Be sure to go visit our host of Show and Tell, Mary. And don't forget, , cast a vote or two for Mary of Canada Girl at the blog awards!  (Best Thrifty Homeschooler   Best Encorager    Best Cyber-Buddy Blogger)

It was moments after I posted last weeks show and tell, that Rachel informed me that there were

more pictures of Ruthie's birthday party.  Her friends, Miriam and Mara, have a first rate camera

and mine wasn't working that well this evening.  So they became the professional photographers for the night and snapped a picture of almost everything that happened.  This worked good for me because then I spent the entire evening hugging, snuggling, and cuddling my grandbabies all evening. 

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When I seen the disk of pictures that Rachel had just informed me of, I seen that they were all way better than what I had taken, and had posted.  So, I decided to just share these better pictures with you tonight. 

 I just love this picture.  You can see the kids playing their game really clear, but the background is so softly muted.

 As you can see, one of the contestants (Jacob) got very sidetracked with the raspberries!

 I just love this (above) picture.  Rachel and Jacob are in action and their very clear; the background is muted but vibrant at the same time.  It's so beautiful!

 Bobbing for apples...

My youngest son, Jacob, is 3 years older than his newphew (below).

 I tell you, I don't think I've ever seen a cuter picture.  This should be a poster, a card, in a magazine, somewhere.  My grandson is beyond the cutest cowboy I've ever seen!

 When I seen this picture of Rachel with her guitar and gb#1, I was blown away.  Does he not have the cutest little hands and smile you ever did see?  I have never seen a picture this cute.  Oh, I'm not sounding just like an extrememly biased grandma, am I?

 The kids played until it was past dark outside.  This was the cowboy piniata that I told you about

last week.

 Are they the cutest, or what?

 Is this the face of an angel looking at the birthday cake?

 Grandma (but they call me "Nanna") with baby Grace.

 He's adorable even when he's bored, don't you think?

 I liked this picture so much, I included it twice.  So cute, so cute. 

 Baby Kayla (4 months) and Baby Grace (1 year).  You can see why I was so glad that we had two

gifted photographers at this party, can't you?  Not only did we get awesome pictures, I got tons of time to spend with the babies. My hands were never empty.

 I know this looks like Rachel is holding a doll, but this really is my grandbaby Kayla.

 I love the way this picture shows the glow of the candles.

 See these two girls in front with the green plaid shirts?  Their Rachel's friends, Miriam and Mara, our gifted photographers.  They are also two very great friends.  They accompanied Rachel to her Rooster Decease Day; the 4-H week with the horses, and a thousand other fun stuff they do together.  I've never seen girls have so much fun together, ever.

Ruthie and Becky are sixteen years apart as sisters.  (Becky - 26; Rachel- 16; Ruthie-10)  I marvel

at the similarities between Ruthie and Becky, although years apart.

 I know you've seen this cool cowboy and indian cake that Rachel made last week.  But I just like the way the background cake is kind of muted.  It's a better picture than what I took.   

Are they just the two cutest boys you ever did see in your entire life in the entire world? Oops, there I go again...

It's 8:30 p.m. and we are snuggled inside.  Although I have included a very pretty picture (above) of our gorgeous fall colors, it does not look like that right now.  There is a foot of snow outside.  But inside, the lights are all turned down, the fireplace is blazing, the Christmas lights are stringed across the fireplace (yes, we are already for Christmas, complete with decorated tree and wrapped presents under the tree), stuffed stockings hanging from the fireplace, and everyone is snuggled on the couch, eating popcorn and watching a movie we all love.  It feels as if it's family night, on a weekend.

It's been busy this week.  We've done a bit of Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, and decorating the tree.  Yes, it's early.  I've never been this early, in all my life.  This is what happens when one has an organizational gifted 16 year old daughter that is also very ambitious.  I had gone out of the house on Monday with my husband and when I came home, I found the tree completely decorated (it was in the basement in a box when I had left earlier that day); garland hung on the windows and the ladder of the bookcase, and lights strung on the mantle. 

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I did just happen to have some presents already (I collect a few here and there throughout the year), and Rachel asked if she could wrap them.  She spent the entire evening last night wrapping presents and setting them under the tree.  Meanwhile, I've been involved in an organizational project myself.  My bookcases were in complete chaos, thanks to some children of mine.  I'm now 90% done and it feels terrific.

Well, I think I will go have some popcorn and snuggle on the couch in front of the fireplace...

It is early Sunday morning – I have just finished spending time with my Savior in prayer and reading His Word in the book of Psalms.  I am finding great comfort and joy in the reading of chapter 118 in these economic unstable times.

It’s been a fun weekend.  Friday night, Rachel had her friends over and they spent the night.  Her three teenage girlfriends always include our little ones in their play.  They all have a lot of energy.  They did a lot of running outside and when they had tired themselves out, they stayed up late watching a movie together.

