Friday, October 31, 2008

Some things to think about before the election...

click above poster for more information

Below are excerpts from Isaiah 51. Very applicable to this years election, especially the italicized portion. Don't give into the world's deceiving lies and promises. Don't forget the LORD your Maker! Vote for truth!

“Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug... “ Listen to Me, My people; And give ear to Me, O My nation: For law will proceed from Me, And I will make My justice rest As a light of the peoples.... My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait upon Me, And on My arm they will trust. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, The earth will grow old like a garment, And those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be abolished. “ Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, And the worm will eat them like wool; But My righteousness will be forever, And My salvation from generation to generation. "I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, And of the son of a man who will be made like grass? And you forget the LORD your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens And laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day Because of the fury of the oppressor, When he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor? ...
But I am the LORD your God, Who divided the sea whose waves roared— The LORD of hosts is His name. And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’”

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Finally...a successful hunt!

Saturday was a full day...but it ended in victory! After several years of "training" and spending many hours out in the fields and woods, Joshua had a blessed hunt and took down a deer!


His friend Shawn was with him and the rest of our two families joined them later to help gut the deer and drag it out of the woods. They were about a 1/2 mile walk back...through the dark...with the wind howling above us, but thankfully it was not raining. I won't show the pictures of the gutting process for the sake of the faint at heart and weak in stomach but it was a sight to see as Faith, dad, Josh, Shawn and Mr. Eddy were all working together to clean her out!

Victory! Thank you Lord!


Best buds...the mighty hunters!


Caption anyone?

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Farewell to John...again



This week has been a whirlwind! God has been testing us and stretching us and teaching us patience and trust in Him.

John was planning on leaving Friday to head down south, stop at a friends for the weekend and then head on his way down to Texas. God had other plans...and sent us spinning with a car with a dead engine on our hands and a frantic search for another way to take John down there...ending up with him leaving this morning in our Focus. We know that all things are in our Father's hands and we are trusting Him to work it all out for His will and glory! A very applicable verse was shown to me during this crazy week.

"Seek the Lord and His strength;

Seek His presence continually!"

Psalm 105:4

Soo...now we are seeking his will in whether to try to sell John's car and find another one for us to use right now...or trust God to supply a new engine for John's car. Any one got an engine sitting around they want to donate? =)
Below are some pictures we took last night...and then this morning when he left. Josiah and John were playing tiddlywinks out on the front porch. Josiah snapped these pictures of John, Christianna, Joshua and I.



Baby watching him leave.
Farewell...until December!


"For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” I Sam. 16:7 has really come to mind as of late. Taking a look at John's car any one would think, Wow! What a nice looking car! But then we find out that it has the worst engine ever made in history inside its hood! Man looks at the outside...but God knows what's in the heart/engine. Another lesson to apply to life.

Quoting from a friend...
The current situation we find ourselves just IS. It can either be an excuse to pout, whine or spout hysteria, or it can be an opportunity to grow, learn as we persevere through, or simply enjoy it for what it’s worth.
I pray that we will clearly see what God wants us to see and learn and grow in His grace for us. May His will be done and may He guide and protect John on his long trip down to Texas.
'til next time, God be with you all!
~Grace

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Monday...Family Pictures, A Bike Ride and Visit to a Cider Mill!

Monday was a full but fun day filled with much laughter, pictures and memories!



The morning was taken up with looking through every ones wardrobe and finding complimentary outfits and then heading down to the mill bridge to try to grab a new family picture while dodging rain drops. This isn't the final one...I will post those later.















Brothers






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After returning from pictures the 6 of us kids decided on going on a bike ride....a 10 mile one at that.



It was fun though and the weather was gorgeous and the sights beautiful. We rode down bumpy hills, climbed up gravely slopes, found a caboose hidden in the woods, saw a cat walk a fence line, were chased by half a dozen barking dogs, were stared at by a bunch of cows, stopped for a rest and ate apples and watched a horse race before heading back down our lovely dirt road towards home! It was quite a ride!













Farmer boy "Dewey"


Josh





Yahoo! Down hill!






John and I [taken by Josh]






Eating apples.




What are you looking at?


We got to watch this man and his horse work out around their track. It was amazing how fast they were going!




All nature declares God's glory and the fall scenery is shouting it out pretty loud!

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After lunch we heading out again, and this time the rain was really coming down, to an Organic cider mill. The cider and doughnuts were good and we didn't so mind the rain that much but had a fun time feeding the animals they had there, including Michigan reindeer, a donkey and a few ornery goats. Oh and we also fought with a rooster and talked to the horses, becoming their best friends when John brought them some apples!


Sleigh ride anyone?! [picture taken by John]




The funniest little rooster!


[picture taken by John]


John walking on some huge tires they had there!


[picture taken by John] I am laughing because the horse was mouthing my sleeve and asking for another apple!





Monday, October 20, 2008

Filling Days with Memories!

Its only Tuesday but since John came home on Friday we have done so much...filling up the days with memories and lots of pictures!
So here you go...I have so many to post but I will try to keep up on them and at least just give you a glimpse of all that we have done. ~Enjoy!


Josiah being goofy wearing John's shoes and trying to be taller than him. John is wearing his bandanna souvenir from a mountain he climbed in S. Korea. Don't mind Johns dirty pants...thats just the result of his loving brothers playing football with him!


Saturday morning the six of us children headed off to milk goats at a friends farm we were taking care of and show John the animals.


[picture taken by Josh]

Farmer boy and his little lamb.


Awwwww!

Saturday afternoon we had "the local group" over to visit with John. The little boys just loved him!


Football...

Eating and chatting with friends...
Playing "Washers". If you look closely you can see the yellow washer flying through the air.

The two Johns!

Later in the afternoon the relatives showed up and we had an enjoyable rest of the evening...

...gathered around the fire pit...eating dinner and telling old stories and playing games that Aunt Carmen brought for all us kids!

Aunt Myrt and Josiah trying out the Tiddlywinks.

The puzzle one was a favorite!
What a wonderful day filled with memories!

Chop sticks anyone? =)