I have a small window of time, so I thought I would post on 'current events'. Every day we are hearing "scary" news, businesses closing, banks failing, stocks falling, etc. There seems to be a lot of reason to BE AFRAID or even ANXIOUS about the future...think tomorrow. But, in Proverbs 3:25 God says, "Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh." Verse 26 continues, "For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken." This is our creator speaking, the ONE and ONLY GOD. This is not just a suggestion for our thoughts and actions, but a command. I have quoted Psalm 46:1-3 before. God's word is true. (Psalm 12:6) If you have turned to Him, recognizing your need for Him, acknowledging and repenting for your sin and inviting Him to be LORD of your life...you are covered by these promises. You can joyfully say with Isaiah (12:2) "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH (or YAHWEH) is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." What a peace it brings to remember that God never changes, and that he has given us very definite 'jobs' to do in the meantime...think "working with your hands, minding your own business, praying without ceasing, rejoicing alway, bearing one another's burdens, and more. I don't know about you, but, frankly I don't have time to be afraid...and Philippians 4:6-7 tells me NOT to be anxious. I pray for my husband, (sons and future sons-in-law) every day. This is my prayer. Father, build them into Godly, manly, pure, strong, wise, prudent, honest, humble, faithful, praying, grateful, obedient, diligent, fruitful, loving, joyful, forgiving, merciful, contented, courageous, gentle, generous, chivalrous, cherishing mighty men under Godly authority. After reading one chapter of Proverbs and five chapters of Psalms daily for a long time I was impressed to pray in this manner. I believe this is part of our job description as women of God for our families. Also, for me, it helps me be confident and peaceful, knowing that I have given it to Him and He delights in our casting all of our care on Him and CHOOSING to trust and not be afraid. As a side note, I also pray for myself, our daughters and future daughters-in-law. Mostly the same, slightly different...Godly, pure, feminine, gracious, wise, prudent, honest, humble, faithful, praying, grateful, obedient, diligent, fruitful, loving, joyful, forgiving, merciful, meek and quiet-spirited, law-of-kindness-in-our-tongues, contented, courageous, gentle, generous, discreet, modest, submitted women under Godly authority. Over time I have seen the fruit from daily praying for these qualities. As a family we pray for our elected (and non-elected...appointed) officials/ministers (that is what God calls them.). I look for ways to acquire the qualities of the Proverbs 31 lady and that keeps me VERY busy. In other news, our cow had her calf...a little bull and mother and baby are doing well . The children brought me 2 more large boxes of pears from what has fallen off of the trees...so I have more to process...Thank you Lord. We will be closing the textile plant beginning Tuesday and be off until the following Tuesday. We are so tired that we probably won't know we are off until 3 days after it begins. All the same, I am looking forward to the time of "rest" ?!? We have lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts, and peas growing in the garden. We are still getting tomatoes, okra and jalepenos. We have never had a garden through the winter...hoping this year we will. Well, it is waaay past my bedtime.