Saturday morning I got up early to pray (4:00 a.m.) – I love times like this.  It’s as if there is no hurry.  I am confident on Saturday morning that no one will be arising anytime soon, so I can spend what seems to be like unlimited time.  When I have prayer time like this, I talk to my heavenly Father as if one would be having a cup of coffee with a best friend.  This particular morning, I was needing my faith-tank refilled, so I spent a lot of time meditating on all the times I had prayed for help and He was faithful to me.  As I thought of each of these particular situations in the past decades, I thanked Him for His faithfulness.  It was a precious time spent with Him.

When I finished praying, I opened my Bible to Psalms chapter 118.  I don’t remember ever reading with such clarity and understanding of this chapter.  It was as if I was at a gas station for faith and my soul was guzzling the fuel of Scripture into my deepest reservoirs.

It was cold and rainy this morning.  Everyone was still sleeping, so I decided to climb back into bed and snuggle with my dh.  I fell back asleep.  It felt so delicious – a lazy Saturday morning, a day in which it is perfectly acceptable to sleep all day if I wanted to.

However, unfortunately, we had to go the cottage for some winterizing issues.  This is the last thing I really wanted to do on a cold and rainy day.  I wanted to stay home and sit by the fireplace, read a book, blog, and enjoy my children.  We decided to make this trip just by ourselves as Rachel’s friends were all still here.

It turned out to be like a date for a day.  Sure, it was cold, rainy, and miserable outside, but I was alone with my husband for the day, being able to chat without interruption (a rare thing!)  We took the scenic route.  While in the area, we drove over to Yoder’s Meat and Cheese Market in Shipshewana (Amish territory) and got our turkey for Thanksgiving.  My dh was hungry (we hadn’t eaten this day yet) and bought some yummy stuff – Amish homemade sugar, peanut butter, and snicker doodle cookies; Amish homemade cherry and apple pie; and a number of assorted candy goodies.  It would have helped if we’d eaten before going shopping in a store such as this one!

We stopped for five minutes at our Amish friends, Gerald and Darla.  It would have been nice to have a longer visit, but we’ll have to save that for the next time.  We drove home taking the most scenic of routes – we so enjoyed the meandering streams, the beautiful white homes and red barns of the Amish, and the rolling hills spotted with the cattle and horses.  And we had lots of wonderful conversation.  It truly was as a date for the day.

We got home after dark.  We were instructed by the kids (on the cell phone) that when we got out of our car, we were to wait under the arbor.  ????   What are these kids up to?  I told them that I wouldn’t be waiting long in the cold and drizzly weather!  But like good parents, we stood under the arbor, waiting as we were instructed.

It was but a few minutes when the front door opened and all the children began running out the front door, silently jogging the front porch.  They stopped on the paved sidewalk in front of us and began a very well performed cheer – as cheerleaders – ending with a mount.  I’ve never seen my kids do anything remotely that looks like cheerleader choreography, and I was amazed that they could do this so well!  They had obviously been practicing while we were gone.  I can’t remember the exact words of the chant, but it was worded just just for us.  It totally warmed my heart to see that they had thought this all up and had practiced it just for our arrival!

They finished by running towards us, circling us, and gripping hands as if to hold us in a circle.  They closed in on us and gave us big hugs, giggling, and telling us that they loved us.  Now, if that is not the greeting every parent in the entire world would love to have upon coming home, I don’t know what is!!!! I tell you, I was blown away. And filled with such gratitude for such great kids.  I woke up this morning, thinking, what did I ever do to deserve God’s abundant blessing such as this?  And I think the answer to that one is, “Grace.”   

Oh, and I almost forgot.  The greeting did not end at the sidewalk.  When we came in through the front door (as we were instructed not to use the back entrance), the lights had been dimmed, the fireplace was roaring, and there was music playing one of dad's favorite songs.  The house was picked up, the wood floors even seemed to glow by the light of the blaze of the fireplace.  As the two of snuggled in front of the fire, tired from the long drive, we were brought a mug of hot apple cider and a plate of cookies.  Like I said, it doesn't get any better than this!

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We spent the rest of the evening in a party mode.  The treats that dad had picked out at Yoder's Meat and Cheese market were now spread on the table to be shared.  It felt so much like Christmas that Rachel asked if we could put our tree up this night.  ("no") 

Well, it is Sunday morning – we have our church in our home this day, and it is time to be getting the house ready.  There is a roast that has been cooking all night in the crock pot (a pleasant aroma to wake to this morning.)  I am looking forward to blessed fellowship with other believers, worshipping Him, and learning more about Him.  

Ruthie turned 10 and we had an awesome celebration.  She had two birthday parties.

In fact, all of my children, all six of them, have always had two birthday parties.  The first one is what we call our, "Uncle Jon," birthday party.

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If you are new to my blog and do not know who Uncle Jon is, please go   "HERE."   I guarantee you will find it to be very interesting because my brother is very unique.  He is a scientist, but that is not what makes him so special.   I'm not going to tell you anything more, you'll have to go check it out to have your curiosity satisfied.   

