Silver Dollar City Fun

How sad that it's been so long since we've posted here. However, we recently had a great time down in Branson at Silver Dollar City. A friend gave us some free passes to go down and see the lights. If you've never been there during the holidays, you really need to go. Plus, their musical version of the Dickens' Christmas Carol is the first version Cheryl has actually enjoyed. Now there's a recommendation for you!

18 years! Wow

Running a bit behind here, but our oldest turned 18 on Saturday. Can you believe it? 18! She's like old enough to vote! She's putting in college applications! She's looking for a job! This makes mom and dad very old. But also very proud, as she has turned into a wonderful young lady, by the grace of God. Happy Birthday, Sunshine!

Obama Speech Not A Problem for Us

The whole controversy surrounding the President's address to our school children was not an issue for our family. Why? Because our children are not in government schools. Here's a great old video explaining why.

Mini Field of Dreams

The middle two had a great mini “field of dreams.” They were able to take part in a short baseball clinic with Manager “Pop” Warner and three of the Springfield Cardinals top players: Tyler Henley, Steven Hill, and Colt Sedbrook. They did brief lessons on hitting, pitching and fielding. Nathanael and Katrina both had a great time and even learned a thing or two.

A Fair Fair Season

It’s been a pretty fair Fair Season around our house. It started with Katrina going over to a neighboring county to enter her rabbits in the junior fair there. She won the Showmanship Award as well as the Best in Show for her little half-lop Pipi.

Back here at our home County Fair, everyone but Dad and Nathanael had some entries. And everyone won something.

Mom one some red ribbons for her antique doll house furniture, some crocheting, and some bead work.
LoriAnn won blue ribbons for her homemade Barbie clothes, her watercolor, and some winter mitts she made. She won a third place ribbon for her homemade stuffed dragon, and won Best In Show for her collection of poetry.Katrina won blue ribbons for her Lego castle, a short poem, and a beaded bracelet. Then she won Best In Show for her horse drawing.
Even Kenaniah won a blue ribbon for his collection of toy football helmets.
As I said, all in all a pretty fair Fair Season. Guess next year Nathanael and Dad will have to get in on the act!

Another Birthday!!

Almost 10 years to the day from the oldest boy's birthday, we have the youngest. Nathanael is 15. Kenaniah is now 5! Five years old! He wanted a "Mustang" birthday this year, as in the Ford variety. So mom whipped up a nice red car cake, he got a couple of Hot Wheels, and he's ready to go. Funny how both boys' birthdays involved cars (the older one is ready to drive them!) Here's a couple of pics.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KENANIAH!

Happy 15th!

Hard to believe, but Nathanael turns 15 today. That's right...drivng permit age! Fortunately, he hates to study, so he hasn't been studying his driver's manual yet. So the streets of SW MO are safe for a little while longer.

Happy Birth Day, Buddy!

The First Twenty Years

Back in the day, I used to crank out some sappy poetry now and again for my then bride-to-be. She has a shoe box full of notes, cards and letters; the sum total of my romantic artistry. Since today marks our 20th Wedding Anniversary, I thought I’d give it another shot. This is mainly for us, so if you are allergic to “sap” you may want to skip this.

The First Twenty Years

1989 was a very good year
Not just because college graduation was here
But because of the best day of my life
The day you agreed to be my wife

Oh, there have been other days almost as grand
Seeing each of our children draw breath in this land
And each new experience they’ve brought us
The life lessons those four have taught us

But the greatest lessons I’ve learned come from you
Like patient endurance in what I’ve dragged you through
Life as a pastor’s wife is certainly
Not the picnic it appears to be

You’ve gone with me to the mission fields up north
And places where folks have not recognized your worth
You’ve lived with so much less than you deserve
From you I’ve learned what it means to serve

Humility and faithfulness you’ve shown me
Even when I’ve acted like you should disown me
The Spirit of Christ is so real in you
No matter the trials we’ve been through

Although I’ve been called to lead and be the head
In our home, so often I’m the one being led
My goal is to some day be worthy of
Your devotion, respect and your love

