Java's in the Dog House!

Fiona uses the dog house as a look out. . . .



. . and Java hides inside.

Backyard Makeover Episode 4: Mud Mud everywhere!

So on the Tuesday after Labor Day, Mr. Ostrander a wonderful friend from our church came over with his tractor to start on the pond.

Here comes the big Tractor!!


Then came all the discussions of the possibilities of how, where and when.

Then the very first shovelful was dug!!

We all watched in amazement as Mr. Ostrander worked the giganticus machine.

There were a few leftover piles of grass which we quickly carted away so Mr. Ostrander could continue the river.

Wahoo!!! front half of the river is done, the pond is begun.

The frogs loved the mud and water.

Shovelful after shovelful he pulled up. It took a whole week and a half for him to finish, but when he was done it was....

Wonderful!!!


We are so thankful to Mr. Ostrander for his great generosity and for all the time and effort he spent on our pond. But.... though the pond is done, there is still "piles" of work, to be spread out. So please stay around, and I will keep you updated on the "Backyard Makeover".

~Chs

Backyard Makeover Episode 3: Good Bye Grass!

The next step toward getting our pond dug out back, was to cut down all the thick grass so the ground could dry out.

Well, we found out that cutting down grass wasn't as simple as it sounds. It involved tons of labor and the sacrifice of gallons of sweat, along with the gain of aching muscles, which we didn't even know existed.

For one thing, it took a lot of large steps to accomplish the huge goal. First we used the heavy duty high powered trimmer that our friends kindly loaned us to whack down the thick resisting grass. Next the grass had to be raked into piles for easier removal. This step was the cause of loud groaning during the following days, due to the many blisters formed on the aching hands of the raking crew.

After the grass had been painfully raked into piles they had to be picked up and loaded into the trailer of our faithful Tractor, which transported them (with a little help from his driver =) to the burn pit in the yard where they were consumed.

Until we discovered that said grass was akin to weedy hay, which our dear goats enjoy immensely. This knowledge saved the poor grass from the horrible fate of being burned, and caused it to be reserved for the purpose of being eaten. ;)

The toughest part to demolish in the back, was the section over grown with tough reeds. These reed were to stiff and too long to be cut with the weed whacker, and therefore had to be chopped to pieces by hand.

But we persevered day in day out. (okay, so we weren't working twenty-four/seven by any means, but it seemed that long)

Another job that was necessary for the weed whacker to be able to work properly, was the removing of any large twigs, stumps and woody materials. Josh was our man, swinging the ax o'er his shoulder.

After days of labor the back acre was conquered.

So now the back acre is ready for one of the final steps, digging! Pond and river here we come!!!

~Chs

Gods blessing; Harvest

As the summer draws slowly to a close, a new phase of the gardening year at
Lily Springs Gardens has arrived.

Harvest, I believe it is my favorite part of gardening.

Harvesting the fruits of your labor is so satisfying, it is the culmination of everything, the realization of things hoped and longed for.

When you plant those tiny seedlings in the spring, you really are having faith that in the fall at their allotted time they will produce nourishing fruits and seeds, and all this actually happens because of God.

It is His rain, His sun, His wind, His warmth, and His atmosphere, that makes everything grow.
"While the earth remains neither seed time or harvest, snow or heat, day or night shall not cease!"
Thank you Lord for this gift of seasons.

~Chs

A Harvest Song

The Corn waves on a thousand hills,
Reflected in the sparkling rills;
The earth has had its meed of rain,
The sun has spread its warmth again.
Put in the sickle, reap the corn;
It is the pleasant harvest morn.

Sing out a song of trust and love,
Sing praises to the God above,-
A new glad song of gratitude;
His work is ever kind and good.
Put in the sickle, reap the corn;
It is the pleasant harvest morn.


But other corn is ripening still
than that which waves on breezy hill;
Another sun shines on today,
And soon the husbandmen will say,
Put in the sickle reap the corn;
'Tis the eternal harvest morn.


And Death shall be the reaper then,
Among the standing fields of men,
And many a one with glad surprise
Be gathered to the smiling skies.
Put in the sickle, reap the corn;
For soon 'twill be the harvest morn.


Oh, to be ready for that day,
With its magnificent array!
Oh, to be fully ripe, that we
Among the garnered grains may be!
Put in the sickle, reap the corn;
It is the solemn harvest morn.