 As usual, he and his wife, Aunt Alexandria, always send an assortment of some really cool gifts - A beautiful hardcover book called, Heidi; an oil painting kit; a unique stuffed animal - the pink pelicon; a monkey; amd  the game Twister.  Ruthie is  working on her thank you letter, but were never as prompt with our 'thank you' as Jon and Alexandria are with the children's gifts! 

 Birthday Party #2 is our family get together.  I planned to keep this very low-key and no frills. But... Rachel asked if she could take over and plan this party.  "O.k,"  I agreed, as long as it is a very low-budget party.

 Rachel is a born "party planner."  The first thing she did was to invite her girl friends over for an over-night so they could help her make the birthday cake.  They made all kinds of stuff  (two cakes, cupcakes, sugar cookies, and taffy apples) and stayed up most of the night busy in the kitchen.

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(Did you notice the painted butterfly on Ruthie's arm?  Rachel and her friends painted the children's faces, hands, and arms.  As they painted, they shared the Good News of how Jesus died on the cross for

our sins and was raised again. "You can have life eternal in heaven if you receive Jesus as your Saviour and ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart."    Salvation is so simple, that even a child can understand it and receive this gift by faith.  

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"That if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 19:9)

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"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that ew have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (I John 1:8)

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 Rachel's friends had gone to a children's ministry camp this past summer where they were taught how to share this Good News as they paint. They had a booth at the county fair this summer doing this, so  I asked them before the party began if they would share with the children as they paint in the same way they did at the fair. )

Rachel planned a Cowboy and Indian theme.  This is Ruthie's cake - complete with cowboy and

Indians and a fort of grahm crackers.

 This was a combined birthday party with my grandchild, Seth.  They have a birthday one week apart. His cake is an Indian tee-pee.

 Rachel and her friends made these taffy apples.  I was so impressed with these when I seen them.  First of all, they were so beautiful!  And when I had one - they were the best taffy apples I've ever had. 

All the ones that were left over from the party (almost the entire tray) went into the refrigerator.  They were so good, that I about finished the tray all by myself.  You know the saying, "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away," so if that's true, I should be keeping the doctor away for a very long time after all those apples.

 Aren't these bags the cutest?  Rachel and her friends drew on these brown bags the children's names and a picture of a horse or Indian, and weaved a ribbon through the sides of the bag. Inside were some

misc small token gifts.

 Rachel told all the children that were invited to come dressed for the cowboy and Indian theme. 

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 The above game that they were playing is called, "Mr. Wolfe, What Time Is It?"

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This game was called, "Fruit Basket."

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Other games that they played, were called, "Three Legged Race,"  "Wheel Barrow Race,"  "The Egg Race."  They also bobbed for apples, and had a piniata which was in the shape of a cowboy hat. 

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The children played games until it was past dark.  I never knew there were so many games to play!

How Rachel thought of them all, I'll never know.

 Oh, and one more game they played I forgot to share, is Musical Chairs. The big kids played with

the little ones to make it more fun for them.  And the highlight of the game was that we had  live music!

As usual, Rachel pulled off an awesome birthday party.  It was a wonderful time of the children playing and fellowship for the entire family.

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Make sure you go and visit Mary at Canada Girl and see what her show and tell is.  There is a lot more of these s&t's awaiting you. You will learn something new - I know I always do!

  (Jacob, 7 years old)

This past week has been very full.  School, defrosting and organizing the freezer, cleaning my bedroom, a dentist appointment for one of the children, other errands, a business day trip, and a considerable amount of time spent on the horses.  It was a refreshing week because I had accomplished much.

After coming home from our Indy trip, we just hung out in the family room. We ate pizza, as our Friday night custom is.  My niece, Amara, arrived around 9:00 p.m. for the weekend, and all the kids went into full swing activity; cooking in the kitchen, making a fort in the den, running to and fro through the house. 

When it was time for bed, we called all the children to our bedroom for prayer. My husband is a leader in our family in the realm of faithfully teaching our children to pray.  He often asks the children to lead in prayer at the beginning of our home church services.  He teaches them diligently about how to pray, and what to pray about.  He teaches them to pray for the leaders of our country, and a host of other issues regarding our country.  He teaches them to pray for our financial needs and the various affairs of the family business.  He teaches them to pray for wisdom and to pray for others in need.  

When we pray at the table for our meal, it’s not your typical, “Thank you for the food,” quick prayer.  My husband chooses many of the children to pray before eating. There are numerous people at the dinner table that give thanks for the food, and pray about more things than just food.  (And yes, we often eat barely warm food!)

And in the same way, he is the one that often says prayer with the children before going to bed.  If I have retired early for the night, he is the one that prays with them and has often fallen asleep there if overly tired.  But lately, he’s been calling all the kids up to our bed to have prayer together before saying, “Goodnight.”

They all gathered on our bed and Jacob was asked to go first.

“Dear Jesus,

You are great and powerful.  Thank you for dying on the cross.  Please help the missionaries.  Please help Obama to be a good president. Please help him to have wisdom.  Please help him to surround himself with people that will give him good advice and please give his advisors wisdom.  Please give Obama wisdom to lead our country.”

