The Party Begins.....

We had a wonderful time of fun and fellowship of those who were able to attend Esther's party. Those of you who could not come were badly missed!!! Many of us enjoyed different games, while others visited.
Water-balloon Volleyball!!!


Chatting!


Filling up water-balloons!!


Esther, with Phoebe and one of the little girls she babysits every week! 

Set-up!

Saturday, June 24th, was that day we had all been preparing for. The morning was filled with last-minute preparations, organizing and set-up. Everyong pitched in together to get things ready, and we managed to get most everything in order on time!!! :)
The Lord was gracious, and it did not rain!!!! PTL!!!! :) The weather was perfect, which for Kansas in June is a miracle!!! The Lord gave us a lovely afternoon- warm, but not too hot, with gusts of wind (that did blow a little on occasion to distress those persons arranging table-cloths or paper napkins!) that kept everyone from getting too hot. Thank-you to all those who were praying for fair weather for the day- the Lord gave us just that!!! :)

Seth setting up tables and Chairs!!


Taping down table-cloths.


Some friends of ours, the Pyles, arrived early and were a wonderful help getting things set-up!!! We couldn't have done it without them!!! Thank-you girls!!!! :) 

Countdown!

We are now only a few hours away from Esther's long annticipated graduation party!!!!! This past week has been full of preparations, getting the farm all cleaned up and planning a menu. The boys have done a fabulous job outside, with a lot of help from Tabitha. Mom and Esther have been busy sewing, and Phoebe and Silas smile, look cute and offer lots of advice!!! :)
As everyone worked diligently on their assigned chores, I snapped a few pictures!!!

The busy seamstress (is the head-band part of your graduation outfit???) :)


The yard looks great!! Thanks, Tabitha + Noah!!!


Moses and Micah did a fantastic job clearing the old trash pile!!! :)

Charity and Phoebe are great laundry helpers!!!

In closing this post, I would like to ask for prayer that the weather would be fair tomorrow. The forecast is predicting possible rain, which would 'crash (splash) the party'. The Lord controls the weather, and we are grateful for whatever He sends. We do need rain, but we are hoping it hold out until after the party!! Thank-you for your prayers!!! 

Our Sunshine!!!

Here are some recent shots of Phoebe and Silas enjoying some finger paint........

Smile!! :)


When Mommy got out a painting smock, Phoebe excitedly asked if Silas got a "moccasin" too. She got the words moccasin and smock a little confused!!! :)

Oh........pretty hands, Silas!!! 

Happy Fathers Day!!!

Today we want to thank our Daddy for his godly example, and all the ways he shows us he loves us.
My Daddy is a godly man. He loves God first of all, and lives his life following the Lord. He has passed down a passion for the Lord to us children. He guides each of us children to follow the Lord.
Daddy is a man of integrity, he stands for truth, and he is dedicated to the Lord and to his family. He life is a shining testimony to those around him.
Thank-you Daddy. For loving us, for training us, for inspiring us. For teaching us and playing with us. For the hours you have spent reading the Bible to us, helping us memorize the scripture and helping us grow closer in our walks with the Lord. Thank-you for the countless hours you have spent praying for us. When we were scared, when we were sick or hurting, when we were struggling. You have invested your life in us. You have sacrificed so many things for us.
You are the Best and Most Loving Daddy in all the world. There is no other Father like you, and there will never be another one like you. Thank-you!!
We Love You Daddy!!!
Seth, Esther, Noah, Elizabeth, Tabitha, Moses, Micah, Charity, Phoebe and Silas.
"Children's children are the crown of old men:
and the glory of children are their fathers."
Provers 17:6

The Lord is GOOD!!!

