Give Thanks

"For the Beauty of the Earth"
A beautiful hymn (interestingly combined with The Man From Snowy River) we hope you enjoy this Thanksgiving:


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Last night I read Psalm 107. It is a long one but a favorite. I hope you find time to read it this weekend:

 

¹ O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

² Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
³ And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
⁴ They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
⁵ Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
⁶ Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
⁷ And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
⁸ Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
⁹ For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
¹⁰ Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
¹¹ Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
¹² Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
¹³ Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
¹⁵ Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
¹⁶ For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
¹⁷ Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
¹⁸ Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
¹⁹ Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
²⁰ He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
²¹ Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
²² And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
²³ They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
²⁴ These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
²⁵ For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
²⁶ They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
²⁷ They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.
²⁸ Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
²⁹ He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
³⁰ Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
³¹ Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
³² Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
³³ He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
³⁴ A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
³⁵ He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
³⁶ And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
³⁷ And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
³⁸ He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
³⁹ Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
⁴⁰ He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
⁴¹ Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
⁴² The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
⁴³ Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.



Risa

Challah recipe and update

Hey everyone. It's early Friday morning (the best day of the week) and we are all just lounging about and sleeping in. Which is unusual, but whenever Dad's schedule is unusual, so is ours. He went out early this morning (4:30) to go hunting for the first time in over 20 years. Or as Glodilocks said it, "He's out spyin' on the animals!"

So that's how we are today. And I'm not sure how you are but if you make this challah bread your day will be much happier, I'm sure. =]

Mix:
2 1/2 C warm water
1 TBL yeast
1/2 C honey (see, it's healthy! for bread...)
After that begins to foam and such add in:
1/4 C oil
2 eggs
1 TBL salt
8 C flour

Let this rise in a large oiled bowl until doubled (about 1 1/2 hours). Divide into two braided loaves, rise again. Bake @ 375 for 40 minutes and voila!
Variations:
1)Brush with egg and sprinkle poppy seeds on top. Good flavor, good for you, and pretty too.
2) Make up a mixture of cinnamon, sugar and butter (possibly add in some all spice or apple pieces). After you seperate the dough into 3 pieces but before braiding, roll the 3 pieces flat long-wise. Add some sweet filling to the middle of each and roll up to form 3 logs again. Pinch ends to seal and braid. Brush entire loaf with egg and sprinkle with sugar...so yummy...

Have a great weekend!
Sam

Our Trip to Big Sandy

Our family spent a vacation with about 1,500 other Christians at NGJ's Big Texas Shindig. It was great to meet and fellowship with others who were just as peculiar as us! It isn't everyday one meets a family (especially if you're a conservative home school Christian family) with beliefs like their own. I don't think any two families are identical, but to have fellowship with "peculiar people" who we are like us is a blessing. I think of Psalm 133:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

But before we get into the Shindig, let me show the pictures in chronological order. First was the driving and I have two cute pictures from within the RV (named Cletus).

We are thankful for Cletus, because we were able to play charades and checkers, take naps, and eat while traveling, which was a real blessing.

 

Cletus lost a step and an engine cover while we drove, but Dad made a new one out of some wood and his own craftsmanship. One family saw our RV and said we could have been from Texas too!

 

As I said before there were around 1500 people there, out of those we knew only one family. As we pulled into our RV spot we were talking about how we hoped to see the G family and, what do you know, they were in the spot right next to ours.  

 

We enjoyed sharing a couple meals and s'mores with them as well as playing and talking together.



Goldilocks loved to play with Annalisa. They are playing tag.

We also went on the obstacle coarse with them. Below is our Dad going from one tire swing to another. (SquiRe is in the background!)

The next game, or obstacle, was a two player game. There were four chords above the ground making a square, in the middle of the square was a rope. In the picture you will see Risa and Dad relying on each other to walk around the square, balancing on the thin chords beneath their feet.

Sam's turn!

 

After that was the tall rope swing; so much fun!

Yes! That is Risa.

 

We all tried it, but there are so many pictures already.

 

Okay, after that was the exciting log walk. A long log was held above the ground by two chords so that as you walked across it would rock and move.

Again, we all made it across (I did it three times =) ) but the space for pictures limits us to this.

The two tight rope walkers above Sam and Abigail G. were supposed to race but decided to use a long stick and work together.

I have a new found appreciation for tight rope walkers. As you can see in the above picture, I fell many a time. But it was such happy amusement!

Annalisa is helping Goldi "fall".

We all held our arms together as others stood on a platform and dropped back in faith. Annalisa had the most fun and was by far the bravest.

 

The last tight rope started closer to the ground (you see it right above Risa's knee) and grew higher off the ground. Thankfully there was a second chord to hold on to.

The feet of yours truly! Ta ha ha =)

A quick rest at the highest point.

I really like this silly pose!

Abigail and I had taken many pictures. Our camera's memory card was full!

Micheal Pearl had some great teachings. The whole family enjoyed his teachings above those of the other speakers. There were amazing teachings on family, missions, marriage, Romans, sanctification, how to read your Bible, and more.

It was such a good trip. I think we all hope to go to the next Shindig! And maybe you will too!

 

Blessings,

Mari

 

Quick Post (of Jack and Bread)

 Just writing this post as we are about to head out the door! Thought you'd like to know we will be blogging soon!

 

What a goof-ball he is!

Jack believes that his elbow are his muscles. He is so cute saying, "Look at muscles! My muscles!"

BIG Challah bread!

We have been making some really delicious challah, so if any of you think you want the recipe just let me know. =) It's so good!

 

Coming Soon (Maybe):

Trip to Big Sandy Texas

Princess Photo Shoot

Riding Black Jack