Tuesday, June 30, 2009

More Hunting!

We have continued the house hunt every day for almost two weeks. We have some very specific qualifications that have made it a challenge. Aunt Michelle in particular has worked very hard trying to find just the right house for Grandpa and Grandma Schnarr. We would appreciate you praying that God would show us just the right house for them. Aunt Michelle and Nicholas have to go home on Saturday or Sunday so we would love to find something before then!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

America the Beautiful

A Poem By Judge Roy Moore:

"America the Beautiful, or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride, I'm glad they'll never see.

Babies piled in dumpsters, Abortion on demand.
Oh, sweet land of liberty, your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly poisoned by cocaine.
Choosing to indulge their lusts, when God has said abstain.

From sea to shining sea, our Nation turns away
From the teachings of God's love and a need to always pray.

We've kept God in our temples, how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool, and Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a government that's rotten at the core.
Appointing Godless Judges who throw reason out the door.

Too soft to place a killer in a well deserved tomb.
But brave enough to kill a baby before he leaves the womb.

You think that God's not angry, that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God, from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do, but stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children, will humbly turn and pray,
Seek His holy face and mend our evil way.

Then God will hear from Heaven and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land and those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful, if you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God withdraw His hand from thee. "

Just a little something to remind us to pray for our Nation this 4th. of July.

2 Chornicles 7: 14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Surprise Cookies


Sunday night, after Church, we went to Nanny and Babum's house for dinner. Nanny had a sweet surprise for me. She had baked a bunch of cookies for me that spelled out "Congratulations Ashley 2009". The cookies tasted great and it was such a nice surprise for me.

Friday, June 26, 2009

High School Graduation

Last Thursday I had something very exciting happen to me! I officially Graduated! I had been finished with all my school work for a while but on Thursday I actually received my diploma.
I had a combined Graduation and Senior recital. I really enjoyed it. I was able to play a few songs on the piano and sing too. My parents had both my piano teacher, Trisha Mock, and my voice instructor, Doris Hunter, come and say a few words. They were very sweet. I have been so blessed to have such great, encouraging teachers.
Daddy spoke for a few minuets and it was very touching. He gave me a challenge to always follow the Lord. One special thing my parents did for me was give me an arrow and a quiver. This was symbolizing the following verses:
Psalms 127:3-5
Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.
As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] children of the youth.
Happy [is] the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

My parents have a quiver of their own with four arrows left (symbolizing the other children in our family). Daddy reminded me that every arrow needs a resting place and I will always be welcome in their "quiver".
The quiver I received is to put future arrows in when I have children of my own. So, someday I too can send out my children as arrows for the Lord. And as the verse says I hope my quiver is full of arrows someday!
After the recital Daddy and Mommy presented me with my diploma! I'm all finished! What a great feeling!!!!!!!!
We had a very nice reception with light refreshments, of course including cake. It was so nice to be able to have my family and some close friends around to celebrate with me!
Daddy and Mommy also gave me a beautiful pair of pearl earrings as a graduation gift. I am so blesses to have them as parents. Not only because of the sweet, thoughtful things they did for me to make my graduation special but also because of the time and effort they put in to homeschooling me. From the very beginning they knew that homeschooling was what God had planned for our family. They have been so patient and faithful in training me both educationally and spiritually, even when it was not always the "in" thing, even when I was difficult to work with. I am so thankful for all the things they taught me but especially for teaching me, at an early age, about Jesus Christ.
I do not know what the Lord has in store for me yet but I know it is something wonderful and
I pray I will continue be the strait arrow for the Lord, that my parents taught me to be.

I will hopefully have pictures soon to show you too.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Happy Father's Day

I did not have a chance to say anything about Father's Day last Sunday because we were so busy. So, I would like to take a chance to talk about it now.
It was nice to be able to have not only my father but also both of my Grandfathers here on Father's Day. That was a very special blessing for us. I know that is uncommon to have all your Fathers together, at once, on that day.
I am so thankful for for Daddy. He is such a good spiritual leader in our family. He is also a very loving father. I always feel safe and protected when he is with me. I am so glad God chose him to be my Daddy.

House Hunting

It has been a while since I have posted. We have had a very busy week!
Grandpa and Grandma Schnarr are planning on moving to Virginia and they have been looking at houses all week.
It has been nice visiting with Aunt Michelle and the kids have had fun playing with Nicholas. We have had a really good time with everyone. On Saturday Nanny and Babum came over and had dinner with all of us. Mommy had smoked two chickens and grilled ribs for dinner. The food was very good!
Grandpa and Grandma left for home on Wednesday but we hope it will not be too long before they come again to stay!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Driver's ED and Family Fun

Today Tyler and I both finished Driver's ED! It is so nice to have that finished! We both did very well and learned a lot.

Grandpa and Grandma Schnarr came down to stay with us for a week. They arrived on Wednesday night. Aunt Michelle and Nicolas came to visit too. We have been having a great time with everyone and look forward to the next few days.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

100th Post!!!!!

