Good Bye Rachel!!

Last week Rachel headed out for Oklahoma City. She will be gone for three months helping teach character classes in the public schools. In the afternoons their team will also teach Bible clubs. I am sure that she would covet your prayers!
One thing that we always enjoy doing in the fall is helping at the Country Corn Maze. Since Rachel was going to miss out on doing that this year, we were able to go the Corn Maze on opening day, and make some memories together. Then Dad, Mom, Jo and Esther brought Rachel down to the cities to hop on a plane for Oklahoma City.

Thoroughly enjoyed our time together. Would definitely recommend you attending the corn maze at least once!!

"This is the right way mom" Well...maybe...he couldn't be too specific...since he knows it like the back of his hand.  :)

Esther with Anna and Esther about to enjoy a hay ride.

Waxy Willow Trail. 
(it's worth the walk!)

The Duck Races are not only for kids!

Esther in the corn box :)

The two younger girls were glad that they could drive down with Dad and Mom to see Rachel off.

Enjoying a meal at the Panda Express.

We will miss this sweet lady, but are so thankful that God can use her in this neat way.

Psalms 96:3 - Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

Itasca Family Music Festival, Bible Bee, Making Memories.

Summer passes so quickly, doesn't it?!! What is it that we do, that makes life meaningful, worthwhile? The Bible talks a lot about time. Ephesians 5:16 is a great one on that. "Redeeming the time because the days are evil." Redeem means to ransom or to buy...And just how do you do that with time? God gives us all kinds of opportunities in life. Do we choose to have a good attitude, to respond cheerfully, to have a slow answer to wrath, joy in the midst of sorrow, trust instead of fear...the opportunities in life are endless and numerous. I would encourage you to take that next opportunity that God sends your way and redeem that moment for Christ. One choice at a time choose Christ.
This summer for us has been a memory building one, and we would like to share just a few of the last few highlights with you!! Our family again had the privilege to be part of the Bible Bee. Across the nation hundreds of children spent at least part of their summer memorizing God's Word, and studying the first three chapters in Genesis. My Dad hosted a local  bee , and it was encouraging to get together a couple times over the summer...we also made some new friends, which was a plus :):) Our last meeting was at our house...

 There was food...

 Gifts...

Smiles...

 Singing...

 Scripture recitation...
^"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:" Colossians 1:16

 Certificates...no, nobody made it on to Nationals:(...but everyone is  a winner!!!...

 Campfire Pies...So tasty on a summer evening.

We also really enjoyed attending the Itasca Family Music Festival, especially since Ben, Emily and Cedric came up from  Sioux Falls  to meet us there!!

Enjoy a slight photo overload of our time there :)

 "Jesus I am Resting Resting"
Verse 1. Jesus I am resting in the joy of what thou art

 I am finding out of thy loving heart.

Chorus: O how great thy loving kindness!! Vaster, broader than the seas

 And the mercies thou givest to those who call on thee.

 Verse 2. Simply trusting thee Lord

 I behold thee as thou  art

 And thy love so pure satisfies my heart.

Chorus O, how great thy loving kindness! vaster broader than the seas

 And the mercy thou givest to those who call on thee.

 verse 3. Ever lift thy face upon me, as I wait and watch for thee

 Neath thy loving smile, earth's dark shadows flee.

Chorus: O how  great thy Loving kindness

 Vaster broader than the seas

 And the mercy thou givest

 to those who call on thee." This song is quickly becoming a family favorite. It is sung by and arranged by one of the family bands attending and preforming at Itasca.
 What a  blessing and a refreshing time was had by all!! 
And just in case you have not had enough of pictures, here are a couple more!! The Lord has really been laying it on our heart to work on family relationships. This takes time, but is so worth it!

 Story time...

 Evening canoe rides...

 So peaceful...

