Making Candles

Yesterday, my mom spent her day making candles! Here is a little film I made of her making them!

You can also go here to see the video: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=144008268994998

Valentine's Day!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day today! When I got home from basketball practice, my Mom, Dad and I had a nice Valentine's Day supper. Which my mom made! (Every one else was away!) I gave them gifts, and we ate the cake I decorated at Julia Pritchard's Valentine's party on Sunday. (I had tons of fun, Julia! Thank you so much!) So, I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day too!

Flurries and Films

It seems to me that we are getting more constant snow this year than other years. Most everyday the weather is spitting out the white stuff, either in a storm or snow globe-like quality.

But on this frigid Saturday in January, our family spent some significant time reminiscing and anticipating summer youth camp. From ideas beginning to brew in Vinson's mind at the breakfast table for 2011 videos, to revisiting prior years' films as we are all gathered together in the living room (except for Erin, who is working his Saturday job), we spent some time just enjoying God's goodness in the relationships of our church and family.

It was fun to check out the Youth Camp video series from 2009 and 2010, each consisting of 5 installments (click the links to view all 10). I'd like to dig up earlier years' videos too. The one from 2009 plays off of 2008's "vinsonade," and 2008 also includes John Haughery's epic bike tackle victim scene.

But even as we think of warmer days, there is much to be enjoyed and reaped from this cold wintry season.

Since we're on the video topic, check out the below wintry piece by Nathaniel Millen for the 2009 Doxa Holiday party at Prince Street Cafe. I enjoy this video because I get to see my younger siblings enjoy Lancaster City with friends, like I have so many times.

No School!

Because of that snow you saw in the video, we have no school!!!

Dayspring Christian Academy

Lancaster County

Thursday: Closed

Submitted at: 6:58 AM EST on Thursday, Jan 27

and 

Conestoga Valley Sch Dist

Lancaster County

Thursday: Now Closed

Submitted at: 7:11 AM EST on Thursday, Jan 27

Yippie!

Snowed In

Last evening our whole family was home because of snow storm cancellations, and Margaret took some footage.

basketball

This year at Dayspring Christian Academy, I am playing basketball. We have won 6 games and lost 3 games. Here are some pictures from our games.

Dayspring Warriors

Marissa (B Team)

Coach Balmer

Katie (B Team)

Morgan (B Team)

Alex (A Team)

Danielle (B Team)

Margaret (Me) (A Team)

Rebecca (A Team)

Emily (B Team)

Annaliese (B Team)

Shannon (A Team)

Lacey (A Team)

Marley (B Team)

Bethany (A Team)

Coach Beth

Jessalyn (B Team)

Vinson has graduated!

On December 19th Vinson graduated from Millersville University. He has a B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing and a B.A. in Economics. He was inducted into Omicron Delta Epsilon International Honor Society for Economics. Vinson plans to enter the Real Estate industry.

Joy turns 18!

We celebrated Joy's 18th birthday today. It's so amazing to have 4 of our 5 children in their adult years. We spent some time telling stories and praying for Joy.

Joy's "Earthquake Cake"

Sarah gave Joy the US Open cap. Joy was at The Open this year.

Joy with Grandma Landis and the sweater she gave her.

Joy being funny...

Nice smile.

Bummer, one candle left!

Joy it is a real blessing having you in our family. We are so grateful to God for you!

Timeless Christmas

Since Vinson doesn't post on our blog, or even read it much for that matter, I'm posting this for him. He wrote it yesterday. If you saw the facebook status of anyone in our family, you read part of this. Vinson wrote the poem and we each posted "our" sections. You had to follow the links between pages to get the whole thing, but here it is written all in one place. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

Timeless Christmas

I have assigned to myself a great task

"What is it?" you say, oh I'm glad you ask

To craft an original Christmas rhyme

One that will conquer the limits of time

It must be elegant, powerful, and sheik

Enjoyable to all, both bold and meek

It is my sole mission

To create a tradition

That shall not be broken

And will always be spoken

But for some help I must ask

To complete this noble task

The reply of Joy Sensenig

I have an idea that is smashin'

It should be about this year's new fashion

Or all the wonderful things we have seen

As we sit before that magical screen

The reply of Sarah Sensenig

That is not the right direction to go

All that silly hodgepodge and mistletoe

It should be about the festivities

Time spent with loved ones at all the parties

The reply of Erin Sensenig

These ideas are little more than rotten

For something central you two have forgotten

Christmas is nothing without the decor

The houses made up from ceiling to floor

Reply of Margaret Sensenig

These are all fine, the things of which you speak

But without snow, Christmas is just plain bleak

So make the rhyme about that stuff so white

Of how it falls and lays, making such a sight

Reply of Geoff and Karla Sensenig

It's intriguing, the topics you've chosen

But it seems that your minds have been frozen

There is no virtue in just being new

No, you must create something that is true

All too often the old is pushed aside

By people ever seeking some new ride

There is a theme that never fades

Needs no aid from pomp or parades

The ageless theme of ceaseless grace

The truth that we shall see his face

My New Book

Here is the start of a book i am writing. It is not edited yet. Here it is:

It happened all so fast. Too fast if you ask me. But there was nothing I could do about it now. She was gone, forever. And I was on my way to a whole different planet, oh so it seamed.

It had all started as a normal day. my annoying ear piercing alarm went off at five am. I slapped on the snooze and fell back asleep only to be awaken a minute later by the haunting alarm. So much for the snooze! I thought to myself. I slowly climbed out of my too comfortable bed. I swung open my closet and through on a blue tee-shirt and jeans. I pulled my pink Hello Kitty socks that were made for a five-year-old over my 13-year-old feet. Then I covered the weird looking cat’s face with brown tennis shoes that had decided to allow a window to move in front of my big toe so it could take a peek of the world.

I pulled my long wavy dirty blond hair into a long braid down my back. I especially liked braids on me because it looked like I had high-lights, but I was really born with the brown, blond and red tint. I purred Cheerios into my blow filled with milk. I brushed my teeth then I grabbed my backpack and ran out the door, “Bye mom!” I yelled.

I jumped on my bike and rode off toward my old rundown school.