Father and Daughter stroll: Danny and Beth walk the pasture of one of the farms in Missouri
By the time I remembered (ask the family -- I am not a natural photographer!) to take pictures of the wonderful foilage, it was almost gone!
Sarah Beth sings to Emma Jane in the RV. What a sweet pictures (however, please refer back to disclaimer above!)
Most of the gang in Arkansas. Matthew was finishing out his workday at a local feed store and missed this picture. In front, Emma Jane. From left first row, Benny (he and Andrew came home with us for a couple weeks) Markie, Andrew, Rachel, Rosie, Joey, and little Sam. Back row, Peter, Kitty, RG, Sarah, Gracie, and Daniel. What fun the cousins have when they get together! We missed the Stricklens, but maybe next time!
The Discher kids and Granddaddy at the Natural Bridge of Alabama. They were agog at the assertion of "millions of years" on this sign. They let the park operator know! Eleven-year-old Markie recently had a letter published to the editor of our local newspaper, showing her considerable ability to refute the folly of evolution!
Gracie returning from the Natural Bridge hike. Nothing like brisk air after hours in the RV!It is clearly shameful that this blog has not been updated recently! Never mind excuses (on a trip to Arkansas; pictures not on other computer; election woes; etc., etc.) -- shameful indeed.
As mentioned parenthetically above, we just returned from visiting our daughter Katie and her family in the Ozarks of north Arkansas. While there, we looked at some farm land in both Arkansas and southern Missouri. It was a wonderful trip -- "leaf-peeping". The leaves were at their peak, and my eyes just soaked up the feast of color. I had not seen a beautiful fall tapestry of majesty in years and years, and the effect on my hungry soul was pure refreshment!
The Miller family was fine and dandy, aside from the all-too-common scrapes and bruises of life with the Millers. They are accomplishing much on their little homestead. New insulation before winter has been a major project, and new steps into the cabins have improved Grandmother's prospects for getting in and out without a major mishap. Two new wood stoves have provided them with a snug little home as winter approaches.
We were blessed to meet the new pastor of their church and his family, as well as to spend time with other of their friends we had previously met. Once again, the Country Cousins were requested to bless an informal supper/volleyball game with some good ole music. What a blessing to have them playing together again, even for just one evening! And how encouraging it was to see the local families there excited about the new Vision Forum catalog! The blessing this ministry has been to our family cannot be over-estimated. We trust those just being introduced to it will be as encouraged and nourished as we have been.
There are some beautiful properties in the area, and we were there at a good time. Grass was still somewhat green, the weather was warm and sunny, yet we had the enjoyment of the wonderful fall colors. The farms we looked at may be promising in the future -- we are praying about them. Danny feels it will be a while before we would actually move somewhere, if ever, but he does want to secure a place of retreat/refuge for our family and others who may need it in the future. So, we will see . . . !
We spent election night watching returns on the computer and praying for our nation. We could not help but remember Psalm 11:3, " If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" Certainly, the righteous can pray and then work to rebuild the foundations -- godly families who believe the divine order clearly laid out in Scripture; churches that go back to the Word and its instruction for correct church life; biblically qualified magistrates following the only true foundation for the civil arena, the Word of God. (Don't talk to me about separation of church and state -- when the state stops dictating to the church, then we will tackle the issue of the church interfering with the state.)
Okay, this is sounding pretty dogmatic! Anyone who knows me is not surprised -- my husband calls me a purist, an assignation which I proudly maintain! God is still on the throne. He was not taken by surprise by this election. He still has kingdom work for His people. He will take care of the "heathen" in His good time. What can the righteous do? Obey. Trust and obey. Fulfill my duty in my domain. He promises to "revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Cor. 10:6) Thank you, Lord, for your precious Word. May we live by it fully as we work for Your kingdom.
As mentioned parenthetically above, we just returned from visiting our daughter Katie and her family in the Ozarks of north Arkansas. While there, we looked at some farm land in both Arkansas and southern Missouri. It was a wonderful trip -- "leaf-peeping". The leaves were at their peak, and my eyes just soaked up the feast of color. I had not seen a beautiful fall tapestry of majesty in years and years, and the effect on my hungry soul was pure refreshment!
The Miller family was fine and dandy, aside from the all-too-common scrapes and bruises of life with the Millers. They are accomplishing much on their little homestead. New insulation before winter has been a major project, and new steps into the cabins have improved Grandmother's prospects for getting in and out without a major mishap. Two new wood stoves have provided them with a snug little home as winter approaches.
We were blessed to meet the new pastor of their church and his family, as well as to spend time with other of their friends we had previously met. Once again, the Country Cousins were requested to bless an informal supper/volleyball game with some good ole music. What a blessing to have them playing together again, even for just one evening! And how encouraging it was to see the local families there excited about the new Vision Forum catalog! The blessing this ministry has been to our family cannot be over-estimated. We trust those just being introduced to it will be as encouraged and nourished as we have been.
There are some beautiful properties in the area, and we were there at a good time. Grass was still somewhat green, the weather was warm and sunny, yet we had the enjoyment of the wonderful fall colors. The farms we looked at may be promising in the future -- we are praying about them. Danny feels it will be a while before we would actually move somewhere, if ever, but he does want to secure a place of retreat/refuge for our family and others who may need it in the future. So, we will see . . . !
We spent election night watching returns on the computer and praying for our nation. We could not help but remember Psalm 11:3, " If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" Certainly, the righteous can pray and then work to rebuild the foundations -- godly families who believe the divine order clearly laid out in Scripture; churches that go back to the Word and its instruction for correct church life; biblically qualified magistrates following the only true foundation for the civil arena, the Word of God. (Don't talk to me about separation of church and state -- when the state stops dictating to the church, then we will tackle the issue of the church interfering with the state.)
Okay, this is sounding pretty dogmatic! Anyone who knows me is not surprised -- my husband calls me a purist, an assignation which I proudly maintain! God is still on the throne. He was not taken by surprise by this election. He still has kingdom work for His people. He will take care of the "heathen" in His good time. What can the righteous do? Obey. Trust and obey. Fulfill my duty in my domain. He promises to "revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Cor. 10:6) Thank you, Lord, for your precious Word. May we live by it fully as we work for Your kingdom.
3 comments:
Thank you for those encouraging words from Scripture. Yes, that is what the righteous should do. There is so much wisdom in what you say -- truly refreshing :) There is hope! Fulfill our duty in our domain. Thank you, Mama!
Love,
Molly
What a wonderful time we had with our visitors! The trip to Missouri gave us quite a leaf show, didn't it? We were so delighted to see everyone and are glad you all made it home safely.
Love,
Katie
It was a very nice trip - and we so appreciate your allowing yourselves to be crowded for our sakes.
Your are right, "fulfilling our duty in our domain" is exactly what our responsibility must be.
We cannot do more without providential leading from God, but we certainly cannot do less than this - our first calling. Thanks for reminding us!
Love,
Beth
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