Road Trip part 2: Missouri/Arkansas

Gracie delights us with her "tootle" (penny whistle) along the way. In addition, Peter or Sarah added the guitar to devotion singing. What a blessing!

After a wonderful, encouraging conference with the Botkin family in Columbus, Georgia, off we headed to Missouri to the new farm and to Arkansas for a brief visit with our expatriated family, the Millers (Well, as long as they are still in the official "South", I guess they aren't expatriated!) The RV crew changed just a bit -- Rosie, Markie, and Kitty went home with their parents, and Peter, Sarah, and Gracie joined Danny, Ashley, Savannah, and me.

En route, we stopped in Tupelo, Mississippi, which gave Ashley and Savannah the opportunity to spend the night with Ashley's family. Then on to Arkansas for a night at the Millers.

These are the faces we were anticipating seeing! Birthday boys, Benny and Andrew, laughing their heads off at a birthday card from Granddaddy and enjoying gifts sent by Aunt Beth.

Andrew and Benny joined us as we trekked on to Missouri and the new farm. When we arrived, out came the chain saw and elbow grease! The ice storm of the previous month left many, many broken branches and spooky-looking trees littering the drive. Here, Benny drags a branch off the drive; in the background is the main house to the left and the guest house to the right.

Everyone joined in helping clear the drive (well, Grandmother took pictures from the RV, since she was confined to a wheelchair most of the trip!) Thanks for all your help, children!

Pillow fight in the "girls' dorm"! Sarah gives Gracie a taste of her own medicine, while Aunt Ashley moderates and Savannah wonders who these strange people are!

The Miller family came up to help clear (and explore for springs!). The manager of the neighboring ranch was helpful in learning about the history of the place, and he even offered this ATV for a reasonable price -- just what we were looking for! Sawing, raking, burning . . . sawing, raking, burning . . . sawing . . . you get the idea!

Of course, there were lots of opportunities to explore. One main objective was to find springs, live water. We thank the Lord for several good springs and creeks on this property! For now, the farm will be used to raise cattle, chickens, and maybe some produce beyond personal needs. In the future (when Granddaddy and Grandmother are in Heaven) it will be divided among our children's families, so we were glad to have water in various locations.

When we got back to Arkansas, the whole family was invited to the Davenports' home for the evening. These are friends of the Millers, who have become our friends. What a blessing to have RG (bass) and Matthew (guitar) join us to back up Aunt Ashley and Aunt Katie singing "I'll Fly Away". Peter played most of the time, but here, his banjo had sprung a string, and he and Mr. Davenport were fixing it.

Here, Mr. Davenport joins in on the guitar (thanks for sharing it, Matthew!). He is quite a character -- an old-fashioned country singer and player who fits right in. The children always have a ball playing with him. Because it was so late and cold, and the roads were so curvy and unfamiliar, the Davenports opened their home to us to stay for the night. We had a great discussion on things of eternal consequence the next morning over a delightful breakfast. These are the times that give children their firm foundation for the future.

Well, we had no idea we would have snow! Not much, but enough for the Florida youngin's to throw some snowballs. This was our last day, and after about an hour's drive to the Millers' church, we were blessed to fellowship with God's people in Arkansas. After dinner with our precious family and emotional goodbyes, it was time to hit the road again. Road Trip Part 3 coming up . . .

Road Trip! (Again!) part 1

On Feb. 4, many of our family headed up to Columbus, Georgia, for the "Christians at the Crossroads 2009" conference. It was presented by the Geoffrey Botkin family, with emphasis on "the timeless issues of family faithfulness, family strength and family leadership" and giving families "a vision to turn tumultuous times into opportunities for advancing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ." What an inspiring and refreshing time it was! The whole Botkin family participated, sharing wisdom the Lord has given them, an understanding of the times.

We were able to meet other like-minded families -- some of whom we "knew" from Internet fellowship, and others we had no acquaintence with before. The precious Powers family ( http://www.rehobothfarm.com/ ) spearheaded the organization of the conference and were a blessing to all who attended.

Part of the blessing was being with our family. The Dischers and Stricklens went along, as well as daughter-in-law Ashley and little Savannah. We enjoyed so much having various ones ride along in the RV with us, taking turns being with Grandmama and Granddaddy. And little Savannah was able to spend some good time with cousins she doesn't see very often. It was a wonderful time and certainly confirmed in our hearts that we are on the right path with our family. May God's people be faithful to seek His face in these troubled times -- He has left Himself a very small remnant, and what a privilege to be part of that -- preparing faithful arrows to go into the future for His kingdom.


I thought this was cute! Riding along in the RV reading, reading, reading! L to R: Rosie, Margaret Anne, Ashley. On the floor, Savannah listens as Markie reads to her. Blessings for grandparents!


