Christmas Poems

Posted by: Patience

We have a lot to post about. So much happens in December! But for lack of time, I will only post some Christmas poems.

For the first poem, I will provide a link, since I didn't write it. Mr. Mally wrote a poem about Christmas a couple years ago. I really like it! :) Here is the link: http://tomorrowsforefathers.com/gracenotes/?p=1417

The second poem I wrote.

What  Great Love!

-Patience Normoyle

We all know the story – of Christ and His birth,

How God sent sweet Jesus to live here on Earth.

How He came and He lived, then He died and rose,

So in our poor hearts, His redemption would known.

We think and we sing of the same things each year,

Of Kings and wise men with big fluffy beards.

 

But, what if God’s mercy had no room to grow?
What if His dear heart was as hard as a stone?

God could see our sin, and in anger and fury,

Seep us off Earth with a huff and a hurry!

But the God of the ages, our Creator and King,

Knew what was just, and what we would need.

 

God sent His Son in the form of a man,

Through Him was lived all salvation’s hard plan.

The punishment due us (like the “huff in a hurry”),

Was put onto Jesus, yes, all of God’s fury.

Jesus was God in the form of a man,

He hung on a tree to bear all sins of man.

For three whole days and three long nights,

He fought, and won, a great terrible fight.

Satan, who us would hate and destroy,

Was completely conquered – his power made void.

 

Jesus then rose, and one glorious day,

Appeared to the 12, then floated away.

Into the clouds, way up in the air,

Jesus went, and we’ll follow Him there.

Because of His mercy, compassion and Grace,

One day we’ll see our Savior, even face-to-face.

 

So this Christmas season, as you go about,

Praise the Lord for His power lived out.

His love and His mercy, His grace and His peace,

Praise that Christ conquered in glorious feat!

Humble your self – at the manger side bow.

Ask Jesus, “You love me? For what, and how?”

His response would be a wonderful “yes”,

“My love for you, to my power attests.

I can love because  I am who I am, the Alpha, Omega, the great promised Lamb.”

Respond with gratitude! Respond with love.

Love Christ, not only because He’s in heaven above,

But praise for who He was, is and will be.
A great love for all, and even for me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by: Patience
Happy Thanksgiving, one and all!! It is so wonderful to have days set throughout the year to get together and see dear family and friends. This year, our family was blessed to visit both Mom and Dad's sides of the family. We looked forward to seeing each precious loved one.
We get together like this every year. Do you know how the first thanksgiving was placed? The first "official" Thanksgiving day was November 26th, 1789. Read below the heart of George Washington and the 1789 Houses of Congress as they recommend a day for the "...acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God." How can our next Thanksgiving get-together be more like the picture sketched out in this proclamation? God Bless!  

 

General Thanksgiving

By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America
A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789

 

Time in Texas

Posted by: Patience

A couple weeks ago, a friend had a baby. A few months before, she had called and asked me to come help during her recovery period.  I was so excited! The two weeks I spent at her home in Texas was very filled of every type of blessing imaginable.

Mrs. Woolley and baby Evelyn

I spent most mornings facilitating homeschool activities for the two older Woolley girls.

 While they were doing school, Terza, Nate, and I would engage in some sort of learning activity until Nate went down for a morning nap. Here's some pictures of us learning how to make straight lines. :)

After lunch, the Woolley children had a long quiet time in which Lydia and Sarah read and Terza and Nate slept. During that time, I would rest somehow, maybe call home, do some school work, or climb in bed for a little nap. ;)

 In the picture above, Lydia, Sarah, and Terzah are all playing stick violins. ;)

 When we had extra time, we would go to the park together. One of the girls favorite games to play was "Laura and Mary" from Little House on the Prarie. It was so cute to watch as Lydia became Mary, Sarah became Laura, Terzah became little Carrie, that I was compelled to become "Ma Wilder" for them. :)

 

 The Lord perfectly orchestrated events and time so that I could spend some time with two very dear friends! Haley and Elizabeth have been encouraging examples of what life in Christ should look like. I couldn't ask for better friends, girls!

 

Nate's Beachy Birthday

Last week we went on a week long trip to Corolla, NC.  Here are some pictures.

Here are some pictures of us riding the waves or running from the waves or being clobbered by the waves. 

A beautiful sunrise. 

Wave pictures

Patience, Papa, and Grace

Patience and I

Under the waves is Dad.  I am looking on wondering how this will turn out. 

Nate was turning six that day so we had cinnamon buns for breakfast. Dad put a candle in it.

Nate's birthday cake!!

Blowing out the candles!!!

Eating the cake.  It was an ice cream cake with fudge in with the  chocolate ice cream.  Yum!!

We climbed a light house.  It was fun. Tali and mama didn't like it all that much though.

Just one of the views from the light house. 

Patience and Tali at the top.  Tali decided not to go any closer to the railing. 

Tali cautiously coming down. 

The light house. 

Worshiping at night

Some more water pictures

Luka trying to block the water, but he got clobbered.

Getting ready to enjoy the beach!!!!

Look at that wave!!!!!

Dad

Nate spent most of his time in the sand or splashing in the shallow water.  He tried going out for a while but when big waves tipped him over he was heading for the sand.

The three Normoyle girls: Grace, Patience and TaliJoy.  We decided to take some family photos while we were at the beach.  So there will be a lot that follows. 

A seagull

Mother and Father

The Normoyle Children



Our family:  L to R Patience, Tali, Mother, Father, Tabor, Grace, Luka, and Nate.

Nate

Tali enjoying the hot tub.

Nate enjoying the hot tub.

Luka

Luka enjoying the hot tub

Tabor

My three brothers: Tabor, Luka, and Nate

Mother and Father

Mother

Grace

Patience

Tali

Dad and Patience

Patience playing in the sand.

Beginning of a sand Castle.

Tabor  and Luka behind him. 

Papa completing the castle. The boys including dad and Tali worked on the castle I think.  The castle is in the very senter and the halve circle dents were moats.  to keep the water out. We thought that it would be pretty safe from the waves, but the next two days it rained and was very windy.  The water went all the way up to the dunes.  Patience and I are in the back.

Luka

Seagulls would be around looking for crabs. 

We loved riding the waves. 

Tali and Mama floating on a sort of raft. 

Lots of us loved the swinging seats on our porch.  When we would dry off that was my favorite way, just swing.

 We all really enjoyed the beach.  We also got to surprise our three brothers. We went on Nate's birthday week.  Thanks for reading this. Well, may the Lord Bless you.