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
How did that happen?!? All of my good intentions to blog REGULARLY somehow got swept away in the every day duties that didn't get done. So, in response to "v in Idaho" I am trying to let something else go to bring an update to my blog. This 'season' has been more full. We started 'school' the beginning of August so as to get 'all of our required' days and hours in before other things hit. We have three in high school, one in 8th and one in 7th, IF you want a labeled grade. Since we all learn together sometimes we have to look at the registration to see what grade they are supposed to be in at any particular time. We are continuing to use Apologia for our science. Which means we have Chemistry, Biology, Botany and Zoology. In Arithmetic we use Saxon...but use whatever is necessary to get it through. So, we are using Key To, Jacobs and Rays Arithmetic, as well as Saxon. In history we read out loud (A LOT) from biographies and as many good old books as we can manage. This also, contributes to our english/literature/grammar/writing. We have, and continue to, use English From the Roots Up, Wordly Wise, Daily Grams, Rod & Staff English, Learning Language Arts Through Literature, and various books on writing sporadically, as I see a need. Right now our oldest sons are going through a book on poetry...so I am hearing things like, "Do we have a book with more poems of Keats?" and, "Hey, Dad have you ever heard of iambic pentameter?" For language we use whatever works for each one and some just work together until they all get it. So, we have used Powerglide, The learnables, a CD with 25 languages, and Pimsleur to learn Spanish, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, French, and a little Hebrew. For music, the children have a weekly lesson/ jam session with the same teacher for two hours and I collected flash cards of musical notation, vocabulary, etc. which they use to quiz each other as well as free practice, as each one plays more than one instrument. I should have begun in the beginning. We begin by singing a hymn out of a hymnal (we go page by page). Sometimes I will read the story behind the hymn before we sing it. This accomplishes two goals, one, to learn the hymns and two, to practice singing parts together. Then we review the scriptures we have already memorized. I call on one of the children to begin a certain chapter and everyone joins in when they have begun. We finish by going to the chapter we are working on right now and saying all of the verses up to the one we will learn that day. Right now we are working on John 3 and are up to verse 24 today. I write it on the board when I come out in the morning and they each copy it into their scripture notebook. They have done this since they were small. When they didn't know how to write, I would write one line on a kindergarten pad and leave the next line blank, and so on, then they would copy what I had written on the line below. This is how most of them learned to write their letters. As they got older they would copy it off of the board, first in printing then finally in cursive. I found that the combination of reading it, writing it and then hearing it repeated and repeating it after me helped them 'get it' very quickly. Reviewing each chapter weekly also keeps it in their hearts. I told them when we began that there are 3 reasons we do this: 1. Sin Insurance, God says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.", 2. Because dad and mom won't always be around, but the Holy Spirit will and can bring it to mind, and 3. It is a head start on heaven, God says that His word will NEVER pass away. We are working on our 51st chapter, (I think) and so we review a certain number each day so that all are reviewed each week. After that we talk about one character quality and it's definition before praying. Today our word was 'meekness' (vs. anger). Our prayer time is sweet as we take whatever time we need to pray around the table. I forgot to mention that even the 'children' who have graduated come to the table for scripture time. This all takes about an hour or just a little more...then we hit arithmetic. We also incorporate 'vigorous exercise' into our day. This is 30 minutes when everyone MUST do something vigorously...jump on the trampoline, play basketball, badminton, volleyball, row the boat, or canoe or walk/run. Sometimes our days are ALMOST picture perfect...and other days are NOT what the schedule said it would be! LOL But, the lesson that God has been teaching (and re-teaching) me is that flexibility is a KEY character quality that wives/mothers NEED. We played and sang four times over Labor Day...so we truly labored. In between we have been canning, drying, freezing and in general 'putting up' the harvest. Think concord grape jam, peach jam, spiced peach jam, banana peach jam, pears, pear sauce, applesauce, apple-mint jelly, apple butter, jerky, dried apple rings, dried peach slices...I can't remember what else. I DID have a birthday in September, so getting older is an excuse for not remembering EVERYTHING! We played twice over the weekend of Sept. 27th and again last night for a church beginning a revival this week. And, dare I even say it,....we have a cow who didn't get the message that calves are SUPPOSED to be born in the spring! She is looking very close. Actually, I am not upset, as we have dried off the goats and so I will welcome cow's milk. I read Debi Pearl's book, Created To Be His Help Meet in the past 2 months. Even though I don't always agree with what the Pearls write, I did agree with a lot of what she had written and some of it brought conviction to my heart over ways I had NOT honored my dear husband. I agreed because I have seen it work in my own marriage over the years. Now, even though I have more to catch up, I must leave to go get my wonderful family supper. Please remember to continue to pray for the Estes family, and Josephine and her family. And I am glad it is fall!
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
In my mind I have planned a LOT of things to accomplish...during the summer. It has just hit me, it IS summer, and while I have not been lazing around taking naps mid-day, etc. (although, that sounds REALLY GOOD right about now!!) I am realizing I need to reorganize and get those 'summer jobs' under way. We had the best visit with my parents and family! The SURPRISE 50th dinner...was actually a SURPRISE!! We got to visit with and meet many people.My wonderful parents...married 50 years July 5th this year.