I know you’re not perfect (but you are so close)
I know that your weakness occasionally shows
But I wouldn’t trade our life together
For anything, now or forever

You’ve been my best friend, my lover, even guide
That’s why I acclaim the day you became my bride
And so for all the laughter and the tears
I thank God for the last twenty years

In the years to come with all the ups and downs
I pray God blesses us both with more smiles than frowns
But whatever comes, whatever’s in store
I thank God for the next twenty more

Giving the Hair Off Their Heads

Both of the girls recently decided to get ready for summer with a little trim. But this wasn't just a bit off the sides. This was Samson-esqe in proportion. Ok maybe that's an exaggeration, but they both decided to cut off a large chunk to donate to Locks of Love, which makes wigs for ill children. This is LoriAnn's third time and Katrina's second. Thought you might enjoy the before and after pics along with a shot of the donated locks (both over a foot long!)

Father's Day Challenge

With Father's Day only a couple weeks away, I thought some folks might appreciate this. A wonderful challenge to fathers everywhere.

Our Son, the Rap Star

In the last couple years I’ve come to appreciate the music/ministry of a couple of guys called Flame and Lecrae. They are Christian rappers, and their lyrics are solid in theology and very educational. I did a little post about it on my personal blog awhile back (read it here)

Anyway, listening to this has affected our four year old rock star wanna-be. He’s been singing/rapping a tune called “Redeemed” from Flame which begins with a hook that says: “Jesus did it, I’ve been re-, I’ve been, I’ve been redeemed.” He wanted me to video it and “put it on the fam’ly blog.” So here it is. I also put a link to a youtube version of the actual song from Flame so you can compare.

What do you think? Is this boy gonna be a star or what?

The Horse/Rabbit Whisperer

Congrats to our youngest girl, the local animal expert. Over the weekend she attended the local 4H Achievement Day and won in both categories she entered. She won a blue ribbon in Rabbit Showmanship with Pepe, one of the rabbits she’s raising. And she won a blue and gold ribbon in Horse Judging, which qualifies her for the Regionals. Go KJ!

Spring Fling '09

Just had our annual "Spring Fling" at church. It's a chance for us younger folks to serve some of the older saints. This year's theme was "Dinner in London." Thought you might enjoy a couple of pics of the family in action and of the whole group.

A Springtime Poem

Turkey Season Day One

Out in the woods long before dawn
Me and my son with the camouflage on

Gobblers Gobblers all around
Making that wonderful gobbling sound

I see them, I see them even in the fog
But the silly things won’t come near me on my log

Stupid birds!

A Great Hisorical/Education Tool From Vision Forum

I’ve long had the desire to take our children to the East Coast and visit some of the historic sites connected to our nation’s founding and battle for independence. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do that yet. And with the economy the way it is, taking a trek across the country for an historic holiday isn’t in the near future.

But let me suggest a much less expensive alternative. Each year the folks at Vision Forum host what they call a Faith and Freedom Tour. According to the Vision Forum Ministry site, these “one-of-a-kind trips will give you a panoramic perspective on God’s providence in establishing the foundations of our liberty and will grant you a greater appreciation for the faith and sacrifice of our forebears who helped to forge the freedoms we enjoy today. You have read their stories — now breathe them, smell them, taste them, and watch them come alive again.”

But wait a minute, you say. I thought you were offering a cheaper alternative to travel. Well, here it is.

The folks at Vision Forum recorded the tour in 2005 and are now making it available in a set of 13 CDs called “Let Freedom Ring: The Philadelphia Faith and Freedom Tour." While certainly no where near as exciting as being there, this is still an entertaining and educational adventure.

Recorded on site during the actual tour, these 13 CDs contain a wealth of information about the early days of our nation’s struggle for independence. It features tour messages given by Vision Forum founder Doug Phillips and historian William Potter. Both speakers pepper their addresses with numerous quotes from the principles involved in the story, and bring to light many little known and interesting facts about the events discussed.

