiated, a Texas homecoming mum is an actual work of art. It is an oversized mum corsage -the silk flower has replaced the chrysanthemum as the centerpiece for homecoming, and you find them decorated with dozens of charms, 3-4 foot long ribbons, bells, whistles, sparlking letters, and even with the high school mascot, teddy bear and lights. The evolution of the “mum” has been a sight to see. A demonstration of affection toward another, a show of school spirit and a sensational fashion statement for sure!!!