Catch up post!!!!

Harvesting...The Lord hath dealt very bountifully with us(as he has every year:) Some of our favorite things that we have harvested are 1. apple sauce 2. picking blueberries 3. peach pie filling 4. carrots and 5. rhubarb jam

The Corn Maze...Our entire family has been blessed by the Krahn family, and their willingness to give time, money and energy in making the Country Corn Maze the best maze around!!

Sisters!!

Victoria...before she got this little bout of sickness!!

Our jalapenos, green peppers and thai peppers yielded abundantly this year. So, as you can see, we strung them on strings to dry. Warning~do not cut tie peppers without gloves...you will experience pain in the fingertips for some time to come~believe me, Mother discovered this the hard way!!

Hospital stay...So glad that Mom, Matthew, and Victoria are home:)

Esther...In case that you cannot notice from this picture, Esther lost her first tooth. Yay!!!

Bright Lights Confernce...Mom, Rachel, JoAnna, Marie, and Emily, took a quick trip to St. Cloud to attend the Bright Lights Confernce. They had a wonderful time...they would like to say a big thank you to all the work that the Mally family, and the Bright Lights staff put into the confernce.

Marie with one of her small group leaders.

JoAnna with one of her small group leaders.

Rachel, and Lauri K. Rachel was thrilled to be a small groups leader!!  She would totally love to do this again in the future:)

Marie and Grace M. The Skits, Music Classes, and Snacks were wonderful!! Learned about honoring parents, about being strong in the Lord in their youth, and the importance of God's Word.

 Matthew, Caleb, and I( Elizabeth) went to a conference in Illinois;called Ignite Truth. We could talk your ear off(at least I could) about the things that we learned on our trip. Some of the main stuff that the Lord taught us are 1) We all are living a story: Are we letting Jesus write our story, or are we trying to dictate to Jesus what to say!! 2) We are still living in Bible times; Revelation is yet to be told!! 3) Is our testimony of Jesus strong enough so that an unbeliever would act on what we say: as in the story of Naaman and the Israelite maid. 4) Prayer really does work. We were able to hear some awesome stories of answered prayer...God is so good!!

The youth hunt hunters...Yes I'm too old too hunt for the youth hunt, I was the privileged person who got to go and sit with Caleb!! It actually was fun:) the only thing that got cold were our fingers!! We are praying that the boys will be able to kill a deer tomorrow. Already tried today, but didn't get anything!! Happy Hunting...Don't forget to thank God for whatever you get!!

Home at last...actually quite awhile ago:):)!!

Victoria, Mom and Matthew rolled home on Monday, September 30th at roughly, 8:30ish.
We are very grateful to have them back. Though Victoria was at the hospital for six days, they never really figured out what was the matter. They figured out that it was not a clogged shunt, that  her liver was fine, that  her pancreas was good. Though she is home, she is not 100%!!   She  is having a hard time digesting her food. And has been quite gassy. She is also in some pain...one symptom of her pain is the clenching of her hands. We found out that her fingernails are sharp!! Victoria scratched the edge of her finger, and now has a slight infection in it. Thankfully, we got it rather quickly, and are able to treat it with Epsom salts. Hopefully it will heal quickly!!  We have been giving her warm baths, rubbing her back with deep tissue oil\olive oil, and using the hot water bottle:)...overall, to anyone else it would be called royal treatment!!! So, if you think of it, would you pray that Victoria would not be too gassy, that she would not be in pain, and that her infection, which is really quite small right now, would not spread and would heal quickly. Our whole family is overwhelmed of how everyone has prayed for us. Thanks so much, we really appreciate it!!! Sorry for the lack of pictures. Our camera's screen is broken; We can still take photos, only problem, we can't see what we are shooting:):) Anyway,we are blessed to have our little treasure to minister to. Constantly, we keep in remembrance the words of Jesus, "insomuch that ye do it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye do it unto me"!!
Romans 8:28-29

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

 It's a very familiar passage, is it not? Yet, do we really comprehend it? Would we whine when things don't go our way, if we really believed that God has given us the situations we are in? Just think, God loves us so much, that He, in his great mercy, sends us trials,(yes, and joys!!), all so that we get more and more conformed to Jesus' image. What is Jesus like?