Here you’ll learn about the early days of our nation’s official birth. You’ll visit Independence Hall and listen in on the discussions there. You’ll visit battlefields as well as educational institutions. Go with George Washington to Valley Forge and across the Delaware. And throughout, the faith and devotion of our nation’s early leaders is emphasized. The focus is always on God’s providential hand in our nation’s history

It’s not perfect. The lectures can run a little long sometimes, especially when you’re not able to see the things being talked about. And being on site, there are times when the audio isn’t perfect (being recorded outside at times, etc.) But overall, I think your family will enjoy the trip. And quite honestly, the price is pretty reasonable for 13 CDs.

I still hope to one day take that trip out East. Who knows, maybe we can actually take the Faith and Freedom Tour. But until then, we appreciate the chance to be reminded of the centrality of faith in the lives of our forefathers and the journey they took.

Lessons from 4-year-olds and the Newsboys

We must have the biggest four-year-old Newsboys fan in the world. Case in point:

While standing around waiting at the Wal-Mart pharmacy counter to get the youngest some medicine, Dad was trying to keep him entertained. So we pulled out the old cell phone and started looking at pictures and videos. Kenaniah then says, “Can you take a movie of me now?” Dad says, “Sure, what are you going to do?” “I’m going to sing a song.” Then, completely unrehearsed or un-coached, this was the result.

The audio isn’t all that great, so you may not have heard. He is singing the chorus to “I’m Not Ashamed” which goes like this:

I’m not ashamed to let you know
I want this light in me to show
I’m not ashamed to speak the name
Of Jesus Christ

Of course, all the folks standing around thought this was just great. And in addition to singing an old song from one of Dad’s favorite bands, how great is it to have the four-year-old singing about Jesus in public like that. May we all have that kind of reckless abandon when it comes to praising our Lord.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16, ESV)

Our Daughter…The Journalist

First short stories and poems; now the newspaper.

A couple weeks back our older two went to the state capitol with a group of other homeschoolers for a homeschool day at the capitol kind of thing, sponsored by Families for Home Education. My requirement of them was that they would have to write a paper on the experience when they got back.

Our oldest decided to have some fun with that assignment and write it up as a news article. After reading it, I thought “this is pretty good. Why don’t you go ahead and send it in to the paper and see if they’ll print it.”

So, she sent it to the Marshfield Mail, and after some editing to remove the “opinion” like comments, they ran it in this week’s paper. Unfortunately, the “Education” section is not part of their online edition, but this is what the printed copy contained:

Area homeschoolers visit State Capitol
By LoriAnn Weldon

On Feb. 2, a group of about 30 home-schooling teens and their chaperones — including six from Marshfield — descended on Jefferson City in force, driving in from southwest Missouri for a day at the capital.

“We even had homework to do in the car on the way there,” one student said.

LoriAnn Weldon, a junior from Marshfield, explained, “We were given an example bill with all the parts labeled; and we created our own proposals for things we thought should be laws.”

When they arrived in Jefferson City, the first stop was the state Supreme Court building, where they toured the courtroom and library.

“Our guide told us that lawyers don’t really use the books much anymore, though,” one teen said. “It’s all stored electronically; and some of the attorneys would even consider it malpractice to not use the computer, because it’s so much more thorough.”

After an early lunch, ambassadors from Families for Home Education passed out pocket calendars to the teens.

The students’ job was to deliver one to every congressperson’s office as a thank- you from homeschoolers, for their sup port of homeschooling in the state of Missouri.

“Don’t forget that we represent not only FHE,” the spokeswoman directed, “but also homeschooling as a whole. The public-school kids are here monthly; the legislators have met them often. We come infrequently — this is our chance to show them who we are.”

The students were received well by the clerks and secretaries they delivered the calendars to; and when they had finished distributing their gifts, the students met their district representatives and senators, thanking them for their work in Missouri’s government.

“Our senator (Dan Clemens) was out, but we did get to see Rep. Mike Cunningham,” Weldon said. “He was really nice, taking time to ask about our day and talk to us, even though he had a meeting in a few minutes.”

