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FROM OUR FAMILY…
Greetings to you and your family!
A NEW HOMECHURCH FELLOWSHIP FOR US... Our family had been a part of Family Bible Fellowship
from October 1999 through December 2005. FBF disbanded in December 2005. Since the end of January, our family has
been a part of another homechurch fellowship. Our fellowship is comprised of
seven other homeschooling families spanning five counties. We praise God for sending trials and for His
perfect timing in leading our family to become a part of our new homechurch. We have enjoyed being one of the four
families who hosts each month. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
ALLERGIES, ANAPHYLAXIS, & ASTHMA… In June, Luke was hospitalized after having his
first asthma attack. Since birth Luke has struggled with severe food allergies (anaphylactic). Throughout the years,
we have been playing detective and discovering his hidden food allergies. In March, God made it clear to
us that Luke is still severely allergic to cow’s milk when some milk accidentally splashed on Luke, who was
standing five feet away from a spill, causing his eyelid to swell. God has been using Luke’s allergies for
good as our family learns to be extra careful in handling food, and has caused us to learn more about whole
foods and making food from scratch. Five years ago, Michelle’s friend from college shared how her children
kept ending up in the emergency room due to severe food allergies. Back then, we just listened to what she
shared, now we understand. J
We thank God for the medical care that we have received so far,
and we thank the Lord for bringing family and friends, who’ve been through allergies and asthma, into our lives.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called
according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
CAMPING... In July, our family went on our first camp out… we camped
overnight out in our front yard. J
We had fun roasting marshmallows and sleeping in tents
while listening to the sounds of summer. In October, Steve and Niko went on their first father-son
hiking/backpacking/camping trip along the Massanutten Ridge. Together with five other men and five other
boys from our homechurch and two other churches,
they hiked two miles the first day and spent the night on Kennedy Peak. The next morning, they enjoyed the
beautiful view from the peak, then hiked another 10 miles along the ridge line. Although they were completely exhausted,
Niko keeps asking if they could do it again next year. J
STEVE has been working from home a bit less and commuting more this year, but still
enjoys his job and the flexibility it affords. He has been learning about woodworking, and is enjoying making use
of some oak his boss helped him mill from our property. His home projects this year included a custom (oak) wooden bench swing addition to our
swingset and deck refurbishing and staining with Niko's help.
MICHELLE continues to enjoy our four blessings from God. She has been homeschooling Niko, who is in fifth grade; Mia,
who is in first grade; Luke, who is in preschool; and Ian, our toddler who is sitting in on the lessons. Michelle has been
learning how to sew and, in August, was blessed by a homeschooled young woman who worked alongside Michelle as she made her first skirt for Mia. Through the help of some of the women in our homechurch fellowship, Michelle has also
been learning how to cook some new Luke-friendly meals. J
OUR BLESSINGS FROM GOD...
NIKO (10) continues to enjoy caring for and learning about God's creatures. This year
he collected and cared for toads, tadpoles, frogs, fish, and hermit crabs. Niko enjoys drawing,
reading, playing chess, making magazines, singing hymns, and riding his bike.
MIA (6) has been learning how to read and write.
Mia enjoys drawing, reading, singing hymns, and riding her bike.
LUKE (4) enjoys exploring outdoors, riding his trike, singing hymns,
“reading” books, solving puzzles, and playing Go Fish and Bird Memory Game.
IAN is 22 months old now. As our earliest talker, his vocabulary has surpassed his comprehension
as he likes copying his big brothers and big sister. Ian enjoys sliding, riding his ride-on, singing hymns,
“reading” books, and solving puzzles.
Our children all enjoy each other's company and like to play such things as house/church/store with each other; they also enjoy
making things for each other. "children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalm 127:3.
For more family pictures, visit our family website at
www.ThrashFamily.net
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