Secret of the Andes

This book is part of our Core D curriculum with Sonlight.

Our family really enjoyed this historical fiction read aloud. A beautiful story about a llama herder and his apprentice who live high in the Andes mountains, follows Cusi as he goes on his journey to manhood in choosing the path he needs to take. 

Secret of the Andes is slow moving and very detailed in the events that it depicts, but even still it kept our attention as we read. Every piece is deliberate and important to the story that is unfolding before you. It is an interesting look into the Inca culture and religion. You also have the opportunity to see the ancient collide with the new in Cusi's journey. It is fascinating to see through the eyes of the young llama herder what life is like and his understanding of the important tasks that make up each day.

If you enjoy a good cultural story, I definitely recommend this book. 

I will give it 4 stars. It was beautiful and well told, but not earth shattering in anyway.

Reading Challenges:

This book doesn't fit with any specific category and will be considered a book of choice on those challenges that have them. 

I was surprised to see that this is a classic book. I will be using it in the category of 20th Century Classic.

Pedro's Journal

This book is part of our Core D with Sonlight and was read aloud to our children.

Pedro's Journal is a piece of interesting fiction that follows a young cabin boy on the voyage with Columbus across the Atlantic Ocean to the Islands in the Atlantic. It starts as they are setting out and ends before they get back to Spain but does have a little conclusion at the end. 

You can tell it is written from the perspective of someone young and ready for adventure but who is still unsure of the world and what is going to happen to him. Pedro is very relatable to other children and even to adults as we think about our own decisions and remember growing up and how we processed things. It was interesting to talk through some of the things Pedro was experiencing with our children and how they might respond. 

I appreciate that this book did not shy away from hard things and realities, but that it was written in a way that it wasn't too much for our little ones. Our older ones really enjoyed this book and the adventures of Pedro. There were times they were laughing and times they were sad as they followed his journey across the Atlantic and back.

I would give this book 4 stars for what it is, though it's not one I would want to read over and over again. 

Reading Challenges:

This doesn't really fit into any of the categories, so with it being the end of the year I'll count it as a book of my choice, though it's not necessarily one I would choose. 

Gentle and Lowly

I bought this book right before the beginning of the pandemic to read with our Bible study group. Then everything shut down and so I waited to see if we would begin this group again. As things slowly opened back up I was encouraged by one of our pastors to read it and have heard amazing things about it from everyone who's read it. After reading it I wish I had not waited and that I could say I've read it three times already!

This book is a MUST READ for every single person who calls themselves a Christian! While many of the truths discussed in this book I have heard on some level before, the depth to which Dane Ortlund goes into the heart of Christ I have never seen before. He takes you on a journey with Christ to see who He is as He describes Himself. 

How does Jesus describe Himself?

As gentle and lowly!

Reading this truth over and over and how it is shown throughout Scripture gave me a deeper knowledge and understanding of my God and who He is! God has used it to shape me in many ways over the past month and has given me some much needed perspective to help conquer many thoughts and feelings I've been wrestling with. It was a solid reminder that God draws near to us when we're broken and sinful instead of pushing us away. He understand more deeply than we every could the struggle and the heartache. 

This book helped me to draw near to my Savior and it continues to grow as I reflect on what I've learned. I highly recommend you read this book as soon as possible and read it again and again. I know I will be reading this one again in the next year as I need these reminders constantly!

5 stars for this amazing book!

Reading Challenges: 

2021 Reading Challenge with Tim Challies: A book your pastor recommends in the obsessed section

2021 Christian Reading Challenge with Jami Balmet: One of the Christian Living options

2021 Intentional By Grace Reading Challenge: Recommended by your Pastor on Level 3

Eldest

This second book in the "Inheritance" saga was an interesting read. 

We follow Eragon on his journey to becoming a Rider and figuring out how to defeat the King of Alagaesia who is the only other Rider and evil in every way. This is written in a classic fantasy form, which makes it even more enjoyable if you really like fantasy writing. I really liked how we learned even more of the peoples of Alagaesia and the history of this fantasy land as Eragon learns what he needs to know as well as learning things to give him a better understanding of the history of the groups of people he is defending. 

Overall this book is very well written and flows well. There were a couple of spots that, in my opinion, dragged a little and possibly could have been done without. (I'll evaluate this again once I finish the series.) The lessons Eragon learns are extensive and run deep. Even though this is not at all reality, it is still possible to sympathize and empathize with him and feel deeply for all that is going on in him and around him. 

