Deck update...

Praise the Lord! Thanks to some wonderful helping hands we were able to get about 3/4 of the deck done Saturday! Even with having to replace more boards than we thought, God was gracious and gave perseverance and strength throughout the day and we are still so amazed at all that got done! This morning I walked out there, straight out, onto where the pool hole used to be, and no I wasn't air walking, I was stepping on firm fresh wood! It was so amazing!




Thank you again to all of you who willingly gave of your time and strength to help with this big project!


~Grace



Josh and Mr. Ostrander


Happy to help - Mr. Bryson





~The saw - Dad's new Fathers day gift
~Josh - the happy board cutter!


Wow! Look at how much is done! About half way now.



Mr. Reiche was a great help too!





Closing in!


Josiah helping out...


...and playing around!


Even the "ladies" got to hammer and drill some in!


Running out of boards...lets call it a day.



Boards, screws, drills and hard workers result in - a gigantic deck...


...and a nice sunburn for Faith! =)


With just a small section to fill in and steps to build, dad surveys the result of the days work.


So now the question is..."What are we to do with such a huge deck?" Because of the large pool that was in the middle, the dimensions of this extraordinary structure are about the same as a house! Large gathering, musical performances, graduations, family reunions and weddings??! We will just have to see, but ultimately we want it to bring God the glory and we thank and praise Him for His blessings already in all that has been done!

The Big Deck Project!

What do boards, nails and a hammer have in common? Well for the Sauves at least is means the filling in of our deck, yes the 15 by 30 hole that used to have a pool in it!

Well about a month ago Dad and Josh started working on the deck. The planning had actually started last year as Joshua's senior project and we are hoping and praying that it will be done for his graduation coming up in a couple weeks!

Here it is with all the posts in. A lot of thought and measuring had to go into it because of the way the rest of the deck had been constructed around the pool. We are continually praising the Lord for the blessings of help and advice from others and the way that things have "Worked out".

Setting up the supports!

This was taken after the big storms we had last weekend! Its coming together! Next step - puzzle work...matching up the planks!


Today is a beautiful work day (God only gave us one day to rest, remember?!) and we have wonderful friends over helping with the deck right now!
We will continue to post pictures and progress as it goes so stay tuned!

Mother's Rhubarb Cream Pie

Strawberry Rhubarb pie and sauce...Yum!

With Rhubarb being in season and thanks to a kind new friend who blessed us with as much as we wanted, Faith just couldn't pass up the opportunity to make a pie! Even though these pictures are of a plain Strawberry Rhubarb pie, below is another recipe that we have also tried with delicious success!

~From the cookbook of Grandma Sauve~

Mix together

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 Tbs flour

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 Tbs butter

~
2 eggs, well beaten (add to above and blend smooth)

3 cups Rhubarb, chopped

Place Rhubarb in bottom crust, pour filling over. Top with pastry, decorate with pretty cutouts.

Bake @ 450 degrees for 10 min. then 350 degrees for 30 min.

Enjoy!

The True Path - by Faith

I have been reading a wonderful book called The True Path - Seven Muslims Make Their Greatest Discovery. It has been a very uplifting and encouraging book, and also helps in understanding better the Muslims perceptions of Christianity and God's Word. I'm not quite done with it yet, but it will be available in the near future if anyone would like to borrow - I highly recommend it!

Here is a quote from the book:

"Finally, I said to myself: "Sultan, consider that you are the child of an hour and the world is fleeting. When you die, your country and your inheritance will be of no benefit to you; nor will your family and friends be of help to you. All these belongs to this world alone. Nothing but your faith can go beyond the grave. Therefore, it is not wise to forsake eternal life and spiritual happiness for the sake if this transitory life." Then I bowed my knees before God and offered this prayer: "O omnipotent, eternal God, Searcher of hearts, I yield myself to Thee. Accept this offering and protect me from all the snares of the devil and from spiritual dangers. Grant me courage and strength that I may be able to confess Thine only Son Jesus Christ publicly before all men. Hear and accept my prayer for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen."

~ Sultan Muhammad P. Khan

This week... its a long post!

The sunset on Sunday was lovely...Baby was enjoying it so I snapped a picture of her.



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Monday evening we went to visit our friends the Mills who were staying nearby at a camp ground.

Madelyn and their new dog Bella


Josiah and one of his little friends


Christianna and Joe


Joshua and Josiah


We enjoyed a lovely meal together...Hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad and watermelon!


The boys going fishing


Every one else took a kayak but Josh and I took a rowboat.


The island




Josh caught a nice little bass


Due to time and having to get back for Josh's softball game we could not stay long, but it was an enjoyable evening and we thank the Mills for inviting us over!

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Tuesday we had the blessing of having the Hayse family over for fellowship! They have just moved into the area and we are excited to have another like minded family close by and hope to get to know them better as time goes on! One thing we have in common is that they are also very musically minded (though they play more instruments than we do) and love to sing!


After a time of lifting our voices in praise to our Lord the three oldest girls brought out their instruments and played some beautiful pieces for us!


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Yesterday was gorgeous, warm (to some too warm), windy and filled with gardening, working on the deck and having the Mills over in the afternoon.



Josiah started out flying a kite and after getting it stuck up on the roof ended up cleaning the gutters. =)


Cool cloud formation!


That was about as far as the helicopters went...up and then back in Josiah's face! =)




We are now taking donations for the "Josiah's hat fund"! Don't ask how many he has gone through but we have decided to start a collection to hopefully keep ahead of the destruction of them!





Baby and Bella got along pretty well (except when Bella wanted to eat Baby's food!)



kisses on the bad ear




isn't she just adorable?!


A big storm hit us late afternoon but quickly blew by after dumping us with lots of rain, leaving us with big puddles and a lovely sunset!







It has been a blessed week! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
'Til next time,
~Grace