While we were up in the Indiana/Michigan/Ohio area we picked up 2 Tunis sheep and a Collie puppy. Rachel kept humming the theme to "The Beverly Hillbillies" for some strange reason. The big question was how to get them back...WITHOUT putting them in Mama's bus. My dh is VERY ingenious and worked out a 2-cages-in-the-back-of-the-van-minus-the-back-seat-with-lots-of-plastic-sheeting routine! Oh! and of course duct tape played a very prominent part in the proceedings. Bobby and Sarah getting "Grace and Glory" loaded in her cage. Bobby and helpers loading "Acceptance with Joy" Julia holding "Mulberry Mischief"
We made it home by 4:30 a.m. June 29th with no mis-haps. Everyone has gotten situated nicely. We hit the ground running...again. Next on the docket was practicing for our 4th of July engagement in our town.
We were learning two new songs and that takes a little maneuvering when you are dealing with this many people and instruments...and a LOT of prayer! Rain was in the forecast...but it held off. There was a quartet that sang a couple of songs first and then we went on to open for the Freeman family. After the Freemans sang there were good old fashioned fireworks. An acappella number...
Sabbath we RESTED! and then welcomed Bobby's aunt and uncle from Pensacola for their annual visit. Today we had a customer in from CA for the day...and gone, as well as Bobby's cousin we haven't seen in a few years from VA. Tomorrow we are having a family...they just had their first baby (daughter). Many years ago I babysat for the husband and his brother. It has been a joy to watch them grow up, get married and become fathers. Bobby's cousin, his daughters and their friends are coming back to stay here tomorrow. Thursday our annual wheat order is arriving to be distributed... In the middle of all of this, laundry and gardening and bookkeeping and shipments and cleaning and meals must go on. On Sabbath we also had another surprise...the gate on a pipe for one of the lakes "blew out"...(read failed) which was a shock...about 2/3 of the water from the lake was gone! As we were scrambling trying to figure out what happened and how to save the fish, several neighbors came to help "engineer" an answer. A cap was placed on the outer pipe with a valve to regulate how much water 'escaped' while we had a new STEEL gate made...instead of the original design of plastic. Tomorrow another friend with scuba gear is coming to install the new gate. Then we will have to pray for rain to fill up the lake to where it should be. About half way through, I remembered to pray and THANK the Father for allowing even this to come...and immediately I felt HIS peace. He is so trustworthy. I hope this isn't too scattered. I am hanging on for the ride! We are continuing to pray for the Estes family, Josephine and her family, and Carina Fortin and her children.
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
Have you ever had whole weeks...maybe even months of unexpected happenings occurring over which you have NO control? I am beginning to see a pattern here. I am hearing the same thing from others around me, as well as reading it on some of the blogs. It is like being caught in the crossfire of a snowball fight. Before you can figure out what happened yesterday...or an hour ago...something new has shown up on the horizon. My personal understanding has broadened over the last few weeks. As I have been having my personal quiet time every morning...sometimes more quickly than usual due to circumstances. The Heavenly Father has been asking me to trust Him more and with quietness. Now everyone who knows me knows that I am 'normally' not quiet. It is not that I am loud, raucous, and out of control...but, I do tend to talk more than I should. So, this has been interesting. With all my heart I want to walk in agreement with my LORD. Psalms talks about Yeshua (Jesus) not even answering for good, but being quiet. So, I am studying to be quiet... When controversial subjects are brought up, when a decision is made (by my dh) that I might not totally agree with, and such occasions...I am trying to just BE QUIET. Now, if my husband asks me, then I speak up...but, even then I am trying to work on stopping to check my words before just blurting out what I think is better. In between times I have been spending more time just praying over all of my concerns and praising Him often. I have had GREAT peace. Just stating the fact that none of these circumstances have taken Yahweh (GOD) by surprise has given me comfort. We had a WONDERFUL time of fellowship at our meeting on Sunday afternoon...which was Shavuot. Our time of prayer was rich and encouraging. The singing was enthusiastic and lengthy. The teaching/sharing time gave me new things to meditate on. We had a new family come to visit, so it was also a time of getting acquainted. The food was delicious and enough and the children had loads of fun afterwards playing a rousing game of charades before everyone left. Our Julia took a tumble off of a horse and got a nick (read small chunk) of flesh off of the bottom of her chin. She also got what looks like a 'race track' across her left cheek...but she is fine. Thank you Father! I am humbled and reminded of His merciful faithfulness every time we have a close call. Thank you for all of the sweet comments. One of the 'things' is that my grandmother died early on Sunday morning. Because of our commitments we are unable to go up to Ohio for her funeral on Friday. The following Friday we are planning on being in IN for my parent's 50th anniversary SURPRISE dinner. We are hoping it remains a surprise. LOL I am the eldest of four children spread out in four different states. We are playing and singing this Thursday night here locally and again on the 4th of July for our town's Ford dealership gospel concert and fireworks. So...if I don't get to post again for a little bit...you will understand. I need to quietly finish and head up to my family at the house.