Even with the slower parts, the story is engaging and for the most part I wanted to keep reading and find out what happens. I also had made some suppositions as I read and I wanted to see if I was right! Even with guessing a couple of things, there were definitely surprises along the way ant that made the book even better for me! I like being right, but I also like when I can't figure out everything. That's when you know you've got a good book. 

I give this book 4 stars and definitely recommend it, especially if you love reading about fantasy worlds. 

Reading Challenges: 

This book is A Book With Magic in the Obsessed section of the 2021 Reading Challenge with Tim Challies.

I'm using this one as my fantasy book in Modern Mrs. Darcy My Reading Life Challenge.

In the 2021 Intentional By Grace Reading Challenge this book is for the category of Longer than 400 pages on level 3.

Our Nine Year Old Gabriel

Today we say "Happy Ninth Birthday" to our sweet and precious Gabriel! 

It's incredible to think it's been nine years since he came into this world with a bit of a bang. His birth was a bit early and unexpected and he continues to marvel us with his love of God, love of people and love of life. He wanted to get here with flair and he continues to live with flair! 

Gabriel is ready for just about anything. He loves to explore, to sit and learn, to work puzzles, build with anything, climb trees and just soak in the life that God has given him. His most favorite thing to do is build with Legos. He comes up with all kinds of creations or builds sets that have not been mixed into the whole yet. He enjoys building with his brothers and also by himself. He's very flexible and that is such a blessing.

If Gabriel's not building he's either studying puzzles of all kinds, especially word puzzles, or he's outside climbing trees or "sword fighting" with his brothers. He's full of a desire to learn and grow in every way possible and enjoys a good challenge on the way. He really enjoys his spelling workbooks because of all the puzzles he gets to work through to learn the words and what they mean. It's such a blessing to watch Gabriel's love of learning as he figures things out. He enjoys his math as well and loves figuring out the problems. It's amazing to watch him figure something out and then get so excited that he figured it out and got it right. This boy knows how to celebrate the amazing mind that God has given to him. 

In the past couple of years, Gabriel has also gotten into baking with Lillian. He loves to mix and try things and often helps with her baking creations. We're to the point we need two kitchens so that there is space for everyone to work on their skills as well as taking care of regular meals. It's a joy to watch these two work together and grow together in a shared love and skill.

Gabriel is such a kind and sweet spirit. God has truly blessed our family with his life. He is eager to help, ready to step in when needed and is very in tune with how others are feeling and what they need. He has become a wonderful help with the little ones, playing with them, reading to them, helping them with games and puzzles as well as cleaning up after them and changing diapers when needed. He rarely complains about what he needs to do and often asks how can I help or lets us know he's doing the next thing. 

He loves the Word of God and has been diligently studying it for most of the year. Gabriel has really enjoyed his Hebrew/Greek/English Bible and is slowly learning the original language as he uses other supplemental sources to learn. He also loves to pray and prays for whatever is said that needs prayer. He loves to pray for our missionaries everyday! He's working on memorizing James with the rest of the family. During Bible and Breakfast, he's always asking questions and is eager to learn and make connections. It's incredible to see what God is already doing in his young life.

We are so blessed and so thankful for our sweet Gabriel! He adds so much joy and laughter to our family and home. 

Father, we thank You so much for Gabriel and that You have given this precious son to our family. He is such a joy and adds life as he continues to learn how to live from Your Word. Please continue to grow him in wisdom, in stature and in favor with God and man as he goes throughout his life. You are already working so much on his heart and it blows us away. Thank You for his desire to learn and help and do what needs to be done. Thank You for the love and care for others You have instilled in him. Grow him ever more in these things and make him more like Jesus everyday. We pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus! Amen!

A Full Season

 We've been a little lax on updates over the past few months. God has been working in mighty ways in our home, and the blog posts have not gotten done. Right now our family is learning and growing and so much of that is done hands on or in other parts of the internet. 

Our biggest news right now is that we're expecting our 11th special blessing in February! 

While not completely expected, we are so thrilled that God has given us another arrow in our quiver to teach and train in the fear of the LORD! Our other children are so excited to have a new sibling and they talk about the new baby all of the time. While the pregnancy has been normal, it's also been taxing. We're all having to work together in ways we hadn't before and all of us are growing in what it means to work hard as unto the LORD and work together for the glory of God and the good of the family. It's about 12 weeks before this little one is born and we are excited for the time to come to meet this new addition. 

