This and That

There was a few questions regarding the pic in my last post. That picture was taken at a dock about 20 minutes from our house, at a marina that a relative owns. It is in a beautiful bay off of a gorgeous inlet. We do not own our own fishing boat, which I am quite content with. On one hand, The Skipper would like to, on the other, there is less expense and maintenance involved when he skippers someone else's boat for them. What is very expensive for us is leasing licenses- you cannot just go out to fish whatever you want, whenever you want. There are seasons for some fisheries, quotas as well. You have to "own" an amount of quota or licenses to be able to fish. That can be super expensive- like I need a million dollars expensive. When we fish prawns for example, we lease a license and then have to give about 1/2 of what we earn back to the owner of the license. That is a very simple summary of it- I don't get all the ins and outs of the industry. Since The Skip is also a skilled builder, he is able to do both fishing and contracting, fishing less than he used to to avoid being away from home as much as possible.

We live close to the ocean, but not on it. We have what is called a peek a boo view from up on a hill above the water. That means that if we could convince every between us and the ocean to cut down all their trees, we would have an awesome panoramic view. I like trees though, so am content with what we have. With all the kids in our lives, I would be a nervous to live right on the water.

Do I lay on the dock and tan? Well, this is funny from many different angles. Number one being that my fisherman relatives would think I was very strange if I laid on a working, fishing dock in my bathing suit. Secondly, it would be dirty. Thirdly, I don't like to wear bathing suits. Fourthly, I burn like a dry piece of timber.

Enough of that for now. It is the 2nd week of September and the bugs are being spread around, as usual. Even when we all home schooled it would happen- those September colds. The Skip, Little M, and I are pretty achy and stuffy. I am not dwelling on it though- too much to do- bd parties, hockey, soccer, church picnics, etc. No time for laying around.

I was talking to our 2 oldest (12 and 9) the other day, and asking them if they have been doing daily reading in their Bibles. We do it together as a family in the morning (some mornings are smoother than others), but I would like to see them getting in the Word themselves, especially our daughter, as she is heading into the teens. Our youth group's main focus is getting the kids to grow spiritually by daily Bible reading and keeping a journal recording how what they have read can apply to their lives. I love that, and hope that she will make it more of a routine as she is encouraged at home and church. I was sharing with them my struggle to do this in my own life. I have times where it gets done daily, and I have times where I don't make it a priority, and it just gets lost in the busyness of the day. I can tell you that I am much more equipped to handle what comes at me when I have made a conscious effort to stop and center myself before the Lord. The last few weeks I have not been that faithful as I have not been getting up early enough to have quiet in the house. K's response was to put his Bible in his back pack for silent reading at school the next day. I thought that it was great idea as they have it at a set time everyday. He later told me that he stood up and shared his favourite verse:

Luke 2:52

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. NIV

If you are looking for a Bible for a 9-12 year old boy, I recommend this one: http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310703204&QueryStringSite=Zondervan Luke2 2:52 is the theme verse, and K had really taken it to heart.

He just loves that Bible and spends time attaching sticky notes to it to answer discussion questions.

Now before you get the impression that we are such a good, godly family, you must know that we are just like most of you- desiring to raise our children to be strong in the Lord and to be equipped to live for Him, but many times feeling like we have failed. That is why I am including this topic in my post. I was encouraged to see my son share at school, and I am encouraged to hear your stories as well.