Checkin' Crops

 

A couple weeks ago, we took a Sunday afternoon to visit the fields and walk around. 

The corn has grown a lot since this picture was taken. 

Buzzing around on the 4-wheeler. 

Checking out the crick below. 

Oh, we actually got to be together on the 4-wheeler for once. 

The girls picked pretty bouquets from Grandma Donna's flower garden. 

 

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."  2 Peter 3:18

175th Celebration

It was a great day for a parade and a local town celebration.  We were planning to attend the parade at 1pm but then plans changed a bit as we had to pick up some pigs before the parade.  That meant we had to find lunch in the park . . . so we all shared the walking tacos. 

 

 

We walked around a bit and then found a spot for the parade.  It was an excellent parade--over 45 minutes of local businesses and organizations, emergency vehicles, a band, old tractors and old cars. 

It was an excellent parade and the kiddos were thrilled with all the floats as well as all the candy they came away with. 

 

We bought a historical book that looks very interesting.  The cornhusk doll is one that we made at a pioneer booth. 

It was a great afternoon and perfect weather for a 175th Celebration!

VBS & Sole Hope

Our VBS was held earlier in June and it was a busy, but fun week.  This year, the mission for VBS was Sole Hope, a mission that is very special to myself, our  Bible Study group and our church.  For Sole Hope, we take our older denim jeans and we cut them into shoe pieces.  Our shoe pieces are sent to Uganda where shoemakers are paid a fair wage to make them into shoes!  These shoes help protect little feet from jiggers, a sand flea that makes walking painful.  It's an easy way to do missions right here at home! 

The VBS kids would be bringing in their offering each day for Sole Hope.  They would also be decorating shoe pieces so boys and girls in Uganda would be getting a FUN pair of shoes! 

It was a great week!  Here are just a few of our photos!

 

First to decorate were the 7th and 8th graders.  They were able to decorate with iron-on appliques, ribbons, buttons and markers. 

 

 

 The next day we had the 2nd/3rd grade group decorate with markers and ribbons. 

Eden is using a marker and some stencils. 

Eliza, on the left, is using ribbon and glue. 

Each child was able to decorate three pairs of shoes, so six pieces total. 

This is some of the creativity from the 2nd/3rd grade group. 

 

Later, we had the 4th, 5th & 6th graders decorate.  They were able to use iron-on appliques, markers, ribbons and buttons. 

Ephraim is ironing on appliques. 

We had the K/1st grade group also decorate with markers and ribbons. 

Everyone did an excellent job and it was great to see the children so excited about this craft even if they didn't get to take it home.  They knew they were making an impact that would be felt on the other side of the globe. 

 

On Sunday after VBS, the children sang their theme song in church. 

Each footprint on the board represents $10 and each $10 represents a pair of shoes we can send.  The VBS kids raised over $1400 and then we had some generous adults donate so we ended with a grand total of over $2200! 

Eliza with our resident astronaut the week of VBS (Pastor Jon). 

 

We are just thrilled with this ministry.  We have some great shoe cutting parties where we have all ages involved, 7-70+.  Our box of donated jeans is no where near empty, in fact, I think it is multiplying (reminds me of Elijah and the widow's oil and flour)!  We will just keep cutting and sending to Uganda.  Let me know if you want more information or want to join us for a shoe party! 

 

"Praise our God, O peoples . . . he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping." 

 Psalm 66:8-9 

 

Wrappin' Hay

It's been a busy couple of weeks around here with normal summer stuff (VBS and outings) and some not-so-normal stuff (tornado repair and an ill grandfather).  I'll do my best to get  you up to speed with our lives.  First, we got our first cutting of hay up the first of June.  It was a perfect time and we are very happy with the outcome.  Many, many large round bale of yummy hay for the cattle. 

 

The smell test.  Yep, it is perfect. 

The hay was baled without any type of wrapping.  We'd be putting on these re-usable bale wraps.  It took all of us working hard to wrap 50 bales. 

Taking a break on the baby bale. 

Taking another break.  We had ample time for breaks since we had to wait for the tractors to bring us bales from the field. 

Wrapping the bale--simply slipping on the cover that just fits. 

The boys were a great help unrolling all the wraps. 

And then Daddy takes away the wrapped bales and sets them together in the field.  The wrap will help protect the bales from the weather. 

A little time showing the kiddos his tricks :)

 

A couple days later another field was round baled and those bales needed hauled in from the field. 

 

Those two tractors out there--Seth is the one on the left and Ephraim is the one on the right.  Yep, Ephraim hauled in bales all evening. 

 

That's Ephraim doing an excellent job. 

"Hi mom!"

Father and Son

 

It was a good feeling to get all the first cutting of hay baled and wrapped and lined up.  With all the rain, that alfalfa is growing and looking good for a 2nd cutting of hay later. 

 

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."  Psalm 19:1