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

Chicken names...finally

We are now posting our chickens pictures and their names. Sorry it took so long. They are all named after characters from movies or tv shows. See if you can guess!

 

Twister [Turrill]

Merry

Pippin

Qwali

Pearl

Ruby

Big Mama (okay, her name isn't from anything, we just liked it)

 Foghorn J. Leghorn (actually female, unlike the character)

 

Dory (actually male, unlike the character)

Here's where they all are from:
Twister: Larkrise to Candleford, BBC mini series
Merry and Pippin: The Lord of the Rings, who doesn't know this? ;]
Qwali: Imagine That, movie
Pearl and Ruby: Larkrise to Candleford, BBC mini series
Foghorn J. Leghorn: Looney Toons, he's the rooster
Dory: Finding Nemo, he's extra unintelligent and has a similar color on his face.

Did you get them right?
Sadly, our chicken numbers have been reduced to 6. Two roosters are gone by our hand and two hens by the hand, erm, paw, of a coyote.
Sam

Waiting in Hope

Revelation 22:7
“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Romans 8:18-23
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

1 Corinthians 13:9-12
“For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”

Psalm 29:10
“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.”





Andrew Peterson's newest album, Light for the Lost Boy, has just been released. I've become a fan, so naturally I pre-ordered the CD (in lieu of The Wolf and the Throne Warden, a book we are not-so-patiently waiting for him to write). Above is my favorite song from the album: “Come Back Soon” Words and Music by Andrew Peterson


Risa

What we do

True.
Sam.

Homeschool Vintage Ball

The long-awaited ... *cough* circumstances beyond my control ... *mumble*...

ANYWAY!
Below are some pictures from the Vintage Ball we attended this summer if any of our friends still have an interest.

Say "red eye!"

 

The term "vintage" was given a broad definition. As such attendees were arrayed in all manner of dress, from the 1700s to 1860, from western duds to (my personal favorite) 1940s dress. And of course, formal modern attire.

 

 

We met old friends and new that evening. A ball is intended to be a very social event and this one was wonderful.

 

Notice the historical dress and adorable little dancer in a a suit. Also note the basketball hoop: the ball was held in a church gymnasium which proved a perfect venue.




 

SquiRe (in his too-cute bow tie) was completely captivated by the dancing and participated in almost every set. There was a fantastic diversity of age and dancing skill at the ball. All of the dances were briefly explained then "called" which was very helpful.



 

Our dear Jack was a little overwhelmed by it all at times, bless his heart.

 

You may notice the Invisible Woman (who much prefers to stay invisible) is prominently displayed in several of these photos. She hopes you're happy.

SquiRe and Sam are the first couple in this dance.

 

We had dances in sets of four, six, eight and even a few line dances. Some traditional dances were familiar to us, like The King's March, Jefferson's Reel and Come Let Us Be Merry. Others were new, like the Pineapple Dance which was performed to Viva la Noche. That was fun!

Daddy and I.

It was so nice to attend an event like this that we could all enjoy together, from Goldilocks to Mom and Dad. I think our parents danced more often than I did!


The night ended with a series of wild dances, one of which was called "Chasing the Squirrel" (pictured above). It is as silly and rambunctious as it sounds. We went home thoroughly delighted, invigorated, and exhausted.

 

 

 

Risa