God's Promise!

Sun shining through the dark clouds this evening and we thought it might pass, but in an instance a light rain started to fall turning into a quick down pour.

I couldn't get the camera speed fast enough but it is raining in this photo.

Flowers in the water drop window

Setting sun below the clouds and opposite it was clearly seen a huge rainbow! Arching over and through clouds with a mirror shadow close by, the brilliant colors shown out so clear! Gorgeous!

Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. Ezekiel 1:28

~May you all have a blessed Lord's day tomorrow!

Lily Spring Gardens

Lily Springs has come alive! For the past week or so we have enjoyed watching the beauty unfold as lily after lily has bloomed on our property. Though most are the day lily type we also have a dark 'red' and bright yellow asiatic bunch! As for the spring, well, with all this dry weather it has almost dried up but a small pool of water is still there. Again God is continuing to bless and even though our soil is not the ideal for a garden a lot of the things we planted are coming up and we cannot wait to finally be able to enjoy the fruit of our work. May God be praised!

Weekend Festivities

Last Friday evening we had a most enjoyable time at Eddy Acres as our dear friends had invited us over for a bonfire and opportunity to go canoeing on their pond. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and as we gazed up into the star adorned heavens we sang hymns of praise to our Savior, our voices echoing over the openness and filling our hearts with awe of our Great Creator and King!

Following is what I was able to capture on "film" (digital of course).

The above two pictures are rather hilarious! Actually the latter came first but the expressions could say something else! No, Christianna was not thrown into the leech squirming pond but they did really enjoy themselves, especially since this was the first time we have been able to use our "new" 'old neighbor going-away-gift' canoe!

Pop-corn was prepared in the cast iron kettles and though a lot of it burned it still was delicious!

Roasting Marshmallows over an open fire - delicious!

Sitting under the open heavens and looking at the moon through a telescope - breathe taking!

Spending time with fellow believers and worshiping our Lord - Indescribable treasures!

*Thank you Eddys for your wonderful hospitality!)

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Saturday afternoon was also a blessing. Our church was hosting a belated welcoming party for our family and even though everyone from our Church were not present, it was a most enjoyable time had by all as we canoed, played games, walked the trails, and enjoyed a scrumptious cookout dinner! As the evening came to a close we all met around the campfire and our family was blessed with a gorgeous peach tree and a basket of goodies from the local area as house warming gifts! "Thank you" is such a simple phrase to express our gratitude to our friends, both "old" and new and the kindness they have shown toward us with support and prayers over the past three years of trying to move and now with being able to fellowship more often. The Lord has truly been good to us and we cannot praise Him enough for His mercy and blessings!

Josiah and his two friends checking out the pond for frogs.

A game of soft (nerf) ball!

Musical entertainment around the campfire.

The big (and only) catch of the night! Josh brought in a large catfish.

To our Church family and the Bryson family, we thank God for you all and pray that He will bless you richly!

For Christ's glory!

Baby and Basil

Last weekend we added yet another fun farm-life country experience to our list! We got to goat-sit the Klaty's "pet" goat kid as they were out of town! Basil and Baby (our dog) hit it off right away, though Baby made sure that Basil knew that she was the boss, but they had fun following each other around the yard and as these pictures show, taking naps together.

Today we took the little goat back to it's real home and boy will we miss her, but maybe some day we will be able to get our own goat (or cow or alpaca or horse... as some of us dream) but this sure was a neat experience and yet again a blessing from our Lord!

Going on a Frog Hunt!

Last Thursday Christianna and I had a most enjoyable time "Twin-sitting" for our friends the Ervins. The highlight of the evening was going on a frog hunt with Jennifer and Jacob around their pond!

I can't quite remember how many frogs we caught (or actually Christianna caught! I was manning the camera and didn't want to get it slimy!) but there were quite a few and before we ended the hunt, a race was held and Jenny's frog won! Enjoy the photos! =)

Christianna tries for the first catching attempt as the kids and I watch and wait.

The first catch - a little yellow belly!

The beautiful sun was shining through the trees and down upon the pond. Tranquility...minus the misquitos!

"Going on a frog hunt, gonna catch a big one!" Rrrribbit!

One in each hand! Quite the achievement!

Two...

...And three!

Cute little junior.

Big Jumper!

The little girl and her prince.

Even though almost all these pictures are of Jenny, Jacob was always close by but just didn't really care for much of the hands on work. (He was helping me cheer on the frog catchers.)

What a fun evening we had and even though our first intention was to be cowboys and settlers eating around a campfire, frog hunting turned out to be quite the enjoyable adventure! God's creation is so amazing!

Musical Friends

Last Friday and Saturday our family enjoyed two musical events performed by two of our friends at their senior recitals. The first one on Friday was for Lindy Wagner, a young lady from our church who plays the violin excellently. The program was beautiful as she played pieces with her mother accompanying on piano and also flute, her brother on Classical guitar and her old teacher of ten years on violin. As Lindy moves on to pursue a higher education with this instrument we pray that God would use her to bless others and bring Him glory!

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Saturday's event was for our new friend and neighbor Daniel Bryson. God has truly given this young man a gift as a pianist and we greatly enjoyed being a part of and witnessing his graduation ceremony and recital performance.

Pomp and Circumstance was played by Daniel's sister as he entered.

Encouraged by friends and family

Presented with diploma

What a blessing it was to be able to see these two young people use the gifts God has given them for His glory! May He continue to bless and guide them into the future and show them the paths He has for them!

Little Blue Storm Cloud

Almost two weeks ago on a very blustery day, as the winds blew across the field and through the branches of our willow tree, they sent down a little gift in the form of a baby blue jay. Though we tried to give it back, the parents would not reclaim it so we kept it and after doing some research, started feeding it worms and oatmeal. Also some of our friends have raised blue jays before and were able to give us some tips on what to feed it. To our great delight we were taking care of a Blue Jay! Of all the birds that Faith has rescued and helped restore to the wild she has never raised a young one, let alone a Blue jay! What a gift from the Creator!

It has been very interesting over the past couple weeks watching this bird grow, practically over night, and see him (or her, you can never tell) turn into one of those beautiful birds.

Even now Little Blue Storm Cloud (that is what Josiah named it, but we just call it Stormy) is quickly filling out his feathers and perfecting his trademark Blue jay call.

Sweet little guy

"Feed me!"

With his solid friend

In the Garden

Stormy here with his buddies! Don't you just love the hairdo on the last guy! =)

We wait to see what God's timing is for our releasing this bird and though we will miss the pleasure and excitement of raising a 'wild' creature the appreciation for God glorious Creation has been broadened for sure!