Arkasouri Trip Part 5: Ahhh, Millerland!

On to the Arkansas region of "Arkasouri" . . . Everyone loaded up and headed from the property in Missouri to Yellville and Millerland. We planned to stay Saturday night and attend church the next day with the Millers. Here we enter the "compound" . . .

Settling in for some ladies' fellowship in the "kitchen" cabin. What a good time getting caught up and setting the example for the young ladies: cooking, serving, nursing babies, talking over things of God and families. I am blessed -- four generations were there, with my dear godly mother at the centerpiece of the conversation.

In our family, there is no such thing as "age segregation" when it comes to fellowship. Here older sister/cousin Sarah shares a laugh with sister Markie and cousins Andrew and Benny, while helping prepare dinner. (Caught you smiling, Andrew!)

Katie gets to enjoy some rare time with her grandmother. I think dinner was well underway at this point.

Gracie musters her picking troops to finish up the crowder pea crop. Gracie is an artist when it comes to inspiring the younger children. She is full of enthusiasm and imagination, telling tales and making up "stories" to get them involved. When she was little, she would make up the elaborate plots and her older sisters and cousins would follow right along -- Grace, the Story Mistress!

Little Sam, Joey, and Markie toil on diligently -- the reward will be on the table!

Bagsful of good, healthful peas! What a good lesson the grandchildren are learning now -- God has given us the ability to produce wonderful, whole foods. It is such a comfort to know the source of your food in these times, and to know you had a part in providing for your family is a wonderful example of biblical sowing and reaping.

More cherished conversation -- the ladies pitch in to shell the peas as the sun goes down.

Most of the Country Cousins were back together for a short while (we really missed the Stricklen girls!!) and they took this opportunity to not only delight their parents and grandparents but to practice for the following Tuesday evening, when they would have an experience they had never had before!! (coming soon!) We first went outside to use the porch for a stage. Here RG and Sarah play "dueling fiddles" in Red Haired Boy and Old Joe Clark. This is one of my mother's favorites.
Matthew handles the upright bass, while "Banjo Man" Peter plays . . . what else? Gracie on the right on the mandolin. I think the camera was not set for low light!! See, Sarah and Mary, I am
not being modest when I say I am NOT a photographer! Thank God for today's easy cameras!

Gracie adds the "bow-ron" to one of the Celtic-inspired songs. (Actually bodhran) Everyone loves how much it adds to the music!

Well, not being a good photographer, I forgot to take the camera to church, so I didn't get pictures of the dear folks there who have made the Millers a part of their "family". Thank the Lord for good solid teaching and the fellowship of believers.

After Sunday dinner, the children broke out the instruments again and made Uncle Robert's day. He is on the road so much of the time, but he loves to hear the children play. When RG is on the fiddle, sometimes Sarah takes over on the bass. Actually, all of the children can play most of the instruments -- I am blessed and impressed at the musical ability that has come out of their hearts and fingers!!

Banjo Man found the premium spot -- in front of the A/C!

This is a great picture! Look long and hard, because it is rare! Eddie sings The Minstrel Boy along with Beth (the rarity is Eddie singing on "stage" -- Beth is an old hand at it). We found the lyrics on my phone online, so that excuse was gone. Actually, Eddie has a wonderful voice, he just doesn't think so! Thank you for blessing us, Ed!

Well, the time ended all too soon, and we were back to Missouri. Next, Ladies' Day at the Rainbow Trout Ranch! Thank you, Lord, for your mercy in allowing the sweet times with family!