By Marianne Farningham

He's Gone!!!!! =(

We lost two boys in one week, and are devastated.

Saturday morning a delegation of us drove John over to the Flint airport to send him off to Texas. All went well. He got checked in on time, we said our good byes and watched as he went through security and disappeared from our sight. At least it's only across the country instead of around the world.
It is comforting to know that God is watching over Daniel in China and John in Texas. We would appreciate your prayers for John as he tries to study and complete his college degree.
Miss you lots John! See you soon!

~Chs

From Shack to Sophisticated Goat Shed.

When Annick reclaimed her horses, she very generously left behind all the fencing..... and the spare wood, get out of the rain, tarp covered shelter.

Soooo, we stripped off the tarp and added some extra scrap wood.

Then we built a partition to keep out the rain, and attached a roof with shingles.

All of this was in preparation for a couple of goats which we were planning to acquire.

When we were finished with the shed (except for some paint), we went and picked up our goats. Fiona is a white Saanen/Pygmy Doe and she is our milking goat. The other adorable brown goat, Java, is a slightly stunted, yearling Nubian Doe. She is simply a companion goat.

Baby wasn't so sure about the goats and Fiona wasn't thrilled about the dog.

We were very glad to be able to get our own goat for milking, and after quite a bit of frantic yelling the first day (being in strange place without all their friends was quite a bit frightening), they settled down nicely.

Proverbs 27:27 "You shall have enough goats' milk for your food, for the food of your household, and the nourishment of your maidservants."

~Chs

Daniel departs.

Last Thursday was the day that Daniel was scheduled to leave us.

So with sorrowful hearts we gathered to say goodbye.

The four "brothers".

We were so grateful for the experience God had given us. It was a new adventure for all of us, but a good one after all. I hope and pray that we were a blessing to him.

~Chs

A day at the Beach.

As our time with John slowly became shorter, 5 of us went over to Port Huron to say Hi to Aunt Myrt and Uncle Warren and to go swimming in Lake Huron.

God had blessed us with a gorgeous day, blue skies bright sun and clear cool water.

Grace and I stayed mainly on the beach while the boys took to the water.

I am always amazed at Gods wonderful creation, not one of the rocks or shells I found were the same, and just think of how many pebbles there are in the world. Okay don't, my head always begins to spin strangely when I try to think about that many objects.

Though the water was cold to the touch at first, the boys got used to it and immensely enjoyed swimming about.

I have always loved big colorful Umbrellas and this one was sure just that.




Because we were where Lake Huron narrows into the St. Claire River the current was rather strong, so the boys enjoyed floating along with the it.


We thank God so much for the time we have been able to spend with John, and for keeping us all safe on our different activities.

~Chs

At the Crim.

Gasping and walking as fast as possible, John, Josh, Grace and I, maneuvered our way around the side streets of Suburban Flint, trying desperately to make it to our friends, the Klaty's house despite all of the blocked off roads and streets choked with runners. It was the 22nd of August, this years date for the annual Crim, in Flint, a grueling 10 mile run, and the Klaty's had set up their church band on the side walk and were entertaining the joggers with Christian music. We had to park miles (well maybe a mile=) away and start on a Crim length sojourn to reach our destination.


When we finally made it we were greeted by the band's music and the musicians and were able to relax and watch the runners go by...

which was rather interesting at times to say the least. Some of the runners costumes were well, a bit startling.


There were a few people carrying flags, one lady in a disturbing leopard outfit, a man dressed as Mr. Incredible (and as he was about the same size as the cartoon character he was walking not jogging),


...and to top it all off, there was this man who looked to be in his late 50's maybe 60's jogging briskly down the street, juggling three basketballs upside down. In other word he was dribbling the basketballs on the road in a typical juggling style and he never missed a beat. Mrs. Klaty said he's done this every year. (Thanks to Tamra Klaty for this picture.)


As soon as we got there Grace took up her normal post with Callahan Klaty in her arms.

Watching as the runners go by.

Carmen Klaty confiscated the Camera and, as she is afraid of nobody, got some very interesting pictures.

Carmen's friend Natasha.

Later in the morning the walkers came by, going strong.

As the number of walkers began to dribble down then finally stop all together, the band stopped playing and some people left their normal instruments and fiddled around on some others.

Despite the long walk to get there, I believe we all enjoyed our time at the Klaty's watching the Crim and being able to fellowship with fellow believers in Christ.

~Chs