Welcome....Here's a glimpse of our happenings!

The verses that have REALLY spoken to me (Sarah) lately....



"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25



Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. I Peter 5:8-9



From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17:26-28



May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14



So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:32-33



God, our God, will take care of the hidden things but the revealed things are our business. It's up to us and our children to attend to all the terms in this Revelation. Deuteronomy 29:29 (The Message)

About the Friesen's....

We are Marc, Sarah, Luke, and Kate Friesen. We were married June 5, 2004. We have one son, born July 21, 2008, named Luke Andrew -- now 4 years old. We also have a daughter named Kate Christine -- born June 6, 2012. Marc is working at Cessna as a Senior Accountant, and Sarah stays home full-time with Luke. Sarah also gets to work very part-time at home for Graber Backhoe -- an excavation company AND VERY part-time at our church. We LOVE being a part of Grace Community Church here in Newton, KS. We lead a Community Life Group of other wonderful couples. Marc thoroughly enjoys long-distance running and Taekwondo. Sarah thoroughly enjoys walking -- especially when the weather is nice to take Luke and/or out in the stroller. Thanks for reading our blog!

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Trunk or Treat....

I know I posted this pic on yesterday's post, but I'll do it again.  This non-creative, non-sewing Mama found a cute "Strawberry Shortcake" costume.  She really liked holding onto it in the store AND at home -- inside one of my reusable shopping bags.  Who knows why???? Remember -- she's 2 years old.  When I wanted to take this picture, she intentionally hid her face from me!


I wasn't sure if Kate would wear the dress or not.  I assumed we *might* have tears.  Amazingly, we did not!  We went to a "Trunk or Treat" at church tonight.


Kate did cling to her daddy at first.  But, once she figured out how to get candy, well, let's just say extra close supervision was required.

Luke dressed up as a construction worker.  He's never been great with Halloween.  In fact, I just told Marc this evening that this may be the last year I spend time on a costume for him. 

He's been wanting to wear his REAL construction hat since April....then, when I wanted a pic, Luke refused to put it on for me.  (As a side note -- I do think Luke looks rather handsome in his manly construction worker shirt AND in his glasses)!






Wednesday, October 29, 2014

3 Years Ago Yesterday....

I have so many more *serious* posts in my mind.  But, I always seem to find excuses to not write.  Does anybody read them?  Do I make sense? Am I speaking Truth?  I'm tired.  Is this a repeat of what I already posted on Facebook?  Blah, Blah, Blah...So, I guess I will write tonight instead of making excuses.  And, whoever reads, reads.  Period.

And, as a forewarning -- my topic tonight involves both Kate & one of my grandmothers.  I have very few pics of my grandmother.  SO, I will be intermittently posting random (and recent) pics of Kate!

3 years ago last night (10/28/2011), I figured out I was pregnant with Kate.  When I saw the "positive" sign on the pregnancy test, honestly, I didn't jump for joy.  Instead, I laughed -- in a fairly hysterical), manner.  

(This pic is from the other day when Kate became either stubborn and/or camera shy.  In her bag is her Halloween costume.  She is going to be "Strawberry Shortcake".  Who knows if she'll wear the costume without tears???  I'm guessing there will be some serious tears).


At the time, Marc was not home.  He was serving at our church's production of Judgement House that evening.  When he got home, I asked him if he wanted to hear something funny.  When he said, "Sure," I told him I was pregnant.  Let's just say that Marc's response of excitement was more appropriate than my laughter.

Why was I laughing?  Well, we'd been wanting a 2nd child for quite awhile, and it simply wasn't happening as planned. I honestly had grown very content with having only one child.  Looking back, I think God wanted me to learn to be content in that situation before creating Kate!

So, I ultimately laughed because God's plans clearly superseded mine -- which is a very good thing!

(This next pic is of Luke and Kate during our 2nd visit to the pumpkin patch of the season)!


The surprise pregnancy with Kate goes right along with her personality -- always surprising us -- whether it be with behavior, emotion, or actions.

One reason I think the timing of the pregnancy with Kate is significant is because the day after that positive pregnancy test, we went to the funeral for the last of my grandparents' passing.  I was 35 years old at the time, and I distinctly remember feeling grateful I lived to 35 with at least one grandparent still living.  At the same time, since then, I have had no grandparents alive.  Marc's grandparents passed away years ago...so, it really was significant to have no more grandparents living.  So, I think it's a wee bit awesome that God added a family member just as another one passed away.

(Last week, Kate & I visited Luke's kindergarten classroom for their class fall party...of course, Kate had to have the snacks as well)!


At my grandmother's funeral, I did stand up & share.  I won't subject you all to the whole "speech," but I will give a brief snippet...