Wow…..I laid there in the darkness totally blown away by Jacob’s prayer.  Each request he asked of Him was paused in silence before asking, giving each request great thought.  What an awesome prayer!  What better prayer could I, my husband, and the entire nation be praying right now?  “Lord, help us all to pray Jacob’s prayer.  Help us to lift Obama up in prayer faithfully, as our lives, our family’s lives, depend on his good leadership of our country.  Lord, give him wisdom to lead us.”

Monday – We had our class time, ran some errands, and went riding on our horses for a few hours.  It was such a beautiful day.  Dad and Matt came home from work early to ride, too.  I had ridden earlier in the day, so I babysat Kayla while mommy and daddy got to go riding. Matt and Kristi stayed for supper afterwards.  I got lots of bonding time with grandbaby #4.

Tuesday – There was an “incident.”  I got very angry.  Called my husband at work.  Called my son at work, too.  Both declared that they were not responsible for the situation that had so angered me. My brother declared innocense, too.  There was no one to blame, although afterwards I took preventive measures to make sure the incident did not occur again.  Desiring to cool down, I took my usual antidote – I went to see my three grandchildren at my oldest daughter’s home.  

When I arrived, I got to scoop Baby Grace out of the crib waking from her nap.  She smiled at me when she seen me coming to get her. This recognition made me happy! The following hour, I got to give her a bottle and rock her.  Fun!   She was so cuddly and gave me mega doses of loving. 

Seth (4), my little big guy, came and sat on my lap for at least 30 minutes.  This isn’t his usual style.  In fact, I can’t remember him ever doing this before.  I was elated.  He kept whispering to me as I was talking to his mommy, asking me if I would come outside and play with him.  I promised that before I would leave, that I would do this.

I had so much fun – we climbed a tree together.  And then we just chatted while sitting on the limbs.  I told him about my favorite tree that grew outside my bedroom window when I was a little girl.  It was a big weeping willow.  He didn’t know what that looked like and I told him that the next time he came over I would show him one.  I told him about the treasure box that I kept in this tree, too. 

When we came down from the tree, we sat in his fort that was made of bales of hay.  I told him that the next time he comes to my house, I’ll show him three different “hay forts.”  I also promised I’d show him the “secret tunnel” at our ranch (really – there is one.) 

A bad day was turned into a great one!

Wednesday I got my freezer cleaned out.  I have two full size freezers and they were in bad need of defrosting and re-organization of the food stuff. It was at an all-time disaster.  It was one of those jobs that had been just hanging over my head for some time, now.  So, to be accomplishing this was like having a burden lifted off my shoulders. 

I also got lots and lots and lots of riding time in this day.  It was warm – the perfect Indian summer day.  I must have ridden at least 4+ hours.  That should take me nicely into the cold months!

Thursday I got my bedroom clean, dusted, vacuumed, and organized.  This was another job that had been in need.  It looks so pretty! I’m looking forward to enjoying it this weekend.

Friday I accompanied my husband to Indianapolis for three different business meetings. The first one was at 8:30 a.m. and I had an awesome breakfast at a place called Le Peep.

The next meeting was at 11:30 a.m.  and then after that, we went to another restaurant and had lunch.  Salmon, mashed potatoes, delicious!  And then another meeting right after that one, at the same restaurant.  Time for dessert!  Key Lime Pie with a raspberry sauce.

It was a day of feasting! 

The drive home was very long and tiring (there was so much traffic.)  But now, cuddled inside, in my jammies, with my children, blogging, watching the news at the same time, and now, getting ready for our family reading time.  It looks like it’s going to be a great weekend.

We have a family tradition each October.  We go to a pumpkin patch to pick our pumpkins out.

First, we take a hay ride out to the pumpkin patch.

It's hard to get a picture that everyone is smiling at the same time.  So I decided to include two of

the same pose. 

The kids have fun getting out and going all over the field looking for the "perfect" pumpkin. Even mom and dad pick one out.

When were done we get back on the hayride and go back to the barn where there are animals to pet, a fire to sit by, and hot drinks to sip on.

Matt and Kristi (and Kayla) came with us, too.  The kids always love having Matt (their oldest brother)  and Kristi with us.

There are a lot of pictures I could have taken, but I was running out of disk space.  At this farm there

is a variety of farm animals you can visit. There are also pony rides for the little ones. These are little ponies that have been tied up to a metal aparatus that goes round and round.  Although our little ones have their fill of horses, they still enjoy the pony rides.

It was starting to get dark as we sipped on our hot apple cider.  We decided to just do supper here

as they offered chili dogs.  It was chilly out and we enjoyed sitting by the fire together warming up.

It is traditions like this in the season of autumn that our children will always remember.

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(Go see Mary at Canada Girl to see more show and tells....)