Philippians 2:5-8

⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Hebrews 12:2

 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

There is so much more that Jesus is: here are some references for you that are out there that would like to discover more about what Jesus is like. Is. 53,  Mt.1:21, Mt 4:1-11, Mt 5,6,7, Mr. 6:34, Mr. 14:32-36, Lu 22:63-24:53,Jn. 15,16,17, 11 Co. 5:21,Heb.4:14-15

May you be encouraged in your spirit as you read and think about Jesus.

Never forget that whatever you are going through, Jesus has already been there. Trust in His all sufficient power to carry you through!!

An unplanned visit to Gillette

This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago at the Country Corn Maze.  Victoria liked the walk through the cornfield with the rustling of the leaves and the mix of light and shadow.

Victoria has been having some symptoms which looked like her shunt was malfunctioning.  These symptoms were not continuous, but they were dragging on and not going away, so on Tuesday, we made the trip down to Gillette.  We learned that the shunt is not clogged, like we thought might be the case.  However, when the neurosurgeon tapped it, she found that she had some back flow, which would cause similar symptoms to a clogged shunt, as the result would be that the her CSF could not drain as it ought.  An x-ray revealed that the end of the drainage tube for the shunt had lodged between the stomach and the diaphragm...and the image also showed extra air in the stomach.  They conjectured that this was causing the drain to pinch and force what would come down back up.  When a drainage tube is put in, it is much longer than it needs to be and coils down in the stomach cavity area.  As a child grows, the tubing just unrolls, so that it does not get too short.  As the tubing has unrolled, it has ended up where they saw it on the x-ray...but it still has the potential to move.  Also, they think it can work right now, when the pressure is off from the extra air pushing on it.

Victoria fasted yesterday from 4:00am  until they started some IV fluids around 5:00pm.  They gave her fluids throughout the night.  They also kept her g-tube open overnight and until about 10:00 the next morning, allowing air to escape.  This morning, they started her on pedialite to see if she would be able to tolerate her food again.  They started at 30 ml/hr, and reduced the IV rate to 15 ml/hr.  She tolerated this well, so after a couple of hours, they upped the g-tube feeds to 45 and stopped the IV fluids.  So far she has been doing well.  Tonight, they plan to give her 1/2 formula and 1/2 pedialite and see if she will do well with that.  Next would be back to trying her normal feeding schedule.  If she continues to progress well, they will assume that the problem was the tube.  If not, then more detailed imaging would be the next step.

Please keep us in your prayers! You can pray that Victoria will continue to tolerate her food, and that pressure will be relieved from the extra CSF,  (Cerebral Spinal Fluid), that we'll have wisdom ,and that the One who lives within us will shine through us here.  We know that God always has a reason for all that He allows...and we want to be thankful in the twists and turns of life and to honor His name.  Thanks so much for your prayers.

"I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God, in Him will I trust." Ps. 91:2  "I will bless the LORD at all times:  His praise shall continually be in my mouth. " Ps. 34:1  "The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea than the mighty waves of the sea." Ps. 93:4  "Thy mercy, O LORD is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds." Ps. 36:5

Otter Lake Vacation...a little over due:)

I don't have all these pictures in order according to the date we did everything...oh well!

 The rock behind Mom, Victoria, Esther, and Matthew is sandstone. There were lots of neat formations!

The best part of our vacation was reacquainting ourselves with Dad's brother and his family. Most of us have not seen them for six to seven years!!

 Rachel, Sarah, and Anastaisa.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: Matthew 7:24

I think the falls in the background are the Tannery Falls.

 One day was just spent in seeing the numerous falls surrounding Munising, taking pictures, and exploring in and around the falls.

No...this was not a typical breakfast out camping:) Just a little treat prepared for us by our wonderful Mom!!

Lake Superior this year was very very cold. The bravest of us only stayed in for thirty minutes.

