Everyone pile in!!!

After the Baptism, every one drove around the hill for dinner at the Parsonage! The Pastor and his wife had tables set up in the yard and plenty of chairs (thanks to the Miller family). Our plans however, were changed due to the rain. We had fifty-six people piled in our 2000 square foot home. I loved it! (Rachael) The rain made this an even more memorable service. We had people sitting on our front porch, back porch, living room, basement, kitchen, and even our bedroom! What a great time of celebration!

Baptism 2008

It had not rained in a month until ... fifteen minutes after our Baptism Service began. Thunder could be heard and lightning was seen but nothing would stop Pastor Roger. He was determined to get these souls baptized!

We were so grateful to Ernie Yoder and his wife for allowing us to use their pond. What a beautiful location! Praise the Lord for those who are walking in the foot steps of the Savior!

For Home School Moms!

Daily Devotional by Alpha and Omega Publications
Friday, August 22, 2008

Letting Go

It happened today. I knew it was going to come someday, but I wasn't quite ready. My five-year-old son and I were walking back from the barn after doing the evening chores. As we headed toward the house, I felt my hand reach for his to walk back together. In just that instant, my son's hand pulled away instead, and I knew. I knew he was growing up and letting go.
As homeschool parents, we have even a greater temptation to hang on to our children when they begin to let go. Instead of looking for opportunities to launch our children into the world, our loving and protective nature wants to shelter them from all the hurts and injustices that will come their way. Instead of holding on so tightly, we must let go and allow them to place their hand into the hand of God. Psalm 37:24 says, "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand."Are you struggling with letting go? Maybe you feel like Mary, the mother of Jesus, when after she had spent three days looking for her lost twelve-year-old son, she heard Him say, "How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business" (Luke 2:41-51)? You can trust God to take care of your child, even when you are not there to hold his hand. God knows his needs and will help your child just like He has done for you. "But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand" (Psalm 31:14-15a).God, help me to place my child's future in Your hands. Remind me of all You have done for me, so I may believe in Your loving care for him.

Sarah & Melody's Birthday/Slumber Party

Finally, Sarah's Birthday/Slumber Party!

Moms and daughters crashed out in the living room, basement, and even the kitchen floor! The house was a little crowded. Sarah didn't keep her party to just hers. She wanted to share her birthday with the neighbor girl who lives up the hill from our place.

God's Bible School & College Quartet "Proclaim"

The quartet joined us the Sunday Morning of our closing program for V.B.S. What a busy week!

Vacation Bible School 2008

We had a pretty good number of children this year and we thank God. My biggest worry was not having enough children and so my prayer focus was for many children. God heard my prayer and chose to answer it, however, I forgot to pray for many helpers so God chose to give us just what we needed and not a soul more. Those who were there know what I'm talking about! We averaged in the high 50's low 60's. What was amazing about this V.B.S. is in most Bible School's your attendance begins to lower by Thursday and that was our biggest day! Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus for carrying us through this week and keeping your hand on each one of us. Your ways are truly higher than ours. I love you.