Only One Day Like Today: January 2015

Friday, January 30, 2015

Almost the End of January 2015!!!

It's sunny, dry and warm here today!

(See, Phoenix family and friends, if you were HERE,

it wouldn't be raining on you! ;-)

Instead of watching rain or snow fall,

we're already watching our crocuses bloom!

Victoria and Caroline took advantage of this beautiful day to ride their horses!

I guess spring fever hit one of Valerie's doggies,

and she had her babies this morning . . .

a little sooner than the expected due date!

(Six boys!)

To top off a wonderful day outside,

Valerie filled our home with the amazing aroma of fresh-baked bread!

Doesn't get much better than that!

Sunday, January 25, 2015

So Thankful for These Guys . . .

and we're especially fond of and very proud of this guy, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> our wonderful son-in-law! : -) He not only works very hard at his full-time job, but he gives his time as a volunteer firefighter. He even gets called out in the middle of the night, and gladly gets up for this call of duty. Then, he still goes to his regular job the next day. We're soooooo grateful for him, and all the guys like him, that are willing to serve their neighbors in this way. Don't you think it takes a lot of courage and sacrifice to do all that they do, and all without compensation?!!! (He's actually not pictured in the photographs below, as he works for our town's fire department, and they were actually in another nearby town working on a different fire!)

These pictures were all taken by our sweet friend and talented photographer, LINDA C.

who was able to be at the church at the rescheduled torch time!!!

Thank you, Linda C., for sharing these awesome photos!

That is our church building just behind, and slightly to the left of the parsonage.

The buildings are pretty close to one another!

The firefighters sure did a GREAT job!

They even spared the little bush that was right beside the house!!

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Around the House This Week

Victoria had a little photo shoot with Benny and the goats! ;-)

Here he is having a talkin' to with "Fudgy Face" (What he was calling her. ;-)

This morning, our church's parsonage was scheduled to be set ablaze.

The church donated it to the local fire dept. for their routine training sessions.

But, just before it was time to start the fire, they got called out on a "real" fire call!

But Benny was prepared!

We've had some nice weather here and there,

so the girls take the opportunity to ride their horses when they can!

Lydia came over to work on some soap making, so we brought the bunnies inside for her to see!

They're lookin' good!

Kyle has been keeping quite busy every day with various work opportunities,

but he did take time to send this little "care package" to his

Green-Bay-Packer-fan Uncle and Aunt in AZ! ;-)

Since the little package is still in route,

I suppose we shouldn't reveal what was wrapped up in the newspaper. ;-)

Daddy has been working lots of long, extra hours,

with it being year-end-audit-season at work.

This night, the boys decided they were going to stay up

and wait for him, so they could have a "slumber party."

I happened to wake up at around 1am, to find Ted still working, and the boys like this . . .

One day this week, Ted found these balloons in his office.

Joe said he put them there to "encourage" Daddy! ;-)

Valerie has been keeping real busy with helping several families in need with some child-care.

She loves it, and is a real blessing to the families!

Caroline is back to her piano lessons after the holidays and sickness,

and practicing extra hours this semester!

Sure is a blessing hearing her beautiful music every day!

We've been hitting the school books hard now,

and also keeping our eyes and ears out for opportunities to serve folks in various ways!

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Then All The People Said "Amen!" and Praised the Lord

1 Chronicles 16:8-13

(Love the exclamation points in the ESV!!!!)

Oh give thanks to the Lord;

call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

Sing to him, sing praises to him;

tell of all his wondrous works!

Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Seek the Lord and his strength;

seek his presence continually!

Remember the wondrous works that he has done,

his miracles and the judgments he uttered,

O offspring of Israel his servant,

children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

1 Chronicles 16:23-34

Sing to the Lord, all the earth!

Tell of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous works among all the peoples!

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,

and he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

but the Lord made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and joy are in his place.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

bring an offering and come before him!

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;

tremble before him, all the earth;

yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,

and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

Kyle is currently at a missions conference in Oregon,
listening to veteran missionary Don Richardson,
and hoping to have him sign his books!
What a blessing and privilege to be able to hear him . . .

"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!"

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy

before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever!