Here I am with Daisy Little from the Patriarchs' Wives group. What a blessing to meet dear sisters in person! Daisy, I am so sorry my camera is acting up! I had to use the "fix" feature because the picture came out so dark, and it always distorts the image a little. Otherwise, why would my hair suddenly look so . . . snowy?? (As grandson Daniel used to say with "air quotes", "yeah right!")

Some of the ladies at the end of the table -- Granddaughter Kitty standing, Daisy Little (left), Beth and Molly (my daughters) on the right. For the men in the foreground, serious conversation just keeps going on, in spite of cameras!

Some of the Miller, Discher, Stricklen and Little "littles" doing art projects together. We got quite a lovely collection for the refrigerator gallery last night!

The perfume of March

What a good Heavenly Father we have!! We have been blessed for the last few days with the sweet perfume of March ... orange blossoms! Well, around our house, it is grapefruit blossoms, which smell so sweet and almost intoxicating. Up and down our country road, it is almost like snow has permanently taken up residence on the trees in the groves. And the perfume is inescapable and pervasive. How we would miss it if we went away!

We had the sweetest Resurrection Day service in our little home fellowship -- family and friends and several visitors shared the beautiful remembrance with us and the fellowship meal afterwards. The children shared their music and preparations for the regional student convention of A.C.E., for which we will be leaving tomorrow. It is a busy time of year, but always enjoyable.

After we come back at the end of the week, the Millers will be making final preparations for their move to Arkansas the next week. What a huge cavern their absence will create in our family times, and in my heart! I have not let myself believe it is a reality yet, but it is beginning to dawn . . .! The Lord knows the heartaches we go through and understands our deep sadness, but I sure don't! God, give me grace and make me truly thankful for the time we have had together!

Hopefully, we will be able to share some of the week here -- it is always fun, and most of the family goes along, even though only the older children participate. This will be a sad time in another way -- it is Kitty's (oldest granddaughter) last convention before she moves on in her life as an adult woman. She has been so consistent over the years in her desire the let the Lord develope the many talents He has given her, and she will also be sorely missed when that time comes!

May we, like the citrus blossoms, be a sweet perfume this week for our Savior, sharing the precious scent of His anointing with all who cross our path!

Keeper of the Flame

My Uncle Pete, my daddy, and my Uncle Bob, during WWII. Uncle Pete was in the Navy, Daddy in the Marines, and Uncle Bob in the Merchant Marines. Daddy was 15 when he joined the Marines, thus his veteran status of 3 major Pacific campaigns, including Iwo Jima, at age 18.
My mother and daddy -- not sure if this is before or after their marriage at age 17 and 18 in 1945.
Newspaper article about Daddy's service in the Pacific theater of war.
The Keeper of the Flame, Uncle Bob, with me.

On our recent trip to NC for the National Center for Family Integrated Churches' Expository Preaching conference, we stopped in Charlotte to visit my Uncle Bob Harris. Uncle Bob has always been the family character. He is number 11 of 12 siblings, and always entertained the children at family gatherings with silly stories and witty sayings. We love Uncle Bob.

In his later years, he has become what I like to call the Keeper of the Flame. He has stacks of pictures and stories about our family, and he is eager to share them, so that his family heritage will not be forgotten by the coming generations.

On this trip, we stayed with him overnight and spent the next morning just enjoying all he could share with us. He and my father were just a year apart and were constant companions as they grew up on the farm. He told me a story about Daddy that I had never heard before. He said that the day for Daddy to start school came, and Daddy told my grandfather,

"If Bob isn't going to school with me (Bob was 5 and not old enough at the time), then I'm not going!"

Granddaddy Harris said, "Well, son, Bob doesn't have any lunch!"

Daddy was carrying a little brown bag, and he held it up and shook it and said, "I got a few nubbins in here -- I'll share them with him." So Uncle Bob went to school with him! Daddy had used the word "nubbins" all my life, and this was so like him to want his brother right beside him in a new situation.

Thank you, Lord, for Uncle Bob's devotion to our family and carrying on the faithfulness of many generations. God bless you, Uncle Bob.

Youth Fair!!

Benny, receiving his award (a trophy, a new whip, and $150) for first place in the Junior Whip Popping contest. I don't know who the other little person is -- probably a judge's youngin'.
RG, who won 2nd in the Senior division, man-handling 4 whips at a time! No one else did that. (hey, they weren't crazy!)
Gracie telling her version of the 3 little pigs, in the Storytelling contest. She won first in the Senior division. You can go here http://www.thedischerfamily.blogspot.com/ on her family's blog to see more pictures of the Youth Fair, as well as a link to a video interview done by our local newspaper. Hope your server will run the whole interview -- in the last part of it, she slips into her Scottish brogue, and it is hilarious!! My server only lets me see part of the interview.
Little Margaret Anne won first in the Junior division in Storytelling with her "Tater Family" story. She is a natural!

