We thank God for those who have died and sacrificed so that we might enjoy freedom in America and thank and honor those families who have lost loved ones. Freedom certainly isn't free.



We participated, by singing our newly found arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner, at the local Memorial Day service. And, here's a link to the front page of the local paper which reported it to the whole world. Well, not the WHOLE world. :)

I don't know if I'm the only one who will blog today, but I want to say first off happy birthday to my dad :) So HAPPY BIRTHDAY :D


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Here are some pictures from our recent concert (thanks to Carol for photos). It was at an old high school nearby that I wasn't even aware existed. Well, ok, it's not "local," but it isn't hours away either.

Here's a neat spiral staircase that was to the right of the stage and went all the way to the basement (through three stories).





I wish we had gotten pictures of the name on the back of each stair. It was really neat! There were names written in mostly pencil from at least 1930-1974. I'm pretty sure there must have been ones before '30 that I just didn't see. Wouldn't it be funny if some folks some Winchendon look up their high school and find their staircase mentioned ;) Some of the woodwork was in really rough shape, but overall the building was quite charming and a lot of it had to have been original.



The above is where we actually sang. It was a very "live" room, as in there was a lot of sound bouncing off the hard walls, floor, and ceiling. I can only imagine it becomes a roar when it's full of people, even counting in the deadening properties of so many bodies.

Can you imagine having hinges on your door that look like this!

NH Part 2 con’t

The kids did some fun fishing after a delicious lunch and caught one big enough to warrant cleaning and eating!


Photo credit Mr. Ed

We were blessed to stay with the Bartlett’s and we will look forward to seeing them again in July!

Sunday night’s concert went pretty good!





Photo credit Mr. Ed

We were glad to see familiar faces and new ones as well. Thank you all for coming! What a lovely end to a lovely weekend!

And, if anyone is wondering, we arrived safely home at 11:45pm Sunday night. PTL!

Sitting here on by the lovely Crystal Lake I’m composing a blog with pictures for you all.

We’re spending the weekend up in New Hampshire at the lovely Bartlett Ranch on the water. ; )



It very pretty and peaceful. Well, I guess it was more peaceful before we got here. At this moment we have 7 active bodies out on the lake in kayaks and paddle boats yelling and splashing each other!



That was a photo from yesterday.

We sang last night. Thanks to Mr. Ed for the pics.







What a nice friendly audience they were!

So, we’re back at the lake now…enjoying the birds right out side on the feeder…



Vincent caught a snake in the water!



Ew.

The flowers are so pretty!!


Well…one more concert tonight and then heading home!

We're on youtube, again!

Holy, Holy, Holy



Thanks, Mr. Ed for taking this and for taping so many of our other concerts in Florida. What a great bank of memories you've helped us store. : )

Well, we’ve had plenty to blog about recently, but it’s find the time to sit down and do it!

Saving our lighthearted family news for later I would first like to mention a prayer request.

Our dear friend, BonnieJean Wiebe, mother of 6, was diagnosed with cancer several years ago. [ If her name sounds familiar it probably because you’ve seen it on the ‘thank you’ section of our cd. ] The Lord blessed her with victory over the cancer but now the cancer has returned. Her prayer requests are as follows in her own words.

- for the radiation treatment, that I will not have any of the side affects and that the spine will be protected and the pressure from the tumors will be relieved.
- I won't have any swallowing problems [editors note: some radiation treatment will include maneuvering down the throat]
- God's guidance on just what alternative cancer treatment to under go, and what other medical options to explore.
- The will power to eat the right foods and give up the ones that I shouldn't eat, but love.
- Wisdom in all things.

You can view the Wiebe’s website or drop them an encouraging email here.

The spring weather has been glorious, for the most part.



Rain and cooler weather has put a slight damper on our outdoor plans but, we know it can’t rain forever. :happysmile:

We made a trip to process another cow almost two weeks ago now. I took less photos since it’s hard to hold a camera and a knife at the same time and get anything done.



The living and breathing cows acted curious and friendly, until they figured out we weren’t bringing food. ;-)



We helped with milking again, which is always interesting in it’s own way.

While some were milking we got a weeks worth of exercise by catching roosters. Let me tell you, all you city folk, roosters are HARD to catch. They are the fastest little thing and much more graceful then we are at running through fences. : P



Vincent holding a rooster! It was really fun and great exercise. I suppose it isn’t as fun for the rooster. Oh well.

The barn kitties are adorable but have cute wild streak in them. MEOW!



We always seem to enjoy the farm even though it means a lot of hard work. : )

Speaking of farmy type things, we have lots of seedlings all over our table…



The cold weather crops were planted outdoors and are poking through the dark chilly earth.

Please continue to keep Victor in your prayers. Pain is a terrible thing to deal with 24/7 and sleepless nights seem to compound the problem.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Romans 8:22-27 NIV