 Running a 5k...we all made it:)

 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1

 We hope that you are having wonderful summer. Keep resting in Jesus and continue faithful in this race!! Thanks for spending a little time with me catching up with what is happening in our lives!! I pray that you were blessed. Stop by again!!
Signing off: EJM

A Small thing :)

We woke up one morning to find that a wasp nest had formed in one of our flowering crab trees overnight...that was fast and unexpected. How often do we go through life and let little things creep into our lives, thinking that we can handle it or that it really does not matter. A sharp tone of voice, skipping devotions just once, letting others cover your work now and then, stretching the truth ever so slightly...you know yourself what it is that you let creep into your life! ⁹ A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Galatians 5:9 Don't let Satan decieve you and make you buy into the lie, " oh, that sin is really not that bad"!! Why did Jesus have to die?? It was because of SIN!! If we don't take care of this little wasp nest it will grow bigger, no doubt about it!! Another interesting thing that I learn from this, is that the wasp nest will hurt others if I don't get rid of it. When we let sin grow in our lives, it not only hurts us, but it hurts others as well. Don't think that you can waste time, yell at others, think bad thoughts, boast and dominate conversation ect. and others won't be affected. Today if you are one of those who is compromising and letting sin in your life, cry out to God to forgive you and to start out anew. "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 Praise Jesus we find forgiveness at the foot of the cross. 
Wow, I don't think that I will ever look at a wasp nest quite the same anymore! I hope that this encourages you as much as it encouraged me! 

Signing off: Elizabeth

Sister Love and Summer Fun.

Summer is always a wonderful time of year. A time to work hard, play hard, sleep hard, and all the while making memories with family and touching other peoples lives for Christ!

July is a busy birthday month for us...I remember ten years ago when I was turning 13...Mommy was having quite a few false labor alarms, making her pretty tired. The night of my birthday we celebrated and then my sister and I slept downstairs. I woke up the next morning to my daddy gently shaking me and telling me that Mommy was going to have her baby now, and we needed to get up to go to Grandma's house!! I asked Dad "Is this for real now?" and he said "Yes!!" Several hours later Esther was born.
Esther is still my favorite birthday gift!!

 This year on Esther's birthday, I had to have my wisdom teeth taken out...So she came with Mommy, JoAnna and I to Grand Forks.

We didn't celebrate until the weekend so all the family could be with us (minus Ben, Emily, Cedric and Reuben.)

 To help celebrate Esther's birthday we had ice cream cones when we came back from GF.
Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

 On the weekend we headed to Zipple Bay. So thankful that God decided to make water!!

 Playing jarts...one of Esther's new gifts.

 Some people got chilly from the wind...covering up with sand sure fixed the problem :):)

 Early on in July our family was able to help prepare and serve the food at Back Home Days. Back Home Days is a reunion of all those who attended Williams School, which is no longer in use. Here is the first batch of potatoes that we are waiting on to boil so that we can mash them for mashed potatoes.

Here is just two of the five buckets of potatoes that we had to cook.

 All the seasonings to make the potatoes taste good.

 Marie helping wash out the potato buckets.

 JoAnna helping dry the buckets. We also helped make the meatballs, and helped serve the mashed potatoes, meatballs and gravy, coleslaw, jello salad, buttered buns, and pickles...a big shout out to all those who helped serve with us! And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men. Colossians 3:23

 Matthew cutting down unwanted brush trees.

 Mom and Matthew discussing which trees to keep and which trees should go. Mom had been enjoying clearing out a clearing in the woods...soon we will be able to camp out in our own camp ground in the woods!

 
 Summer would not be complete without a couple picnic meals!

 How do you spend your summer days? We could not hope to tell all the things that happen in our summer. What really matters is, if we are drawing closer to Jesus and sharing the love of Christ with others. Our lives are compared to the life of a flower. What a short life span a flower has, and yet our lives in comparison to eternity is also very short! What will you do with your life?  Turning twenty three this year caused me to do a lot of thinking. Am I doing what I want to do? More importantly, am I doing what Christ wants me to do?

Psalm 103:15-17

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;