Humility is hard. Sometimes it seems near impossible. It requires a total abandonment of our former sinful self that is so inclined toward pride and embracing the new self which is strange and uncomfortable. Still, we are told, that "whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Though to us it may seem hard, God promises to give grace to those who have a humble spirit. And with God, nothing is impossible.

I have found that humility is not comparing ourselves with others (we can always find someone worse off than we are to support our pride) but comparing ourselves with God. Its like the pharisee and the publican. When I compare myself with earthly things, I too easily pat myself on the back and say "Well, you're not so bad. Look at all the good things you have done!" However, to place my "good things" beside the perfection of a holy God, I can do nothing but plead with the publican, "Lord be merciful to me, a sinner!" A wonderful definition of humility is "recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life." I have nothing to be proud about, every good thing in me is is all of God.

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less" ~ Author unknown. Humility is losing sight of ourselves. It is looking to the needs of others. Often in times of self-consciousness, I want other people to pay attention to me. I think I have a right to be noticed and talked to. A humble heart does not selfishly desire gain or recognition, it does not assert itself or demand honor. It delights in the sucess of others and is pleased to serve the Lord in secret. "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." (1 Pet. 5:5)

God promises great things for the humble. "By humility and fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life." (Proverbs 22:4) "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matt. 23:12) When we are willing to do the little things, the unimportant and uncomfortable, God will do mighty things through us.

"Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility." Augustine

::Quick update of our month of May::
On May 9t and 10th, our family went to the Pennsylvania homeschool convention in Harrisburg. We had a booth for our family business and another booth representing the Bright Lights ministry. It was a wonderful time, talking to other homeschooled families, perusing the other booths and also listening to some great sessions. Here are some pictures:

~ Becky ~

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Just a few of the things we love about Dad~

He takes us on hikes in God's Creation

He is a great teacher about all kinds of things- history, politics, doctrine, sailing, how to build a rock wall, etc., etc.!

He keeps his promises

He protects us

He listens to us

He is a true "doer of the Word"

Happy 50th Birthday to the best father in the whole world!

Melodies Of Faith

This past Sunday evening we put on our play, "Melodies Of Faith." The Lord worked out all the details, and I think it went well!

The play was a collection of four hymn stories....

Just As I Am
Charlotte Elliot struggles with chronic illness. Although her family tries to encourage her, Charlotte can only find peace in Jesus Christ, by complete trust in His shed blood on her behalf.

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

When Civilla Martin visits her bedridden friend, Martha Doolittle, she is struck with the joy and peace that shines through Martha’s trial. On her way back home, Civilla
scribbles a poem expressing the precious watch-care of the Heavenly Father over His children.



Take My Life, And Let It Be

Frances Ridley Havergal is overwhelmed with a passion for Christ. After sharing Christ with two young girls desiring to know Him, Frances pens the hymn of consecration on her heart. She then continues to live it out in her daily life.



Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Adelaide Pollard’s dearest dream collapses when her church
informs her that they cannot support her as a missionary in Africa. Through the prompting of the Lord through an elderly woman at a prayer meeting, Adelaide discovers the joy of being in the center of God’s sovereign will.


The evening also included singing!

"Faithful is He who calleth you, Who also will do it..."

In Which We Go on a Grand Adventure

Home. How heart-warming that word sounds to someone who has been away for twelve days. Late Monday evening, four of us returned to our home from our vacation to California and Arizona. Even though the trip was agreed upon as one of the best times our family has ever had together, there is something about coming back to a familiar and dear place with all the little comforts often taken for granted. For instance, sleeping in ones own bed with as many blankets as desired, or not having to dig in a suitcase for wrinkled clothes and finding that you didn't pack what thing you are searching for.

Now that that has been said, let me also say what a special blessed time we had. Throughout our traveling (which included a first-time plane trip for us three girls), we saw God's divine intervention in our lives again and again. We were able to go many places and see many extraordinary sights. We also took over six hundred pictures (!). Here are a few of our favorites.

Arizona is so different from Pennsylvania! We saw scenery like this while driving to Sedona, AZ.




Sedona was voted "The Most Beautiful Place in America". We did some hiking here. It was much warmer than PA!

We thought that the top of this rock looked like a face...

The next place we visited was the Grand Canyon. It was so big it was overwhelming!


We were originally planning to walk down to the bottom (or at least part way) of the canyon. However, we decided against that plan when we saw the snow and ice on the trail which always followed a very steep edge! We contented ourselves with walking around the rim.

