Quilting Fun

This winter, Sarah and I have enjoyed making quilts together. On cold winter afternoons, we run down to our sewing room and pull out stacks of material. We look through our quilt books and find a pattern we like - and start sewing! These quilts will be fun to use in our future, and will hold many memories of sisterly sewing conversations. Be sure to take time to do projects together with your own siblings - you will never regret it. It is good just to have a special time to talk with them as you work.

This quilt top was pieced by our great-grandmother, so we backed and tied it

The green quilt above Sarah made last year, and I have one to match. The other one is a crib quilt. It is really fun to make crib quilts for hopechests, and will be neat to tell your children someday that you made that for them when you were younger!

     Sarah made this quilt out of leftover skirt and jumper material

I made the baskets in this quilt from old skirt fabric

If you have younger sisters, find a creative quilt to work together this winter. You will be surprised how fun and easy they are to make.

"To every thing there is a season,
 and a time to every purpose under the heaven."
{Ecclesiastes 3:1}

~Rachael, for the

Jacob & Jerusalem

We enjoyed a visit from Jacob and Jerusalem as they were passing through on their way to missionary language training. They are a fun couple and it was wonderful to see them again!

Doing an exercise challenge together

God bless your work for His Kingdom

"Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature."
{Mark 16:15}

The Christmas Season

Beautiful snow

"My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit 

hath rejoiced in God my Saviour...

Christmas dinner

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

Fun cookie baking

He hath shewed strength with his arm;
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 

Christmas drop-in

He hath put down the mighty from their seats,
and exalted them of low degree. 

He hath filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich he hath sent empty away. 

Neighbors

He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 

As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever."
{From Luke 1}

May your new year be blessed!

Sarah's Birthday

Happy 21st birthday, Sarah! 

Sarah, thank you for making good food every day. 
~ Samuel

Sarah, thank you for the advise in all areas of my life. 
~ Jonathan

Sarah, thank you for encouraging me to read my Bible, and memorize lots of verses. 
And for making lunch every day, too. 
~ Nathan

Sarah, I have enjoyed sewing with you.
Your encouragement with memorizing has been a wonderful help, this past year! 
You are a  wonderful sister! You are a blessing to me.
~Rachael

Sarah, I am so grateful for the Godly choices you have made as you have grown and matured into a truly beautiful young lady.  Thank you for all the encouragement you extend to your siblings with scripture memory and exhorting each of them as they read their Bible each day.  Thank you for all your help as you contribute  much to running our home and business, you keep things running smoothly each day with your diligence and hard work.  I love you! 
~ Mom

Sarah, thank you for all of your diligent work in our home as you use that experience to prepare for your own home and family.  You are a wonderful daughter and excellent example to all.  I love you. 
~ Daddy

"Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou excellest them all. "
{Proverbs 31:29}

A Joyous Season

Enjoying the Christmas lights around the square in Holton

It has been wonderful to meet the local people in the farming community of Holton since we moved.

A fellowship dinner

We have enjoyed getting to know Mrs. Utz

The Topeka Symphony was beautiful and greatly enjoyed

May the love of God, which was manifested through the incarnation of His Son fill your heart this Christmas - He is the true Reason for the season.

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, 

I am the light of the world: 

he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, 

but shall have the light of life."

{John 8:12}

Jonathan's Thanksgiving Turkeys

Jonathan is our master turkey grower. He takes care of them for sixteen weeks and we all enjoy the fruit of his labor on Thanksgiving day.

Dinner time for turkeys

We all have a lot of fun on butcher day

Fresh turkey pick-up

Turkey: it's what's for dinner!

"Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks,
unto thee do we give thanks:
for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare."
{Psalm 75:1}

Lego Creations

Samuel recently came up with some very creative Lego models of farm equipment:
 hay baler, combine, plow, trailer, truck with a wench, planter with a tractor, and a disk.
 Some huge equipment there!

Samuel and Jonathan with their combines

"Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth,

 and hath given him power to eat thereof, 

and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; 

this is the gift of God."

{Ecclesiastes 5:19}

Happy Thanksgiving!

"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, 

and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High."

{Psalm 92:1}

Happy Thanksgiving! It is a blessing to have a special day reserved to give thanks to the Lord Who gives us such bounteous gifts. May we delight in offering to Him our joyful offering of gratefulness for all the blessings He gives to us every day. Let us praise His name today and speak of His wondrous works to others.

Rachael made our very special holiday-time treat - homemade warm cinnamon rolls! 

Preparing the fresh farm-raised turkey

All ready for the feast!

A reason to give thanks

We each enjoyed writing down several things we are grateful for this Thanksgiving

"Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, 

and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

{Psalm 30:4}

Happy Anniversary!

Happy anniversary, Dad and Mom!! 
We love you so much!!!!!!
~The Bees

"Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: 
thou hast established the earth, and it abideth."
{Psalm 119:90}

The Moo-ve: Chores on the Farm

Morning milking chores

We are enjoying our new farm. Mornings are so crisp and quiet, and evenings are beautiful as we can watch the sunset from our kitchen. The handiwork of the Lord is awing.

Rachael feeding the goats

Sarah milking Belle

Jonathan cutting weeds

Feeding the pigs

Watching the sunset

Every evening it is uniquely colorful!

"I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: 

with my mouth will I make known thy 

faithfulness to all generations."
{Psalms 89:1}