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
Wow! It is Father's Day weekend! The last time I was able to post was...mmm Mother's Day. I KNOW I am not the only one out here that is running in 5th gear every day lately. My famous line is..."this has GOT to STOP!" I am definitely looking forward to this weekend. First, because tonight begins Sabbath...ahhh rest...that is a very sweet sounding word at this moment. And secondly, because Sunday is Shavuot or in the greek, Pentecost. The day we celebrate the coming of the Comforter (aka the Holy Spirit). It is also a Sabbath (read Lev. 23). So, I am once again reminded that our wonderful Heavenly Father KNOWS when we need a double Sabbath. A time to rest, study His word and fellowship with other believers. There are many 'things' going on right now. We have been spending a lot of time in earnest prayer. Please continue to hold up the entire Estes family. Also, please continue to pray for Jaynee's husband, Daniel Lockwood. We are also praying for four mothers who have been diagnosed with cancer and are at various stages in this 'season'....Tina and her husband Roland and 3 homeschooled children, Karen (with her husband and 3 grown children and new grandbaby), Margaret (with her husband and young adult son), and Shannon (with her husband and toddler and infant daughters). I would greatly appreciate prayers for my grandmother (95 yrs.) who is very weak and failing. In other news, we had a VERY full weekend last weekend playing and singing at the 22nd Annual Coke Ovens Bluegrass Festival here in Dunlap, TN, attending a wedding, and a graduation celebration where the girls and I dressed up in 1860's hoop skirts. We had a wonderful time. I will try to post some pictures at the end of this blog. In the meantime, the Father has been gently teaching me to DAILY and sometimes, minute-by-minute TRUST HIM. I have had the most wonderful peace...especially when I remember to praise HIM, even when I don't understand or see the purpose in what is happening. Reading his word, praying and crying and singing to HIM is what keeps me going every day in these uncertain times. As far as Father's Day...even though we try to honor the fathers in our lives...we told our children early on, "EVERY day is Father's (or mother's or children's) Day!" We should honor and treat each other with respect, cherishing each moment we have together. PLEASE pray for those families who have buried their fathers recently, such as Carina, and her 7 children spending their first Father's Day without their husband and daddy, Kay and her 6 sons who will be going through their 2nd Father's Day without their husband and daddy, and Josephine and her children and grandchildren who are still in the first MONTH of grief after the death of their husband, father and grandpaw. I know our heavenly Father is grieving with each one and longs to soothe their broken hearts. I praise HIM for HIS mercies that are new every morning. Thank you Father!
