So the Young Adult Bon fire hosted by Nick and Becca was a huge success.  There was good fellowship, and good, and all and all a great time! They are considering doing another one next Spring - exciting!

CRUMPTONLAND YOUNG ADULT FELLOWSHIP

This weekend is the Crumptonland Young Adult fellowship that Nick and Becca are hosting at our house.  I hope to post pictures of it afterwards - but we are really looking forward to it.  They are planning a bonfire, and loads of activities - it should be a blast!!

I have rearranged the recipes - yay me!!  I will be adding more as they come into hand.  Working on these family recipes has brought back many profound memories - and considering it is Thanksgiving time it has reminded me how thankful I am to have such an amazing family.  We truly have been richly blessed with love - God is good!  I am so thankful!! <3

RECIPES!

I've discovered that we have so many favorite recipes, and handed down recipes that I am goingto have to make a page for each type!  I'm working on that - work in progress you know??  It's going to be fun when  - if - - it's finished. YAY

Show me how to Love - Sidewalk Prophets

Passed by you today
Why is there a war between us?
Are you not my brother?
Are you not my sister?
Something’s got to change
Stood by you today
Why is there a wall between us?
Are you not my sister?
Are you not my brother?
Well something’s got to change
I confess that I’ve been blind
Open up this heart of mine
Show me how to love
Farther than this world I know
Take me where You want me to go
Show me how to love
I know the times are always changing
But our hearts still beat the same
We have a Father
We have a Savior
And that will never change
I confess that I’ve been blind
Open up this heart of mine
Show me how to love
Farther than this world I know
Take me where You want me to go
Show me how to love
We are one heart beating
We are one body breathing
We are broken and needing
The same love of the Father
I confess that I’ve been blind
I confess, start with me, Lord

ANNIVERSARY!!

Today is the 27th anniversary of our marriage.  It has been a wonderful amazing 27 years - we have been richly blessed!  God is so good!

I just realized today that I have none of our camping photos on here.  I might have to set up a separate tab just for those.  We have been camping since the kids were small (Ben 3, Becca 5) and I am a camera freak - so I'm sure I can scrounge up some photos and maybe jot down a few details =D.  For now - I've posted some of the photos of SOME of the things we cook while camping (yes - cooking while camping is still a passion!).  Enjoy!

PARENTING

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6

Parenting is the ultimate blessing from God.  It is His gift, and children are His children, as are we all, but He has given them to you as a parent to raise.  What a powerful thing.


I do not and never have professed to be a good parent.  I have and continue to parent with God's guidance.  I thank God daily for our children, and for filling in the many gaps when our  parenting fails.  Both of our children know that we love them, but our love can never match the love that God has for them - and they know this.  We have been blessed with amazing children.  We strive to raise them as such a blessing, and in turn as a thanksgiving to God for allowing us to be their parents.

WHERE GRACE LIVES

You can tell where grace lives because:

     All the neighborhood kids want to hang out at the house where grace lives. There is more dirt to be swept, there are     more snacks to be made, and the grass doesn't grow outside   the back door or under the swing. But kids show up, hang     out, and get loved where grace lives.

    

The dust may be a little thicker on top of the TV, and the    closets a bit cluttered, but hearts have been tended where   grace lives. Family management has become the tool instead     of the goal. Schedules matter, but souls matter more.

     There is always enough for one more where grace lives, one more for dinner, one more to sleep over, one more hug, one more    kiss.

    

The lights are on late where grace lives. Grace stays up to listen, hug in the dark, and wipe away tears of disappointment and pain. You can see people dancing where grace lives, because moms hang up the phone, turn up the music, and dance over the victories of their children. Sometimes the children just watch from behind their cereal and "catch" the grace of a silly mom.

       

You can hear things like "Please forgive me, I was wrong, I'm disappointed, but I love you You are my treasure You are my blessing Let me pray for you." The eyes of the children where grace lives shine with joy and anticipation. They have not been wounded by impossible expectations. They have not

     been distanced by rejection. They have been embraced and accepted and loved.

    

The moms at the house where grace lives are just regular,      everyday moms, but God lives inside them. By His power, they are becoming holy and righteous and good. They stumble but    recover quickly. They make mistakes but say, "I'm sorry."   They get blown by the winds of heartache and adversity, but      their hearts remain tender toward God.

Psalm  103:8-14 :

       The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger,  abounding in love. He will not always           accuse, nor will he harbor his  anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay

us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are  above the earth, so great is his          love for those who fear him; as  far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our

transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has                    compassion on those who fear him; for  he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are             dust.

