Okay~ I've finally accomplished the task of learning how to put a picture in the header. Now, I've got to find something that works with the overall design I'm trying to achieve here. For now, this is a picture I took at Big Falls Park near Eau Claire, Wisconsin. We already miss Wisconsin.......

It looks like we may be heading home sooner than we thought! Possibly by the weekend!

Blessings~  Angela

It's been a week since I've blogged anything but it's been for good reason. This week has been full with some changes. Phillip was asked to leave the job in Eau Claire early to tend to some business in Danville, Illinois. So within 24 hours we were packing and preparing for our move. With hearts full of fond memories, we left Wisconsin Thursday and arrived in Champaign, Illinois that evening after a very long, rainy, tiring trip. But all is well, and we are actually settled in Danville now and will be here for just 10 days, more than likely. From there.........home.  Yes, home. We're not holding our breath because things change in this business daily, but at the same time, we're very excited to think we may see our family for Thanksgiving.

And, I'm sure you've noticed that the red barn is gone. I was trying to put another picture there and erased the barn completely. Now, I don't know how to get it back. So, I'm still in the learning stage and at the rate I'm learning, it'll be a long process. I'm still hoping to change other things but I am purposed to not put the computer before the needs of my family. Since Phillip uses the laptop for work, I have a built-in boundary that I actually like.

So that's it for now. We just finished watching Loves Enduring Promise and Love's Long Journey and I just want to end the night with thoughts of that and not blogland.

Much love~  Angela

The links on the sidebar work now. At least most of them. The graphic credits section are not linked yet, slowly but surely it'll happen. It just takes time to learn and, as most folks that read this blog know, I don't have constant access to the laptop (nor do I want constant access....) because Phillip uses it for work. I'm hoping to learn how to change the backgrounds and possibly the picture at some point. It's really sort of fun as I'm not in a place in this season where creative outlets abound.

Other news:

We have now learned that our tentative departure date has been moved back to November 9th. I've been thinking about how all our ways are known to God and that He knows the perfect time when we will leave. Of course, we're hoping it'll be after we see the gigantic snow we're praying for~ but isn't peaceful to know that He knows? And that He's working out every detail even at this moment? When I look back at this year and ponder all that we've seen, experienced and explored, I'm totally speechless. I look back and see His mighty hand in so many ways. It sure builds your faith.

I was invited to a homeschool Mom's Night Out meeting last evening. A lady from the church where we're attending invited me. I was blessed to be invited and encouraged. We were once again reminded that our primary reason for homeschooling is for Christ to be the center of our homeschool.

It was a refreshing time of encouragement.

Love from Wisconsin~  Angela

I'm hooked! I've got to get some photography books!! Yvonne mentioned that I should try the "sepia" setting, too. I'll try that next time we go out.

I don't think the picture is as nice once I get it to my blog post. It looks really great when I view it on the computer but not as clear here. Anyway....aren't they cute?

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I found the black and white feature on my camera.......

Laura at Big Falls Park, near Eau Claire, Wisconsin. You may be able to see the water fall behind her.

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Overheard in an Orchard

Said the Robin to the Sparrow:

"I should really like to know

Why these anxious human beings

Rush about and worry so?"

Said the Sparrow to the Robin:

"Friend, I think that it must be

That they have no Heavenly Father

Such as cares for you and me."

by Elizabeth Cheney

For several years now, it's been the desire of our heart to have a working farm/homestead where we can raise organic beef, grow organic veggies and eventually have a country store. Our dreams have only been piqued to greater heights now that we've visited Weaver's Country Store in Fall Creek, Wisconsin, just down the road from where we are staying. The Weaver's are a Mennonite family who began selling produce from their home and it eventually grew into an incredible business. Our neighbors tell us that Mr. Weaver built the entire building debt-free. It's a beautiful place....on the inside and out. This time of year mums, pumpkins and hay bales line the store front. And when you walk in, your senses are refreshed with the smells of bakery items, fresh homemade soap and beautiful soothing hymns sung by a choir piped in on speakers. The walls are flanked with handmade, framed pictures/paintings embellished with bible verses carved underneath. In various locations around the store handmade dresses are displayed with matching bonnets which fascinate my girls every time.

