A Snowy Day at Home

Four Inches of White Stuff.


Shadows on the railing. Thermometer reads 17F, so not too chilly.


The little boys instructed, "Rebecca! Take a picture of the table!!" So, I did. : )


Sun on the snow.


My photography assistants.

Time for a game . . . with a prize : )

Pinpoint our location.

The Serven Clan has been known to do some strange things. This activity was one of them. It was greatly enjoyed by all, and a unique surprise for certain someone's birthday during the Ten Days of Feasting. If you can guess our activity correctly, we'll enter your name in a drawing for a free CD from Genevan Foundation. If you can pinpoint the exact location of our activity, we'll enter your name three times. : ) The only rules? One guess per person, and you have to list your CD choice from GFCR. Let the guessing begin! Contest closed at 12 noon CT, Saturday, January 31st.

P. S. After we get a winner, then we'll post pictures of this wonderfully fun field trip.

The Men's Advance. The Early Bird Gets the Worm.

The Early Bird Gets the Worm.

Postmark your registration today!

Your chance to register at the $60 rate has almost vanished. Postmark your registration before February 1, 2009 to get the early bird rate. Other wise, we'll be happy to receive your payment of $75 at a later point in the month. Really and truly.

Details Pivotal
to the Decision Making Process.

Still deciding if you will attend The Men's Advance? Here are some facts on the Advance and it's surrounding events.

Date: February 27-28, 2009.

Speakers: Kevin Swanson and Marcus Serven.

Place: Troy, Missouri, an hour north of St. Louis. Closest airport is Lambert-St. Louis.

Cost: $60 before Feb. 1st. $75 after Feb. 1st.

Accommodations: In conveniently located hotels or with a hospitality family.

Other Accouterments and Fun Stuff: Group games, book table, fellowship, toe-tapping music, and delicious meals provided by our award winning staff.*

Special Events: Bring other family members to join you for the all-family dinner on Saturday evening. Then enjoy the Americana Folk Concert put on by the Heirs of Baird. Join us Sunday afternoon for Covenant Family Church's worship service where Kevin Swanson will preach, plus for the fellowship meal.

* As evaluated by previous attendees of The Men's Advance.

Find Out More about
The Men's Advance.

www.GenevanFoundation.com

Water

Good ol' H20.

People always say to drink 8-10 glasses of water per day, but I guess I was never quite sure about it. What if you are a little kid, or a tall big-boned adult? It just seems it should be different.

Well, my suspicions were correct. I found a handy guideline for the amount of water you should drink.

Author Jordon Rubin asks, "How much water should you be drinking? A good rule of thumb is a half-ounce of water for every pound of body weight."

And now its time for the practical math problem of the day. : )

Traveling through Texas

The Gunn family.

While jaunting back from the SAICFF a few weeks ago, we had a delightful stop at the hospitable Gunn home. Colin has made some provocative documentaries on several very controversial topics. : ) With a delightful Scottish brouge, he graciously presents some present day challenges in the light of God's word. If you aren't familiar with Shaky Town or The Montrous Regiment of Women, make sure to check them out.

In addition, Mr. Gunn played a star role in the newest Jubilee Winner of the SAICFF--The Widow's Might. "I'm not much of a documentary guy myself," brought the house completely down!

It was such a joy to visit with both Colin, Emily, and their sweet children. Many thanks for your kind hospitality.

California, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas . . .

Registrations are flowing in for this year's Men's Advance, held February 27-28 in Troy, Missouri. With speakers Pastor Kevin Swanson and Marcus Serven, and an all family dinner and concert by the Lautenslauger family, this Advance promises to be a glorious time of fellowship, teaching and encouragment. 

Sign up before Feburary 1st, to get the early bird discount!! 

The Ten Days of Feasting: The Last, but Not Least December Birthday

Double Digits!

Candle and Cup-cakes. 

The Ten Days of Feasting: Skating and Another Birthday

One wintery afternoon found us ice skating . . . in honor of a few more birthdays. I told you we had a lot of celebrations during The Ten Days of Feasting!


The Birthday girl talking to you-know-who. : )

The Ten Days of Feasting: An Unusual Occurrence

Hmm. This is unusual. The entire Serven Clan going out to breakfast?


Somebody is happy. : )


It's the birthday song!


And our beloved father's birthday!

The Ten Days of Feasting: Caroling

Beth bundled up for the cold.

Through the years, every December we would try to find an evening to carol to our neighbors. As we've grown older, those free evenings when everyone was home are harder and harder to come by.

For the past three years, we've had a different plan. Every one is home on Christmas Day. Why not just carol then? So, we do. : ) It's a newer tradition for the Serven Clan, but one that we really enjoy.

Christmas afternoon we bundle up and walk to sing and deliver some Christmas treat. Some of our neighbors are a ways away, so we walk to most and drive to a few.

Some families are so cute. Every year its--"Oh!!! It's those Christmas Carolers again!!"--while they all crowd around the door to hear. Wow. Talk about having a nice audience! We are sure spoiled. : )


Rebecca and Ben: the song choosers.


Singing to some neighbors.

The Ten Days of Feasting: Happy Anniversary

Our beloved Dad and Mom celebrated their 29th anniversary. Their marriage is a testimony to God's grace and an inspiration to each of us children as we anticipate the forming of new households, God willing.


"You made this!?"


Cross-stitch sampler from Lyddy.

The Ten Days of Feasting: The Stuff of Feasts

Lydia, ready to break the morning's fast with a feast.


Christmas Bundles made by Sarah, with a cream cheese and raisin filling.


Andrew is all grins about the cinnamon hot chocolate.


Yes, we're strange. We eat veggies at breakfast. : )


Candles and pine-boughs for a festive touch.


The dinner menu.


Dishing up, with fancy dishes to boot.


Apple-Cranberry-Strudel pie for dessert.

The Ten Days of Feasting: Christmas Stockings

Stockings are stuffed.

We like to fill stockings for each other on Christmas Eve night, to be opened the next morning. These are filled with fun and practical little gifts to bless the members of our family.


The Serven Clan gathered round.


Kind cards.


Things to keep toes warm in the winter.


Can you guess whose stocking this was? Leave your answer in the comments!