With our precious gift on the way, we are in the market for a bigger van. Right now it is proving difficult to find what we need used. If you are aware of any 15 passenger vans for sale, please let us know! The way the market is with everything going on in the world we may end up needing to buy new, which is unnerving, but we know God will provide exactly what we need. 

This year God has also been working on us in building a family ministry business under our name here: The Manor Manor. While still in the beginning growing stages of this endeavor, we are reaching out and growing our email list. We will be encompassing many areas under this umbrella, including Childbirth Conversations, Psalm 127 Ministry and Emmie Beth Manor (my author site). We will continue to consult for Norwex and for essential oils as well. 

The Manor Manor will encourage and help families with discipleship all the way through life, healthy, natural living, childbirth education and beyond. Right now we're really focusing on discipleship with our Bible and Breakfast Template. We would love to have you join us on this journey by getting your Bible and Breakfast Template and joining our mailing list. If you know anyone that would benefit from what we're offering please pass the word along. We want to serve families well and prepare them for the climate change that is coming. We have Bible studies in the works for families that will be available in the next few months. We're so excited about what God is doing! 

Other ways you can support us in this would be following us:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheManorManor
https://www.facebook.com/EmmieManorNorwexConsultant
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themanor.manor/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp5zGCSuqmvvWo5-kHusWlw

We're still building these, but we would love you along for the journey!

This Saturday at 1 PM ET we are also part of a Christmas Bazaar and we would love to have you come and see the amazing Black Friday Offers that our friends will be sharing. There are some amazing products available! You can register for the Bazaar Here: https://handprintlegacy.com/christmasbazaar

Lillian is also working toward fulling launching her bakery in the new year. She has had a consistent customer this year, which has been a huge blessing for her getting practice as well as a few other customers throughout the year. We will be building her website and page in the months to come. 

Yes, life is full right now! We continue to teach and train our children at home, Jim is still working full time at Piedmont in the PACU and we're rearranging and purging our home to make our home function better for our growing family. But it is good. God is good and He is teaching us how to live in what He has called us to even though it doesn't look at all like we expected! 

Thank you for being a part of our journey! We couldn't do it without you!

Our Four Year Old Isaac

 How much time has gone by since we welcomed our 8th child into our arms, unexpectedly in 2017. Things have changed and life is full, and we are so blessed to have Isaac in our family to add to the fullness, the laughter and the fun!

Isaac is so full of energy and spends his days running, coloring, learning his letters and numbers and helping with his chores. He's always on the go and also loves to learn, which is quite a fun combination. He loves music and singing and walks around the house with his "guitar" singing "Death Was Arrested," his current favorite song. 

Isaac is spunky and spirited and does not like to be told no. He absolutely thinks he is older than he is and that he can do anything to big boys can do! He climbs and runs everywhere. If you see a blur go by, it's probably Isaac going to the next thing. He keeps us on our toes as moves from one thing to the next very quickly. Right now we're working on focusing and when he really wants to work on a project he does a great job seeing it through! 

Because he wants to be one of the big boys, Isaac is often in their room learning from them, wrestling with them and trying to do what they do. He loves hanging out with his big brothers and they teach him so much as they learn themselves. For the most part Isaac is fearless and will try just about anything (as long as there isn't a dog around!) He loves to explore outside and watches ants and roly-poly's as they work around our yard and driveway. He picks leaves and flowers to bring to his mama to brighten her day. He loves riding toys and going as fast as he can down our driveway. The kids hideout is a shelter for him. He could be outside all day and be perfectly content. 

Currently, Isaac is perfecting his letters and sounds, learning numbers, writing and drawing basics, and enjoying God's creation. He is also learning Scripture and is learning James with the rest of the family. His favorite thing to learn is songs and is always asking to sing hymns and songs we learn in corporate worship. It is such a joy to hear him sing! 

We are so blessed by Isaac in our family. He adds so much life with his gigantic smile and contagious laugh. It's such a joy to watch him grow and we pray for God to do a mighty work in his life. 

Father, we thank You for Isaac and the gift he is to our family! Thank You for such an amazing surprise and a boy who is so full of life. We pray that You will work in his heart and give him a saving faith in Jesus to be reconciled to You that he may bring You glory and live for Your Kingdom. Thank You for all that You have already done in his short life. Thank You for teaching us about Your goodness, grace and love. Thank You for teaching us about laughter and fun in the midst of fullness and chaos. Please continue to grow him and bring him to You. In Jesus Name we ask these things, Amen!