I know that it has been a month since we posted on this blog. The days have been flying by, full of life. Here is a quick recap of the past month:
Grandpa & Grandma (my parents), my nephew and his wife, and another nephew came for a 4 day visit. While they were here we (along with Marlin’s mother) knotted a comforter that my mother helped Allison put together.
We also had a blessing ceremony for Allison & Carson. This is a special ceremony that we have had for each of our children as they enter adulthood. It is a time to recognize who God is calling them to be and to bless them in it. Each of the guests in addition to the grandparents, had the opportunity to read/share a blessing for Allison & Carson. Grandma read her blessing for them.
Grandpa & Grandma Stoltzfus each shared a blessing.
Reading a blessing for both Allison and Carson was time for remembering what all God has done in their lives and also for blessing them in what He will do in the future.
What a privilege it is for our children to have a father who has a vison for raising godly children who will follow God wholeheartedly.
We gave Allison a hope chest and Carson a tool chest as a special gift for this occasion.
We ended the evening with a meal.
We had 2 sessions of cutting corn and putting it in the freezer. The large crew of huskers made short work of 30 dozen ears of corn.
Good job, girls!!
My mother is one of the fastest “corn cutters” in the world!
Two weeks after my parent’s visit, 7 of my nieces and nephews from NY came out to IA for a wedding. We loved having them visit, even if it was so short!
Marissa (middle) stayed with us for an additional 10 days. After living with us for a month last summer, and now 11 days this summer….she is getting used to our crazy life! 🙂 She was a huge blessing, as always, and spent many hours caring for our little ones, washing dishes, and working with our family.
The gardens have been producing all kinds of good food…….kohlrabbi, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, cabbages, cucumbers, and peppers. We are indeed blessed to enjoy all this bounty from the Lord.
For these 3 young children, life is one long concert. When we aren’t on the road singing as a family, Taylor, Elizabeth, and Denver are giving their own concerts in our living room.
The girls spent a morning visiting our dear friend, Ruth Hoppe.
We spent 2 days singing at “The Farm Progress Show” at the FCF (Fellowship of Christian Farmers) tent. FCF gives away a walking stick with the colored beads to all who will stop by their tent to hear the story of the Gospel of Jesus. Many people have heard about Jesus through the ministry of FCF.
During a Wal-mart stop we said good-by to our beautiful friend, the monarch butterfly. We kept him in a jar as a caterpillar while he ate HUGE amounts of milkweed leaves then watched over his cocoon for almost 2 weeks until he came out as a butterfly.
This is one of the most amazing processes in the world! How could evolution explain this?
After Farm Progress Show we sang at “Old Threshers Reunion” in Mt. Pleasant, IA for 4 days. This event is all about antiques and how life was 50, 60, 70, 80, and even 100 years ago. The little children loved driving an old putt-putt tractor and also riding a steam powered carousel.
We arrived back home on September 6, just in time to finish our preparations for the “8th Annual Turning Hearts Celebration”, which we will post about in the near future.
And now you know why we didn’t have time to post recently!!
“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all His wondrous works.” Psalm 105:1 & 2
A post…YAY!!! Looks like y'all have been busy and and having fun:)
Wow! Busy life.:D
Looks like a lot of fun! Wow, you guys keep busy! 🙂
Blessings on your upcoming family camp time!
~Noelle M.
We can't read this post without commenting on all the handsome men on that picture of the NY folks, now can we? Esp. that one on the far left. And nice tie there, Jered. Thanks for blessing us with a bed and food even in the middle of your insane schedule! Joleen
Enjoyed the update.
-Wanda
798106 940733Attractive part of content material. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to claim that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts. Any way Ill be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you get entry to constantly quickly. 527357
777471 393074Spot on with this write-up, I truly suppose this web site needs considerably much more consideration. probably be once far more to learn way much more, thanks for that info. 836679
257900 732882You designed some decent points there. I looked on the net for any difficulty and located most individuals goes along with together with your website. 789362
607824 18989You produced some decent points there. I looked online to the issue and discovered most people is going in addition to utilizing your website. 897693
897041 535764You need to take part in a contest for among the greatest blogs on the web. I will recommend this site! 578951
870626 998699There is noticeably a bundle to recognize about this. I assume you made specific nice points in functions also. 13240