Meijer Gardens/God's beautiful creation

This Saturday, our family went to Meijer Gardens.
We had a lot of fun, and I got tons of great pictures!

Ian and I with 'Grandma and Grandpa'

There was a horse that was so big I could fit under it's hoof! It was really cool!

God's creation is amazing!!

My dad wants to build one of these..... :)

The pump.

How cute!

What a sweet girl.

Hear anything???

God bless!
~Andrea~

The Commission

I asked the Lord to help my neighbor,
And carry the gospel to distant lands,
And to comfort the sick, but He said to me,
If you love me, be my hands.

I asked to Lord to go to the dying,
And the orphan in the street,
And visit the prisoner, be He said to me,
If you love me, be my feet.

I asked the Lord to look to the poor,
And watch over each babe that cries,
And see each man's need, be He said to me,
If you love me, be my eyes.

I said to the Lord, I want to serve you,
But I don't know where to start.
To love is the answer, He said to me.
If you love me, be my heart.

G. Shirie Westfall

-Sisters-

Trust in Him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to Him,
for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8

What we've been up to......

dehydrating!

We got this food dehydrator recently and have been having lots of fun experimenting with it. :D

Tomatoes.....

Apples (SO good!)...

and we also did bananas, but I don't have a picture.

All of the things that we have done so far we got for free (from our garden) or really on sale (the bananas). We are working on trying to save money by storing food that we will be able to use later. The apples are a great snack, but the tomatoes and bananas we will probably use in things like salads, trail mixes... etc.

Some things we have canned recently...
salsa and pickles.
We haven't tried either yet, but they both look really good! Sorry the picture is so bright.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Philippians 3:14-16

In Christ,
Marissa

Alpena

Last weekend we went up to Alpena and stayed at our neighbors cottage. It was a lot of fun, but the beauty of God's wonderful creation was absolutely amazing!

We had lots of fun tubing!

I just thought this was a pretty cool picture.

Ian and his bow and arrow. :)

Out for a pontoon ride.

God's creation is wonderful!
Blessings,
Andrea

Some Pictures...

Andrea took these pictures yesterday...

We got our big, huge, tire-swing tree taken down today. I don't have before and after pictures... but the yard looks a lot different without it!

A huge branch of our peach tree fell a few days ago. There was a weak spot in the tree and the branch just got so heavy it couldn't stay up any longer! Kind of a disappointment, because most of the peaches were on that branch... oh well! We still have quite a few left at least. :D
Blessings,
Marissa

Art of Breadmaking Giveaway

Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to let you know that Jenna is having a giveaway for "Homestead Blessings: The Art of Breadmaking" DVD by Franklin Springs. Go over to her blog and check it out!
femininefarmgirl.blogspot.com

~Marissa

So I Will Trust You

Almighty Maker, Universe Shaper,

You put the stars into space,
yet You descended, You have befriended
those who had hated Your name, just like me.

Chorus:
King of Glory, I know You love me,
so I will trust You.
Yes I will trust You.
God almighty, You have saved me,
so I will trust You.
Yes, I will trust in You.

Lord over nations, King of Creation,
heaven and earth bow to You.
I am Your child, I've been reconciled,
with tender affection You drew me to You.

Chorus

Bridge:
How could I not trust my King,
the One who has formed me and shaped me?
I will rejoice and will sing,
for the One who has made me has saved me.


Yesterday I got The Worship Songbook Volume 3 by Sovereign Grace Music. This is one of the songs in it, you can listen to part of it if you go to the bottom of our blog. Their songs are really neat. A few people have told us we need to get some of their music so we finally did and I really like it. :D
I hope everyone had a great weekend!
Blessings,
Marissa

Faith Like Potatoes

We watched this movie a couple of nights ago. I would really recommend it if you haven't seen it yet.

Based on a true story, it's about a farmer who moves his family to South Africa. They try to transform a bare plot of land to a working farm.
He is soon tired of working continually and not getting far. Eventually he accepts Christ and his life is transformed.
This story shows the power of faith and giving God everything. He's in control and He knows what's best.

Peaches are here!

We are so thankful for the peaches we are getting this year! We only have a few ripe ones right now, but there are more coming. They are so good!!!

The weather has been very interesting here the last few days.... Yesterday it rained-hard- most of the day and was dark and gray. Today is SO hot. Dad is glad though because the heat and humidity is really good for some of the plants. The rest of us... not so much. :D Right now Dad, Elaina, Ian and Seth are swimming.

Andrea is coming home tomorrow! I can't wait!
In Christ,
Marissa

2 Corinthians 6:4-10

2 Corinthians 6:4-10
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; know, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killer; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

The other day I made a list about what each of these things means to me. I numbered each one (1-in great endurance 2- in troubles, hardships and distresses 3- in beatings, imprisonments and riots... etc.), then wrote down what I can do. For example:
#4-In hard work, sleepless nights and hunger - Go to the Lord when my strength is gone.
#10-...in sincere love - Remember how much they matter to God.
#13- With weapons of righteousness - The armor of God-offensive and defensive.
#19- Beaten, and yet not killed - PERSEVERANCE

Those are just some examples that I did. Anyway, I would really encourage you to make up your own and maybe even write down more specifically how they apply to your life. Thanks for reading!
Blessings,
Marissa

I miss my sister....

Last Tuesday we took Andrea to camp for the week..... It's only Thursday and it seems like it's been--wow... I didn't realize it's only been two days--a lot longer. I had no idea how many times I tell her something, do something with her, need her help... etc. during the day. A LOT!
We both went to this camp last summer. It was fun and and we learned a lot. I am pretty sure she is having a great time there. I can't wait until Monday when she gets home, though!
Andrea is such an amazing sister. I miss her and I can't wait until she gets home!

In Christ,
Marissa

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss.
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life.
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything:
No gifts, no pow'r, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ:
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart:
His wounds have paid my ransom.