Our Weekend!!

Dear ladies,
This last week has been an exciting week for all of us. Just yesterday, my Grandpa took me out to breakfast and we had a wonderful time together talking and enjoying the meal. After we came home from breakfast, Sam and Rebekah, (my younger brother and sister) went to my Grandpa and Grandma's house and spent a few hours with them. Then, 2 days ago, we had 2 of our cousins over with our Uncle and Aunt. Our Uncle Alan brings fireworks sometimes for the fourth of July. We did not do fireworks for the fourth because we were in Grandview, as my dear sister, Amanda explained to you why. We had a great time with them. 3 days ago, we began to paint our house and we got 3 out of the 4 sides done. That is when bees came in. Dani was painting on the back side of our house with Dad and Mom. Earlier, we had noticed a bee hive on that side of the house. Dad had warned us to not irritate the hive, but one of the bees spotted Dani, and stung her on the finger. :( I have not gotten stung for about two years, and I didn't want to get close. Dad sprayed them down as soon as he covered his arms with a coat for that. Now, at 4:18 this beautiful Tuesday afternoon, the girls are organizing our room. What a busy weekend!!! Think back on your weekend. Maybe you have had a busier weekend than we have. Whatever the case, be sure to thank God for His blessings to you.
Blessings,
Hannah

Trip to Grandview and Bickleton

We have been wanting to write about our trip over July 4th for awhile now, and have just the moments to update you all. :)

We were so blessed to attend the Blueberry Festival for the second year in a row on July 2. Some friends of ours run the berry farm, and our family was able to minister for 4 hours that morning/afternoon as hundreds walk through the vendors and the berry patches. It was neat to play music as a family - we miss all the opportunities we had in Arizona. We were blessed after the music to fellowship with a few like-minded friends; some we hadn't seen in a long while.Some of the dear friends we rarely get to see~ what a wonderful time we were able to spend visiting with them.

Leah loved holding this precious little baby. She begged over and over to hold him! :)
The M. family, owners of the berry farm, have a couple wonderful play areas set up for children, and our little siblings loved them! :)
Hannah and one of the M. girls

Playing at the berry farm

We were sad to leave the Berry Farm, but that night, we were invited to dinner at the home of some dear friends of ours who own the superb motel we stayed in during our time in Grandview. We had a refreshing evening, fellowshipping with the D. family. Unfortunately, we didn't get pictures to post as most of them were taken during a lively game of Spoons later in the evening! :)

The next morning, Sunday, we were extremely blessed to attend the church of several of the families we fellowshipped with the day before. It was a special morning.

That afternoon, we drove to Bickleton, a tiny town about an hour from Grandview. There we met the family who was hosting us that night and the next morning. We had a wonderful dinner with them, enjoyed getting to know them and were blessed by their hospitality. Greg blessed us that evening with some refreshing hymns as we put the little ones to bed and prepared for our big day on Monday.
We didn't get a photo of Greg playing the piano, but we got one of Emily, who played lovely hymns for us the next morning. She was playing up high so it would be quieter for those who hadn't come out of their rooms yet. :)
Dad, Greg, and Mr. K. all kindly took time to play with the younger ones outside


Monday morning, we prepared to leave for the annual community get together where we were asked to play some patriotic songs and some of our others for their program. We met some neat people there and enjoyed the time.

That evening, we drove home, and along the way, as we just headed into the Tri Cities, our friend's (who was traveling with us and who plays bass for us) car broke down all of a sudden, and so we all made room for him plus all the berries the M. family generously shared with us (so 4-5 of us had boxes on our laps the rest of that 2 1/2 hour drive!). But we thank the LORD that we all made it home safely.

We hope you all are enjoying your summer. We plan to do another post soon about the company we had over this last week.

Blessings,
~Dani and Amanda

Happy Birthday, Amanda!

I was not able to get on here ON Amanda's 17th Birthday, but I was wondering if you could help me bless Amanda and wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY (a day late).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMANDA-DEAR!! I love you DEARLY and I thank you for your faithful companionship and for your compassionate and loving spirit. I don't know what I'd do without you, Manda! I LOVE YOU!! Happy Birthday, dearie!


Her respect for Dad and willingness to serve him in any way is a lovely example.


She is compassionate and gentle, and has a sweet love for God and her family


Amanda is always a wonderful companion, confidant, sister, friend, encourager, etc. She is a huge blessing in so many ways.


She is so tuned in with the needs of others, and when the little ones want to play tea party or other things, she loves to be there for them.

Amanda is so dependable. Her diligence every single day is shown through her self-sacrificial deeds in our family. You will often find Amanda working in the kitchen to prepare a delicious meal for our whole family!
Amanda, I love you and am so thankful that you are my sister. You are a gift from God and I can't wait to see what the LORD has planned for your future as we continue to "grow up" together! I LOVE YOU, Amanda!

~Dani