Grace and Peace,
Ruth Julia, Rachel, Ruth and Sarah Julia (not cooperating! LOL) Betsy (one of the graduates) and Sarah Mama Ruth Betsy (one of the graduates) Leila (sister of the graduate) playing croquet
I would like to take this opportunity to say "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!" to a group of mothers. I am talking about the ones who have adopted children who needed a mother. We have known many adoptive parents over the years and have watched. And while each situation has been different in many ways, there is one thing that has stood out to us. Before I share what that is, let me digress (I know, I am good at digressing right out of the subject ) When you have a baby born to you, you immediately begin looking for all of the ways that show they 'belong' to you...daddy's one-sided grin, mama's large feet , Grandpa's dimple, etc. But as time passes you also note the 'other' things they have inherited that mark them as belonging to your family...a.k.a. good character traits...and bad ones too...which we call 'generational spirits' . Sometimes you are able to catch those generational spirits and 'head them off at the pass' before they get really in-grained in their lives. Sometimes in God's mercy, HE allows us to recognize, take responsibility for and confess and break the power of the generational 'stuff' in our lives and our child/children don't even have to deal with that particular issue. Hallelu YAH!! But, when you open your heart and home to a child from a different 'generational tree'...you don't even know what to look for...or when to look for its appearance. It is not as easy as some people make it look...and we have seen many heartbreaking scenarios over the years. Mostly, we have seen the adoptive mothers and fathers become much stronger in their faith as they walk through the 'fires' of raising children from different 'generational trees.' Please pray for the families you know that are walking this path. And today...I honor these mothers for their courage, love, and steadfastness in the job of training up and praying for the abandoned children.
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
Hello, again!
It has been way past busy. To begin with...my dear, dear husband and I celebrated our 25th anniversary on April 2nd. We went to Pigeon Forge for a couple of days to celebrate. We drove and hiked/walked through Cades Cove. Bobby had never been before and the weather was cool and rainy...but we had a thoroughly enjoyable time! It seemed strange to be all by ourselves. When we married and left on our honeymoon all those years ago...Bobby's grandfather died suddenly and we turned around 4 days into it and came back for his funeral. Just before our first anniversary I planned a 2nd honeymoon get-away to Gatlinburg for some skiing and ice skating...it turned into "National Lampoon 2nd Honeymoon" in which Bobby tore his ACL in his knee and other various, NOW laughable happenings. We packed up and came home early. I tried, once again that next Sept. to plan a Labor Day get-away on a houseboat. 1-1/2 weeks prior I began to throw up...almost continuously...couldn't even keep water down...uh huh, YOU have already guessed what neither of us figured out...so we went to the doctor...who announced that not only were we expecting!!! but, I was VERY dehydrated and needed to be hospitalized. So, I learned my lesson and NEVER tried to plan another trip. You will understand, then, when my husband asked what I would like for our 25th...and I said, "I would like to go away." He answered, "ALONE?!?" "You REALLY want to try that?" LOL But, we did...and it was WONDERFUL! Our children were fine without us...frankly, I wasn't worried about them...I was wondering how Bobby and I would do WITHOUT them! After all they are our best helpers. Some of you know that Bobby bought me a hammered dulcimer to learn on a few years ago. I have played the flute since I was 9 and taught for a few years before children came along. With everything else that I do...I have been very slowly learning the dulcimer...but greatly enjoying the process. I had one set of hammers and a few books. When we arrived at the campsite and unhooked the van, we went to Townsend to the same shop where he bought my dulcimer. He proceeded to bless me with CDs, another set of hammers and new books! I don't think I have come down from the clouds since! We had planned to leave on April first, but when I went for my walk that morning...I was praising the LORD for the clear skies and the bees working...boy, they sure were loud...except their buzzing was coming from a different direction than the hives...wow, there were a LOT of bees on the ground over there...whoa! a whole lot MORE in the tree...HEY! that is a SWARM! CHILDREN! call DADDY! So, we spent the next couple of hours capturing a swarm. Over the past four weeks we have actually had swarms come through! We haven't caught all of them. Robert did catch some of it on tape and our youngest 3 captured two on their own. You can watch a short version on ENN' site. In other news, we held a Passover Seder on 4/20 and had 31 people for dinner! The downside was washing dishes afterward. Then we packed the coach Sunday afternoon and took off for KY to play a concert for Family Week...at Kennlake. We had wonderful fellowship with old friends and new acquaintances. Then it was back home on Monday evening...we had some good friends come and milk for us Sunday evening and Monday morning...to jump back into the 'fast lane'. I had forgotten we had 2 hives of bees we had ordered long before the swarms started coming in on Monday. Thankfully our USPS employees are used to the rural life and kept them for us until I could get there EARLY Tues. morning. Our middle daughter quipped..."God said He would give us a land flowing with milk and honey!" Truly HE has! HIS faithfulness and mercy are continually surrounding and astounding me! I am praising HIM daily. We are crying out for the Moll family in the death of Duane. We are also continuing to pray for the Estes clan! We NEED to dig in and pray more fervently...especially as we see the days approaching. With spring coming on (it has been in the 80's all week) we are planting and trying to get the roof on the new hay barn. Each day is a NEW day to send treasure on ahead...after we get there it is no longer possible to send treasure. Even though it seems like a 'no-brainer' sometimes we need reminded to be fruitful and work...for the night IS coming. May each of you be blessed!
