Daddy

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

awesome  bold  faithful  fun  gentle  

hard-working  insightful  leader  loving  manly 

prayerful  sacrificial  stable  

strong  visionary  wise

A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;

Proverbs 24:5

This Week

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words... So here are several thousand words about our week!

It's been so wet and rainy here that we've had to really take advantage of the dry sunny days in order to get the jobs done! Which makes for long days in the field.

And sometimes the job needs to get done before it's all dried out!

Headed to a wonderful day of work!

Back at home there's been a lot of dirt work going on too... planting our garden!

At a baby shower...

Headed home from a graduation party...

Enjoying a walk...

Visiting Alan and Rachel...

 And enjoying playing with these adorable kittens that our cat had last month!

"You have made known to me the ways of life; 

You will make me full of joy in Your presence."

Acts 2:28

Growing Spring Veggies

Our local nursery and colorful inspiration

A warm hello from Kansas! Spring has brought a new adventure into my life this year. One involving many hours in the sunshine and dirt. Yes, gardening! There's just something wonderful about watching tiny plants grow -- and serving up delicious veggies straight from the garden. Alan was very ambitious this spring and tilled over 2,000 square ft of garden space in our backyard. Thus far, we have it about half planted and are daily cheering for the tiny plants to grow!

Our smaller, salad garden. This picture was taken 2 weeks ago
and its amazing how much everything has grown since then!

As I mentioned, this is a fairly new project for both of us, so I feel as if we have bushel-loads of ambition and energy...but still have lots to learn. Thankfully, both our moms are available for expert advice! I'm sure I'll be uploading more garden-related posts in the future, but for now, I thought I'd share with you a brilliant tip I learned from my family: growing fresh plants from waste! Here's the scoop: 

When cutting store-bought romaine lettuce (or celery)

leave the bottom 2-3 inches intact.

Submerge the stubs in (approx.) half inch of water

 and set in the sunshine for a few weeks.

Eventually, new foliage will emerge and you're ready to plant it in the soil.

Water the plant generously, and within a couple weeks 

you should be ready for a garden-fresh salad!

The best part?! Having a lush, green garden growing in your windowsill as you wait for the coming of spring. Oh, the joys of new growth and life! What's growing in your garden these days?!

"...grow in the grace and knowledge 

of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

To Him be the glory both now and forever. 

Amen."

2 Peter 3:18

A Time to Build

We're so grateful for good, hard, productive work...and the enjoyment resulting from the fruits of our labors! While the weather has slowed our commitments in the fields this week, our guys took the opportunity to do a major shop-overhaul. With multiple businesses operating from the same area, it was past-due for some major organization!

Thanks to some help from some friends, the project went really well and fast!

Draw the plans... get the supplies... work hard...

And it's coming together!

Our shed... with a bunch of stuff outside so they'd have room to work!

...measuring...

How good it is to be organized!

And whalla!

The project is done!

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, 

or whatever you do, 

do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

Arianna

Happy 1st Birthday Arianna!

adorable  cheerful  cuddly  cute  darling  

delightful  enthusiastic  expressive 

friendly  funny  gentle  observant  outgoing  personable  spirited spunky   

sweet

                                        Created @ Tagcrowd.com

"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; 

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Psalms 16:11

NCHEA

Your thoughts stem from the heart.

 Then, thoughts become attitudes. 

Attitudes become actions. 

Actions shape who you become.

VALOR 2013. What a weekend! With most of us involved in some way, the annual conference was packed with stretching moments, laughter, action, and meaningful teaching moments. Once again, we saw the Lord's faithfulness as all the little details came together for the Lord's glory.

Stephen and Hannah taught the Bible verse from stage.

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart 
brings forth good things..."

Alan and Rachel drove up for the weekend.

And we were able to get Rachel on stage for a couple songs. Oh yeah!

Elizabeth made a tent for her teaching sessions.

Susanna taught on a team.

Nathanael had a blast with his teammates! 

Matthias' team

Ruth sharing a small-group teaching session

Elizabeth's team

Stephen's team

Charissa, enjoying the preschool playtime

Smiles

And fun with balloons!

Susanna's team

It was a special treat to have our grandparents join us for the weekend. Arnie's retelling of the challenges and sacrifices made during WW2 brought back many memories for them. We were thrilled to hear the stories from their childhood. We love you, Grandpa & Grandma!

[Side-note: Take time to listen and ask questions to our dear, older generation. We can learn so much from their wisdom and experiences!]

Craft time

Hannah's team

Ruth's team

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

I only wish we had a picture of Kori, 

who tirelessly captured  the entire event

with skill and a ready smile!

Valor Drama

1932 - Its a birthday party! Stanley welcomes his guests. 

Games

Unwrapping gifts

A slingshot!

Opps! Broken glass. Let's get out of here!

A talk with dad about impulsiveness and making wise choices.

Fast-forward to December 7, 1941.

Pearl Harbor as broadcasted over the radio waves.

Its time to sign up to serve our country.

Herbert S. Jenkins Jr. the Third signs up for duty.

Meanwhile, in Europe, a graduation is taking place.

Greta graduates with honors...

...and is assigned a special spy mission.

The drill sergeant examines his troops.

And barks a few orders. 

Reverie sounds at boot camp.

The distinguished, commanding officer.

Time for specialized training with Dr. Wack...

...who seems to have a little too much fun in his "la-BOR-i-tory". 

"This is nothing like fireworks."

A healthy fear of explosives.

Greta becomes a nurse at an Allied outpost.

And quickly makes friends with the other nurses. 

They meet up with Stanley and Walter.

The Commanding Officer

Assigned a special mission

"I really shouldn't tell you..."

Behind the lines.

"Did you hear something?!"

Search for them!

Running out of time!

Wounded, he completes his mission.

Needing to get back to base.

You let me down. A solider doesn't quit in the face of battle. 

In recovery.

I'm sure sorry, man.

"How would they have known our whereabouts?"

Something to report.

Stanley visits his sister.

While Greta looks for more information.

Setting a trap.

A kind nurse tries to cheer up the wounded.

But her smiles seem futile in the discouragement of war.

"We must choose to focus on the Lord. Not on our circumstances."

Caught!

True courage and joy is found in knowing the Lord. 

A reward for bravery.

"Guard your heart with diligence and honor.

Hold fast to the right, 

Be earnest in the fight. 

Bring every thought as captive, obedient unto Christ,

That we may be soldiers of valor!"

Many thanks to Kori for her pictures!