Busy weekend ahead (October always seems to be a busy month).  The mother-in-law came into town last night - game Friday night, shopping Saturday, church and fair on Sunday and wedding anniversary for my sweet baby girl!  One year as of Sunday!  AND - as a topper Monday is a holiday - yeah!  Woo hoo!  Love watching God work in our lives <3

COMFORT

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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 1 Cr 2:3-4

This was in my devotions this AM.  It didn't speak to me, it SANG to me.  Comfort.  The dictionary definition of comfort is to give strength and hope to; to ease the grief or trouble of.  Comfort. Who better to learn the example of comfort from than our Heavenly Father.  He not only comforts us in our times of trouble (gives strength and hope to), but  gave us the ultimate comfort in the form of His son dying on the cross for our sins (to ease the grief and trouble of).  If we learn by such an amazing example, we are able to comfort others as they need.  Comfort.....

A Labor of Love (a note I wrote to our son on his 18th birthday)

A LABOR OF LOVE

On this day eighteen years ago, September 3, 1993, we were graced by God's love yet again.  Our second gift was born – Benjamin Henry Crumpton.  Our first gift, Rebecca Anne, was given to us on Thanksgiving.  This gift was given to us on Labor day – because God has a sense of humor.  He was going to show us through the raising of this amazing young man that love is a labor, something that you have to invest yourself in every single moment of every day.  Love is a labor – but love is NEVER a burden.

Ben was born 8 lb 8 oz, and has always been a big guy – which is the reason I have always called him "Big Guy".  When he was young  he played flag football.  He couldn't wait to play "real ball" when he could actually put on all the gear and not just the mouth guard.  Because of his size, the coaches couldn't wait either.  They had already nicknamed him Bulldozer.  He finally got to play "real ball", but only played for two games of the season.  Because of his size he played Center or Nose Guard.  In the second game, he plowed over the kid in front of him – which is what he had trained to do in practice.  The kid didn't get up.  They had to help the kid off the field, and Ben never went back onto the field.  Proof that his heart is the biggest part of him.

Ben has a unique personality – he is a perfect blend of his father and I.  He has just enough of Scott's serious nature, and just enough of my trickster fun loving nature. Sometimes Scott looks at us when we get into one of our try to out-joke the other moods and just shakes his head  - in exasperation.  At other times, I look at Ben and Scott when they get into one of their serious computer/geek mode  conversations and shake my head – in boredom.

He has been the creator of many of our family quotes – from "Oh look they have horseeee's!!!" (Ben's exclamation when passing a play ground), to "Ben, give me your shoe" (said to him by Rhett Stanley after Ben had a VERY blonde moment and we had threatened to make him walk home).  There are way to many family quotes to label here – but know that each one brings a smile to our faces and a giggle to our lips.

When Ben was young he could give the BEST bear hug ever.  As he has grown into his teen years he has reduced the amount of hugs he gives, but when he does they are still huge and amazing.  You can still feel the heart of the hug, which is what I love.  Also when he was young, everyone told me that his laugh was contagious.  Maybe that's why he likes to be such a jokester – to see others laugh and smile.

One of Ben's passions is his Saxophone and the band at PH.  He has been in the band since 9th grade.  He is extremely excited about this years band show which has a pirate theme – and a sword fight scene.  He's been talking about it for the entire summer – and I am excited that we got to see the performance this past Thursday.  It was amazing!

As parents, you try to instill good manners in your children.  Ben is a shining example of that.  He is always prompt with using "sir" or "ma'am" when speaking to others.  In this age when the majority of young adults prefer to use "yeah", "what", or even the dreaded "huh", it's neat to watch the reaction when he doesn’t use those.  It's interesting because he wouldn't use ma'am with me, and I would constantly correct him.  Finally one day I asked him why and explained how frustrating it was for me. He, in very Ben-style, explained "But mom, you're my mom – I can be me with you and let my guard down a little".  I wasn't very happy with this explanation, but realized that he did in fact use "ma'am" with me when we were in front of others, so he was showing his respect for me when it truly mattered.

Ben was recently reminded of God's mercies when he totaled his RAV4.  The board that came through the front of his windshield missed his head by scant inches.  God has plans for you Benjamin,  He has had those plans since He graced us with your presence 18 years ago.  When you can't seem to find the path or feel that you have strayed from it, look to Him.  He will make it visible.

As we did with Becca, we pray constantly that we are living up to the gifts that God has bestowed on us as parents with these two incredible young people.  Becca has moved on to another phase of her life, but she will always be my Baby Girl.  Ben is entering into his last year of high school, and making plans for college.  He will always be my Big Guy.