Some day. That's our hope. Don't know where, don't know how, but the Lord is definitely giving us plenty of time to plan! ~wink~

Several days ago, I found something at the thrift store I've been wanting for a long time.....a children's book of poems. It's title is, Favorite Poems, Old and New; Selected for boys and girls by Helen Ferris. I've enjoyed reading some of my favorites. This one is new to me, but depicts our family so well. We have fond memories of planting taters, but the real joy truly is digging them up. We once went digging in the moonlight.

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Vegetables

by Eleanor Farjeon

The country vegetables scorn

To lie about in shops,

They stand upright as they were born

In neatly-patterned crops;

And when you want your dinner you

Don't buy if from a shelf,

You find a lettuce fresh with dew

And pull it for yourself;

You pick an apronful of peas

And shell them on the spot.

You cut a cabbage, if you please,

To pop into the pot.

The folks who their potatoes buy

From sacks before they sup,

Miss half of the potatoe's joy,

And that's to dig it up.

~**~

I saw this on another blog and the answers had me in tears with laughter!! So we tried it......

Douglas (9) says:

Better to be safe than.........get hit (?)

Strike while the......snake is not there
It’s always darkest before......the sun comes up

Never underestimate the power of.......God
You can lead a horse to water but......you can't lead a goat 

Don’t bite the hand that.......feeds you
No news is......better than God's Word 
A miss is as good as a.......hit ("that's being a good sport", he says)
You can’t teach an old dog.......to run
If you lie down with dogs.....you'll smell like 'em
Love all, trust......nobody
The pen is mightier than the...hand
An idle mind is.......an abomination to the Lord 
Where there’s smoke, there’s.......fire
Happy is the bride who......has her husband
A penny saved is......good
Two’s company, three’s.......not
Don’t put off till tomorrow what..........today brings
Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and......the whole world cries too
There are none so blind as.......a bat 
Children should be seen and not........hid
If at first you don’t succeed.........try again
You get out of something only what you........don't like
When the blind leadeth the blind.......they both fall 
Better late than........early

And Sarah (10) says:

Better to be safe than.......hit

Strike while the......ball is coming

It's always darkest before......8:00a.m.

Never underestimate the power of............God

You can lead a horse to water but..............it won't drink

Don't bite the hand that.......feeds you

No news is............good

A miss is as good as a .............hit

You can't teach an old dog........to fetch a stick

If you lie down with dogs.........they'll lick ya

Love all, trust...........all

The pen is mightier than the......pencil ("cause I can break a pencil", she says)

An idle mind is..........foolish

Where there's smoke, there's ...........a lot of fire

Happy is the bride who .................has a good husband

A penny saved is.........a penny given

Two's company, three's .....more

Don't put off till tomorrow what...........today may bring

Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry.......and the whole world cries with you

There are none so blind as.........bats

Children should be seen and not............heard

If at first you don't succeed..............try again

You get out of something only what you............don't like

When the blind leadeth the blind...........nobody sees

Better late than.............too late

It's been a tiring  last seven days so I've been keeping blogging in perspective lately. Last Thursday, I had a ureteral stent removed from my urinary tract which resulted in a surprisingly painful recovery. The recovery was, by far, harder than the second lithotripsy which was done here, in Wisconsin, almost three weeks ago now. I didn't mention it here because, well....it just doesn't make for interesting reading that's for sure, and too, it's just hard to think straight when you're in a lot of pain. However, my hit counter tells me there are people looking for kidney stone/ureteral stent/lithotripsy information daily. 

The whole kidney stone ordeal has been the worst physical pain I've ever had to sustain thus far in my short 40 years. And it's not over. Eventually, I'll share my journey down this path in hopes that it might be of some encouragement to someone. In the meantime friends, drink water. Lots and lots of quality water. Especially my fellow Southern friends who live in hot, hot climates. Dehydration is very common among kidney stone patients because we don't drink enough water to keep our urine diluted. Urine should NOT be dark yellow, friends. Of course, that's not the only cause but drinking lots of water is a positive step forward in keeping your kidneys healthy. You can't live without them you know.

I know other trials will come. The Lord is faithful.

God bless you today~  Angela

It was a beautiful day here in Wisconsin. After church, we went out to a nearby park and had a glorious time soaking up the sunshine. It was a day of refreshment all the way around. This picture was taken today as we rode through the countryside.  Blessings to you~ Angela