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
Life has been MORE?!? full than usual...if that is possible. As an update our dear friends, the Foote family buried their husband, father and son, Doug, on Friday, March 14th. He passed away, never awakening from his 'coma' on Wed. the 12th. Doug and Ellen's oldest son came to know His Savior after his father went into the coma and is wonderfully exuberant in his new walk! He is telling EVERYONE! He was baptized yesterday. God is doing great and mighty things. At the same time, their family is mourning their separation from Doug. Their youngest daughter turned 12 this past Friday and wept for her daddy. We are also praying for the Fortin family. They have also buried their husband and father, without warning and young, leaving his widow with 7 children (3-18). Please join us in praying for them as well as continuing to pray for the Estes family. Little Noah is still struggling with his limitations. And Jeff and Kate need our continued prayers for strength, wisdom, discernment, peace and mercy. We had a wonderful time at Cowboy Church and arrived home to 'hit the road running.' We worked hard all week getting ready for the Purim party (read the book of Esther...from the Bible). We thought, at first we would have about 80-90 people...then by Friday, it had ballooned to 120-130 people. So, we made up more gift bags and added more food prep. On Friday, we received a call that a horse (Percheron) needed a new home and they were on the way here... He happens to be the 'half-brother' of our Percheron, so we know the horse a little. We had just got him settled in, when my dh said..."Oh! I forgot, some people are coming by to see our miniature jersey cows at milking time...tonight." Flexibility is a GOOD character trait...I think God thinks I must not have enough of it...so I tried to answer calmly...that it would be alright. By the time the people arrived neither my husband or I were at home...having to leave to pick up more supplies. Our children ended up showing the cows, giving 'horsey' rides to their child and handing out a child training book. LOL We did have a GREAT crowd, not only in numbers, but in people. We read through the entire book of Esther and had a wonderful meal, singing and fellowshipping. Our dear friends who travel back and forth to Israel for ministry spent the night with us and left after breakfast. After all that has gone on...and I haven't even shared half...we were exhausted. When I got up this morning...it was SNOWING! It didn't stay, just dusted the vehicles, trampoline, etc. So, after our Scripture, singing , Bible and prayer I sent everyone back to bed for 2 hours. I have never seen them RUN to bed that quickly. Of course, I think that is the first time I have ever sent them to bed in the morning! LOL When we got BACK up things went smoothly back into schedule. Now I am up too late again. We have NOT killed the roosters yet... ...maybe next week. Our son has prepared a special slideshow...hope it works and hope you enjoy it... I will try to write more later...oops! I mean sooner.
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
In other news, our cow had her calf...a little bull and mother and baby are doing well
. The children brought me 2 more large boxes of pears from what has fallen off of the trees...so I have more to process...Thank you Lord. We will be closing the textile plant beginning Tuesday and be off until the following Tuesday. We are so tired that we probably won't know we are off until 3 days after it begins. 
All the same, I am looking forward to the time of "rest" ?!? We have lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts, and peas growing in the garden. We are still getting tomatoes, okra and jalepenos. 
We have never had a garden through the winter...hoping this year we will. Well, it is waaay past my bedtime.
We played twice over the weekend of Sept. 27th and again last night for a church beginning a revival this week. And, dare I even say it,....we have a cow who didn't get the message that calves are SUPPOSED to be born in the spring! She is looking very close. Actually, I am not upset, as we have dried off the goats and so I will welcome cow's milk. I read Debi Pearl's book, Created To Be His Help Meet in the past 2 months. Even though I don't always agree with what the Pearls write, I did agree with a lot of what she had written and some of it brought conviction to my heart over ways I had NOT honored my dear husband. I agreed because I have seen it work in my own marriage over the years. Now, even though I have more to catch up, I must leave to go get my wonderful family supper. Please remember to continue to pray for 
My wonderful parents...married 50 years July 5th this year.
