Photo of the Week: Joely

Joely Boy. Photo courtesy of Rebecca. See last week's photo here.

Reformation 500: Last Minute Reading

An excellent engaging family read aloud.

Newest Jonathan Park Available for Download!!

A little bird told us, that at long last, Jonathan Park Volume VI is ready for download through Behemoth.com!!! Click on the link to listen to snippets from the new release, or download your own copy of The Journey Never Taken.

Jonathan Park has become a staple in our home, most often played while the children are drying dishes, or on long car rides. Everyone loves listening to it, both young and old.

The children have learned more science through both the stories of Jonathan Park and the Creation Response Team, plus Moody Science Videos. This is saying something, because Servens don't tend to be very science minded.

A new generation of Servens is afoot, thanks to Jonathan Park!


Click here to learn more about The Journey Never Taken.

Reformation 500: Stuck . . . so working on something else

Elizabeth Seymour wearing a French Hood.

This seamstress is stuck. The sleeves I'd been working on just aren't making sense. I don't really have a pattern . . . just some little drawings from a book.

So, while I'm pondering the sleeves, I thought I would work on the French Hood. So far, so good! Currently finishing up sewing millinery wire to the buckram form.

Reformation 500: Sewing and More Research

My ruff won't look exactly like this, but I'll use the same principle in it's construction.

Currently joining together the boned lining and fashion fabric for the bodice. But first, I need to decide how I will to make . . .

• Ruffs and Cuffs
• Buttons

Now, back to the sewing machine!

A Several Day Birthday

The birthday boy opening his first (surprise) packages.

Ben recently celebrated his 19th birthday! His birthday celebration spanned several days with multiple surprises from friends and family alike. Everyone loves Ben.


Trying to guess what it could be.


The Bringe family put together a wonderful surprise gift and dropped it by one day out of the blue.


An authentic Colonial Costume!!


The full effect. : ) Reformation 500 here we come!!


On Ben's actual date of birth, all-8-Servens-who-were-home greatly enjoyed the movie Up!! Yes, several of us even cried. A beautiful picture of faithfulness in marriage through all seasons of life, plus the importance of making a difference, a true view of adventure, discipleship, and investing your life in other people. Click here for some great reviews by Issac Botkin.


Later that day, some more special little friends surprised Ben.


Hey!! Look who is here!


The Houghtons and Hamanns. : )


Special little buddies from church.


Master Griller cooking his own birthday dinner.


Grilled to perfection.


Flaming high.


Sitting around after dinner telling 'Ben stories'.


A special frog made by a special young person.


Peter calls to say happy birthday!


Texas Sheet Cake and Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream on the Special Red Plate.


Mom and Lydia breaking out the old guitar and the new-to-Lydia-yet-old-violin.


Jon and Beth call late at night and sing one last Happy Birthday over the phone.

Photo of the Week: Flute

Flute.

Introducing a new series of posts simply titled, "Photo of the Week". Usually these will be Sarah's photos, unless it's otherwise noted. You never know, perhaps other Serven Clan members will be inspired in their pursuit of artistic abilities. : )

Unofficial first photo in Photo of the Week series.

Reformation 500: The Costumes Continue

Cutting out the smock.

As this is our last week available to complete costumes for the Reformation 500, fingers are flying round this Missouri house. Here are a few pictures from the latest sewing projects.


Hooray! My trusty sewing machine, which had a melt down pre-wedding, is back up and working!!! : )


Pressing bias tape--this was a new nifty way to keep it the correct width and much easier!!


Eight yards for the skirt with 3 lines of hand basting round the top to make the cartridge pleats.


Sarah gets in on the act: adjusting a hoop skirt to proper 'farthingale' dimensions. Notice the creative use of a lamp. : )


A loving brother marks his sisters hem. On his birthday, none the less!

West-Coast Christian Worldview Conference

www.wcwc.ws, July 27-August 1, 2009.

Last year, I had the privilege of attending a helpful conference in California: The West-Coast Christian Worldview Conference. This worldview conference is designed specifically for encouraging youth who may be familiar with the fruit of a Christian heritage, but who want to grow in understanding of why it is important to guard and nurture this trust from the Lord.

Unlike most conferences where you have limited interaction with the speakers, this conference is worlds apart. Each day you'll be able to hear multiple hours of engaging lectures from Pastor Morecraft, Cris Ortiz, Gary De Mar, and others, and then pull up a chair and join in meal time discussions.

Fellowship activities with the speakers and students include those both mental and physical in nature: sports, English Country dancing, fellowship, singing, book tables, games, small groups, and a talent night.


Spend the week with Pastor Morecraft!

See some other photos from last year's conference.

Glimpses of Wisconsin

Jon and Beth's house through the landscaping.


Welcoming the goats to their new home.


Bottle feeding for the first time.


Beth's beloved goats.


Showing honeymoon pictures.


The old chicken house; now the new goat barn.


Ben serving Jon and Beth by doing the dirty work. :)


In the chicken barn, Joel and Andrew found a box of wonderful toy tractors!


The back of the house: in progress and looking great!!


Father daughter moment.


Happy goats.


Planting a few flowers.


Serving breakfast off the bar.


Unpacking lovely and kind gifts from friends.


A very open floor-plan--perfect for hospitality!


Sitting with Beth.

Reformation 500: Costuming Tools

2 1/2 items complete for the Idelette Costume.

Tonight's tools of choice:

• Packing tape.
• Aluminum foil.
• Trader Joes Grocery paper bag.
• Measuring tape.
• Pen.
• And of course, fabric, ribbon, thread, and sewing machine.

Reformation 500: Costuming

My character for the Reformation 500: Idelette de Bure.

I was very honored to be asked to portray the wife of John Calvin, Idelette de Bure, at the upcoming Reformation 500 Celebration.

After several weeks of reading and research, construction of the costume is starting! I have only 2 weeks to complete the costume. Ahh. : ) Nothing like a little deadline to keep things exciting.

Today's Helpful Website: Constructing an Elizabethan Smock with a very handy Custom Pattern Generator. To prepare, I'm washing the white 100% hanky weight linen in very hot water, so as to shrink it up properly.

You might also find it fun to come in costume to the Reformation 500! Check out Vision Forum's costuming website to start your research.

Live From Missouri, Round #2

Tune in today to the Reformation Study Lecture to hear our Dad speak on Calvin's Relationships.

Happy Birthday Lydia!

Lyddy in her Austrian wool sweater from Jon and Beth.

Dad Lectures on John Calvin via Live Broadcast

Our Dad knows a TON of stories about John Calvin. :)


Sound Check.


Lecture Notes for the live broadcast Reformation Online Study Course.


Technical Assistance from Ben and Company.


A few of the John Calvin books atop the official John Calvin Bookshelf.

Live From Missouri

On the Air.

Tune in for our Dad's presentation on John Calvin today, June 4th at 10CT, and also June 9th at 10CT. 

Cuteness

Sisters.