We had a sweet church service Sunday morning.  We started with gathering at the big farm table, sipping coffee, and discussing what God has been doing in our life and teaching us.  My husband shared what he has been learning about the confessions of our mouth and that for every idle word, we will be held accountable for.  We shared our struggles and burdens and how God has been faithful to us teaching us more about Him through these trials.

I felt exceptionally weepy eyed this morning.  I had gone to bed despondent Friday night, waking often throughout the night, thinking about Taylor and Taya.  Throughout Saturday and into the evening, they were in my thoughts. When we were gathered this Sunday morning, and Dan began to talk about the impact of my father on his life, I could feel the tears swelling up with in me.  I kept whispering to Him a silent prayer, “Lord, help me. Help me not to lose it here. Help me not to cry.”

My dad was a preacher of an Independent Baptist church for more than 40 years.  As a child, I would accompany him when he visited the Glenview Naval Air Base.  This base was swarming with growing families and we would often visit each dwelling, going door to door together, telling those that lived there of God’s love, and inviting them to our church.

I helped on my dad’s bus routes to the suburbs of Chicago.  I have vivid memories of going to the homes of these children that came to our Sunday school, and inviting their parents to our church.  I sat with my dad in countless living rooms sharing the simplicity of the gospel.  I watched as my dad introduced person after person, family after family, to our Lord Jesus Christ. 

As an adult, I have often reflected on the impression that my father has left on me.  He went to be with Jesus almost 14 years ago, but I still see life through his eyes. When I see children, I can’t but help but see them  through the lens of my father’s eyes – children that need God, that need to be told of His Son that was sent to us to die on the cross to pay the penalty of sin, for us. 

So when Dan began to share this Sunday morning that he was a disciple of my father’s life and what an impact he had made on him, I couldn’t help but feel great emotion swelling up within me. I had thought of my father a lot this past summer.  When I looked out from my kitchen window at the cottage, seeing the kids in the street on their skateboards, I thought of my dad.  I thought about how much he would love them, if he were here.  And when the neighbors all came to us in a tizzy about the problems they were causing, I thought again about my dad.  If my dad was here, he’d be talking to them, inviting them to his church, loving them. 

I think when our heart is broken, it is then that God can speak to us most clearly.  Well, let me rephrase that.  God always speaks clearly; it is us that do not always hear very well.  But when our heart is aching, it seems that there is a direct correlation to our ability to hear the voice of God.  Perhaps because of this acute sensitivity today, every aspect of our church service seemed especially sweet.  As I played the hymns on the piano, I wanted to sing out loud my praises to God. 

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Before prayer, I shared my burden of Taylor and Taya and all that had transpired throughout the summer - my opportunities, my failings, and their tender hearts when I shared the gospel with them.  Each person, young and old, prayed for them when we went around in a circle beseeching our Heavenly Father, as we often do.  I was reminded of His promise that when two or more are gathered in my name and agree upon anything, you may ask what you will and it will be given to you.  I claimed this promise.  

We were all in agreement, praying together, for Taylor and Tayla, that they would indeed get the Bibles I had left for them (there was a big question if they would be back to get them; if only their father came back for the final truckload of stuff, would he give it to them?; it was Halloween night – would other children see these pretty bags stuffed with tissue paper and a gift and take them before Taylor and Taya ever knew they were there?

We prayed that where ever they would move too, that the seeds planted of the gospel of Jesus Christ, would be watered.  That another child of God’s would show His love towards them and tell them more about Jesus, leading them to salvation. 

After church, I kept running to the phone every time it rang.  Would they call me?  I had left my phone number (and address) in the front of the Bible cover.  If they had indeed received the Bibles, they could contact me if they so desired.

It was late afternoon.  The horses were being saddled up for a family trail ride.  I was in the dining room serving lunch to those that needed to eat before going riding, and I heard the phone ring.  I almost always just let it ring and let the answering recording take it.  But not this time.  I ran in to the family room (the only phone) and lo, and behold, it was Taylor. I couldn’t get to the phone fast enough.

I was so happy I wanted to cry, just hearing the voice of Taylor and knowing that she had received the gift I left for her.  She told me that she had already started to read the Bible.  She’s moving to Tennessee, to live with her Grandma.  “We are going to come back some day, and start a new life.”  

Being grateful Him that He’d given me this one more chance to share the gospel, I again told Taylor that it is imperative that she get a time by herself -to ask Jesus to forgive her of her sins and to ask  Him to come into her heart. 

“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9, 10)

Taylor told me that her sister wanted to talk to me, too.  Taya is the older of the two (around 15), and she gave me their new address (in Tennessee) and phone number.  I felt so touched that they called me and wanted to talk to me.  To have their address and phone number for the future was all part of this answered prayer.  And again, not knowing what the future will hold, I urged Taya to accept Jesus as her personal Savior.  I felt an unparalleled urgency in this – there is no time to be wasted.

