It's been a year.

Last April was the beginning of a series of life changing events that took place over the past year. (And the changes are still rolling in!)
It was the month we closed our second Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store. The first one, we closed in February, shortly after Valentine's Day.
Many of you know the story, so I won't go into details again.
But those stores were such a huge part

Our Wonderful Parents

Happy 21st Anniversary!

I miss babies.

I miss babies. Aidan isn't a baby anymore; he's close to four years old now, more little boy than baby. He is so much fun, and he is so cute, but it just isn't the same.
I miss making silly faces and seeing that goofy baby-smile. I miss putting my hand on the small chest and feeling a tiny heartbeat. I miss the little hands banging tunelessly on the piano keys and watching the entire body wriggle and dance in sheer delight at the music.

Quote

"Duty is ours; results are God's."
-John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States

I love that quote!
Thank you, HSLDA magazine- I had never heard that one before.

Neo-To-Go

I saw a commercial recently. Nothing so very exciting in that-- but mark the sequel. The commercial was for Neo-To-Go, which is a little portable spray bottle of antibiotic/painkiller. It fits in your pocket; you need to carry it with you at all times apparently, because children are always scraping themselves up and without the all-important Neo-To-Go they will contract horrifying and painful diseases. The commercial started with three classily dressed and dazzlingly smiling mothers sitting on a park bench and chatting, when a small boy fell off the slide (which was about a foot off the ground). He started bawling, so the three mothers simultaneously whipped out their little bottles of painkiller and dashed to the aid of the wounded child.
Now, I am not a very deep thinker (those close to me frequently point out that I rarely think at all), but at that point in time I broke the trend and had some brainwaves. How ironic, I said to myself, that those three mothers were so overprotective. And why was it ironic? I asked myself. Well, it seemed to me that those

Rain!

I am loving all of this rain! I love hearing the rolling thunder and seeing lightning flashing across the sky, and I love knowing that our mighty God is behind it all. I love the sound of the rain on the windows, and feeling safe and cozy inside. But I think the part I love the most is the way things are just after it rains. I love the smell, I love how green everything is, I love how clear the sky gets. It's so beautiful!

I think all this rain is normal for Colorado, but we've been in a draught so long I don't really ever remember

My letter.

Hi from Amy! I thought I'd share this letter that I recently sent out explaining my plans for post-highschool life. (Of course it looked much better all formatted and printed out... =] )

_______________________________


Dear Friends and Family,
I have officially finished high school! I graduated May 2nd in a CHEC (Christian Home Educators of Colorado) ceremony and received my diploma from my parents.
Homeschooling has been such a blessing in my life, especially in this past year. I don’t know where else I could have kept God as the focus in my education, grown so close to my family, and had a such an accommodating schedule that allowed me to serve God and my family in many ways.
Now that I’m done with high school, you’re probably wondering what my next move is.

First off, I have decided not to go to college. This decision has puzzled many friends (and strangers). In today’s culture young men and women are expected to leave their families, earn a degree at college, and pursue a lofty career. But I don’t believe that matches up with God’s expectations and His will for me.
Throughout the Bible, women are instructed to be submissive (not servile) to their authority (father or husband), to be keepers of the home, raise their children according to God’s word, and to be industrious (Ephesians 5:22-24, 1 Timothy 2:9-12, Colossians 3:18, Titus 2:4-5). Proverbs 31 is the blueprint for a woman of God. It reads in part:

10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax and willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. 29 "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all." 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

I can’t think of a better place than my own home to cultivate these characteristics in myself, under the guidance of my mom and dad! Why would I go off to college and practice for something other than what I want to do?
Sadly, today the outcry is that when the Biblical model for a woman is followed, women are devalued and lowly. The opposite is true! All throughout scripture God has made it clear how precious a virtuous woman is, and when a woman is the keeper of her home and obeys her husband, she is lifted up. Even so, many women still seek "fulfillment" outside of God’s will and try instead following the world‘s standards. Their search never really ends. I am so glad I’ve realized the freedom, happiness, and fulfillment I can enjoy within God’s will.
Obviously, I'm not a wife and mother yet, but that does not mean that I’m just going to "sit around waiting for Prince Charming." This is a very valuable time in my life that I do not plan on wasting!
We should be learning continually. Proverbs 18:15 says, “The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” I don’t believe that college in and of itself is wrong, but I don’t think it’s the only way to gain knowledge. I am going to continue getting educated here at home. Since we were especially busy between the two stores this year, I did not get around to doing physics and calculus. I still plan on completing those courses. We started a new curriculum this year that focused on Bible history, and I will most likely continue with that portion of the curriculum. I also have a mountain of books that I am going to tackle.
Aside from that, I would like to pursue photography as a small business. I’d love to do senior pictures, family portraits, and events, especially weddings. I have a LOT to learn, so I may take a few photography classes soon and find a wedding photographer to shadow. Not attending college has the added bonus of a very flexible schedule. I have several other short-term goals and interests and I am so happy to be free to pursue them. I hope to find many opportunities to serve within my family, our church, and our community.
I’m very excited for what God has in store for me in these coming years and look forward to learning and growing much. Thank you for your prayers for my family and for me at this point in my life!
Love,
Amy

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths."
-Proverbs 3:5-6