Back to Baking...

Baking Day has officially come back! School definitely helps us to be more scheduled and I think everyone is pleased to see containers of baking on the counter again. We've had a couple cooler days this week, which we've definitely taken advantage of. The first one we made 56 jars of jam and syrup. I think this is a personal record for one day and it's nice to see our canning cupboard downstairs filling up in preparation for winter. I know I shouldn't say that word, especially since we haven't had Fall yet, but it's inevitable. Fall is probably the shortest season around here because winter likes to take over before it's official calendar date. We've been enjoying fresh English Muffin Bread, Snickerdoodles and a bit of fruit leather that we made in the dehydrator. It makes me wish we'd had a lot more apples and things, but we're definitely thankful for all the things that the Lord did bless us with. There are still several more batches of jam to be made, but we'll save those for another day.

On another note: We started working up a spot for our new garden. We're really just scratching the surface and will go for more of a deep cultivation in the Spring, but still quite excited about it! Our first garden spot had a frost pocket and the second area seems to be an area that ends up flooding each spring. The new one is close to the house and shouldn't have issues either way. We'll be downsizing for this one, but gradually expanding as the kids get older. Scott loves growing things in his greenhouse and will probably expand that a bit next year instead of a bigger garden. We had an abundance of homegrown watermelon, some cantaloupe, some peppers, ground cherries, lettuce and lemon cucumbers that did well in the greenhouse this year.



4 months or less until we meet this new little one!!!!!

Hidden Hollow Highlights

I'm so far behind with blogging that I just figured I'd just give the highlights of our activities over the past month or so.


We had a fantastic time with the family all here for the barn raising!

We started the 2013/2014 School Year!

Scott completed several independent jobs and started working more regularly for Kindersley Glass.

We had our first Ladies Bible Study and had quite a good turnout of ladies.

The road reconstruction by the church is almost complete. We thought it was done, but then they started putting on another layer.

Scott and the kids slept up in the barn fortress for the first time!

Garrison came down and showed me that he lost his second tooth:).

I had the second ultrasound and everything looks great! Now the name game begins...

Lots and lots of yard work going on around here...

We started Bible Institute Classes at the church on Thursday nights. Pretty good turnout so far:).

Adelaide has a butter addiction and tries to sneak off with it as often as possible...

Elyssia and Garrison had their first spelling tests. 100% for both of them!!!

The hollyhocks are cut down and the rose bushes have been pruned.

My oldest brother went to Nepal and back safely:).

A friend's husband made chief and we rejoiced that she had the opportunity to join him in Japan for the ceremony!

Joanna Seay gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. So excited for them!

We super deep cleaned the house!!! Can you tell I'm excited about that one:)?

We canned peaches and pears for the winter.

The weather has been between 90 and 100 degrees for most of the past 3 weeks. Very unusual to have it hot for so long in this area.

We had our first blackberries ripen. Not sure whether I'd say they taste great. They're definitely not the quality and sweetness of the wild ones back where I grew up.

I made scones this afternoon and I'm off to try one before it's milking time and back to church for the evening service...

Life Changes Quickly

When I wrote the last post I was expecting too be too busy to write another one before our trip, but instead our computer quite working. Then my cell phone wouldn't turn on. A trip to the electronic store revealed that it had moisture damage. It wasn't dropped in the wash water this time, but praise the Lord it was time for us to renew the contract and picking a free phone replacement was very nice. It was actually quite a nice break, not feeling the draw to check the e-mail or facebook, but then came the downside. While talking to a friend we found out that another friend, missionary to Holland, had been killed in a car accident the day before. It's been heavy on our hearts ever since. We're extremely thankful that there's no doubt that He's with the Lord and try to stay focused on that blessing, but it's hard not to think about his little family left behind. All the thoughts that come about what we would do were we in that situation. I know that it doesn't help anybody to dwell on it, but it has helped us to talk through somewhat of a plan, were it to happen to one of us. When you're young, you don't spend a lot of time thinking about it, thus the shock when it happens to friends. Much of our thoughts and prayers go out to Collette and the 3 little ones. We praise the Lord for those helping to get her packed up and ready to move back to Canada. We praise the Lord for their dedication and willingness to leave all to go and serve the Lord over in Holland. We praise the Lord for the opportunities that He gave them to witness to those they came in contact during the time He gave them over there and pray that those people would be saved as a result of Joel and Collette's testimonies. Especially the neighbors that they were so burdened for. We pray that they would come to know the Lord and to be a fruit left to spread the Gospel further across Holland in Joel and Collette's place. We pray for the Kamps(fellow missionaries in Holland), who were so excited to finally have helpers in the ministry. We pray that the Lord would sustain them, encourage them and draw another family to help in place of the Michels. We pray for Collette as she seeks the Lord's wisdom on a place to live and getting through all the daily needs of the children as they all grieve. We pray that the Lord would keep them in our hearts and minds, not forgetting them in this time of need, though the busyness of life overtake us. There was a video of Joel singing his last special at church posted today. It was such an amazing blessing to hear him singing, "Lord send me anywhere, only go with me". The Lord was truly with Joel and Joel with be with the Lord for eternity. What a blessed thought! It's amazing how many tears the Lord has given us in times like these. I just pray that He uses what is so painful to many of us right now to bring much rejoicing in the future. All else seems so inconsequential lately. We would normally be more upset about the loss of all the info and pictures from our computer, but we both truly feel that it is nothing in comparison with the loss of a loved one. We can't take the pictures with us to Heaven, but praise the Lord we have the assurance of knowing that we'll see Joel there again when the Lord calls us home:). I'll close off this post with a poem by C.T. Studd that we have up in our bedroom.


"Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past"

C.T. Studd

"Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

O let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all";
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I'll be, If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee."