Advent Calendar

I have been looking for a couple years for a simple way to count down the days to Christmas and look forward to the joyful day of celebrating Christ's birth. Most everything I saw in the stores involved candy as a part of the count-down. Not a good idea if this calendar is to be used a bedtime! Then I found this cute magnetic Advent Calendar. I ordered it and it came to us in about a week - perfect timing!

Here is our daily reading to go with it (adapted from Noel Piper's advent calendar readings, since her calendar is no longer available for purchase). I hope it will be a wonderful way for our family, this year and for many years to come, to count down and look forward the day we celebrate our Savior's birthday!

The item in bold each day is what will be put on the calendar.

Jesus is the greatest Treasure of all. This is the story of how He came to us. Long ago, God made a promise about a little town named Bethlehem. He said, “O Bethlehem…from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.” Jesus is the King that God promised to send.
1) One time, a long time ago, in Bethlehem there was a place called a stable.
2) In the stable there was a manger
3) filled with hay for the animals to eat.
4) Animals like a sheep…
5) and perhaps a cow.
6) There was also a donkey who lived in the stable.
7) One day the animals had a big surprise. A woman came to stay in the stable. Her name was Mary, and she was glad to rest in the stable with the animals, because she was going to have a baby, very soon!
8) Her husband, Joseph, was with her. Before they traveled to Bethlehem, an angel of God told him in a dream that the baby was God’s son. The angel said, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” The baby was the King God had promised.
9) Mary and Joseph could not find a cozy inn or a warm house to stay in because the emperor had commanded all the men, women, girls, and boys to go to their hometowns and sign up for paying taxes.
10) Little Bethlehem was filled with people (lady with basket), so there was no room for Mary and Joseph. Their baby would be born in the stable with the animals.
11) It was a very busy time in this little town, many people were hustling and bustling around with their luggage, running to get water or food for their families while they were staying in Bethlehem.
12) Out in the fields near Bethlehem, there was a shepherd.
13) …taking care of his sheep…
14) …under the trees, outside in the hills near Bethlehem.
15) Maybe there were other shepherds with him….
16) …to help him take care of the sheep.
17) Since many shepherds cared for their flocks in the hills surrounding that area.
18) That night God also sent a very special star.
19) Far away, a wise man saw the star and said “This is the sign that a special king has been born. I must find him and worship him. I’ll bring him a royal gift of gold.” So he got his camel ready to travel.
20) …and he brought along another wise man who had a gift of rich perfume, called frankincense, for the King.
21) He brought with him a third wise man who prepared a gift of precious oil, called myrrh for the king. When they had packed their baggage on their camels, all the wise men set out on the long, long journey to find the king that God had promised.
22) One night, an angel, of the Lord appeared to the shepherd. And the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were filled with fear. But the angel said, “Fear not. I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly, there was a multitude of angels, praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
23) Then the angels went away from the shepherds back into heaven. And they said to one another, “Let us go into Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
24) And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
25) And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby Jesus lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
When Jesus grew up, he died and rose from the dead to save us from our sins. He is our greatest Treasure!

Halloween & St. Martin's Day

We celebrated Halloween again this year with the chapel "Hallelujah Festival". We enjoy the non-scary atmosphere and free supper, and the boys adore the big jump-house! Josiah dressed up as a mouse and Nathaniel was a horse. Fun was had by all!

On Nov. 11, Americans celebrate Veterans' Day. Tom gets a day off from work and we love an opportunity to relax together with no destination to rush off to. Germans celebrate that day, too; it is St. Martin's Day. St. Martin was a Roman soldier in Germany (long ago) who was kind to the poor and gave away his own belongings. The children celebrate by making lanterns and singing songs together to commemorate St. Martin's good deeds for the poor. Nathaniel's kindergarten held an evening gathering and processed around our town with their little lanterns. Nat, Jo, and Mom made paper lanterns for this event (a monster truck and an owl)- they were cute and glowed quite well in the dark night! Nathaniel did a great job learning German songs and his class even sang songs the next day at a nearby nursing home.

Beautiful Bavaria

For the last 8 days we've been in Bavaria. Tom attended a medical conference at a hotel there, and the little guys and I just enjoyed the mountains and swimming pool at the hotel. The boys and I swam every day. We took a cable car up to a mountain peak and enjoyed the view from the top. We "hiked" every day, too. A hike with a 2 and 4 year old is more like a wander-back-and-forth, but at least we enjoyed our surroundings and could praise our God for His fantastic creation. The fall colors were nearly done, but there were a few trees still hanging onto their leaves. Together we contemplated the amazing possibilities about the ways God created mountains (were the rocks like play-do in his big strong hands or did He draw it with His finger and then it took on shape and form??). We enjoyed our time together. One day when Daddy was out of his classes earlier in the afternoon we took a fast ride down the mountain side on a rodelbahn (alpine slide). It was an exciting rush!

After the conference was finished for Tom, we went to stay at a farm near Berchtesgaden for a couple days. The boys enjoyed petting the cats and goats and maneuvering the toy tractors and trailers. We wandered around the barns, observed the cows, checked out the tractors and came to the conclusion that farming is a LOT of work! We also enjoyed the boat ride in the Königsee and a hike up and around peaks at the other end.