After talking for quite some time with the two of them, I finished my Sunday with thanksgiving to Him.  I had so much praise and gratefulness in my heart for this answered prayer.  I went to bed with rejoicing, unlike Friday and Saturday night.  I woke up and praised Him in my early morning prayer.  He had heard my prayer, and the prayer of our church, agreeing together in this matter.     “I tell you the truth, whatsoever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.   (Matthew 18: 18, 19)

It was last week when we were at the cottage that I seen my new little friend, Taylor. Two weeks before this, I had an opportunity to talk to her and her sister about my Best Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ.  I shared with them how at the age of fourteen, I had asked Jesus to come into my heart and to forgive me of my sins.  I told them how the blood of Jesus washes away all our sin and grants to us eternal life in heaven. 

She seen me across the street and yelled, “Hi, Ruthie’s Mom!”  I began to chat with her and she crossed the street to hear me better.  I gave her a big hug and asked her if she had thought about what we had talked about last week.  She smiled real big and nodded her head, telling me that, yes, she did.  I mentioned to her again about coming to my ranch next summer to see the horses.  She quickly replied, “What about next week? I have fall break and have four days off.”   Hmmmm….that wasn’t in the plans – making a trip to the cottage that next week.  When I told her so, her head quickly bowed and her smile disappeared.  I clearly had disappointed her.

I immediately thought, “I can’t disappoint her like this.  I’ve got to come back whether it’s convenient for me or not.”   When I mentioned my predicament to my husband, he was very affirmative that I needed to make the commitment to her.

I went across the street to tell her that I could indeed bring her to our ranch if her parents conceded.  I didn’t think that would be a very hard thing as I’d heard more than an earful over the summer (like being locked outside all day and being hungry, going to a neighbor and the neighbor calling the DCFS and taking her away for a few days.)  After introducing myself to her dad and telling him about my love for the Lord Jesus Christ, my conversation the previous week with his two daughters about their need for Him, and my invitation to them to come to our home to learn more about Jesus, and to see my horses, he indicated he was o.k. with them coming.

So this Friday, I was on my way to pick her and her sister up for the weekend.  When I arrived, the house looked empty.  A neighbor told me that they didn’t have the money to pay the rent; they were behind and were being evicted.  Only five days before, they had told me I could pick them up for the weekend.  No one mentioned moving.  I don’t think they knew they were.  Something had happened between Sunday and this Friday morning that prompted them to pack up and move.

I had a new Bible for each girl placed in a pretty bag with matching tissue paper.  I wrote on the inside of the cover my name and address. I had been told by the neighbor that they were coming back for one more truckload, and it was my hope that when they came back in a few days, that they would see this little package that I had left for them.

As I knocked on the door just to make sure they weren’t in there somewhere, my heart sank.  There were times I had thought about inviting the girls in for breakfast, but did not.  There were other times that I thought about inviting them in to join us in worshipping Him with our church family.  But I did not.  I had thought about a lot of things, but had done none of them. 

Now, as I knocked on the door, my heart sank knowing that I might never have that chance again.  There will not be a tomorrow to show them the love of Jesus.  There will not be another summer with them to share  God’s love.  I had been given a small, fleeting amount of time, and it was over.  Quicker than I could have ever imagined.  Even they did not know they were moving a week ago.  I was told that they were moving to Kentucky.

Were there times Taylor was hungry?  Those times I thought about inviting her in for breakfast, was that the whisper of the Holy Spirit, prompting me?  Did I disappoint my Lord by not opening my heart and home to them?  Have I irreversibly flunked this test?

I drove home with a sick feeling in my gut.  As I drove closer and closer to home, I only felt worse.  I had been looking forward to bringing them to my home for the weekend (after missing a lot of opportunities at the lake) and I had entertained the idea of having them over a lot next summer at the lake and our ranch.  But now, I came home empty handed.  And as far as I know, I will never have that opportunity to show them that I love them.  When I finally pulled into our driveway, I began to weep.  When I parked the truck, I put my head down and sobbed.

I got up early this morning to pray.  I confessed my failings to my Father.  I asked for His forgiveness and for His strength to help me never, ever,  again to fail like this.  “Help me, Lord, to always put people first.  Before cleaning my home, before all my own plans and agenda.  Help me, Lord, to always consider people more important than my possessions.  Let this be a catalyst in my life for change. Let this be the turning point that I never let this happen again.”

We had our first guest to our homeschool this week.  Amara, my 12 year old niece, spent the past weekend with us, and two school days.  I really enjoyed having her among us as we carried on with our regular schedule.  I think she enjoyed herself, too.  I know her favorite class was Equine Instruction – lots of riding horses!

The house was driving me nuts this week.  We have a cat that had lots of kitties.  I let her take over a small area so we could enjoy the mommy and kitties experience.  It was fun, but when they started crawling all over the place, getting into trouble, and making messes, it started to greatly annoy me. The kitty litter thing is something I do not enjoy. So, yesterday, I declared our home a cat-free zone.  Outside they all went.  Out went the kitty litter.  Out went the kitty food and water bowls.  In went the bucket of pine sol and a mop.  It was a feeling almost equivalent to disposing of the roosters.  Quietness (from the lack of roosters) and cleanliness (from the lack of cats in the house) will go a long way for the pursuit of peacefulness and general well being.

