NEW - Photography Seek and Find

Can you find the bunny in the picture?




Can you find an animal in the picture?
What kind?



When I took these pictures,
I did not mean for them to be blurry.
Once we put them on the computer,
we found this use for them.
You can even have fun with blurry pictures!

Moriah

Pic Of the Day

A picture of the moon setting,
this last winter, on a cold, crisp quiet morning.
These precious moments of solitude
before the dawning of day
are a true treasure.

Canning

I have wanted to learn how to can for quite some time. However, it seemed like an overwhelming task to enter into at the same time. I heard story after story of the countless steps involved and the endless hours spent in a steamy kitchen to put up a few jars of goods for the winter. While the idea appealed to me on one hand, it was definitely not something I wanted to try to learn out of a cookbook without a live teacher.

In passing, I mentioned to my neighbor that I would like to learn to can. I was not thinking of anything immediate, just a vague sometime in the future. My down-to-earth, let’s-get-it-done neighbor called me not a week later to inform me that I would be learning to can the following afternoon. I am grateful that she is the take-charge type or I might have never gotten around to learning to can.

Well, I am delighted to announce that the lesson was a success! We had a wonderful time. As it turns out, she has been canning over 50 years starting as a child at her mother’s knee. We received more information than we could possibly take in and we were treated to many stories from her life. It was great the way she answered endless questions and naturally drew all the children into the task. She told us to call on her anytime - and we will be. After all, apple season is right around the corner and she offered to help us put up our applesauce.

We are so glad that we had the opportunity to get to know Mrs. Smith a bit better. We were surprised and delighted when she began singing gospel choruses while we worked! Of course, we joined her! We thank the Lord for Mrs. Smith and the canning lessons.

Mrs. Smith and Isaiah
with the fruits of our labor.

Evening Splendor

I took this picture of a sunset last week.
I like the way the picture turned out.
I think the trees are a nice accent to the sunset,
almost like a frame.
I like to think of sunsets as God's paintings.
Isn't it wonderful that God always has time to paint a sunset?

Moriah

A Captured Moment

Josiah discovered this cicada drying its wings shortly after having left its former shell. Moriah and I were able to capture the beauty of the moment on film. Notice the discarded shell just below and to the left of the cicada.

The cicada -
another testimony to the creativity
and greatness of our God.

For such a hefty looking bug,
the wings are incredibly delicate
and surprisingly beautiful.



It was amazing to see him securely suspended -
hanging from just his two front legs.
Our presence did not disturb him at all.
We were able to get right up close
and examine him in detail without
his moving at all - it was as if he was frozen.
Of course, we did not touch him as they are rather
vulnerable when their wings are drying.


Ahh . . . the joys of home schooling.

A Day at the Ranch

Yesterday, we spent the afternoon at the Morgan's ranch. We always have a great time when we visit. This is one occasion when pictures will tell the story better than words. So, we invite you to enjoy a pictorial visit to J-4 Alpacas.

In the pasture

Benson on guard duty,
always keeping a watchful eye.

~

In the barn


Clover looks like she has been playing in the hay.



Cinnamon - posing for a close-up.

~

In the barnyard


Isaiah with treats for all.



Josiah and Hadassah get to know
one of the crias born this summer.




Some of the mamas with their crias.






Gabriel giving Clover a treat.



Moriah with Epiphany.
Following Moriah and Epiphany are a mother and son.
Yes, they are mother and son!
With alpacas the color of the crias is always a surprise.



Hadassah making friends.



Beautiful cria.



Alpaca snuggles - so sweet!

It Is Not As Easy As It Looks

We found that we had mold in our bathroom behind the tile walls. We first noticed the problem because there was water leaking into the basement from the bathroom above. We could see where the problem was because the tile wall was buckling. So we took out one tile and behind it was black with moisture and mold. Now all the tile needs to be removed. I began with the wall that had the most mold and it has been the easiest because every time you take out a tile five more will just fall out. The backing behind the tile was so wet it just crumbled out.

Working on the other walls, that are still dry, is much harder. Harder because the tile and the backing behind the tile are still dry and sturdy so ripping it down is more difficult. The people that built the house used 3/4 inch plywood behind the tile - but you are suppose to use quarterback tile board and this caused the problem.

I found this experience quite fun and easy at first. But now I find it challenging on the dry, sturdy walls. It is still fun, just hard work. I like finding different ways to get the tile down. It makes the work go a little quicker each time. Now I can take whole sections of tile down in a single piece instead of just one tile at a time. It is difficult to work around the piping since you do not want to damage it. It is definitely not as easy as it looks!

Josiah

The problem





I have to cover my face so I do not
breath in the mold as I work.

A Beautiful Day

How did this photo win the prize for beauty? I suppose this is one of those occasions in life when beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. To all of us that have been enduring the hot, humid, drought that has had much of the US in its grip this summer, this picture is proof of a beautiful day. To a dry, thirsty land what could be more picturesque than a puddle of rain, with the rain still falling no less!

It rained yesterday! That may seem like a mundane, ordinary statement - but is a declaration of joy and gratefulness in these parts this summer. One rainy day did not turn our crunchy grass green or revive our drooping shrubbery - but it did refresh our spirits and lighten our hearts with the pleasantness of the change. With the rain came a drop in temperatures and a reduction in humidity. Despite the wet we were all sure to spend time outside enjoying the beautiful day!

A Northern Illinois Summer Sunset

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.



Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.