The beauty of creation caused us to think on the majesty of the Creator...

One of the best parts of being at the Grand Canyon was seeing about twenty elk on the second day. We were able to stand pretty close to some of them.


We were able to see the sun set twice on the canyon. Beautiful, but extremely cold!

After the Grand Canyon, we drove to the Sequoia National Park. It was a ten-hour trip and took us an hour after we entered the park to drive up the mountain to the lodge. While there was no snow at the bottom of the mountain, we were greeted by eight feet at the top!


We went snow-shoeing through the Giant Forest. The Sequoia trees were humongous, much bigger than I had imagined. They looked so stately and majestic.

The General Sherman Tree is the largest tree in the world!

We spent my sixteenth birthday at the Sequoias and it was, without a doubt, the most eventful day of our vacation.

For the first time in the lives of Jenny, Elizabeth, and I, we went cross-country skiing. I surprised myself by actually really enjoying it.





Elizabeth was the best skier out of all of us. It came naturally for her and soon she was heading up and down hills like it was nothing. One area that Mom, Jenny, and Elizabeth were skiing in was a snow covered parking lot. It actually was very nice and smooth and seemed the perfect spot, until Elizabeth skied over what ended up being a snow-covered cement wall and fell, twisting her knee! It was very frightening, but thankfully we were at a place where things like this happen all the time. The lodge immediately sent out some paramedics with a sled to bring her back. Praise the Lord, she didn't break anything and nothing serious was injured, but she is now wearing a knee brace and using crutches, proof to all you doubters that we did indeed try skiing!

And so, it was an adventurous birthday, but it ended with thanksgiving to God who protects us and loves us exceedingly.

After all that, we were not exactly sure how much more excitement we could handle, but we continued on our journey anyway which took us to the coast of California.

Our first stop along the coast was a lovely little town, Monterey CA. Here we were greeted with springtime weather flowers blooming everywhere!

We watched the sunset on the beach. . .
And looked for seashells. . .

The next day, we drove to Arizona to fly home.

The view from the plane window.

We came home feeling blessed and assured of God's goodness, sovreignty and love.

~ Becky for the rest of us

Learning Chalk Art

We have just begun taking chalk art classes! Our teacher is a chalk artist named Elva Hurst. You can visit her website here.

We don't have a proper easel yet so we practice on the basement steps!
Becky is practicing trees here. She has been watching some instructional videos she got from Eternity Arts.
Look at those clouds! This past week in class we learned a lighthouse in the storm scene.
Here we are with our friends and teacher (who is on the right). Yes, this is messy work! Look at those hands and faces! Hopefully we'll learn to master the messy part.
Here is our teacher's picture under the blacklight. This photo doesn't quite give it justice!

One of our teacher's favorite verses is Psalm 90:17, which says, "And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. "

Singing at the Nursing Home

The Friday after Christmas, our Bright Lights group went to the local nursing home. We had planned to walk through the halls and sing Christmas carols in the rooms of the residents. However, when we arrived, we were escorted to the dining room where about thirty residents sat waiting for us to do a program!

Nothing helps you recover more from nervous embarrassment than the excited trusting faces of lonely elderly people. Our group of sixteen girls and three mothers sang from our hearts carol after carol proclaiming Christ's birth. The residents smiled the whole time and many sang along. It is amazing that people can get to a point when they forget where they used to live and even how many kids they have, they still remember the words to songs. Music is so powerful.

The residents were so happy we were there and for me, it was a wonderful way to close out the Christmas season. It was also a little reminder to me that God is in control of every aspect of our lives. Even when it seems that there is a mistake or something has gone wrong, it is all part of His plan!

~Becky~

Christmas Ministry Ideas

The Christmas season is already upon us! This is a special time to spend in ministry. One of our last Bright Lights activities was a "contest" to see which team could come up with the most ideas for Christmas ministry. We had some wonderful and creative ideas! Here are just a few:

• Share your testimony.



• Go Christmas caroling.



• Visit the Nursing Home



• Give cookies to a lonely neighbor.



• Hand tracts to the mailman.



• Present Christmas plays, concerts, and live Nativities.



• Send Christmas cards with the gospel in them.



• Give items to a homeless shelter.



• Make a meal for someone.



• Invite people to Christmas services.



• Offer to shovel snow for free.



• Stop and talk to people you normally don't talk to.



• Donate your money to the Salvation Army.



• Take hot chocolate to the mailman.



• Help set up Christmas decorations for the elderly.



• Smile!