Black Hills Vacation!

Not too long ago our family headed out to the Black Hills for an amazingly fun vacation! On the way there we stopped at our cousins' place and then continued on to the Black Hills! The picture above was what a lot of the scenery was like on that trip across South Dakota!

We stayed at this fun little cabin with a loft on top.

This bedroom was upstairs as well!

On the way to the black hills we saw a TON of signs for a place called Wall Drug. We decided to stop in and had a lot of fun looking at all the stuff that was there.

Esther on the Horse!

Liz!

Esther on the Jackalope. 

Matt, being Matt!

The first night we were there, we decided to go see Mount Rushmore. This mountain goat was there to greet us!

There was a wonderful view!

Liz

Esther

Walking up

And the famous, Mount Rushmore!

Dad and Mom

Caleb and Matt

Liz and the guys

There is a path that you can walk up and see Mount Rushmore closer up and here JoAnna is waiting for the rest of the family to catch up!

It was a really fun path!

Here is one more picture of the incredible view!

The next day we decided to hike up Black Elk Peak, the highest peak in South Dakota. This picture is taken not long after we started the hike.

The view is getting better.

This picture is perfect. Just the look on Esther's face as she budges right into the photo!

Dad and Mom. Almost at the top!

And we made it to the top!

Caleb, on top!

"The heavens declare the glory of God!"

Matt

Me! (Marie)

Dad, Liz and Mom

And the budger!

Mom and I

                      I will be posting a part 2 
                  of our visit to Jewel Cave soon!

Hey why are you looking at me like that?? It's been a full and blessed season of life, and we don't always have time to document life here on a computer screen :) Thanks to Marie and her camera, we do have some snapshots of the last couple of months.

First of all, thank you to everyone who sent cards, and came out to help celebrate at Mom and Dad's belated anniversary party. I'm so grateful for your love and support to our family over the years!

True love stories never have endings...R.B.

I Corinthians 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.

Esther, posing for Marie :)

I again had a Bright Lights group this past school year. We have made a tradition of going to the nursing home and having a short program for the residents, Hosanna K has a chalk drawing, then we serve homemade snacks and visit with these dear people. So thankful for a group of girls that are learning how to love Jesus and others!!

Valentines Day came and went...Mommy made it extra special with these homemade hearts shaped out of bread dough!

One game that our family is now able to play with everyone is Balderdash! What games do you like to play with your family??

Having a wood stove requires lots of wood!! You have to admit though, there isn't anything quite so amazing as sitting by a crackling fire, sipping hot cocoa, soaking one's feet, and reading a good book!

The sun will keep on rising and setting whether we do well in geometry or not :) (for those who don't know, that's a paraphrased quote from Marilla Cuthbert!)

Rachel...She has been gone since early January serving at In The Gap ministries in Oklahoma City. Praise the Lord, several children have been saved, friends have been made, and this girl has grown in countless ways. I must say though, I am thrilled to be seeing her come home in a couple of weeks!

Rushing water...It's incredible to see winter thaw, and spring come in it's place.

 In the spring, at the end of the day you should smell like dirt. M.A. 

Early this spring, my Daddy's mommy, my Grandma, passed away. Going to Toronto, we had safe travels, and surprisingly made many good memories. So grateful for a rich heritage that Grandma and others have left to us. You can never do too much investing in the Lord and in those around you. Too often at the end of ones life you look back, and have a regret or two thinking about what you missed doing in life. Let's live in such a way that brings honor to our King of Kings!!  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31. Well, that's all for now...Soon we will post on more recent things happening in our lives...like spring planting, vacations, family and more :) Signing off: EJM

30th Wedding Anniversary Open House!!

 We invite you to our home to help us celebrate 30 years of marriage...yes it was really November...but right now worked better to plan an event than the actual day of the anniversary :) It's an open house, so drop in whenever it's convenient for you. Super simple, Snacks, a slideshow, family albums, fellowship, maybe a game. We hope some of you can make it!! PS I, Elizabeth, hacked mom and dad's account, I thought I better let you know that :) Oh, one more thing, if you ever received a page to fill out for Mom and Dad's album you are more than welcome to do that still :) Better late than never! Photo Credit goes to the amazing photographer Emily Mitton. Go here to view more of her work http://emilymitton.com/

Catch Up on Birthday's and a little bit about the NBB.

November found Marie turning 15years old. Where does time go?!! Happy Birthday Marie!! Marie enjoys photography, writing, and siblings!!

 

Meaningful
Ambitious
Radient
Inspired
Excited

²⁴ And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Hebrews 10:24

Excited to see how God will continue to use this young lady for His glory. Below are some winter pictures that she took recently.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas :)

Though this happened several months ago, I still wanted to share a little bit about it! The National Bible Bee was such a special time. Matthew and Rachel were planning on going to help judge the competition. I thought that is sounded like they were going to have a lot of fun. Mom said "Elizabeth why don't you go along with them?" So that's what happened. Having only ever flown when a baby, Flying was definitely  exciting for me! I was so thankful for all the divine appointments that God sent my way! I would appreciate prayer for Christopher and Stephen, two Catholics that I had a really good witnessing conversation with.

The Bible Bee was an encouraging time to get closer to God, enjoy the company of other believers and to help serve the families that came:)

I would remiss if I didn't say how much I enjoyed the warmth and summer like beauty of Texas! There were other pictures I wanted to share, of friends met, of sibling moments, of intense games of Ultimate Frisbee...but decided against it. I will always treasure the first evening we spent there. Matthew and I met Rachel for the first time in 3 months. Rachel had been in Ok serving and ministering in some of the schools there. We enjoyed long talks, an elegant meal at a fancy restaurant and a cool evening swim. We really need to treasure the moments that we have with our loved ones. The time with them truly is a precious gift from God.

December is also a birthday month for Caleb and our sweet sister in love Emily. Caleb is most definitely our handy man! He is so diligent and enjoys science, math, hockey, juggling, and anything out doors. He recently acquired throwing knives and a cross bow! We will have to see where that will take him :)

 

 

 Courageous
Alert
Loyal
Encourging
Bold

 ^{Happy 17th Birthday Caleb!
6} Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: I Peter 5:6

Whether Em is shooting a gun, playing a game, mothering her son, capturing memories with her camera, doting on Ben, cooking a scrumptious meal she's doing it with grace and style!!

Ecstatic
Motivated
Intelligent
Loving
Youthful

And last but not least was Mommy's birthday!! She just had a birthday this past week!

 Life of the party
Insightful
Nurturing
Delightful
Adventuresome

  We are incredibly blessed to have a mother who loves Jesus and others so intensely!

One last thing...2018, a new year! What are some of your goals and things you hope to accomplish this year? We would love to hear about them!
May you keep serving and loving the King of Kings who is the true lover of your soul.
Until another time I remain Elizabeth Mitton :)