Memorial Day

"O beautiful for spacious skies...for amber waves of grain..."

Spending Memorial Day in Mom's tiny hometown is such a treasured event. In addition to simply spending time with our wonderful grandparents, we're able to carry on a yearly tradition which began as a dream of our great-grandmother's -- hoisting dozens of beautiful American flags around the Castalia cemeteries.

The weather has been beautiful this weekend as we've spent time raising the flags at the crack of dawn and taking them down again at sunset. In between times we've heard many stories from our family heritage. The colorful tapestry of our family story has been woven through the generations. Reminding us of the importance of teaching "these diligently to your children." [Deut 6:9]
What a treasure we have in our grandparents!! [We love you bigger!]

As we celebrate Memorial Day and the heroes who have sacrificed for our freedom, we once again thank the Lord for the godly heritage we've been given here in America. For the many men and women through the generations who have sacrificed greatly to keep her free. We pray for a returning to the truth of God's Word -- on which this nation was founded.

"It cannot be emphasized too often or too strongly that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians. Not upon religion but upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
-- Patrick Henry

And finally, here are a few pictures of our weekend:

My country, 'tis of Thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty

Of thee I sing;

Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,

From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring.

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;

I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills,

My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet Freedom's song;

Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;

Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of Liberty,
To Thee we sing,

Long may our land be bright
With Freedom's holy light,

Protect us by thy might
Great God, our King.

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Our grandpa served during the Korean War.
One of our heroes -- Grandpa, thank you!

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
Ps 33:12

Randomness

Home has been filled with excited activity these past few weeks. In fact, we're all enjoying a season of being home. So much, in fact, that the camera is too often forgotten when it comes to capturing ordinary days. But here's a quick look at a smattering of photos we've captured lately:

Joanna is completely enthralled with our baby chicks.

Spring bouquets

Spending lots of time in our garden.
And we've even been able to plant a whole tree orchard this spring!

With Joanna living only a mile from us, we are always eager for babysitting opportunities.

Lots of homemade baking has been happening, too. Mmmmmmm!

During our season at home, the guys have been working long, long hours installing irrigation systems for area farmers. We girls have been going to work with them on occasion, too! It's physically demanding and quite exhausting, but somehow everything is more fun when its a teamwork project!

Did I mention it was quite exhausting?! Yep...these guys have huge days!

We've begun piano lessons in earnest with each of the younger children. So wonderful to hear those little fingers play!

And that, my friends, is a short update from our camera lens! We're looking forward to a trip to northeastern Iowa to visit our grandparents this weekend. If you're in that area, we'd love to have you join us for our concerts there. Check our schedule page for details!

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Ps 16:11

Daddy

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Wisdom:
Seeing and responding to life's situations from God's fram of reference.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
Prov 9:10