Summer 2009 Memories: A Sorghum Festival

In late summer our family attended a demonstration of sorghum processing...a sorghum festival.

After peeling back the leathery skin of a sorghum piece, it can be chewed like gum as Grace discovered.

Pressing canes using a four horse power system.

Pressing the canes into syrup

Removing any impurities,

and cooking it down.

Visitors, observers and learners - Lindsay and Timothy

Saying good-bye to all the farm animals.

After a long day, it's time for a siesta.

Summer 2009 Memories: Particular Scriptures of Encouragement

Peace
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:7

Hope
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." ~ Romans 15:13

A Plan
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Jesus Christ
"...and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." ~ Matthew 28:20

Summer 2009 Memories: Sailing, Smiles and Sand Castles

Editor's Note: My sisters, Emily and Annie Hope, are sharing several simple, sweet pleasures during a trip in these several posts. This post was written by Annie Hope.

Recently, we had the blessed opportunity to visit some friends. Some of the fun we had there was at a nearby lake; here we swam, splashed and laughed.

Sand castles



Skillful playing

Two sisters in Christ

Two Cuties



On the dock

Preparing a feast

Happy smiles

One of the families have various types of boats... here is the canoe.

The paddle boat

Two mothers...between these two families there are eighteen children.

Of all the boats, I think I liked sailing best. The two oldest sons of one of the families we visited owned a sail boat.

Setting off

Out on the lake

Disembarking

Summer 2009 Memories: In the World of Bows and Arrows

Editor's Note: My sisters, Emily and Annie Hope, will share about several simple, sweet pleasures during a trip in these several posts. Annie Hope shared this learning experience.

While we were at our friends' home, some of us had the opportunity to receive some pointers on archery from their sons. Later in the afternoon, I had a chance to shoot. They had hay bales stacked up with targets on them. Two of their sons patiently helped me hold it correctly, stand properly, and shoot steadily. Most of my arrows went flying into the trees or hay bales, but after much trying, and having them explain things many times, I was able to hit the target.

The target and the goal

Teaching basic safety...




...Make sure no one is in front of you.




Teaching proper stance

"You hold it this way"

Steady, aim, and fire!

Summer 2009 Memories: A Tour through our Dear Friends' Property

Editor's Note: My sisters, Emily and Annie Hope, will share about several simple, sweet pleasures during this trip in the next several posts. Emily penned this first one.

In September, we were blessed with the opportunity to visit some dear friends. On the morning following our arrival, two of their sons gave us a tour of their family's acreage. These precious children took us on a trek up hills, through woods, and over creeks and lovingly showed us their forts, bridges and animals. Below are some pictures of our wonderful time.

Our tour guides

The adventure begins

"Are you coming?"

Our faithful guides blaze a trail beside a trickling stream.

Our guides demonstrate how their pulley works.

Acquainting us with their sheep

They showed us some fossils they found on their property.

On to another adventure...

coming soon!

Summer 2009 Memories: An Old Violin in Grace's Hands

This summer a dear, yet distant uncle gifted our family with a violin that was used in the 1960's by his son. Although just a little big for Grace, she has thoroughly enjoyed the moments when she can play on this special violin.

Some of her first notes...


...with some pointers from a dear friend and fiddler, Miss L.

Summer 2009 Memories: A Little Patriot

Being a younger brother to history-loving older brothers has its perks.

Summer 2009 Memories: North Texas Home Educators Network Summer Conference

Our family has attended a North Texas Home Educators Network conference on several different occasions. This year our family was asked to assist in running a booth with some dear friends and it was a joy to meet with Christian people who have a desire to follow the Lord in raising their children. The number of first year home schoolers was amazing, and I enjoyed seeing my mother communicating the joy of learning to starry-eyed and overwhelmed beginning homeschooling mothers. We also spoke with veteran home schoolers from this metroplex; it was particularly exciting to speak to a grandmotherly woman who, with her husband, educated their daughter. Now the daughter and her husband will soon be graduating their own first home-educated son! How wonderful to see the Lord's blessing on that family. The North Texas Home Educators Network did a wonderful job organizing this event; it was a blessing to be a part of it.

En route to Plano...




Meeting dear people

Chatting with home educators

Catching up with friends and meeting new children the Lord has given them through adoption.

A sweet trio

A fraction of the members from the Jones and L. families

After one of the conference days, we were invited to the home of dear friends where we not only enjoyed a wonderful summer meal, but were refreshed by their hospitality and encouraging fellowship.

Ending the day with an icy Texas delicacy...

...and sweet fellowship.

Summer 2009 Memories: Sunset Gardening

Summer 2009 Memories: Tales of Verse and War

Coming Soon: Summer 2009 Memories

During the summer of 2009, our family has been blessed of the Lord. Real life has been full, focused and vibrant. In the coming days and weeks, I hope to post a series of memories... a look into our life.

Home Education Defined by a Graduate

"Homeschooling should not be about simply academics. It is based on relationships, as parents disciple their children and train them to fear God, love His Word, and be fully equipped to serve Him. It requires that parents be with their children in order to teach them throughout the day."

~ Rachel Short, in 2004 graduation speech


Read the entire article, "Patriarchal Vision for a Daughter's Graduation: Home School Visionary Blesses Her Parents Multi-Generational Mission in Graduation Speech," here.