On Wednesday night, Seth was in a bad wreck. God spared his life, and he walked away from the accident with no injuries!!!!
He was running a errand for his boss, and driving his boss's little truck. Three of his co-workers were leaving work and they had a near head-on collision. Seth was going about 30-40 and the other truck was going 50-60. The other driver was goofing off and drove in Seth's lane. Seth didn't realize that he wasn't going to get out of his lane until too late. He tried to swerve into the other lane, but his wheels wouldn't turn (there are huge skid marks on the road, so he thinks he unconciously slammed on the brakes). The other driver swerved in the ditch on Seth's side of the road but the rear end of his truck smashed into the front of the truck Seth was driving. The impact was so severe that it took the axel off of the other guys truck.
Seth was stopped in the road from the impact, but the other guy drove through the ditch, hit a culvert and flipped. The truck slid a few feet and then flipped right-side up again. None of the three guys were wearing seat-belts and they all got pretty slammed up. Seth was wearing his seatbelt which kept him firmly in his seat without him hitting his head or going through the windshield.
One of the other guys went to the hospital, but the other two, besides scratched and bruised were okay. After the accident, Seth was able to share with some of the un-saved guys on his crew about how fast it all happened. He had a neat time to help them see how they can't wait until the last moment to make things right with God.
Seth said that from when the other guy entered his lane, until the wreck was over, was probably about 5 seconds total. We are So grateful to the Lord for sparing Seth. A few seconds difference, and he could have been killed from the collision.
Earlier Wednesday morning, Micah had been prompted to pray for Seth, that he would be safe. The Lord surely hears our prayers!!! Seth's safety is proof of that!!!

"In the fear of the Lord is a strong confidence:
and his children shall have a place of refuge.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death."
Proverbs 14:26 and 27

The Visit-Part 1!

 

The Visit- Part 2!

Usually, when we have guests, schedules get a little jumbled up. You know how it goes- bedtime slips later and in the morning, the alarm clock is shoved out of sight (or sound!)! This visit was a exception. It was decided that anyone who wished, would make a fishing expedition at first light, and hopefully, the fish would bite!!!! So they set their alarms for 5:00!!!! A few of us were left behind to do chicken chores, make breakfast and get other things ready for the day (and maybe get a little more sleep!!)!!
It was a beautiful morning!!!!

Mauri's not sure if she really likes this thing called fishing!


Way-to-go, Parker!!!


Joshua's fish!!!!


Around nine, the hungry fishermen and fisher-ladies, returned home for breakfast- Mommy and Aunt Judy made egg casserole, and Esther made cinnamon rolls (she and Seth got home late Saturday night). After breakfast, we all gathered in the living room for worship. It was a special time, reading the scripture, singing, and praising our Awesome God together!!!! 

The Visit-Part 3!

For lunch, we joined a group in Bern, helping to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Uncle Leroy and Aunt Jane Kaster. There was a lot of extended family there, and we enjoyed visiting with them over the meal.
Andrew and Rebecca had followed Seth and Esther home Saturday night, but since we had a full house, they stayed with Scott and Lydia. Both couples joined us at lunch.


Aunt Karen and Rebecca!


Justice likes his thumb!!


What are these two scheming now??


Moses and Parker really enjoying the huge trees next door!! :) 

The Visit- Part 4!

As evening came, it was time to hurry home and help prepare for our evening cookout. Because our visit with all the extended family had been so brief over lunch, we invited them all out to the farm for supper. It was great to host them all and be able to have longer conversations with them all!!!
Supper Ready Yet???


Some-one said something interesting!!


Supper Tastes Good!!!

The Visit; Part 5!

Monday morning, they began packing up and preparing to leave the farm. None of us were happy to see them go!!! We took a few last pictures of them on the farm.

The Fernandes! (Hope to see you next time, Uncle Mitch!!!)


The Ulmers!


Dad and Uncle Bernard talk while they walk!

The Visit- Part 6!

Some random photos of everyone.

The Aunts!


Silas was very fond of Joshua!


The four boys had a blast together!!!!! (this is my personal favorite picture from the entire visit!! :)


Quite a handful you've got, Mauri!!!!

Cute Quotes..

Ink Issues.
Upon Rebecca's recent visit, seeing Silas's natural blond hair in contrast to the rest of us dark-headed children she exclaimed, "Wow! Mom and Dad are really running out of ink!!!" :)
TLC.
Tender-Loving-Care---that may be what you would call Micahs treatment of the cats. He ran in and excitedly told us how he had just given his prized bluegill to the cats and their kittens. He added that he served it 'breaded'- rolled in dog food!!! :)