This spring, April 28-30, join thousands of other families who are committed to discipleship and homeschooling in Redmond, WA, for two full days of hope, encouragement and inspiration.
Tomorrow, Sunday, April 17th is the last day to pre-register for $119 to attend the Christian Heritage Annual Conference!! After Sunday, the price increases and you can only register on-site. Hope to see you there!!!
In my former post, I mentioned we have 5 ducks and 12 chickens. Since these chickens are all hens, my dad and my siblings went to get a rooster, who is pictured below. The interesting part is when they got home, they came home with 2 bunnies that were 3 weeks old for free. How could they pass up such an opportunity? Well, Ferdinand is on the right and Isabella is the bunny on the left. Arent't they adorable?
Our thanks, O God, for fathers who follow in Thy way,
And who, with glad and trusting hearts, exalt Thee every day.
Our thanks, O God, for fathers who show by word and deed,
Commitment to Thy will and plan, and Thy commandments heed.
Our thanks, O God, for fathers who meet Thee often in prayer,
And who, for all life's toil and care, find strength and wisdom there.
How blessed are the children who in their fathers see,
The tender Father love of God, and find their way to Thee.
Lois S. Johnson
I came upon this hymn as I was looking for new songs to learn. Thank you to my Papa for being a wonderful provider, kind and loving leader, teacher of God's word and walking by God's example.
This is a day set aside to honor those that have fallen in their service for our country. I would like to thank those that have given their lives and who are serving as they each made sacrifices for our country. My grandfather was one who had been in the Korean War and I thank him for his commitment and sacrifices.
Below is the complete letter that Sullivan Ballou wrote to his wife Sarah.
July the 14th, 1861
Washington D.C.
My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.
Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure—and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine O God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.
But, my dear wife, when I know that with my own joys I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with cares and sorrows—when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it as their only sustenance to my dear little children—is it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country.
Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.
The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved together and seen our sons grow up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar—that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.
Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortune of this world, to shield you and my children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the spirit land and hover near you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more.
But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the brightest day and in the darkest night—amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours—always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.
Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again.
As for my little boys, they will grow as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters. Tell my two mothers his and hers I call God's blessing upon them. O Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children.
This past summer, we had the chance to volunteer during Bill's Berry Blueberry Festival held at Bill's Berry Farm. If you want to pick organic blueberries and visit the Yakima area, this is the place to visit in July. A wonderful atmosphere to visit that provides excellent tasting blueberry donuts, great price for organic blueberries, wonderful fiddling music, rides for children and a wholesome setting. I highly recommend going.
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope each of you have a blessed day.
Below is a picture that my youngest sister took, also there is write up by J. Mark Fox.
“Gratitude
to the Pilgrims for Obeying the Lord” Men of courage and women
of honor, Children wide-eyed with
excitement, A journey of 65 days
across the Atlantic, One crewman and one passenger lost, One
baby, Oceanus, born. The Pilgrims landed and the new world
was forever changed. A brutal winter brought sickness
and death, The spring came none too soon, And
found the weary Pilgrims nearly cut in half, 46 were gone. The
Wampanoag Indians came in spring and taught the Pilgrims how to plant and fish and live, and
God rekindled hope. With harvest time, the Pilgrims rejoiced,
and asked their new friends to come and share, Massasoit and 90 of his people, came
and feasted for three days. The Governor led the Pilgrims in giving thanks
to God for His providential care, and the colony bowed their heads. O God our help in ages past, We stand in debt to the Pilgrims for their
courage to come and their faith to
stay, For their Compact of laws that laid a foundation,
for their zeal to teach and reach the lost. We give thanks today, O Lord, and we
commit our lives again to You. Though the path ahead may bring suffering or
death, give us Pilgrim courage and faith to stay in the Plymouth place where
You have planted us, With hope that does not disappoint and love that never
fails.
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