What a Ride!

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention

 of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body,

but rather to skid in broadside,

thoroughly used up, totally worn out,

and proclaiming,

"Wow, what a ride!!!"

Getting ready to ride the "Cyclone" at the Wild River Country Amusement Park.

The journey of 1,000 miles begins with the First Step...

     Our annual family vacation (including a 1,256 mile journey in the car) begins in two days.  I am literally trying to gather myself and our "Stuff" together for our road adventure as I type this!  We will "fall into the car" with pillows and blankets at 4am on Thursday.  I have volunteered for the first leg of driving, so I will have black coffee in hand (instead of pillow & blanket), and CD book on tape to get me through Memphis before the traffic gets bad.  I will be listening to the Mitford series (again) by Jan Karon, and I am quite excited about it. 
     I just returmed from merchant-ships-mart (AKA "Stuff-Mart," if you  are a Veggie tale fan, Walmart, if you need the normal translation), and have purchased a brand new head set (ear phones) for each member of our family.  Not really fostering togetherness, but I do not plan to listen to the audio book "20,000 Leagues under the Sea" another 7 times this trip (Popcorn's favorite from last year). 
      Next stop... the library to check out some educational dvds for the boy, and perhaps a book on tape for the whole family to enjoy together when the guilt about my self-indulgence of listening to only what I want to sets in.  Yes, I am driven by rivers of guilt at times. 
     See you on the Highways of America -- from Arkansas to New Jersey!

Little Children, Forbid them not...

“But Jesus said,

‘Suffer the little children, and

Forbid them not to come to me:

For such is the Kingdom of Heaven .”

Matthew 19:14

As the family goes, so goes the nation." --Ronald Reagan

We Call this the SS Minnow...

Mike inherited it when his brother died from cancer in 2002.

Our family believes in spending a great deal of time together, not just "quality

Time," but Quantities of time. 

The Minnow has hosted many fine quality family adventures since coming to us.

Here are photos of one such adventure

which took place this past month.

 .

Exploring the Beach/ Sand Bar

Back at the Boat loading area...

We always love to go... but it is also great to come home!  Popcorn is learning many life skills in all of this adventuring.  Mike is teaching him so much about the River, nature, fishing, surviving off the land, patience, etc.  I am grateful to the Lord that we have such a lovely place to spend our weekends. 

"Plenty of Bread" -- Ecclesiastes 5

"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?" (Ecclesiastes 5:10-11)

"Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense." "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it." "Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house." "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty."

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep... but I have Promises to keep...

and miles to go before I sleep- Robert Frost

Our "Tarzan boy" would agree with Mr. Frost... MILES and MILES to go...

This kid has ENERGY!

A cute monkey, but definately a monkey!

Some would gather money along the path of life,

Some would gather roses and rest from worldly strife,

But I would gather children from among the thorns of sin

I would seek a little child with a big and toothless grin.

For money cannot enter in the land of endless day,

And roses that are gathered soon wilt along the way,

But oh, the laughing children as

I cross the sunset sea,

As the gates swing wide to heaven
I can take them in with me.

Author unknown

The Journey Home Across Time and Miles...

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.

But those who make their journey home across time and miles,

growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them,

are carried on the wings of destiny and

placed among us by God's very own hands."

---Kristi Larson

Today we were blessed to meet "Max," our newest member

of the Chinese/American Children's Play Group in our Area. 

 

Max and Popcorn really hit it off, and had a great time splashing in the water.

Even though our Mandarin is limited and Elementary,

Max was able to communicate with us, especially

with Blaine.

We feel confident that all of this language studying, culture-observing, and tutor-paying

will really be helpful when we bring home our little Chinese Noodle!

The making of butter... a practice in patience!

Today we made butter!

The deed was inspired by the reading of the book, "The Hungry Frog," who falls into a bucket of Milk and swims rapidly to get out, but, unable to do so, after a time turns the milk to butter, and escapes to safely eat bugs.  EASIER SAID THAN DONE!  A coution to those who think this might be fun... It takes A WHILE.

We put (clean, washed) marbles in the jar, hoping to speed up the process.

Now Shake!

Keep Shaking!

Shake some more, and then add a dash of salt.

Finally, it is Ready!

Spread it on some bread... and ...

Enjoy!