Bobby and Sarah getting "Grace and Glory" loaded in her cage.
Bobby and helpers loading "Acceptance with Joy"
Julia holding "Mulberry Mischief"
An acappella number...
We are continuing to pray for 
It is not that I am loud, raucous, and out of control...but, I do tend to talk more than I should. So, this has been interesting. With all my heart I want to walk in agreement with my LORD. Psalms talks about Yeshua (Jesus) not even answering for good, but being quiet. So, I am studying to be quiet... When controversial subjects are brought up, when a decision is made (by my dh) that I might not totally agree with, and such occasions...I am trying to just BE QUIET. Now, if my husband asks me, then I speak up...but, even then I am trying to work on stopping to check my words before just blurting out what I think is better. In between times I have been spending more time just praying over all of my concerns and praising Him often. I have had GREAT peace. Just stating the fact that none of these circumstances have taken Yahweh (GOD) by surprise has given me comfort. We had a WONDERFUL time of fellowship at our meeting on Sunday afternoon...which was Shavuot. Our time of prayer was rich and encouraging. The singing was enthusiastic and lengthy. The teaching/sharing time gave me new things to meditate on. We had a new family come to visit, so it was also a time of getting acquainted. The food was delicious and enough and the children had loads of fun afterwards playing a rousing game of charades before everyone left. Our Julia took a tumble off of a horse and got a nick (read small chunk) of flesh off of the bottom of her chin. She also got what looks like a 'race track' across her left cheek...but she is fine. Thank you Father! I am humbled and reminded of His merciful faithfulness every time we have a close call. Thank you for all of the sweet comments. One of the 'things' is that my grandmother died early on Sunday morning. Because of our commitments we are unable to go up to Ohio for her funeral on Friday. The following Friday we are planning on being in IN for my parent's 50th anniversary SURPRISE dinner. We are hoping it remains a surprise. LOL I am the eldest of four children spread out in four different states. We are playing and singing this Thursday night here locally and again on the 4th of July for our town's Ford dealership gospel concert and fireworks. So...if I don't get to post again for a little bit...you will understand.
I KNOW I am not the only one out here that is running in 5th gear every day lately. My famous line is..."this has GOT to STOP!" I am definitely looking forward to this weekend. First, because tonight begins Sabbath...ahhh rest...that is a very sweet sounding word at this moment. And secondly, because Sunday is Shavuot or in the greek, Pentecost. The day we celebrate the coming of the Comforter (aka the Holy Spirit). It is also a Sabbath (read Lev. 23). So, I am once again reminded that our wonderful Heavenly Father KNOWS when we need a double Sabbath. A time to rest, study His word and fellowship with other believers. There are many 'things' going on right now. We have been spending a lot of time in earnest prayer. Please continue to hold up the 
Julia, Rachel, Ruth and Sarah
Julia (not cooperating! LOL) 
Betsy (one of the graduates) and Sarah
Mama Ruth
Betsy (one of the graduates)
Leila (sister of the graduate) playing croquet
) When you have a baby born to you, you immediately begin looking for all of the ways that show they 'belong' to you...daddy's one-sided grin, mama's large feet 
The downside was washing dishes afterward. 
Then we packed the coach Sunday afternoon and took off for KY to play a concert for Family Week...at Kennlake. We had wonderful fellowship with old friends and new acquaintances. Then it was back home on Monday evening...we had some good friends come and milk for us Sunday evening and Monday morning...to jump back into the 'fast lane'. I had forgotten we had 2 hives of bees we had ordered long before the swarms started coming in on Monday. Thankfully our USPS employees are used to the rural life and kept them for us until I could get there EARLY Tues. morning. Our middle daughter quipped..."God said He would give us a land flowing with milk and honey!" Truly HE has! HIS faithfulness and mercy are continually surrounding and astounding me! I am praising HIM daily. We are crying out for the 
We have NOT killed the roosters yet...