More Updating . . .

Mother's Day was a wonderful day for me -- spending a quiet, restful day with daughter Molly and her family, and receiving sweet phone calls from my distant children. Beth and Molly have posted sweet, honoring posts here:

www.thedischerfamily.blogspot.com (is that little "fluffy" girl really me?

and here: www.thestricklenfamilyblog.blogspot.com It was a special day.

More (actually the first!) pictures from my extended stay in Arkasouri:

One day, we piled Beth and her children and Ashley and her children into the RV (happened to be the only vehicle that would hold everyone) and took off for the wonderful Morningland Dairy about 2 hours away. We already buy from Morningland and have the outstanding raw cheese shipped here to Florida, but we thought "what a great way to save shipping charges!" Here, Adventurous Beth takes the wheel of the RV, and Kitty helped out driving, too, but Grandmother did NOT venture behind the wheel on the curvy mountain roads!


Peter has his own way to handle motion sickness. Paul says, "they don't call me Re-Pete for nothing!" Like big brother, like little brother.

On the way up, we stopped at the Dawt Mill, one of Ozark County's historic old mills. Thankfully, these mills are being restored, and this one has a lovely restaurant and old buildings for visitors. Kitty and Sarah give baby Clay a tour. Notice the interesting posts on the old lodge in the background -- unfinished tree trunks!

We decided to eat outside, where the balcony hangs over the "Something" Fork River (forgot the name). Interesting for an acrophobiac like me!

No, baby Clay, no salad yet! Ashley has that maneuver down to a T!

Everyone enjoyed the huge burgers and fresh battered onion rings.

Two little rascals study the menu. The catalyst for Emma Jane's new haircut was her attempt to give herself and Savannah a trim. She chopped hers up drastically, but thankfully, she was discovered before Savannah lost much of hers!
Everyone was fascinated by the falls and rapids on the river.

The dairy farmer explains the procedure for making cheese -- raw and grassfed, which we believe has abundant health benefits. And it is delicious!

Back home again after a lovely day, though full of curves and hills. I love this view.
Gracie is a born Pied Piper of little ones. She loves them and they gravitate to her. Here, she and Savannah find a perch in a tree and explore "tootles". Grace plays beautifully, and I bet it won't be long before Savannah is making music, too!

Grace also loves theology. Here, she and RG discuss some finer points. What a blessing to see them devour the Word!

One morning, when Granddaddy was there, we piled some little ones on the golf cart and explored a little (the golf cart won't go where the Polaris will, so it was just a little exploration!)
Out in the pasture, sweet cousins Andrew and Rosie give a ride to Savannah and Emma, to avoid the prickly pear.

Their reward -- the "little" creek, just the right size for little people to explore. Clear, beautiful water.
Sometimes, the deep swimming hole in the big creek is the place to be, with big brothers and sisters and mamas and daddies, but for younger ones, this creek is perfect!

More pictures to come. Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful visit to the northern Dayspring.

First Things First

Well, it is so good to be home after nearly a month in Missouri!While I was spending wonderful quality and quantity time with sweet children and grandchildren in the upper Mid-South U.S., (I mean, what do you call the Ozark region -- South?? Midwest??), my faithful "elder in the gates" patriarch-husband was sounding out truth loud and clear here in Florida. He organized and hosted a large gathering of patriots and concerned central Floridians in our home. It wasn't supposed to work out that he was "hostess-less", but we trust the Lord knew best, and I want to thank the kind and competent "substitute hostesses" who filled in for me on the evening of April 16.
Sweet Stricklen granddaughters Callie, Mary, Margaret Anne, and Abigail know my heart and my home as well as I do, and they faithfully clean and serve (and play Celtic melodies!) when we have events at Grandmama's. They are here, working in the background, when no one else knows. Thank you, darlin girls!

"Adopted granddaughters" Amanda and Jessica, who also went on the first leg of the "Arkasouri" trip with us, were right there helping, serving, running errands, and helping in any way they could. Thank you, dears.

The dear Franklin family pitched in to make the event successful -- what a generous spirit of service they exemplify! Not just for these events, but every week for church set-up. Thanks, faithful friends!

The event featured Mr. David Zanotti, of the American Policy Roundtable http://www.aproundtable.org/ whose organization has faithfully worked for decades to strengthen America's foundations. As they state on their website:

"A generation ago, a handful of "ordinary people" began meeting together out of a growing concern for America. Their conversations, prayers, and research led to the founding of an "extraordinary" public policy effort that would blossom into the American Policy Roundtable.

Recognizing that America is - at its core - a commitment to ideas and principles, the Roundtable was established with the mission of restoring the historic Judeo-Christian principles to American public policy. The Roundtable seeks to fulfill this mission statement by meeting three core objectives:

1) Rekindling the American Spirit -- by telling the story of Liberty everyday.
2) Building networks of leaders, who will help others join in the adventure of responsible citizenship.
3) Overcoming evil in civil society by promoting positive alternatives in public policy."

Take some time to explore their site and appreciate all they are doing "behind the scenes". My husband is impressed with their integrity and dedication, not an accolade he hands out lightly. Joining together with like-minded believers is crucial in these times.

Just wanted to say, Thank You, Sweeties! I have heard many good comments about how beautiful everything was and what a nice job you all did. If I couldn't be here, I am glad y'all were! You have been a blessing to me! Thank you, Lord, for dear, faithful ones who love to serve!