I did get some riding time in this week.  On Tuesday, all of the kids had gone out to ride the horses.  When I came out to take a picture, Ruthie had decided she’d had enough and was wanting to come in.  So I handed her the camera as she dismounted, and I got on.  Joshua decided he’d had enough, too, so he put his horse away.  Amara and Rachel were wanting to go cantering, and since I had just gotten on, I wanted to warm up a bit before taking off.  The saddle was western (I prefer English) and the stir-ups didn’t feel right either.  So we went separate ways.

 I was particularly pleased with my ride on Gretta.  In the past, this particular horse has had bonding problems with the other horses, and she can act like a wild stallion trying to take her away from her buddies.  But today, she was remarkably accommodating.  She went everywhere I wanted her with no complaints about not being with the herd.  I was amazed!

That was on Tuesday.  Yesterday (Thursday), school was over, my house was cleaned, and I had even gotten a few groceries.  I had some time left before my husband was due home.  The weather was gorgeous – I couldn’t resist this opportunity to go riding again.  I didn’t put a saddle on Minnie, but rather, just put her bit and bridle on and mounted on her, riding bareback.  The first hour I just enjoyed walking and looking around at all of nature’s beauty around me, and enjoying Rachel’s company (who was riding Major.)  At 5:00 p.m. Rachel needed to go in to get ready for an evening teen/church activity that she and Joshua were to attend.  So she went inside to get ready, and I took the cell phone with me and Minnie so I could keep track of the time.  This second hour I worked on my balance – trotting bareback takes a lot of it!  I spent almost the entire time doing this.  When I was done, I felt as I’d had a good workout, had enjoyed myself immensely, and my balance had improved greatly. 

So it was a good week.  I have finished the week with good school time, a clean home, made some good dinners and had generally good meals all week, planned the next two weeks menus, and had fun riding horses, too.  I would say that was a very full week!

We left Friday afternoon to go to the cottage. No, it certainly wasn’t for swimming, but rather, to take our jet skis over to the marina to be winterized.   We stopped on the way to get a bite to eat. Matt and Kristi and Kayla met us there.  This was to be the first of a lot of grand-baby-time for the weekend, as they were going with us to help us with the moving of the boats.

When we got there, Rachel, Joshua, and Ruthie went with me to the supermarket to get snacks for the evening and food for breakfast.  This made the evening very cozy when we snuggled in for the evening (it was chilly) – warm brownies, hot apple cider, and lots of snacks. It was like a family party.  No television, computer, or phones.  We played games – or rather – I should say, everyone played games, but me.  I had my own entertainment – Baby Kayla.  I lay on the couch with her (exhausted from the past week) and cuddled her by the hour. 

We had to be back the next day because Ruthie and Jacob had been invited to a neighbor’s Halloween party.  When we pulled up in our driveway, we were all excited because there stood our niece, Amara, whom we hadn’t seen in months. We all jumped out of the car to run and give her a big hug.

The kids got their costumes on and hurried over to the party that had already been going for a couple of hours.  Jacob dressed up like a cowboy and Ruthie went as the youngest of the girls in the movie, Narnia.   Amara had a ladybug costume.  Rachel led her over to the party riding on one of our horses.  What a party presentation!  All the kids (around 40 of them) swarmed around her, yelling, “Amara! Amara!”  I think she felt like a rock star.

After church on Sunday, we took a family horseback ride.  Even dad went – and that doesn’t happen too often!   We had a great time riding through the woods with the fall leaves carpeting the ground.

When we had put the horses away, we got together again with Matt and Kristi and Kayla.  We had coffee together, and then came back to the house to eat sloppy joes and watch Huckabee.   More Kayla time! 

It was a wonderful weekend.  Good weather, riding time, lots of fun with the kids, and a lot of time spent with baby Kayla.  It doesn’t get much better than that!

Since my last show and tell, The Roosters That Sent Me Over the Edge, I have been recovering nicely, thank you.  I do feel extra tired tonight, though, as it's been an unusually busy week.  But I  do have a Part II to this story.

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The good news is that you don't need a rooster to have eggs!!!  I didn't know that when we first

got our chickens.  Hens lay eggs regardless of having a rooster.

Ruthie (10)  is generally the one that goes and collects our eggs every morning.  Sometimes they

are kind of soiled and we have to rinse them off with water before they are ready to go into

our egg carton. 

 I have learned, though, that your not to routinely rinse them (unless they

are very soiled) because they have a natural protective covering on the egg shell.  This covering is

important because there are over 6,000 tiny pores on every shell that makes it very absorbent

to bacteria.

Since becoming our egg collector, Ruthie has also turned into our egg chef.  She serves eggs

as good as any short order cook! 

Eggs every morning - and without the sound of, "Coc A Doodle Doo."   Yeah!!! 

 Visit Mary at Canada Girl for more show and tell's....

It was supposed to be cold and rainy, today.  The weather reports had told us all weekend to enjoy the good weather, because on Monday, it was all over.