Happy 100th post to Whatever is True!!!!!!
Well, I made it! This is my 100th post. I started my blog on December 18th 2008 and now six months later, I'm finally there.
Please vote in the poll to let me know what you like to read most about on my blog.
Thank you for Following!!!

Trey

Trey's Profile

Trey is eight years-old and just finished the third grade. He loves monkeys and has quite a collection of stuffed animal monkeys. Trey loves anything to do with science. Lots of times you will find him experimenting with things like baking soda and vinegar. He also enjoys another type of science, cooking! Trey likes to not only follow recipes but creating his own. One recipe he created is chocolate chip banana cookies, which he brought to a Sunday school activity.

Trey is faithful to reading the Bible, even at this young age. He is also very knowledgeable when it come to creation and can tell you when someone is undermining the Word of God.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Driver's ED

This week and next Tyler and I are taking driver's ED. The teacher, Mr. Williams, goes to our church and is very nice. We have both finished a couple of tests and so far everything is going well.

I have had my learner's permit for about a year now and hope to have my licence by the end of the summer. Tyler can get his learner's permit in the middle of August.

I don't have quite enough money for a car yet but I'm getting there. I'd like to get one maybe by the end of next year.



Here are a few trivia questions you may have learned in driver's ED but forgotten about:



How many miles over the speed limit is considered reckless driving?



Can you ever turn left on red?



How close can you park to an operating emergency vehicle?



Do you have to immediately stop for an unmarked police car?





1.) 20 mph 2.) yes, if you are turning off of a one way street 3.) 500 feet 4.)No, for unmarked cars you may dial 77 on your cell phone to confirm that the unmarked car in actually a police car or pull into a safe place with people around, before responding.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Well, here is the recipe for the cinnamon rolls, just liked I promised.


Ingredients:
1 package dry yest

4 1/2 cups white flour

1 cup lukewarm milk

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon cinnamon

2 eggs

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup raisins

Milk

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Stir the yeast into 1/4 cup warm water and let stand for 5 minutes to dissolve. Add the dissolved yeast and 3 cups of the flour to the milk and blend well. Cover and let rise in a warm place until light. Add the granulated sugar
, salt, cinnamon, eggs, butter, and 3/4 cup of the flour and blend. Turn out onto lightly floured board and knead gently, slowly adding the remaining 3/4 cup flour until the dough can be easily handled. Knead in the raisins. Pull off pieces of dough the size of medium lemons, roll each about 8 inches long, and wind it into a coil. Arrange on two buttered 9-inch cake pans, cover, let rise until double in bulk, then brush tops with milk. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F(190 C). Bake rolls for 25 minutes. Mix the confectioners' sugar and vanilla with 4 teaspoons warm water to make a glaze, and spread a thin layer on rolls immediately after removing from the oven.

*Note: if you like you cinnamon rolls on the doughy side you may want to use less flour.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Yesterday Mommy and Trent spend the afternoon making cinnamon rolls. It looked like they had a fun time and the cinnamon rolls tasted great! Everyone liked them!

Friday, June 5, 2009

The Last of Our Branson Vacation



One of the last things we did on our Branson vacation was go horse riding. This was Amber's favorite thing about the trip, I think. She has, had a fascination with horses for quite a while but this was her first time to really get to ride one. A guide took us all on a 45 min. horse ride on a nice trail. We were able to see some pretty flowers and some great views of the mountains. I think Amber thoroughly enjoyed herself and everyone else had a good time too.





Well, that about sums up our vacation. We had a great trip! Thank you to all the faithful followers of "Whatever is True". I won't bore you with any more vacation pictures :)

Thursday, June 4, 2009

The Antistas

Mr. & Mrs. Antista

One night while we were in Branson we had the chance to meet some of Daddy's friends that lived in the aria. Their names were Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Phyllis Antista. We had a great time with them! We all went out to dinner at a restaurant called McFarland's. I've never seen a restaurant like it before. Out side there were all kinds of stores you cold buy souvenirs from and inside they had great food with a fun atmosphere. Some of the tables they had were trick tables that slowly got higher as you ate. It was funny to see people eating and the next thing they knew the table was up to their chins!
After we ate dinner the Antista's came to our time share for coffee. We were able to show them our instruments and give them a mini "concert". After that we got to hear Daddy and the Mr. Antista tell funny stories about going to the church together, years ago.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Silver Dollar City

Well, we arived home late Monday nigh, from our trip to Branson. Things have been kind of crazy so I'll try to catch you up over the next few days about all that we did there.



On Friday and Saturday we visited Silver dollar City. Silver Dollar City is an old west theme park. The park has many rides but it also has lots of shows that you can go see. That was great for me because I am not a roller coaster person. Daddy, Mommy, Amber and Trent rode a huge roller coaster. Trey was able to ride his first roller coaster as well and he loved it!
The park had great food! We happened to go at Bar B-Q and Blue Grass month. I loved the special sauces they used on the meat and almost everyone in our family rated the restaurant at a 10!
We really had fun listening to the music too. They brought in about 15 groups that played blue grass and southern Gospel music. I think the other kids enjoyed seeing other people play the same instruments as they do.
We would recommend Silver Dollar City to both young and old. They have something for everyone!