We love you Ben and we are very proud of you.

God's Gift (a note I wrote to our daughter on her 18th birthday)

GOD’S GIFT

On this day, eighteen years ago, 11/25/91, God shared His grace upon us and brought into this world a gift, a joy, a light - and much much more. Our whirlwind trip into parenthood was just beginning - and the ride has been well worth it.

A gift - in that she had been very long awaited. A gift in that we were reminded of God’s faithfulness. Even though we may stray, or think He isn’t listening, doesn’t care, or doesn’t see our pain - He is always listening, always caring, and always faithful. It was also a reminder that we should always wait on His timing, not our own timing.

A gift in that even with her birthdate God showed us that He has a sense of humor - He gave us something to always be even more thankful for at Thanksgiving time.

She was born two weeks late, born purple, with fluid on her lungs and a severe lazy eye. No, we did not get to hear the strong cry that fills the room when a child is born. What we heard was a barely strangled gurgle as they rushed her to NICU. Another test from God - wanting us to remember to rely on Him. We didn’t get to hold her until she was 2 day’s old - and then it was with surgical gear on for fear of contamination. She stayed in the hospital after I was discharged - but we did get to bring her home on Thanksgiving day - God’s blessing!!

The doctors were already talking about surgery for her lazy eye. They were wanting to take care of it as soon as possible. We didn’t have to worry about that because God had gotten her this far, He would see her and us through this as well. Yet again, God had other plans. Six weeks after she was born we were in front of the church family (Laurel Park UMC at the time) for her baby dedication/baptism. When our pastor handed her back to me, her eyes were staring at me as straight as could be. When we took her back to the doctor for her follow up and to schedule the surgery - he could not believe that they were straight and was totally blown away.

So - suffice it to say God has given us multiple gifts within the last 18 years revolving around this special little gift. We pray constantly that we are living up to that gift, and attempting with His help to raise her up in as Godly fashion as possible. God had and still has His hand on our Baby girl - may her life show His love and light to those around her for the duration of her life.

We love you Becca!!! Always look to God for your guidance, and you will not go astray! Remember that when you are standing in struggle and can’t see a path, by falling to your knee’s before God, He will make one visible.

Saturday!  Saturday's are always busy for Crumptonland.  Saturday's have always been cleanin' day, wash day, grocery day, and during this time of year band competition day.  It's the day that we get the things done that we don't have time to do during the week.  It's always started early with devotions, then the feet hit the ground and don't stop til much later.  Getting the house rolling.  Might work some on the blog later tonight <3  The real good thing about Saturday though is that it is followed by Sunday!  Crumptonland's favorite day of the week - church day and day of rest YAY!

So it's a rainy Friday morning - the football game scheduled for tonight will more than likely be cancelled - so the band will not be performing - which means we may have a free Friday night!  Free Friday night's in fall during the fall are few and far between at Crumptonland - soooo maybe we will cook something?  If we do I will be sure to post pictures.  I may even set up a separate tab for just our cooking stuff - I will have to see.  HAPPY FRIDAY!

So Court is over - thank you God for good neighbors.  The neighbor that Ben demolished the fence of was in court and asked for leniency for Ben (Ben has offered to help rebuild the fence).  The judge gave Ben a stern warning, and told him he had to pay for court costs and attend driver school.  He has to pay for the school as well (we had already told him that these would be his responsibility, so she just reinforced it).  Our neighbor waited outside of the courtroom after the proceedings, and Ben went up to him and shook his hand and thanked him.  He had some words of warning for Ben about his driving, and actually teared up as he was talking to Ben.  We are truly blessed with good neighbors, an excellent court system in the county, but most of all an amazing God who protected Ben during the accident and was there today as well.  God is good!

We have court this morning for the accident that Ben was involved in during August.  We are praying that all goes well. He over corrected in a curve and the above picture was the result.  By God's grace that fence post missed his head.  Also by God's grace no one else was in the curve when he lost control.

So if you haven't figured out by the pictures we LOVE to cook.  Literally - it's a passion.  If we eat something, or even see something cooked on TV and it looks good we will try to make it.  We've done sushi (I don't have any pictures of that YET); tiramisu; creme brulet, just to name a few.  Cooking is something we do as a family.  One of my favorite quotes is A kitchen filled with family cooking is a kitchen filled with love <3

So - I'm working on this site for fun.  I'm trying to show some of the activities we do at Crumptonland.  We are a Christian family trying to live as Christ like as we can, and sharing the love that we have been blessed with.

The site, as our lives, is a work in progress.  "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says the LORD. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!  Jeremiah 18:6