We made it to the lovely Langston House at Henderson Village, south of Perry GA, for dinner (meaning noon meal!) We always make an effort to time our trips up I-75 to be able to stop for breakfast or dinner (less pricey than supper!) This is a very special place. The founder was a boy in Germany after WWII and loved to watch old movies the American GIs showed. He fell in love with the South (Gone with the Wind, etc.) and decided when he grew up, he would come to America. He moved old houses to this location and restored them into a beautiful community resort, I guess. It is worth the stop, if you have the opportunity, for a genteel touch of Southern Hospitality. South of Perry a couple of miles off the Interstate at Exit 127 (Hwy 27). (No, I am not a stock-holder!)

Beautiful maidens of virtue: Granddaughters Kitty, Callie, Sarah Beth, Gracie, Mary Noelle. What astounding potential for godly motherhood is portrayed here!

Mr. Geoff Botkin and two of his warrior-sons, doing battle for the Kingdom.

Hope to present Part 2 soon, the rest of the trip -- on to Missouri!!

Well, You Know By Now . . .

. . . that I know NOTHING about fixing problems online! So I don't know what I did, but in the text below about Kitty's birthday, something happened. I lost a sweet picture of her (to make up for the "Queen of Sillyland" picture) and the last bit of text won't go away. Please just skip the mistakes and enjoy the rest! Someday I'll learn . . .

This and That!

Just wanted to mention a few things that are special to me:

Our precious oldest grandchild turned 20 years old this week. Anna Kathleen Discher (Kitty) is such a blessing to our family. When she was born, she was instantly a force to be reckoned with! Her mother and father chose natural childbirth, and what a difference that was for this grandmother! My babies were drowsy and placid when they came forth. Kitty -- she was alert and bright and interested in the world from the first moment!! Literally! And she has been ever since.

Kitty is proof in our sovereign God's providential hand. She has been a wonderful first grandchild for our 22 (on earth) grandbabies to follow. She leads by her beautiful example. She is not shy to speak to any of them with words of wisdom borne of her walk with the Lord and the faithful pouring into her life by her dear parents.

Thank you, Lord, for the precious life of this beautiful maiden of virtue! We love you, Kitty!p://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ghKK5qlxF58/SXvFQ1fPbmI/AAAAAAAAA0w/EceSfQrv29k/s1600-h/DSC00803.jpg"> Kitty, Queen of . . . . . . ummm, Sillyland??

The Stricklens spent last Saturday at the Brooksville Raid re-enactment. The girls love to dress up and feel like they have been taken back in time. Even little CJ, in his "general's" uniform, gets into the act! They highly recommend the Brooksville FL event -- they said the organizers spend lots of time informing of the history behind the event.

Katie sent me this picture from Arkansas. I can just see it in the Yellville Gazette, or some such publication: "The Miller Boys, Joseph and Samuel, prepare for a day in the woods. More venison for the freezer, boys!" Oh, how we miss those little faces!

Well, that's This and That til next time! Thank you, Lord, for my contented life!

I had to add this one!

I had to add this picture, since the last post was All-Savannah! These are the precious little buddies -- Savannah and Emma Jane, taken at Christmas. What a couple of little cuties!

Savannah's Birthday

It was Savannah's birthday Saturday. Well, actually, her birthday was earlier in the week, but her party was Saturday. She turned three years old, and since she loves to be with her cousins in Alturas, her daddy and mama brought her up for her "Farm Fresh" party. What a sweet day we had! The theme was "Down on the Farm", and the big cousins had a ball decorating and planning and playing games with the little ones. This family loves to get together to celebrate with each other -- what a blessing from the Lord!

The excited birthday girl.

Mommy Ashley helps her blow out the candle.

(It is a "3" candle)The "piggy" cake being decorated by Sarah

Daddy Jason kept busy grilling us yummy hot dogs and hamburgers

Even the big cousins joined in the fun. I think that's Uncle Eddie in the background. Aunt Beth watches the festivities from the background

Second cousins Mikayla and Rosie

My sister Sue, right, who brought three of her granddaughters out for the fun, with me, left. Her grandchildren are second cousins to Savannah and the other grandchildren.

Mary and her mama, Molly

Sue with her sweeties, Julia, Olivia, and Mikayla

Sweet Markie and Abby help decorate, making balloon farm animals

Second cousins Olivia and Margaret Anne

Second cousins Emma Jane and Julia

William and CJ -- the "Stricklen Boys" gang! Tough cowboys!

Oldest cousin Kitty always has something up her sleeve. I think this was when she pasted farm stickers on her poor wheelchair-bound grandmother's back, unbeknownst to her! You are sooooo clever! Seriously, she is the most thoughtful, respectful, considerate almost 20-year-old you will ever meet -- but still funloving!

Big cousins Gracie and Mary caught snitching nibbles before the party!

Sweet Sarah loves to decorate cakes for all occasions

Then there is big cousin Peter. Since his Miller cousins left for Arkansas, he is our only "go t0" man. Any time there are big doings, Peter makes them happen. He carries tables, puts up shelves, moves big heavy stuff, is our all-around man of the hour. Thanks, Peter, for making this weekend successful!

Okay, one more...

ART

I just had to do it. Actually, it's my Christmas cardinal, with the beautiful Florida winter sunlight shining through. It makes me smile every year. I guess that makes it "art".