Snapshots from our Winter Vacation

Our family normally takes a family trip each winter while our dairy animals are dry. However, this year we decided to take some educational and fun day trips to local museums. We visited the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential museum in Abilene, Kansas, which was very educational.

Gifts from the Eisenhower estate

Rachael really wanted to give a speech from this bullet-proof podium...but no one would listen!

In front of Eisenhower's boyhood home

We also enjoyed an afternoon of ice skating together

The National World War I Museum

A super-jumbo-sized pizza with 49 slices....

Since we all had been exercising "heavily," the pizza quickly disappeared!

Ice cream treats

"Glory ye in his holy name:
let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore."
{Psalm 105:3-4}

Road Adventures

We are becoming well acquainted with our wonderful country non-maintained roads out here in Holton! Last week we were very grateful for God's protection when our truck slid off a culvert, one tire off the edge.

All that was needed for the rescue was Dad and a good strong ratchet strap!

Actually, a road grader was more in order and did the trick of the operational rescue. We are very thankful the passengers were safe, and no harm was done to our truck!

Farming at a Golden Sunset

Nathan spreading lime on the fields,
in preperation for planting his first crop of alfalfa this spring

The dust trail behind the tractor looks like fire as the sun set behind him

One excited farmer

"Also that every man should eat and drink, 

and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God."

{Ecclesiastes 3:13}

Happy Birthday, Samuel!

Happy 12th birthday, Samuel!

We love you so much and are so grateful for God's blessing to our family through your life. May He continue to make you a godly young man as you seek after His ways!

"Give instruction to a wise man,
and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man,
and he will increase in learning."
{Proverbs 9:9}

A Trip to Kansas' Capitol

In the Senate Chamber

"Day Under the Dome" is a homeschool event hosted in Kansas' beautiful capitol building. This was an educational opportunity for us to tour our newly-renovated capitol, learn about state legislation, and gratefully thank those who fight for homeschool rights.

Beautiful painted murals, original intricate design,
hand cast bronze columns - and so much more - make this building a work of art!

Samuel, under the dome

Meeting State Governor Brownback

We appreciated a personal visit with Senator Dennis Pyle, who is a homeschool father and acquaintance. He shared some very useful tips for us to be ready for the battles that lie ahead for as homeschoolers, Christians, and Americans.

Bryant children with Senator Pyle

We also observed the daily Senate session, which was very interesting!

Sessions open with prayer

We are so grateful for the opportunity to learn more about our government,
to appreciate the freedoms we have been granted by the sacrifices of thousands
who have gone before us, and to learn how to responsibly guard freedoms we daily enjoy. 

"Ye shall walk after the LORD your God,
and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice,
and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him."
{Deuteronomy 13:4}

Fruitful Stores

We juiced the limes and froze the juice in ice cube trays for later use

Buying groceries is a bit challenging since we moved, so we are shopping for a month. We had a great time while planning, shopping and storing the groceries we bought this past week. Limes, avocados, peppers, apples and strawberries were on sale, so we bought these along with our standard bulk cauliflower, cabbage, mushrooms, and carrots. Preserving these fresh foods to enjoy in the days to come was a blessing.

We chopped peppers to freeze, and will freeze the bananas and avocados once they are ripe

Strawberries were sliced and frozen for later use in our smoothies

We have enjoyed fresh organic carrots, turnips, and sweet potatoes from Carrie all winter

"There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; 

the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: 

and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

His name shall endure for ever: 

his name shall be continued as long as the sun: 

and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed."
{Psalm 72:16-17}

New Farming Adventures

Nathan is looking forward to getting into the row crop business, and last week obtained his first piece of equipment - a field cultivator. We're excited to see what the Lord has for him this new growing season!

"Behold that which I have seen:
it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink,
and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he
taketh under the sun all the days of his life,
which God giveth him: for it is his portion."

{Ecclesiastes 5:18}

Fellowship From Afar - the Vests

The Lord recently blessed us abundantly with a visit from the Vest family. What a treasure our time together was, with so many wonderful memories made. We are grateful for the blessing of godly fellowship - thank you, Vests, for your stay!

Sweet fellowship, testimonies, and conversations

Nathan showing the hide of a coyote he had shot earlier that day

It was a special treat and answer to prayer for Amy and Sarah to meet in person -
Sarah has been blessed by Amy's love for the Lord. To be able to share God's
faithfulness in their respective ministries, His answers to prayer, and to come before the
 Throne together was a blessing to remember!

Amy is a gem and we all enjoyed games and fun with her late into the night

Samuel doing chores with Amy, and our puppy, Lolly

Amy has hosted a Summer Bible Reading Pursuit,
 which all of the children have enjoyed participating in for the past two years.
It was a treat for them all to thank Amy in person for this challenge,
which has been an inspiration to us all!

"As cold waters to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country."

{Proverbs 25:25}

"Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee:
let such as love thy salvation say continually,
The LORD be magnified."

{Psalm 40:16}

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}