Happenings!

What a busy summer the LORD has blessed us with - we have so enjoyed all the opportunities He has placed in front of us.

Instead of a long post, we will explain each picture as we go along.

God has so abundantly blessed our garden this year! We are excited to have fresh lettuce whenever we want to make a salad! It continues to grow and grow.
Last weekend, our second cousin got married, and Greg was asked to be the main photographer! He did a great job!

Amanda had the special opportunity to be Greg's personal assistant before, during and after the wedding! They had a great time together.♥

Our friends' adorable baby. We so enjoyed spending time with them this last weekend.
We went to the lake with a few dear friends this last weekend and spent a lovely afternoon, fellowshipping, swimming, boating, sitting and watching. What wonderful memories we made!

It took a while, but we girls joined the others in the water and we had a fabulous time!

Dear sweet friends!
Over the 4th of July weekend, we played at one of our favorite places - Bill's Berry Farm! We ended up playing 8 hours of music over Friday and Saturday. Although hands and voices got tired, the LORD gave us endurance and we had a wonderful time. The M. family (who own the farm) sent us home with several boxes of cherries and blueberries~ what a special treat!

The twins' patriotic duet fit the occasion perfectly!

On Friday night, our family was invited to stay for a surprise birthday party for a friend. We had a delightful time helping set up tables, serving dessert, decorating and cleaning up! What a special evening.
Some of our enthusiastic audience! :)
The surprise was a success!
A dear friend of ours ♥. We had a lovely time with her. We were also very blessed to stay Sunday morning for the church service. The singing, message, and prayer time were refreshing, and the fellowship with the believers there was an encouragement!
Sam was such a servant - he brought us water during the HOT afternoon as we took a break from our music. On Saturday evening, a dear family opened up their home for our annual dinner! What a blessed time we spent that night, talking and spending time with them.
We were blessed again by our time with this dear sister in the Lord. She has encouraged us so much in our walks with Him, and in serving our family.
For the 4th of July, we were able to have several families from our area out to our house. The R. family generously took over organizing a bunch of games. We had so much fun!
Water balloon toss.


Emily did a magnificent job decorating the house for Independence Day! It looked very festive.


A family from church hosted a fun family day camp at their house at the end of June! There were lots of games, time for fellowship, great food :), and a family band at the end of the day.
For one sewing class, all the girls made skirts! They are a wonderful group of young ladies to work with, and they did such a lovely job!



A couple of weeks ago, Leah fell off a tractor and broke her arm. The break wasn't very bad, but she did have to get a cast. Amazingly, this was the first broken bone out of all 8 of us children! God is so good!We have worked together many times this summer putting up fence for the goats. One of our does is due any day!

We had the privilege of helping some neighbors harvest their honey. It was a neat experience, and we learned a lot!
We have been blessed to know the S. family for many years. They are a delightful family, and very special friends!

Our family is working on memorizing more hymns. Currently, we are memorizing "I Want a Principle Within". The words express the desire of our hearts.

I want a principle within of watchful, godly fear,
A sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near.
Help me the first approach to feel of pride or wrong desire,
To catch the wandering of my will and quench the kindling fire.

From Thee that I no more may stray, no more Thy goodness grieve,
Grand me the filial awe, I pray, the tender conscience give.
Quick as the apple of an eye, O God, my conscience make!
Awake my soul when sin is nigh and keep it still awake.

Almighty God of truth and love, to me Thy power impart;
The burden from my soul remove, the harness from my heart.
O may the least omission pain my reawakened soul,
And drive me to Thy grace again which makes the wounded whole.

We hope to be doing more writing and keep up better in the future. :)

Blessings to you all!