The Schamel Family

Schamel Good News
Messenger
Committed to sharing the

good news of Christ's love

and joy in our family.

Jan. issue

God's Hand on my Family

By John Schamel

On Sunday January 21st, my family was driving home from church when our back tire went off the road. We started to slide, but God's hand was on us. There were cars in front of us, behind us, and coming toward us on the 2 lane road. The car coming toward us slowed down enough that we were able to get across the road and to the side without them hitting us. We then were able to let the cars pass and get back on the road and home safely. Thank you Lord!

Gratefulness Expressions

By Melody Schamel

We would like to thank these people for their generosity toward us:

*Thanks to everyone who gave us Christmas gifts and cards! The gifts were all cool and it was great to hear from everyone!

*Thank you to Grandma Schamel for helping with the dishes and tidying up.

*Thanks to Great Grandma Hammon who gave the big girls several pairs of shoes, us younger kids a piano, dad cherry chocolate kisses, cookies for us all, and mom a can opener. She gave them to us for the bestest reason of all. No good reason!!

*Dad took us to Chinese dinner last Friday night. Thanks dad!

Up and Going Job

By David Schamel

Good job Job! Josiah Job is now 8 months old. He is learning many new "tricks". He recently has learned to crawl. He likes to crawl to mom and to toys and to little pieces of stuff on the floor.

Job's favorite word is "da da". He also says "mama" and "buba" , and "hi".  We are working on teaching him sign language for the words "please" and "more".

Josiah eats crackers and applesauce and soft foods. He especially likes Honey O's (organic of course!)

Job's favorite hobby is eating. He also enjoys bath time, especially with "da da".

Science

By Ben Schamel

For science class, we are listening to Jonathon Park from Vision Forum while driving in the car. This audio series takes the listener on adventures, dangers and excitement. Although the people and circumstances are fictitious, the places, scientific and historical information are true. Jonathon Park's father is a paleontologist who is fired from his job because of his creationist views. The adventures include discovering dinosaur fossils and how they were likely preserved through Noah's flood.

We have learned that there are many fossil deposits here in Colorado and I look forward to taking field trips to some of these places (when there is not 5 feet of snow on the ground)! The stories make learning fun and the whole family is really enjoying them.

Also, when we are at home, we are watching Moody science videos. On Voices of the Deep, it shows how the fish can communicate and make noises. The dolphins use sonar to tell shapes and sizes of objects. They can even tell the difference between copper and steel!

I am excited about science this year as we have such neat materials to learn from. Thanks Dad and Mom!

A Quiver Full of Arrows

By Amber Schamel

Robin Hood took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow. He should've picked a lighter disguise! He had come to this archery competition undercover. The sheriff, his worst enemy, had forced him to do so. Even now he could hear him conversing with his friends. 

" We scarcely would've seen better competition if Robin Hood was here!" said one of his companions.

"Hmm, I thought he would be here, but even with his bravery he didn't dare." The sheriff boasted.

Robin could hardly contain his laughter. " You'll soon see, Sheriff, that Robin Hood is here." He laughed to himself.

The match had come down to William of York and himself. "Give up! Red Jacket!" William's friends shouted! " You can't beat our William!"

Robin glanced down at his red jacket. " It is rather ugly." He thought, " I'll have to buy a new one. No matter, their teasing will soon come to an end."

Fresh targets were set up, much farther away than they had been before. William of York shot first. His first arrow hit dead center of the bulls-eye. William smirked then drew another arrow from his quiver. His shot was not far from heart of the target. He turned to "Red Jacket" expectantly. Robin was not impressed.

Robin Hood stepped up to the marker. He eyed his target. Then he shot so quickly that the second arrow was in the air before the first hit the target. Both arrows hit dead center of the bulls-eye one on top of the other.

For a moment the throng was silent. Then the crowd roared! He had won the prize! Yet no one knew, that this hero was Robin Hood!

Ps. 127:4

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth. Let's take a close look at this scripture. There are several aspects to this verse.

1) Children are a blessing. In today's culture, Children are looked on as a curse, or a burden. But, this is not how God meant it to be! When God wanted to bless Abraham, his faithful servant, He promised him: Children! This verse shows us that children are one of the greatest miracles He can give! Where would Robin Hood have been if his quiver were empty?

2) God wants us to study. Arrows can be very deadly, But only if we know how and when to use them. "Mighty Men" must know how to hit their mark. This will take instruction and practice. God wants us to learn the best way to raise our "Arrows".

3) We have a responsibility. God wants us to know that along with the blessing comes a great responsibility. We will be held accountable not only for our own actions, but for the actions of our children. Eli was cursed for failing to properly raise his sons, even though he was in the service of the Lord. Our mistakes will affect our children possibly even more than it does us.

And finally God wants us to use our arrows. As in the parable of the talents, God does not want us to keep our children locked up in the house for safekeeping. Although we do need to protect our children, we should be using them to touch the lives of others. I had the opportunity to stay the night with my Great Grandmother after she had an operation on her eye. THUNK! My Father's arrow hit its mark. That's the way it is supposed to work. God designed it this way so that, the mighty man and the arrows working together, can win the prize for Christ. Who could ask for a higher calling?

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