Josiah and the Creation Museum

Due to me(Grace) being gone this past weekend and the nasty bug that has been floating through our house lately, this post is just getting on now, several weeks late! Josiah is still under the weather right now so unfortunately we will not be able to do the original plan of reporter post. However he hopes you will enjoy all these pictures he took and as he says, “It was awesome!" =)

Check out their website here, and also www.answersingenesis.org ~Enjoy!~

For Josiah's 13th birthday he, dad and his friend Matthew and his father went down to the Creation Museum. Lately Josiah has really gotten into studying and learning how to refute evolution and loves to read about dinosaurs! This was a wonderful gift for him (thanks to friends who made it all happen) and to share it with one of his closest friends was even better!


On the way down they listened to their favorite radio drama - Jonathan Park!

The two Pauls

If you don't know, turtles are one of Josiah's and Matthew's favorite animals so it was no surprise that the tank holding these unique creatures in the enterance was one of the most favorite attractions!

~There is so much Josiah would loved to tell you about (so much so we could publish a book!) but I guess unless you talk him you will just have to go visit the place yourself! It was "Magnificent!" Another great website for kids is : http://www.kidsanswers.org/

Some thoughts on . . . . . Snow

The snow sifts gently down from the dark night sky.
Gone are the harsh cold winds
that drove the flakes against your cheek.
Perfect calm.
No sound except the whisper of falling snow.
Can a sound be silent?
Falling snow is.
A sound so silent, so heavy and gentle.
The silence of falling snow.

I am out in the falling snow.
The flakes landing too thickly for me to keep them brushed off my coat and head.
So I don’t try.
A friendly pine tree stands nearby,
enveloped in a beautiful white coat.
The snow even sticks to the Oak branches.
Piling several inches high,
And creating the most dramatic art work.

Sharp outlines are softened,
And everything takes on a gentler look
When covered by falling snow.
The thick cold blanket stretches as far as the eye can see,
Covering the rolling fields,
And obliterating country roads.
Driving becomes somewhat of a dangerous undertaking.

Millions and billions of times
Hundreds and thousands of snowflakes!
And each one of them different!
Many a skeptic would disagree.
“Impossible!”
Not for my GOD!
He can do whatever He pleases and nothing,
no one, can question Him.
He spoke this whole cosmos into existence!
So what are a few snowflakes?

The snow is so pure, so white
That even a white piece of paper looks dingy next to it.
Could it be possible?
That I can be as white as snow?!
Yes.
GOD is a GOD of impossibilities.
To take me, a sinner,
As filthy and black as any dung heap,
And to cleanse me and make me as white as snow!
How??!!
Only through the blood of His beloved Son.

“Impossible!” Once again the skeptics cry.
“Blood to wash away filth and make clean?”
An amazing, and precious paradox.
Blood to make us white,
And death that we might live!
Christ’s death, and our death with Him.
Death to the sin which had enslaved us,
Death to our former sinful self.
Beautiful life-giving death!


“Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white as snow!
No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus!”

Our Latest Winter Storm

Wednesday brought one of our biggest snow dumps yet!


A blizzard was blowing all afternoon and into the night. Before we went to bed the guys (and some of us ladies) got to work cleaning the driveway off.

Here is one of our hard working shovelers

This is what the accumulation was at that point...sorry I didn't get a final image but it was very close to 12 inches when it all stopped.

Another happy worker...our expert tractor driver! To him its not a job, its just fun work! =)

Piling up.

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The next day came and I (Grace) just had to get out there for some photo shooting! Soon after family devotions I bundled up and headed out. Here is what I found.

Beautiful art work in heavy laden trees!

It was one big White Out! =)

Then I decided to try to head out back to get some closer shots in our back acre. The only problem was that I would have to cross our "pond"/flooded area that wasn't quite frozen and was about 6 in. deep and I did not have my water proof boots on!

Well I wasn't about to give up and because someone had told me that it really wasn't that deep I started to take the plunge. Plunge I did and about half way across I was so kicking myself for not going back for better boots as I could feel my socks getting wet and I started dreaming of the bridge that I want to build this summer! =)

Well I made it safely across, cameras and all (I had both my 35mm and digital) and this is what it looked like when I turned around.

Beautiful isn't it? =)

Ok so maybe it wasn't totally worth it all as I wasn't able to use my 35mm since all I had on it was my super telephoto lens, and I didn't see anything spectacular, but it was beautiful back there and so quiet.

A little brush cave I found...bummer there were no occupants. =(

The pureness of God's creation...the beauty of whiteness...the simplicity of silence...the stillness of God's presence.

Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalm 46:10

Coming Soon...

...Stay tuned for the postings of

Josiah's birthday trip to the AIG museum

and

Our family's African dinner!

Winter Days

Here are some recent pictures taken around our place during these cold winter days.

Our "river" traversing the back yard.

Where the "river" ends up...in our "pond"/ back acre.

A gem of ice.

What in the world is it thinking! A bit of hope peeking through the frozen ground.

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An evening of music

A week ago our family headed out for an evening of enjoyment in listening to our local orchestra play.

Before we headed into the theatre I snapped this photo of the handsome historic courthouse, standing sentinal on the street corner.

The themes from Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Disney classics and many more were played.

Joe Brazeal did a great job narrating for the musical peice of Peter and the Wolf!

Over all it was a most enjoyable concert, the musicians performed well, the conductors were excellent and we pray that God was glorified!

Josiah turns 13!

Last Wednesday the youngest of our house turned a whopping 13! Josiah was born just after midnight on January 23th 1995 and ever since he has brought joy and lots of laughter to our family.
Reading is one of Josiah’s favorite pastimes as well as listening to the Jonathan Park radio dramas. He finally received Jonathan Park #1 for his Birthday which completes his set. Since listening to Jonathan Park he has become quite knowledgeable on Dinosaurs and the creation vs. Evolution issue and loves to tell you about them.

He hopes to be a farmer when he grows up and right now loves helping the girls at the Klaty’s goat farm, especially with the chickens. Here is Josiah with his favorite chicken, the lead Hen.


He has really enjoyed being out in the country this last year and has added frog and turtle catching to his repertoire of hobbies. As a result lots of things he received for his Birthday had a turtle or frog theme, including his cake which was quite a work of art!: )




Josiah and Matthew (Josiah's best friend) and their matching bags. The other side has a turtle on it.

Josiah has grown a lot this past year; actually he has almost passed Mom up in height, and is becoming quite a strong young man. Our prayer for him is that he would continue to grow spiritually as a true Christian gentleman and a soldier for the LORD.

Year #20 - Happy Birthday John!

John turned the big "20" last Friday. We had a little difficulty fitting in a time to celebrate due to his (crazy) work schedule. (There should be a law against working on your birthday!)

~No, he did not get a Cowboy hat for his b-day. Grace just liked this picture:-)

His "cool" cake.

The "cool" Chefs

A very "cool" tie!

Whoa! Check out the "cool" belt buckle! Ride 'em Cowboy!

Happy Birthday, little brother! ;-) What a blessing and asset you are to our family! I pray that God will clearly lead and guide your steps in the coming days and years. May you grow in strength and wisdom, and be a voice to all who see you - preparing the way of the LORD!

Love,

Faith