"My grandma & grandpa lived on a farm, and I truly have great memories from that farm.  Grandma talked about a lot of different things, but I don't ever remember her talking about anything church-related or spiritual".  (My grandparents left their church a long time ago -- never having returned)...I never knew quite what was in her heart.  In other words, I never knew (and still don't know for sure) where she is spending eternity.  Yes, I ultimately pray it's heaven so I will see her again.

(Prior to this week, we've had some WARM fall weather.  Kate spent some nice days in shorts and with her shoes OFF at our many park visits).


Now, my grandmother spent the last several years of her life in a retirement full-healthcare facility.  Dementia set in heavily at the end of her earthly life.  Honestly, I didn't visit her nearly as much as I should have (don't worry -- I'm not walking around with full guilt).  At her funeral, after I spoke, a woman whom I did not know stood up & talked.  I will forever be grateful she did.

The woman was a CNA at the retirement facility my grandma lived.  She talked about how she didn't know my grandma pre-dementia; only knew her AFTER dementia set in.

She went on to talk about how at the end of her life, she would often start singing.  Singing is something I had NEVER heard her do -- EVER!  So, as the woman was talking, I was most certainly intrigued.

(Speaking of Kate and her emotional tears -- on this day, Kate said she wanted her apron on.  Seriously, two seconds later, she wanted it off -- which is ANNOYING!  Marc & I are determined to teach our children to mean what they say.  So, appropriate for a 2 year-old, I made her keep her apron on for 1 minute.  I'm sure the minute felt like a lifetime to her, but hopefully, we're instilling at least something in her).


The woman at the funeral continued that the songs my grandma was singing at the end of her earthly life were songs like, "Jesus Loves Me," "Jesus Loves the Little Children," and other assorted children's Bible songs.  I was shocked and actually very pleased!!!!

"They" (as in the "experts") always talk about patients with dementia talking about things from their childhood. "They" also talk of dementia patients speaking of what's really in their hearts -- in other words, if their hearts are soft, sweet words come out.  If their hearts are hard, angry and mean words come out.

It was so sweet for me to hear about the sweet songs that came out of my grandmother's mouth at the end of her earthly life.  I do wonder now more about her heart.

I pray that I, as well as my husband and kids, plant God's Word in our hearts.  And, if someday, we have dementia (I hope not), sweet, God-affirming words come out of our mouths.

My favorite verse for this post is... 

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you".  Psalm 119:11

(I'll end on a non-crying picture of Kate because she truly isn't crying all of the time.  I took this pic several weeks ago at dusk at a corn maze.  It's my new favorite pic of Kate.  She really is a delight to have in our family, and I'm so thankful, despite the laughter, the the positive pregnancy test 3 years ago yesterday)!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Pumpkin Patch...

And, once again, I haven't blogged in a bit over a month.

I need to finish posting pics from the state fair, but honestly, I feel like posting from the pumpkin patch. So, I will do that instead -- Ha!

I *know* there are many awesome, fun pumpkin patches around.  Our little Friesen Family of 4 really likes an equally awesome, yet smaller, pumpkin patch fairly close to home -- Papa's Pumpkin Patch!

There is no admission charge!  You pay for a few of the fun activities as well as the pumpkins -- which are all very reasonably priced!  Nope -- it's not as big, but goodness -- it's fun!

Last Saturday, Marc had to work.  I asked my mom if she'd like to go, and she was able (she's a busy woman).  So, my mom, the kiddos, and I went, and we had a nice morning.  It helped that God provided us fabulous weather for the visit!

First -- the slide...multiple times!  Kate went down once by herself.  Her little body got all turned around -- which resulted in a lot of crying.  So, I took her down with me -- multiple times -- a much better experience for a little 2 year-old!  I'm *fairly* certain that my mom took a pic or two of Kate & me, but I keep forgetting to ask her to send them to me.  So, here's one of Luke.


Then, we headed to the pit of corn.  Both kids had a blast, and I was VERY impressed that neither child freaked out over sinking into corn.  (We won't publicize just how much corn I later found in Kate's diaper)!  Luke asked me to take pics of him in the air.  I actually was able to get some great action shots.









Next -- the playground and tires to climb on...






After the playground, we went out to the pumpkin patch.  I actually didn't take any pics in the patch.  Between looking for that "perfect pumpkin" and carrying Kate (after she fell several times), I simply wasn't able to take any.

BUT, besides the "bigger" pumpkins we picked out, the kiddos picked out a couple of little pumpkins.  I simply liked what I got when I asked them to pose!


A couple days later, Luke & I carved one of our bigger pumpkins.  As I stated on Facebook, having a 6 year-old is awesome!  When this Mama is one who is not super creative nor very good with carving pumpkins, a 6 year-old still thinks his Mama's awesome at it and really enjoys the experience & memory!