#winter2

[anewnewcrest]

From the Matthews Family Simstagram

One of my favorite parenting hacks is preparing breakfast the night before weekdays! That way, I can sleep in, and Melanie and Melissa just have to pull a plate out of the fridge to feed their toddler siblings in the mornings! It's so convenient if you need an extra bit of rest, and the kids don't mind at all that everything is cold. When Michael is home, of course I get up and make everything fresh from scratch - only the best for the best hubby in the world!

[anewnewcrest]

"So Caroline wants to go to college, huh?"

"Yes! I can't believe that girl had the audacity to apply to university without telling me! What disrespect!"

"She just didn't want to burden you, dear, that's all. And she really does believe that the Watcher leads her into this direction - He loves music so much, after all, and she plays so well that people from other churches have come to our service at home just to hear her!"

"She is misguided. College just costs a lot of money for no gain - she'll be a stay-at-home wife in the end, anyway."

"But have you thought of the benefits? She can bring the Watcher's word to the students at Britechester University, and she is so firm in her faith that I really don't think we have to worry about her straying. And those kids have money... they might be good for our church."

"Well... maybe..."

"And Savannah has been discontent for some time. If those two girls have nothing to do but sit at home and grumble about you, they might make the other children unhappy, too. And you want little Garrett to grow up in the best possible home, right?"

"Of course!"

"And we'll have so much more time to ourselves if there are fewer people in the house, too..."

[anewnewcrest]

From Daisy King's Simstagram

Surprise! Little Grace King is here! She arrived a little bit early, so Henry was unfortunately not at home (even though he planned to be there!), but Faith and Mercy were so well-behaved that it was not a problem at all, and my body was made to do this! We're overjoyed that the Watcher has given us another little blessing to raise, and cannot wait to see what the future will hold for us as a family of five! And of course, we're always open to receiving another blessing!

(A/N: Yes, yes, she named all three of her daughters after desperate prayers to the Watcher to make her husband not suck as much, why do you ask?)

[anewnewcrest]

"Mitch, why are you always hanging out with Lanie and Lissa? They're babies!"

"At least they're nice to me!"

"But they're girls! Girls are yucky!"

"I don't care if you think they're yucky, they don't hit me, they don't bite me, they don't take away my toys, they don't steal my homework! And they like it when I play with them!"

"Ugh, you're such a sissy! Boys will be boys!"

"You're such a bully!"

[anewnewcrest]

Strangerville Home Church News - Winter 2

It has been a long winter of diligent study and sweet fellowship for the Strangerville Home Church!

Babies

We have welcomed two new babies this winter here in Strangerville! Daisy and Henry King had two adorable little baby girls, Mercy and Grace! Children are the Watcher's joy, and we are so happy to have them here and bring light and happiness to the whole congregation!

Jobs & Promotions

Baker Graham has left his days as a recruit behind and been promoted to Private Fourth Class, and we're so relieved to find out that he'll be stationed here in Strangerville for the foreseeable future!

Birthdays

So many birthdays in the King family! Little Faith and little Mercy are adorable toddlers now, keeping their mom and the whole congregation on their toes!

Little Sharon Graham is a child now, and our darling baby girl is going to base school and all grown up! We couldn't be any prouder of her!

Other News

If you live in the Strangerville area and feel moved to listen to the Word of the Watcher, contact Baker Graham or Mark Graham for directions to their house so you can join our regular Sunday home church services! Everyone is welcome! The Watcher loves you, and we would love to have you!

Prayer Requests

The Watcher's words on a husband's duty are clear. Please pray for this husband who has been remiss in his duty to his wife and children since the moment he said his vows. (Henry King)

The Watcher frowns on drinking to excess, and drunkenness is abhorrent to him. We are in a military town with a military drinking culture, but as followers of the Watcher, more is expected from us. Please pray for this allegedly religious man who disregards the Watcher's commands at every turn. (Henry King)

Family is our greatest support when we're trying to follow the Watcher, and it is important to be honest to them. Lying is a sin, even if it is lying by omission on social media. (Daisy King)

A woman's place is at home, and her duty is to keep the home and bear her husband's children. Wordly ambition has no place in our minds, and even thinking about college is a waste of time, money, and years that could be spent raising little arrows. Please pray so this young lady finds back to the right path, and for her father who is encouraging her in her sin. (Chelsea Graham and Mark Graham)

Marriage is a sacred covenant, and nobody is allowed to come between a husband and his wife. Stay away from my wife, everyone! (Daisy King)

Even though young men might feel called to be leaders of the congregation, they still need to respect their elders' word, stay out of things they have no business poking their noses in, and leave a hard-working, salt-of-the-earth man alone! (Baker Graham)

While physical purity is important, it is also important not to give pieces of your heart away and lust after what you can't have. Please pray for these two people who, even though they are not young anymore, seem to be afflicted by the sin of lust. (Mark Graham and Kathryn Evans)

While big brothers are older than their younger siblings, that doesn't mean that they know better than them, or that they can dictate their lives. Please pray for this young man who is overstepping and overbearing. (Baker Graham)

[anewnewcrest]

From Maxwell Sawyer's Blog

Now that our little Margaret is a child, it has become abundantly clear that she has that meek and quiet spirit that the Watcher values so in women. Her favorite activities are studying and taking care of her siblings, and she already defers to my opinion and goes out of her way to make me happy! She loves to draw for me, and when I'm at home, she's always asking if she can do something for me, or fetch something for me. She's learning how to play all my favorite songs on the piano, and when her mother asks her if she has any preference for dinner, she unfailingly answers "What father would like best."

Seeing a girl that small already so dedicated to pleasing her father and the Watcher, never straying from under their protection, brings my heart the kind of enduring joy that only the knowledge of consciously doing right can bring. Children are our heritage, and it is our duty to raise them the way the Watcher wants, our boys to be strong leaders and our girls to have a servant's heart. No debauched, worldly pleasure can measure up to your sweet, precious little girl walking up to you while you're working, and asking, with those big green eyes, "Father, can I fetch you a glass of water?"

[anewnewcrest]

"Priscilla, I've called you here to ask you a very important question."

"Oh?"

"There's a young man at our church who has expressed... an interest in you, even though you're only fifteen. His father and I are in agreement that you're a good match..."

"Is this about Max Sawyer?"

"Well, yes."

"Yes! Yes! I knew that he liked me! Please do say yes, daddy, I really like him!"

"Uh... I... I expected you'd be unhappy with this?"

"But why should I? He's such an agreeable young man and comes from such a good family and it would make you happy! I'd be delighted to marry him!"

"Uh... it's settled, then, I'll have a talk with him."

"Please do make sure he'll propose on New Year's Eve? That'll look wonderful on Simsta!"

[anewnewcrest]

"So what did your father say?"

"He said yes! I can't believe it! Thank you so much!"

"It was your hard work that got you into Britechester U!"

"But you persuaded him to allow me to go! Thank you so much! I never would've made it without you!"

"Well, I did have a little talk with him..."

"I'm so happy to have you! I can't believe I was such a brat when you married dad, and I'm so sorry about it!"

"It was a tough situation for you and your sisters. You'd just lost your mom, and your dad had broken his marriage vows... and then to have a whole new stepmother put in front of you. It was rough for all of us."

"It really was. And I... you're not my mom, but still, it's wonderful to have a mother figure in the house."