HORSES

Our children LOVE horses!

Aida radiates JOY when she is around horses!

So, when she saw the posting for a free horse on the community announcement board, we said she could make the phone call...and she did. We met a new neighbor and are exploring some options to get involved with horses and eventually have them at our home.

It was a special time for everyone to have a turn on this sweet guy.

His owner wanted to see how each child felt on the horse.

She asked each one, "Are you scared?" To which they each replied, "No!" with a gigantic smile!

(especially Boden, of course)

It's clear we have some horse lovers around here and we will prayerfully seek God's will for our next step.

For now, the older children will be learning...gaining wisdom, confidence, and knowledge through our generous neighbor.

And in time, we will see if horse ownership will be for us here at home. We love the responsibility involved. We love that it takes place in nature. We love the group involvement and team effort necessary to care for horses. And we love seeing our children glow!

For now, it was definitely a treat for everyone to have this experience...

...and we look forward to many more with horses!

"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future."
Proverbs 19:20

INDIA IS...

VIVIDLY COLORFUL

INCREDIBLY STRONG

UNIQUE

MATERNAL

COMPASSIONATE

NURTURING

WILLING SPIRITED

CREATIVE

FUNNY

TALKATIVE

VERY SMART

CURIOUS

HILARIOUS

BOLD

A LITTLE LADY

LOVED BY ALL

INDIA IS...4!

We had a special day celebrating India with a trip into town, then a delicious fresh trout dinner outside and cake.

We also planted some fruit trees together including India's birthday tree (our tradition this year for bday gifts).

(Thank you, Oma and Funny Grandpa, for the trout and peach tree!)

We LOVE you, Inders!! It's clear to see that God has made you especially unique and in doing so, I imagine He has wonderful plans for your life that will most likely venture outside of the box. It's fun to watch you grow and learn and become who He's made you to be.

India, we pray that the Lord would save you at an early age and that your love for Him will compel you to use all of your nurturance for others in ways that show His love tangibly. I'm quite sure that will be at least some of your part in His story. I see that in you, India! May the Lord express His care and concern for the hurting and the lost through your boldness and desire to reach out to people in need.

Happy Birthday to our special girl!!

"She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Proverbs 31:17, 20, 25, 26, 30

WOOD CHIPS!

We like to watch an inspiring documentary called Back To Eden.

It's all about gardening to the glory of God and understanding more of the Creator!

We've learned so much about gardening lately and especially the use of wood chips. We also have a new book called Born-Again Dirt: Farming to the Glory of God that the older kids are reading and we have started to pray for our future gardening endeavors.

Also, our sweet neighbors gave us this gem we'll be referring to this coming winter during pruning season:

(Thank you to the Gates!)

We have a few challenges here where we live, among them are gophers, birds, arid weather, and cold winters,

yet we are going to learn as we go and pray the Lord blesses the work of our hands!

"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."

1 Corinthians 3:7

We love how there are constant agrarian analogies in God's Word.

There's so much to learn about spiritual sowing, growing, pruning, harvest by looking to the land.

In Back To Eden, they talk about tree trimming businesses sometimes being willing to share their wood chips.

We saw this in the film but hadn't explored the option...until...

...our wonderful neighbors (who also gave us the book!) called us to say that their next door neighbor was having some trees chipped. They offered to ask if the trimmers would be willing to share the wood chips with our family. The children prayed over breakfast that they would say yes and also that it would be free of charge and guess what happened after?!

WOOD CHIPS!

LOTS AND LOTS OF WOOD CHIPS!!

And they even gave them to us for free! Yes, God answers prayers!

So, let the gardening expedition begin, wood chips and all!

(Oh hi, Happy.)

"And God said, 'Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.' And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."

Genesis 1:11-12

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, BRODIE!

"Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.

Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"

Psalm 127:4-5

You LOVE like Christ, with a genuinely sacrificial heart.

You lead us to HIM and we're so grateful.

You fear the Lord and because you do, we are blessed.

Dear husband, today and every day, you are appreciated and abundantly LOVED!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

"Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
    you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord."

Psalm 128:1-4

THE CHICKEN COOP

Beck had just come home from surgery and we were all so excited to do something new and

fun TOGETHER so we jumped right in with ideas, the first of which was CHICKENS!

One minute we were walking the property talking about where we would put the coop and the next thing I knew Brodie and the big kids were off to the feed store to buy some chicks...It all happened so fast I wasn't even totally sure what was going on but I was IN!

We've wanted to have farm animals for so long now, it feels natural to finally dive in. One step at a time, here we gooooo!

Enter the chicken coop project:

First, we picked a logical spot for various reasons including proximity to the house for collecting eggs and composting.

Next, we researched and drafted a plan, mowed the area, and mapped out sizing. We decided on 8' x 10' so we can house even more chickens down the road. We figured, we might as well go bigger than our initial needs so we can always grow.

The guys headed out to buy the lumber and then got straight to work sinking the corner posts...

(Before)

...and building the frame.

Everyone got involved...one of the many reasons we moved here.

Last step for the foundation, plywood flooring.

Next, the walls were raised.

And precious Willow watched on.

Sweet baby girl...She won't remember life without chickens, (etc.)!

Door frame next:

Starting to take form...

Now for walls...

...and the roof!

Hi guys!!

Clearly, these 2 love the whole rooftop thing!

Trim:

Paint:

I always love to get in on the paint!!

Securing the roof:

Door!

Hi Boden!

Roofing:

Windows:

Figuring how many chickens/roosting bar:

(It's always a kick to watch Brodie build inside with the chicks literally on his boots!)

Now for the run:

(The boys leveling the ground...such hard workers!)

(everyone helping)

Now, for the final touches...a covered run and door installed, roosts and nesting boxes inside, the chicken coop is nearly done. We'll add a little ramp and some new window frames in time, but for now it's functional and the chickens are happy in their new home!

(After)

Our chickens have grown so quickly. It's been so fun for the kids! We can hardly wait for our first fresh eggs!!

(photo credit: Nova)

"Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!"

Psalm 90:17