As I sat at the breakfast table this morning, I informed the children of the busy day I had planned for them.  Monday is the day I spend an exceptional part of our day on “class” time.  I love “class” time (versus independent study) so I was looking forward to this.  I had an appointment in the afternoon for our family business, so I needed to keep the day moving in order to get everything done on time.

I gave the kids their chore list and told them that we need to hurry.

The chores – feed the chickens; give them water, let them out of the coop; the horses – alternate the pastures for the 7 horses.  Rachel said she needed help doing this because Magic is being weaned from his mommy, Minnie.  I was hesitant to do this.  I figured that while the kids were out getting the chores done, I could be getting ready for my afternoon appointment (washing my hair, drying, etc..)  But she was insistent that she needed my help.  I hesitated some more, knowing that I have a hard time going by my horses without jumping on one for a ride.  And then one thing just leads to another…

But she was relentless. The kids might let Minnie and Magic mix, and they could let other horses out of the gate when trying to alternate the pastures.  I capitulated…

And then it happened just like I thought it might, but on a grander scale than I could have ever imagined. 

When I went to move Minnie into the other pasture, I figured, why just put a lead rope on her and walk her?  Just put a bit and bridle on her and ride her to the other pasture.  When I got on her, I started noticing that the weather man had been severely wrong.  It was beautiful outside!   No clouds, no rain, no cold weather.  It was sunny and warm.   Hmmm… my mind started ticking.  It might be a very long and cold winter.   I think this day’s plan needs to be drastically altered.

I called all the children together (from my position on Minnie).  New game plan, kids.  We are having “Equine Class,” today.  

Some of the little ones are not familiar with grooming and saddling the horses.  It’s been more of a Rachel (16) and mom thing.  So, we spent two hours together, grooming, cleaning their hooves, and saddling 4 horses.  When you are teaching how to do this, it takes a lot longer than one might take when you do it yourself.  Rachel loves to teach, so she took the responsibility.  I helped Ruthie with the stuff she thought was too hard (getting the tangles out of their tail and mane; cleaning their hooves.)  Then, we were off on a trail ride.

This was significant, as they are usually only in the round pen taking a lesson.  But today, here we were off on a trail ride into the woods.  Ruthie and Joshua started trotting and racing each other only a few minutes into it.  I had to slow them down and remind them that today is a learning day and safety comes first.  Jacob rode Major – he sat in the saddle and Rachel rode on his rump.

The weather truly was beautiful.  I was riding Minnie, bareback, and I lingered behind the four of them.  I so enjoyed watching the lake glistening in the sun, the huge blue heron that glided off the surface of the water when we startled him, the blanket of leaves all over the ground, and the rustling of the leaves still left on the trees.  Watching my children laugh, talk, and trail riding through God’s beautiful creation, was another day that a memory was made.   

I never did get my hair washed – we came in just in time for me not to miss my appointment.  My instincts had been right after all - moving Minnie to another pasture was just too much temptation for me!  But, “Equine Class,” will give me many a good memory into that sure-to-come cold winter!

It’s Monday morning and the sun is shining.  The air is crisp and the leaves of the trees are colored in brilliant orange, red, and yellow.  I love autumn.

It was a gorgeous weekend.  On Saturday, I took the kids to a neighbor’s equine 4-H children seminar.  This neighbor of ours is where I first fell in love with the Haflinger species. She has some of the sweetest horses I’ve ever met. 

When I got home, I took Minnie out of the pasture to groom her.  Ruthie was helping me and she suggested that we take a ride.  I hadn’t really considered that before, but when it comes to horses, it doesn’t take too much twisting of my arm to get me to accommodate. I put a bit and bridle on her, sans the saddle, and off we went into the woods.

 We both thought it was cool when we seen a deer on the other side of the creek, standing so still he looked frozen.  The closer we got to him, he still didn’t move. I started thinking maybe someone had set up a deer statue as a lawn ornament!   Finally, he turned around and began to hop away – and then we seen the back side of several other deer’s tails hopping with him.  Ruthie’s giggling at this neat encounter with a family of deer was precious to me.

  I’ve said it before (a hundred times?) that it feels as if I’m dreaming when I’m on my horse on a beautiful trail ride.  But now, with my little just-turned-10 Ruthie, hugging my waist, giggling and talking as we explored the trails, it truly did feel like a wonderful dream- the kind you never want to wake up from!

We were way off in the distance when we seen Rachel in the pasture rounding up the horses with her friends.  We went to greet her.  When we were all caught up with each other (there were six of us), the first thing I said was, “Someone pinch me so I will know I’m not dreaming.”  At course, Ruthie quickly accommodated my request! 

It was hard to come in. Ruthie had gotten off, as well as the other girls had called it quits.  The sun was starting to set, and I thought that I’d just take a lone trail ride.  I meandered all over the property, enjoying the quietness of the woods and the beautiful leaves that carpeted the trails.  When I finally came home under the moonlight, Rachel stood in disbelief that I was still riding, just coming in now.