 Isaiah 42:3 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

We still found lots to do despite the cold water:)

  Alex is the one almost all the way buried, Matthew, Marie, Timothy, Esther, JoAnna, and Anastaia are the ones that had all the fun burying Alex:)

There was a really fun trail connecting the beach and Miners Castle.

 When Mom looked at the trail on the map it looked very short...well, it ended up to be much longer than we thought:)

Brothers for ever!

Victoria did so well camping!! I think she liked all of the fresh air.

A Mitton reunion is not complete without a rousing game of blackout!!

Though Otter Lake was terrible to swim in, it was awesome to go boating on!!

 Here Matthew is learning how to row. There were kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and paddle boats. Since one boat only cost $10 a day, we took advantage of them quite often.

The whole crew minus Mom and Reuben.

Otter Lake

Coming back from lakeside devotions.

Miners Castle!!

The campground also had  outdoor games available for free, which we also enjoyed.

Exploring a rocky overhang.

More campground.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 - He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Sisters:)
Genesis 1:27 - So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Pictured Rocks Cruise Boat. No we didn't go on the boat, but from our vantage point on Miner's Castle we could see the Pictured Rocks...gorgeous display of God's creativity:)
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Zechariah 9:17a - For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty!

On our last day in Munising, we explored and found a playground...one our whole family enjoyed, from Esther, right up to Dad!

Pretty amazing for a playground( this is only about half of the playground:)

On Sunday we traveled only half way home, and stayed in a motel in Ashland. One thing that is really fun to do with a slightly larger family is to take walks!

This underpass was made in honor of a person with a handicap...I can't quite remember what the person did...anyway, it certainly made it easier to navigate around Ashland.

Our last stop before home!! The last  of the whaleback boats..."The SS Meteor!" Too bad our camera died shortly after we started the tour. We all really enjoyed the tour, it was very informative!! So there you have it, our very fun, though somewhat long, vacation!!  (that is...a whole week!  :) )I Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat , or drink , or whatsoever ye do , do all to the glory of God.

The rest of July in photos

The Girls domino house.

 Zipple Bay

John 4:14 - But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Victoria!!

Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

A little while ago Victoria had to get some antibiotics for two weeks. She is now doing much better!! Praise the Lord!

 Dad's Birthday!!

Malachi 4:6 - And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Daddy, we love your sense of humor, your leadership in spiritual matters, your love of the Word, and especially for the way you share Christ with others!!

A New Grill!! (this replaced the one he had that was about 20 years old...and had been found by a friend for us as it was waiting to go to the dump...it finally got beyond replacing parts...)

  I John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. Mom made a Black Forest Cake for Dad's birthday. Yum,Yum:)

 Blueberries

The blueberries have been wonderful this year. It truly is a blessing to have many hands to pick the berries( it goes much faster:)!! (there are some June berries you can see in these buckets, as well)

A little part of our property. Psalm 103:15-16 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.

Trip to a cousins graduation!!

Matthew and I caught a ride with our grandparents down to Sioux Falls to attend my cousin's graduation.

Cousins of the same age:) Proverbs 27:17Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Cementing friendships with my little cousins:)

Yup...We got along just fine:)

 The Roseau County Fair!!

The Lord really blessed the good news cabin this year! 7 Children(as far as we could see) were saved. I Samuel 16:7b for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men. Col. 3:23

Nehemiah 8:10b...for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Esther and Elizabeth's birthday!

In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Thankful for those who made my birthday a special day! 
(We appreciate you dear Elizabeth...your joyful servant spirit, your love...your desire to share with others...you are a special blessing to our family!  --  Mom)

A DQ birthday sundae:)

Esther, we love your smile, your giggles, your helpfulness, the way you talk!! May Jesus become more real to you this year!!

  Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

The expression Esther had on her face when she saw her bike...Priceless!!

This cake has a very special memory connected to it. When I turned 4 my great grandpa came and ate the hair of my birthday doll cake Two days after this, my great grandpa died.

 Psalm 37:4-7 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.