These Days

The last few weeks have had a very similar schedule for us. We've spent most of the time at home which has been a fun change of pace from the previous month. Family devotions, school, building relationships, work, music, business meetings and working on personal projects have all had a part in making up our days.

// practicing music //

// working out // 

// canning applesauce and other food produce //

// Nathanael is working towards getting his pilots license so we will hopefully have another pilot in the family! //

// working in the fields //

// celebrating birthdays //

// making weekend trips up to MN to see a certain person //

// thoroughly enjoying this beautiful time of year and this beautiful season of life //

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,

redeeming the time,

because the days are evil."

Ephesians 5:15-16

Autumn Joy

Welcome to the world little 

Autumn Joy.

October 7, 2017 \\ 7 lbs 3 oz \\ 20 inches long

You have a bunch of aunts and uncles that can't wait to meet you.
Congratulations Alan, Rachel and big brother Kendrick!!

"Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;
And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!"
Psalms 32:11

Sisters Trip

Taking time to invest into family relationships has always been really special to us. Since there is such a wide range of ages in our family and now a lot of miles separating us, we've learned that you have to be a bit more creative to do that since you can't always make memories face to face.

Several years ago most of the girls were able to get together for a "sisters' trip" and LOVED it! The late night conversations, exploring cute little shops, playing games, eating lots of yummy food and even taking time to work out together. It was a blast! Since then we've wanted to do it again, but it never happened. Until this fall!

A couple days before we all arrived in Iowa for the Old Threshers Reunion the girls were texting each other how excited we were to be together, and we were commenting on how fast the weekend was going to fly by. Then someone came up with the brilliant idea that since all of us were in one place this would be the perfect opportunity to do another sisters' trip! After figuring out some of the details (babysitters, travel plans, activities) the girls trip was scheduled!

Of course,  there were the last minute changes, and we ended up changing the location for this sisters' trip. But God made it all work, and it was such a fun couple of days!

We waved goodbye to all of the guys, and then the activities started! Some went grocery shopping, because good food makes everything fun! Some put the babies down for naps, others watched a horse pull, we all enjoyed a campfire, and interspersed in all that was a lot of talking and laughter.

The next day we ventured out to tour a cute little town.

Had lunch at a cute little bakery.

Went on a walking trail.

And just enjoyed being together!

The three little boys that joined our girls trip.

#whenwisstogether

Now we are back to making the most of texting and face timing but the memories we made will last us forever. So treasure the relationships that God has given you now, because even though life gets busy and people are imperfect, family is one of the greatest blessings on earth!

"As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
Psalms 27:17

O worship the King all-glorious above,

O gratefully sing His power and His love:

Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,

pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,

in You do we trust, nor find You to fail.

Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,

our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and friend!

Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name;

Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Psalms 29:2

Togetherness

A few random snapshots of our time together during Labor Day Weekend.

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!"
Psalms 133:1

Old Threshers

Family. History. Reunion.

Those words come to life for us every year during Labor Day Weekend. Our Grandparents used to go to Midwest Old Threshers as a family when our mom was a little girl and now our family has had the joy of singing there for over 15 years in a row!

This year was extra special since our entire family was able to come!

- Alan & Rachel from Kansas

- Ryan & Ruth from Nebraska

- Josiah & Abi from Nebraska

- Dan and Bethany from West Virginia

- Andrew & Kori from Florida

- Michelle (Matthias' Fiancee) from Minnesota

- Grandpa & Grandma from Iowa

and the rest of us still living at home in Nebraska

Just in case you were wondering, that is a grand total of 32 people!

God is so good!

We sang 9 different times during the 5 day event.

Since the whole family was back we pulled out some of our older songs so that everyone got the chance to sing.

There were so many special family moments! Thanks to having several photographers in the family, we have a lot of them on camera. Which also means we have a ton of pictures!

Old Threshers is the one time of year when we get to camp next to our Grandparents. If you don't know where someone is the first place to check is in Grandpa and Grandma's camper because their place is pretty popular!

We pulled all the grandkids up to sing a few songs with a little help from the uncles and aunts. 

The "Fret Not" guys

Enjoying the carousel

Feeding the little ones is a full time job!

Matthias and Baby Lee

Michelle was able to come down the last two days and so we pulled her up on stage to play the Orange Blossom Special.

Alaythia enjoyed her duties as the 2016 2nd runner up for the Sweet 16 contest.

Another song by the grandkids. 

Those two mischievous boys in the middle sure did enjoy having microphones!

Getting to drive a tractor is always a highlight for the grandkids!

As well as riding on the scooters and any other mobile thing.

The Lord reigns; Let the earth rejoice; 

Let the multitude of isles be glad!

Psalm 97:1