When they had finished, the homeschoolers trouped down to the Rotunda for a tour of the capitol building. Their guide led them through the building, pointing out the Missouri-hewn stone, and the artwork that adorns much of the wall-space.

The highlight of the tour, to many of the students, was the knee-busting, sweat-breaking, brain-dizzying climb to the very tip-top of the dome, where they could look out over the city 230 feet below. The only thing higher than you at that point is the bronze statue of Ceres, goddess of grain, which tops the dome.

“The only disappointment was that they took out the peregrine falcon’s nest-box that used to be up there,” Nathanael Weldon said.

After the group descended from the heights, they were introduced as special guests to the Senate session by a Joplin area representative. As the last thing they did that day, the group was granted an audience by Ron Richard, the current Speaker of the House.

As they left the capital, each student was given a copy of the Missouri constitution to keep. “I hadn’t realized the constitution was so long,” one noted, flipping through the 170-plus page book.

A Must Read For Dads of Daughters

All parents want their daughters to marry godly young men. But which qualities, specifically, should they be looking for? What will you say when that certain young man sits down in your living room, sweaty-palmed and tongue-tied, and asks your permission to marry your daughter? What criteria should he meet before the two of them join together for life?

As a father with two teen daughters, this promo for Voddie Baucham’s latest book hits close to home. Actually, I’ve been looking forward to this book for almost a year. Dr. Baucham mentioned it during the Answer’s In Genesis family conference we attended in Branson. I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release ever since.

Here’s the deal. Even though I haven’t even read it yet, I can guarantee this is a book that I’ll be recommending for years to come. I’ve heard enough of Voddie’s teaching to have a general idea of what’s in here, plus the promo tells us what to expect:

"What He Must Be... If He Wants to Marry My Daughter" outlines ten qualities parents should look for in a son-in-law, including trustworthiness, a willingness to lead his family, an understanding of his wife's role, and various spiritual leadership qualities.

Dads, let’s resolve now that we will take the admonition’s we’ll read here to heart. I don’t know about you, but I have pretty high standards for the young man who will eventually marry my daughter, and I’ve been praying for him for years.

Folks, I’m telling you now, this is a must read. Without having cracked the cover, I know this to be true. In fact, you can click on the picture here or on the book title above and order it right now from Monergism books. Or wait a couple weeks and it will be in most stores. But get this book.

The Mom Song

If you haven't seen this yet, it will be well worth your time to check it out. Christian comedian Anita Renfroe shares all those common "mom" phrases in one song: the William Tell Overture! Enjoy...

Three Teenagers!!

Well, our little baby girl is now a teenager. Hard to believe. That makes three in our house.Fortunately, she still asked for bike accessories instead of typical teenage girly stuff, so Dad is happy.

Happy Birthday Joy, Joy!

Finally... Snow!

Our kids were beginning to think we’d go another winter without a real snow. But God is good! Actually, we were on the northern end of what was a really bad storm. The folks just south of us got 1-2 inches of ice and have the power outage conditions we had a couple years ago. So we’re certainly not thrilled on their behalf. But here, we received only about 2 tenths of an inch of ice, followed by a couple inches of sleet, but then topped it off with at least 3 inches of snow. The end result, the kids are thrilled. Makes for treacherous travel, but sure is fun to play in! We managed to keep power/heat on the whole time, praise God! Hope everyone else out there is safe and warm.

Catching Up (at least trying to)

Well, good grief. Here it is nearly a week into the new year and we haven't updated this site at all. Shame on us. Let's see where to begin...

We could talk about the flu bug that destroyed Thanksgiving.... No....

We could talk about what a blessed Christmas we had... That's good and we're grateful, but that's all come and gone...

We could talk about the deer that decided to jump out and beat up our van... But, alas, the silly 'ol camera somehow zapped the pictures!

Well, how about this. Our oldest is at it again. She's just had another poem published by Mindflights. You can read it here.

And with that, we'll say (very late) Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and we'll try to be better about updating more often!