The Perfect Fit

Here is a post that I did on our End of the Matter Sisters blog.

Enjoy!
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Hello!  It's Bethany here...

I just finished sewing a new skirt! 
The pattern was just what I wanted and I was delighted with the color so I set to work.

When the last threads were clipped from the machine, I couldn't wait to try it on!  But what a disappointment when I found that skirt was too tight... I wasn't sure what I should do, so I went on a diet. 

I've been only eating broccoli and brussel-sprouts and drinking lots of water and tomato juice. I also have been doing a lot of biking, push-ups, sit-ups, and running... It's been long and hard! But today it all paid off when I tried on the skirt and--can you believe it!?--it fit! So now the skirt fits me (or I fit the skirt) and I'm happy!

Well, not really! 

Actually, a friend gave me some advice:

Take out the side seams and then sew it up again with less seam allowance than 5/8th".

That worked.

Now I can't wait to wear my new skirt!

If a problem like this comes your way, I would strongly recommend trying out the advice of my friend... however, if you do insist... you can always try the diet!!!  :)

Posted By:

~Bethany

Soap Class 2011

This past weekend, we hosted our 3rd annual Soap Class! 

This year we had a large group of mothers and daughters learning to make soap together.  Yvonne Symthe was our amazing instructor who guided everyone in the soap making process.  It was a safe, fun, and enjoyable class with plenty of fellowshipping afterwards!

Enjoy the pictures!

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One side of the table getting prepared to work!

The other side of the table, hard at work.

Mrs. H. and her adorable daughter working together on their batch.

So why are we melting soap over the stove?  Well, since there were about twelve crock-pots and five burners... we kept throwing the switch and loosing electricity!

I had the special job of crawling under tables to fix the problem... only to end up back there about four more times!!!

The best part is putting the scents to colors.  So much fun!

"Maddie!  What are you doing?!"

Some very special friends...

Hmmmmmm...

Words cannot describe this picture... but I think Mikell's face can!  :)

Enjoying the food and fellowship.

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The Symthe family made a day out of it and even brought us dinner!  They are so kind!

After dinner, we watched "National Treasure... 2"!  (With... you!)

(Will there ever be a "National Treasure Threeeee"?!)

After the movie... we went into our "late night humor" mood!  Can you tell that everyone looks a little crazy?  It was 11:38 pm at this point! :)

We enjoyed this wonderful day!

"Thank you, Smythe Family, for coming over and making our day so much fun!!!"

"He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."

~Psalm 24:4-5

Posted By:

~Bethany

The Winton's in Concert

If you remember this post, then you probably have been waiting for this moment!

This week we hosted the Winton's in our barn for a house concert.  We had so much fun preparing everything, putting our heads together to come up with new ideas, and planning all the logistics.  The concert was a huge success!  We had about 70 people sitting on hay bales and enjoying the wonderful music.  The Wintons were so much fun to be with and we felt like we already knew them from the common bond of like-minded Christianity.  It was a delightful evening of music, food, fellowship, and fun... all with Jesus Christ as the center!

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Doesn't the barn look like a Concert Hall?!

We were so pleased about how it turned out with the Christmas lights, stage, halogen lights, etc.

Daddy opening the concert with some words of wisdom.

Jesse, Mr. Winton, and Cody playing away!

Cody on the banjo...

...And Dobro.

Jesse on the mandolin.

Singing one of the foot-stompin' gospel songs!

The S. family listening to the musicians.

What a crowd!

A big thanks to everyone who came out and made the evening so fun and special!

Some of the many delicious treats!

Here is the last 30 seconds of a variation on "Dueling Banjos".  These are some bumpy moments, but I couldn't help it with a bouncing and clapping Judah on my lap!

Thank you, Winton's, for coming out here!  We look forward to visiting with you all again!"

Posted By:

~Bethany

Photo credit (2,3,4,5, & 6) to Mr. C.

The Lord is Faithful!

This is one of the hymns that we sang in church today. 

The Lord is so faithful and everyday we see His new mercies!

Great is His faithfulness!

The Umqua River

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

Posted By: Shiloh

Putting together the magazine~

It's that time of the year again..... 

Where we go to Kinkos to print Virtuous Women Magazine!  I've always considered writing an article on what goes into publishing a magazine and then putting together, but I usually forget the idea when printing comes along again or forget to bring my camera along!

This time we were able to use the handy-dandy Mac with photo booth to act as a camera (since my camera has once again taken ill...  ;)).

Enjoy the pictures!

Laying out all the pages in the correct order.... 

I soon found that doing five at a time helped greatly speed up the process!

Here's a view of mostly everything~ except the papers on the chair!  I had paper literally everywhere- making it quite confusing. :)

Ta-da!  The complete issue!  Complete with a sneak-peek of the cover. :)

Contact us here to find out how to get a copy!

Posted By: Shiloh

Sneak Peek!

Here is a little sneak peek to the preparation that is going into our barn for the Winton House Concert!

We will be hosting it here:

It is looking great! 

I think that this is pretty "Winton Worthy"!  :)

From off the loft.

Some of the crew hard at work!

We can't wait!

Posted By:
~Bethany



Courageous!

Our family went with friends to see the outstanding film "Courageous".  It was probably the best feature film made this year!  This movie had it all: moments of suspense, times when you couldn't stop laughing because it was so funny, and parts where everyone around you was crying from a heart-wrenching tragedy.  The message of Fatherhood was the main theme of the film, but everyone could glean the many wonderful lessons as well.

We would definitely encourage other families to watch this film. 

We need more Godly films like these to be shown in theaters to further God's Kingdom!

Arriving at the theater.  We couldn't wait!

Shiloh is ready to watch! 

And it's over.  :(

We kept saying how we wished we could just watch it all over again!

After the movie!  Like I said, it was excellent!

Afterwards, we went out to dinner.

Here is one side of the table...

...And here is the other side!

The parents taking.

Secret Agent Yvonne S. even joined us for dinner!  We felt very safe with her around...

After a wonderful evening!

What are you waiting for?  It's time to watch "Courageous"!

Posted By:

~Bethany