Confirmation

After two grueling years of studying the Bible and the Catechism, Rachel was confirmed at the end of June.

She and four other confirmands read the Bible and took part in the Catechism memory program. In order to be confirmed, depending on their age, they must complete the program to a certain level.They listened intently to the sermon. If you'd like to hear it you can listen here, too! Now it's confirmation time! After they were confirmed these confirmands received communion for the first time alongside their classmates.

I'm so proud of the kids. They worked hard and their minds were definitely like sponges. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Right after church they took off for the mountains and the annual Catechism Retreat! So much for moving and unpacking. There's no rest for the wicked. We moved, and three days later the older children were off to camp. They had a blast only to return for one day to do laundry. Then we left again. 

After the Valentine's Day Party

Wow! It's been over 2 months since I've blogged anything. Thank you for your kind comments and emails about my lack of blogging. Hopefully, I can get you caught up on what's been going on around here. 

The last half of February took a cold turn right after David completed level 8, Rachel level 6, and Anna level 2 in the Catechism memory program at church. We found ourselves with quite a bit of snow causing us to hit the slopes and do a little sledding. We even convinced one of our church members to join us after he plowed our driveway. We're so spoiled! The cold weather didn't stop us from heading out to see the Glass Slipper at the Buell theater. It was the perfect Valentine's day with another couple to boot!

The Lord's Prayer

I've been working with Anna to say the Lord's Prayer by herself. She can pretty much do it on her own, but she won't say it when we ask her to. David was kind of the same way. He has known the Lord's Prayer forever, but just won't say it. While I was practicing with Anna, he went up to his dad and said, "Dad, I know the Lord's Prayer." Then he just started saying. My Lutheran Stud then said, "David! You just earned your first memory award."

Sunday, Mother's Day, he received his first award. I couldn't have been happier. Then I even convinced him to say it for the video camera. See the video below. Enjoy!

Proud Mom Moment

Last Sunday both Elizabeth and Thomas received their first rewards in the Catechism Memory Program.

You may remember that I worked really hard to get Elizabeth to say the Lord's Prayer. Little did you know that I had another motive for doing that. 

It was to get my boys motivated. I know that they both know the prayer, but getting them to say it, without messing up, to their father, is another story. While Thomas fell for my little trick, David did not. Oh, well. We'll keep trying.

Next up is the Creed and the Ten Commandments. Elizabeth has been working hard to learn the Creed. Sometimes she forgets a few things, but it's only a matter of time. We'll see if Thomas come through too. The reward is the new storybook Bible from CPH. You would think that would get them moving.

Our Father Who Art In Heaven

As you may be aware, my Lutheran Stud has created this Catechism Memory Program for our church. We've been working diligently with the children at home. The little ones really do have memories like sponges. Elizabeth loves watching herself on video, so I thought I'd share it with you all and for those that don't think a 2-year-old is capable of this kind of thing. I set up this video while the rest of the family was out of the house camping. If you follow Elizabeth's eyes it's kind of funny. I'm actually holding Anna and walking around to try and keep her quiet. I think Anna is even on her way to having the Lord's prayer memorized. We just can't fully understand her.