Happy Birthday Rachael

Happy 14th birthday, dear Rachael!!

You are a blessing to us all! 

You were born in Seoul, Korea, early one Easter morn, 

and what a blessing it was to us, since your name means little lamb of God. 

We appreciate your willing spirit to do whatever is needed; thank you!  

You truly have a servant's heart! We are so thankful for your conviction to 

live for our Lord and to do what is right.

You are a joy to our hearts! Happy 14th birthday!

It seems like only yesterday when you were born early one Resurrection morning!

"This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more

 in knowledge and in all judgment;

So many fun memories spent together

That ye may approve things that are excellent; 
that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,
which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."

{Philippians 1:9-11}

Christ is Risen!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again

 unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

{1 Peter 1:3}

"Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth,
which was crucified:
He is risen; He is not here:
behold the place where they laid him."
{Mark 16:6}

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
 who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

{Hebrews 12:2}

Visiting the Steamboat Arabia Museum

One of the paddlewheels of the Arabia

The steamboat Arabia was built in 1853, and sailed down the Missouri river loaded with 220 tons of household goods. It would sell its goods to trade posts along the route north. However, along its river route it hit a tree trunk and sank within minutes.

Several years ago, five men tracked the location of its burial and uncovered its treasures through months of very hard work. They have recovered the items that sank on the Arabia and restored them for display - in a fantastic museum that we enjoyed touring a few weeks ago.

The owners and excavators are frequently at the museum and we enjoyed meeting Mr. David Hawley

The restoration lab is still in daily use as the team continues to restore recovered items 

There were not many highly valuable goods on the Arabia; pictured is the jewelry

This "store" was overflowing with household and kitchen wares that were on the Arabia;
we felt like we were walking back in time to a pioneer trade post

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}