Field Trip Week (Part 2)

For our second field trip of the week, we went with Anna's preschool to the Conservation District. It was a really fun day as well. (Anna stayed with a friend of hers from preschool on Monday while we went to Pittsburgh and then Josh and Sarah went to their Pop-Pop and Mom-Mom's for Wednesday. Tim and Sam were able to come with Anna and I.) They did this neat talk about different animals in the wetland and we got to go on a nature walk through the wetlands for over an hour. The kids loved it! They got to learn about animal tracks, bat houses (these are very cool!), and observe trees and plants around the wetland. All of our three younger kids really loved it. It was a beautiful fall day as well, so it was very special.

 The teacher from the Conservation District doing the class for Anna's preschool. They were learning about coyotes here!

 our little sweetie by the coyote, duck, hawk and snake skin!

 the children by the bat house 

Tim holding a salamander they caught.

What a fun day! 

What a fun week of field trips!

Field Trip Week (part 1)

Phipps Conservatory and the Duquesne Incline

This week we had two field trips! I know, pretty crazy. It was such a fun week! Pittsburgh is having this thing called RADical days where different museums and things are free for a few weeks in September and October. So we decided to take advantage of the free days and head on into the 'Burgh for some good old fashioned fun!

There was a dear family from our church (to whom we have become very close) who invited us to go with them to the Phipp's Conservatory. (One of the places that was free this past Monday!) So we piled into their 12 seater van and went down together. What a fun time! (OK, I do have to admit that my children at first were saying, "We are going to go and look at flowers all day?!" I think we were all pleasantly surprised at how neat this place was!) The kids loved being there with their friends and it was just a joyful and special time! Sarah pretty much loved the whole place. Tim and I loved the India room (esp. since we had just finished reading about Amy Carmichael in school). The Bonsai display was coolie-toolie too! Joshua loved the desert room, because they had - a Joshua Tree!

enjoying time with our friends

 Josh and the Joshua Tree

Sam - our happy little buddy!

 Sarah and her friend Elizabeth

 Tim with a bonsai tree!

After the Conservatory, we found a park and ate lunch while the children played. (They ate a few bites here and there while they were playing!)

 taking a spin

After lunch at the park, we headed back into Pittsburgh for a ride on the Duquesne Incline!

going up!

 and up...

and way up! It is so fun living in a city with lots of hills! 

(No offense to our dear Florida friends!)

 our beautiful city

 (almost) all of us at the top

My Sammy loved the motor room tour! He was captivated by this!

What a fun day with dear friends! I love field trips!

Joshua and Sarah's Baptism

Well, on Sunday, September 15th, Dave and I shared a very special day. Our sweet Joshua and Sarah were baptized. They had been expressing a desire for a while and so Dave had them talk to our pastor. After meeting with him, he agreed to baptize them. We tried to find a date that would work for everyone. I asked if we could do it on September 15th, because my mom was flying in on that day and it would be very special if she could be here to celebrate with us and Dave's sweet parents. (It would have been even better if my dad could have come, but we were so thankful mom was able to be here.)

What a special day. Joshua and Sarah shared their testimonies about what the Lord Jesus has done in their lives and then the pastor had them answer a few questions. Their testimonies were so sweet and from their hearts, that it was a very precious time.

Then they waded into Brady's Run Lake and were baptized. What a humbling and wonderful thing to be a part of. There were at least 50 people that came to celebrate with us - friends from the church, family members (as I already mentioned), friends from our homeschool gym and swim at the YMCA (including the children's coach), and even one family of a man who works with Dave. (The friend grew up on the mission field, so there was an instant connection there when Dave first starting working at the job up here. We have gotten very close to his whole family.)

 The whole family with Pastor Jeff (who is almost like family)

 our dear friends who came to celebrate with us

We sang both Joshua and Sarah's favorite hymns

 Joshua being baptized

a special moment after the baptism

 Sarah being baptized

look how happy everyone is!

It is one of those surreal moments when your children trust in Christ and have a desire to be baptized. You see, baptism doesn't save you. It is just a testimony of what the Lord has done in your heart. It is His saving work on the cross that we were celebrating this day.

I pray that every person reading this blog today has the joy of Christ and the deep, abiding KNOWLEDGE of Him as well. If you don't, well, don't hesitate to write so we can share the Good News with you also.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 1:4