In our county, the extension service holds a Youth Fair, like an old county fair, for young people in FFA, FHA, and 4-H. It features showing farm animals and plants, animal and plant judging, baking, canning, sewing, arts and crafts, public presentations, consumer quizzing, and on and on. Over 1,000 children participate, and many of them are homeschooled. It is a great outlet for children of all interests.

Our grandchildren love to enter the Youth Fair and to go and see all the other exhibits. One of the favorite events is the whip popping contest. Usually several of the grandchildren compete, although the girls have been dropping out of it, since the rules changed to eliminate separate boys and girls categories. This year, only Kitty and Markie competed (Markie placed 3rd in Jr.) And it isn't easy to pop a whip in a skirt! But what a clear testimony it is!

Today will be the last day, and we will know the results of several other competitions. I will try and list them soon. Hey, who in the world would ever suggest that homeschool children aren't socialized!? They don't know this family!

PS: I decided to go ahead and post the link for Gracie's interview here -- but be sure and check out the Discher's blog for more pictures!!
http://www.theledger.com/article/20080228/NEWS/802280539/0/ABOUTLEDGER99

Junior State Convention

Puzzling over a Pace Bowl question -- I KNOW that, it's right on the tip of my tongue!!
Markie practicing for her expressive reading
Abby and Margaret Anne's instrumental duet. Thank the Lord, Abby's cast is now off, and her leg is healing fine!
The whole (or most of) the family (and friends, the Stevens). Everyone pitches in to help the younger ones succeed and polish their God-given talents.
Markie entered this photo still life in honor of her Great-grandfather Harris, my daddy, who was a veteran of major WWII campaigns as an 18-year-old.

The younger grandchildren (ages 8 to 12) had the enjoyable experience of participating in the S. FL Jr. State Convention of A.C.E. a couple of weeks ago, and what a good time we had! Of course, the preparation and practice is intense and time-consuming, but it is such a good experience for them.

They participate in such events as academic projects and quizzes, arts and crafts, races and field events, vocal and instrumental music, and platform and drama events. Abby, Markie, Benny, Margaret Anne, and their friend Andrew (not cousin Andrew) made up our little contingent, and they came home with many awards to remember their hard work by. It is always a sweet time, especially since the whole family tries to go to the 2-day event in support. What a blessing to be able to make family time a priority!

Good Times

The younger ones having fun at "the swamp" before getting back on the road.

The sweet Stricklen and Whiddon girls in the Whiddons' lovely new school room
We enjoyed a concert of beautiful music by Laney (cello), Nina (violin) Brooke (violin) and Mallory (harp). What a blessing to see the girls using their God-given talents so generously!

Our trip to Missouri started out with dreary weather and tail lights on the trailer that must have been malfunctioning from almost the start of the trip! The dear Whiddon family asked us to stop by their house for supper, so after a day of travel and dealing with unexpected circumstances, we rolled into their lovely property about 9:30 at night! We had suggested that we stop for supper earlier so they could put little ones to bed, but they would have none of it! The girls had spared no effort in preparing a feast for us, and we couldn't disappoint them.

What a beautiful setting and what a wonderful warm welcome as we gathered and enjoyed time with them. Then, they insisted that we stay the night, and the girls gave up their rooms for us. In the morning, once again, the delicious home-style breakfast was just perfect. We lingered as long as we dared, and, after some much-appreciated help by their "Uncle Jim" in fixing the lights, we reluctantly went on our way. Thank you so much, dear friends! We hope you will come down and let us return the hospitality soon!

Home!

Thanks be to our merciful Heavenly Father! We got home safe and sound on Wednesday evening, after some major rain and wind most of the way home. Crossing the state line into wonderful Florida, however, brought back sunshine and warmth!

Please forgive the lack of updating -- we are having major difficulties with our satellite Internet service (Hughesnet -- Lord, help us out of this contract!!) and right now, I am using that same little Samsung Blackjack cell phone I was using on the road as a modem. It is the best way to get and stay online right now, and I am thankful for it.

Thanks to all who prayed for our safety and blessing -- God is good. More later, y'all. Have a wonderful Lord's Day tomorrow.