A Week in Kidron, Ohio

Tomorrow morning myself, my sister Kate, my sister Anya, and my dad are going to leave for what will be a week long visit in Kidron, Ohio. O the joys of being homeschooled! We will be staying at my grandparents house, though they will not be around. They will be travelling to California for a month of working with MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service). So we will be taking care of their house for a week. Things like hauling wood up to the house for their wood stove, plowing the lane if there is snow, and getting the mail will be on the agenda. Also while we are there we will be having school and doing fun activites my dad has planned for us. So throughout our week there, I will be updating you on some of the adventures we will endure!

Stay Tuned! And let us remember those who do not have a warm shelter to stay in during these frigid temperatures and let us be grateful.

Take Care,  

HAPPY 2010!

Wow, another new year. So many things to look forward to and so many unknowns. I thank God for an amazing 2009 year. As I look back some of the highlights that come to mind are:
*Beginning to go to Ridgeway Mennonite Church and all the awesome friendships that has brought in January.
*The miraculous births of 6 baby goats and 2 calves in the middle of May.
*Accepting Jesus Christ into my heart during my week of camp at Highland Retreat.
*Meeting up with my Kauffman relatives in Kentucky for a couple days of hiking and staying in cabins during the month of June.
*Going to Bugg's Island with some friends for a weekend of camping and tubing on the lake in July.
*Enjoying some quality time in inner city Harrisburg, PA on a youth service trip in August.
*Becoming for the first time a home-schooler, and enjoying the new joys that that has brought.
*And also becoming a first time blogger!!
*Going to my aunts house in PA for a week of fun!
*Getting my ears pierced!!
*Going to Chesapeake Bay for 3 days of exciting learning and new experiences in November.

 

I wish you all a very AWESOME 2010!!

Take Care,

The Christmas Story.

This morning before opening gifts our family has the tradition of reading the Christmas story together. Because of a sore throat I was not able to read it outloud myself. So I had the pleasure of just listening, and pondering the words of Luke. I think sometimes we almost forget what Christmas is really about. It's not just about: gifts, Christmas trees, cookies, decorating, but about God's son entering the world as a baby. And I don't want to come across as Miss Perfect Christian, because I also find myself dragged away from the real meaning. I am also not saying that Christmas trees, cookies, gifts, and decorating are all bad things. I think that those are some of the things that make Christmas so exciting! So what I guess I am trying to say is during the hustle and bustle of the season and of life, taking time to read God's word is what really matters. If you haven't already read the the scripture yourself, I have included the Christmas Story in my post. And if you have already maybe take a moment and read it again and really take in the miraculous story. I know it was helpful for me to read it again. I don't think you can ever read the story too much.

Luke 2:1-20 (New International Version)

The Birth of Jesus

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Courtesy of: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A1-20&version=NIV

Merry Christmas!!

Walking In a Winter Wonderland!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!

Have fun in the snow!! Be Safe!

Take Care,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ME!

Yes, Today December 15th in the year 1995 I was born at the University of Michigan Medical Center. I won't share the whole story of my birth, but I will say that it is a miracle I am here today. Here are some pics of my birthday day:

Here is my peppermint ice-cream cake with an E on it. SO YUMMY!

For lunch, my sister and I had a tea party. Here I am sitting at our little table full of goodies. Since my parents had lunch with my mom's staff we had our own little party at home. What a great birthday so far!! Tonight I am planning to open gifts and then go out for supper. I LOVE BIRTHDAYS!! 10 days till Christmas!

Take Care,

SNOW!

SNOW!

Yesterday morning on the morning news the weather guy said there was an 80% chance for snow today. So I woke up this morning and looked out my window and found myself looking at a white blanket of snow on the ground. YEA! So I hopped out of bed and put on my coat and went outside into the winter wonderland. I took my dog out since she LOVES snow. As soon as I was outside I heard the goats "ma ma ma." I think they were a little wacked beacuse they have never seen snow before. Here are some pics from this mornings  snow:

Hope all the Harrisonburg folks who are reading this have fun in the snow!! And to all the rest of you, Take Care.

Butchering Chickens

Remember these?

Well, if not about 10 weeks ago I posted a post about these peeps. Well now this is what they look like...

All grown up!! And today my family butchered 10 of them.

 We use a traffic cone for the killing tool. My dad is in charge of the killing part. He puts the chicken in the cone and its head pops out the bottom of the cone. My dad then cuts the head off and lets it bleed.

After dipping them in 140 degree water then comes the plucking part. Kate likes plucking!!

This is what a fully plucked chicken looks like.

The coolest part of all is the gutting! You get to see all the intestines, fun!

Hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse of what happens here on the farm. I would love to here your comments about this post whether you liked it or not.

Take Care,