There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard."
Psalm 19:1-3
NKJV

Think Refreshing

Now that the memory of our three day
"cool" spell is fading and we find ourselves
in the midst of another hot stretch,
I thought we would post something refreshing.

"A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.

"Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."

The woman said to Him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it as well as his sons and his livestock?"

Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

John 4:7-14

How wonderful that we have that fountain
of living water springing up in us.
Truly refreshing!

Always by Design - Great and Small

We enjoyed a day of garage saling recently, even with the steaming temperatures. We visited quite a few garage sales and found some items we had been looking for. One of which was a dresser for Josiah. After months of keeping our eye open we finally found an inexpensive dresser that was actually in good condition, sturdy with working drawers.

Of all the sales we visited, we found our favorite on Halsted. It was a three family sale. Lo and behold, we were acquainted with the folks running this sale. And a quality sale is was, so many treasures to be had. Not only that - but the prices were outstanding. Actually, I have yet to see prices anywhere else that could compete. Needless to say, due to the generosity of the joint merchandisers, we literally loaded up the van with our treasures. Not only that, but these folks offered free delivery for the one item that was too large to take with us that day. WOW! What service! Of course, that service was with a smile, actually many smiles and hugs too. A special thank you to the Von Holten, Inyart, and Webb families. Just another reminder to us of how blessed we are to be a part of our precious church family.

In the unloading of our treasures, we found that we had somehow acquired a green throw pillow unaware. This was understandable as it was in a chair we had acquired. The label let us know which family had been selling it. Our offer to pay for it was kindly declined. We chuckled about our mistakenly taking it and set it on the couch.

Days later, after typing for some time at the computer, I leaned forward and groaned as I stretched my back. One of my children offered to get me a pillow. I said, "No, that's alright, we do not have one that fits right in this chair. None of them gives me the right amount of back support to be of any help." This same child ran for the green pillow asserting that we had not tried this one yet. I smiled and slipped it into place to humor her. After typing for a while longer with the pillow in place, I was really smiling. It made all the difference in making my time at the computer comfortable. So, we did not take that pillow by mistake. We took it by design. A reminder that all of life is by design, by God's sovereign design. God knew I needed that pillow even though I did not. How like our Heavenly Father to provide for our needs, great and small, as often as not, before we have thought to make a request.

Praise and thanks be to the Almighty Designer of all.
Who cares for us in everyway in the great and in the small.

Camera Practice

My practicing with the camera has been a successful time. It is hard to hold it still so that the pictures do not blur, especially if the person in the picture is being funny because then you are laughing and your hands are shaking. Also, it takes practice to know when to use the flash and when you don't need to. I am glad I got these pictures of my sisters. I like the last one Moriah uses in her post the best. Enjoy the pictures.

Josiah

SISTERS
Hadassah and Moriah

Having a little sister is lots of fun!
Sometimes they are funny.
They are always cute,
except for when they pout.
I am glad God gave me a little sister.



It is fun teaching her new things.
Here I am teaching her to fold a VERY large sheet.



This lesson was successful!



All the children built this sheet fort together.
Here, the sisters, are cooking dinner.
Looks good!



A great thing about sisters
is sharing secrets.



Better still are the loves and kisses!

Moriah

The Measure of Experience

During a conversation around our table this last week, I was called upon to explain a truth that has been lived out in my life countless times. In fact, it has become a way of life for me and yet I had never thought on it in such a way as to put it into words. Having been called upon to explain this truth afforded me two precious lessons.

First, as Christians, we are called upon to explain what we believe in a thousand situations covering a full spectrum of truths put forth in Scripture. In being called upon to explain this particular truth, I had an answer. So, many times I am caught thinking to myself, "Now, how am I going to answer that?" as I search for how to put into words what I have been taught concerning the truth in question. While it is not wrong to approach a question in such a manner, it is not as effective as the ready reply. So what makes the difference? That is the first lesson I learned. The difference is the measure of experience. Instead of being asked to explain something I had been taught, I was being asked to explain something that has become a way of life for me. One does not need to ask oneself how to explain what they personally experience. The words are ready and certain. Oh the importance of applying the truths of Scripture in our lives. For in this application, we are made ready to give an account. It is not the mental learning of the truths of Scripture that fully prepares us; it is the daily application of the truths learned that fully prepares us. For in the daily application of that mental learning, those truths shine a light on our daily lives enabling us to see that the effect of those truths is indeed our daily experience.

Secondly, in being called upon to explain there is the added benefit of having that truth, that said principle of Scripture spelled out before you, renewing your wonder in a truth which you may have begun take for granted due to the fact that it is now your daily experience and not a recent learning such as you may marvel at. In being called upon to explain, there is set before you the precious opportunity to define your experience such as it relates to the principles of Scripture. The benefit here is twofold. 1. The principles of Scripture are continually before you in a clearly defined manner. 2. Seeing the principles lived out, by God's grace, in such a definite way gives you a clear view of the work God is working in you toward His good purpose. What a joy for the Christian!

"What was the topic of conversation that initiated this post?" you ask. A wrestling with the trials of life. We can be assured that the trials will come, God has promised they will. We can be assured that God's mercies are ever present, Scripture says they are new every morning. However, due to the nature of man, it is easiest to see the trials. As Christians, we must look for the mercies. The more we look, the more we will see. As we identify the mercies of God that touch everything in our lives, more of who He is and how very blessed we are comes to light and we begin to live a life of gratefulness to the Lord in every circumstance be it a time of trial, tribulation or ease. In this life of gratefulness, our struggling against trial and tribulation ceases and we walk in the peace that God intends should rule our hearts.