So What's been going on in my life since February?....Plenty!
Most recently I have been trying to finish up school with the older three.  I teach Aaliyah 5 days a week, Cassidy 4 days a week, and DeSean 3 days a week... when he lets me get away with it ( He LOVES school!).So much has happened during this school year that we became quite a bit behind schedule.  We should finish up just in time for the girlie's birthdays in June if I add one day on to each of their routines.
Also, it's planting time for the garden.  I spend an hour or two in the garden almost everyday.  I really enjoy gardening and this year I have tired to incorporate it into the kids lessons.  We also have decided to raise chickens through the 4-H program in our town.  When we first got them them they were SO cute...but now 2 weeks later...they are not so cute.  Their feathers and color is beginning to come in and I guess they are starting to establish a pecking order so they "fight" almost constantly.
Of course I am enjoying having little Rayanna around.  She is a delightful, chatty little thing who loves the attention of her siblings.  When she finds herself alone, she lets us know that someone needs to come and entertain her.  Aaliyah reads her stories, Cassidy sings for her, and Raymond DeSean jumps, hops, or whatever else he can think of for her.

In the church, as a Pastor's wife, the Lord is teaching me to love our people as they are...not as I wish them to be.  Sometimes we think that someone should know better than to ____________, but they evidently don't...and it is ok because as 1 Corinthians 13 teaches us- Love is patient, kind, and forgiving.

The Beckles 2016

A common sight each Sunday night.

I bet he thinks its OK to break the rule because he can't read.

I start seeds in egg cartons then plant them in the garden when they have 3 leaves.

Rayanna

Aaliyah and Cassidy

The chicks arrive

Grandma Beckles pays a visit

The kids watching Mama and Cassidy work in the garden

Fun day at the Arboretum

Me: why did you take your clothes off?
Him; I have to go poop!
The joys of potty training!!!

I hope this little update finds you all well and busy in your castles.
Until next time,

Our Newest Addition!

Introducing Rayanna Lynell Beckles!!!
Born February 11, 2016 at 4:10 a.m.
Mama and baby are both doing well.

Until Next Time,

Autumn Life at the Beckles

It has been quite a while since I have chatted with you all here.  We have been busy establishing our routine and  preparing for number four to arrive.  Our morning routine usually goes as follows:  breakfast, cleanup, school, snack, pbs-cartoon time, then nap time. I really enjoy school with the children (most of the time); but I find myself looking forward to nap time daily as well. During nap time I get to catch up on a few chores (occasionionally), sleep (sometimes), or craft (most of the time).  One of my personal challenges is finding and staying balanced in regards to using my time. I have many hobbies and sometimes it is easy to loose track of time when you're busy with piano, reading, sewing, knitting, or scrapbooking, etc! Even as I type this I am thinking of all the projects I would like to work on.

This time of year I am usually busy knitting hats and scarves, but lately I have been knitting in preparation for Rayanna's arrival.  I'll have to post some pics of the finished projects when I finally finish them. Until then, here are some snapshots of things happening in Newport for us.

September 2

Cheerio fun!

Daddy and his helpers checking the oil.

Preparing for a day at school.  Notice he has no apple...he kept trying to eat it so I had to take it away in order to get a picture....typical for DeSean.  I never knew a 2 year old could eat so much!

Stuck foot.

Sunday afternoon

Oscar the Grouch.

Until next time,

May - July Prayer Letter

Dear Pastors and Praying friends,

What an eventful  Summer this has been!  I am excited to announce that things have been busy here at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Newport.   Since our last letter we have held several  youth activities, a baby shower (the baby was born a few days later...2 weeks earlier than expected), two were baptized, two others have since been saved, eight adults have visited, and we experienced a couple other huge blessings which I'll share with you at the end of the letter.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. " - 3 John 1:4

Read More here

KHATS 13...Speak Life!

 
So often I hear mothers, usually single mothers, speak SO harshly to their children.   "What's wrong with you!!!...You always doing something dumb!!!...That was so stupid!!! You look so ugly." - Saying things like this to your children will bring only death.  Death to their spirit.  Death to their love, trust, and admiration for you.  Death to the atmosphere of your home, or of the atmosphere of the public place you are visiting.  And death to your child's potential. 
Mothers,  SPEAK LIFE! 

I understand that so often you are tired and frustrated because of the everyday dealings of life; but don't take it out on your child(ren).  When they do dumb things...and they will; or when they do clumsy things - correct them with a loving spirit or ignore it until YOU can address it calmly.
Once again this is an issue of self control.  Temperance (Galatians 5:22-23)  Life will be harsh enough for them without us adding to its harshness.  As the saying goes...if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.  That applies to us moms as well as children.

I'd like to take it a step further and encourage you to speak the Word of God to them.  I am not saying quote scripture AT them.  I am saying use Bible words when speaking to them. (ie Obey, be kind, was that a wise choice?, etc.) Let the Lord be our example in this area.  Remember that He spoke the world into existence.  I wonder what we could speak into our children if we purposed to do so.

Until next time,






Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.  Proverbs 18:21

   VS.

 

April highlights in color

Trouble in the church's restroom!

A visit to the zoo with the cousins

Future musician

Me and my helpers working in the garden under the umbrella my hubby got for us.

Until next time,

Weight loss

 

The photo on the left is me about a year and four months ago at a whopping 230lbs!  No, I am not pregnant...baby Beckles is in the photo with me at a antiques sale. The latter is me in the 160's club!  If you have never heard of the trim healthy mama way of eating, let me introduce it to you! CLICK HERE! My husband bought the book for me because I was discouraged about my weight.  I would gain 40 - 60 pounds with each pregnancy (3) and I would work hard for about a year just to loose all but about 10 pounds before I became pregnant again.  We would like to have as large a family as the Lord allows...I'm  thinking 8 to 10 kiddos...but I just can't imagine what would have happened to me at the aforementioned rate of weight gain. I am SO thankful for this knew knowledge about food and health.  Should you choose to try it, Remember to keep it simple!!!  We have a VERY limited budget. (My husband is the pastor of a small church and works part-time at Wal-Mart to make ends meet.) I mention our budget because there are a lot of things recommended, but not necessary to follow this eating plan. I follow the principles taught by Serene and Pearl and add the "extra" or "special" things as I am able.  Thank you Lord (and Serene and Pearl... and their families who sacrificed time with them for our benefit!)  for helping me to get control of my weight!!!

Until Next Time,