Enjoy the photos from our recent Bavarian adventures!

Luther Sites

We had the opportunity a couple weeks ago to visit Eisenach and Erfurt. These cities are about 2 hours northeast of here, in the former East Germany. The cities look different (eastern Germany is still poorer and less built up than west) and language is a little different dialect, too. We stayed at a nice little B & B and stretched our German skills over breakfast small talk. Nathaniel enjoyed trying out a few new German phrases he's learning at Kindergarten. He likes to travel to new places and especially likes staying in hotels. He's got the travel-bug =)

These are cities where much of Martin Luther's life and ministry occurred. We read and re-learned about his powerful ministry here in Germany. It was a rainy day, but we hiked up the big hills all over the town anyway. The leaves were bright and splendid. We visited the Wartburg castle where Luther hid away and translated the bible - and where he supposedly threw the inkpot at the devil. We enjoyed the castle tour. The castle has been beautifully kept up. There are many different eras of building and decoration and preferences of the Dukes and Duchesses who have resided over the course of the last 900 years! We saw Luther's childhood home (which is now a museum). We attended a music festival/church service on Sunday morning while in Erfurt and enjoyed some nice choral and organ music at the Thomas Kirche and played on the playground outside the church. We ate some good schnitzel, delicious soup, and during our journey we stopped to let the kids play at McDonalds. (yes, even in east Germany...)

Getting Creative

With the cold days settling in, and quite a lot of rain, too, the boys and I have been getting creative indoors.

Nathaniel is not really "into" coloring or sitting for much time to create art, so he's been dancing and singing and making lava rocks of our couch cushions (jumping from cushion to cushion to avoid the hot lava on the floor). He's creative in his own energetic crazy way. I just have to take it and help him channel that craziness into something that doesn't destroy the house or his brother! He sings a lot, too. His singing is often an indicator of the mood for that day. He likes to sing all day sometimes - all his conversation in song - some days he wakes up and says he wants to have an "opera day" and then he just starts singing everything he says! He's been making up lots of new dance moves and asking me to watch his "dance shows." Very, very funny.

Josiah has been finding his own preferences and personality. While Nathaniel has been at kindergarten, I have been learning about and enjoying my little boy's humor and creativity. We've been attending the weekly story-and-craft-hour at our local library. Josiah is loving this! He especially enjoys anything with glue and talking with the other kids about their crafts. And he loves to play with play-dough! He's painted several times at home, too. While I have been working on a couple small canvas paintings to decorate the boys' bathroom, he's been painting right next to me at the table. It is fun to be near each other and just hear him chatter about his "creatures" he's painting.

I have been painting and sewing and baking, too. It has actually been a joy to have a few cold days, and it is good to sometimes slow down and stay home. I just finished a couple 8x10 inch paintings for the boys' bathroom - a water/pond theme - one has a lizard and one has a flamingo. They are just silly and not realistic - no great works of art - but cute nonetheless. And it is really fun for me! I have sewed and patched up about 5 pairs of jeans and took in the waist. I also sewed a horse mane and tail and ears on an existing sweatshirt for Nathaniel's Halloween costume. He has been galloping around the house for a fews days whinnying and snorting. The more I sew and paint, the quicker I get and the set-up and clean-up process becomes more efficient, too.

There have been many lonely days and the Lord is prompting me to pray when that lonely feeling nags in my heart. While I lay in bed between 6:30 (Tom is up, but not the kids yet) and 7 each morning I've been asking the Lord to review my day's to-do list for His plans. Nathaniel's anger and mouthy moments have lessened over the last 2 months. God is answering our (and your) prayers and I can see a little softening of his heart here and there with sweet conversations about our Savior.

I used to think that spending time doing "frivolous things" was not what God wanted for me, and staying home with children might be boring or not "big enough" to serve God. I have been realizing more and more lately that having a peaceful home, helping Tom whenever I can, working to discipline the children, working on peace in my stubborn heart, and creating a home with pleasant walls brings blessing to Him, as well. So, why don't y'all come visit us here???!

Off to Kindergarten...

Nathaniel went to Kindergarten today. He was up and excited at 6:45 this morning! We packed his McQueen backpack with a few snacks, pencils, pens, his new chapstick, and a couple pictures of our family. He brought his rain coat and boots and rain pants, too (required for German school). I took the boys in the bike trailer and we rode off to kindergarten. German Kindergarten is more like pre-school. There is more emphasis on play-skills and social-skills than on structured academics. There were lots of great activities: trains, Legos, wood blocks, markers, pencils, sewing, weaving, kitchen and home-making toys, microscopes with lots of real insect samples, and large outdoors play area. The teachers can speak some English, but instruction, including bible time at the nearby church, singing, and stories are all in German. I stayed with him for about an hour. Josiah loved the time we spent there, too!

I left him there for the morning. I prayed for him as a rode away. I felt a little teary-eyed, but confident that this is a good thing and good place. The only time he whined or fussed was when I came back at lunchtime. He wasn't ready to leave yet and he didn't want me there! He said he'd like to go back again this evening, but he'll have to wait for tomorrow morning. Right now he's fast asleep for a nap.

I am glad he enjoyed his first day. I hope that he will learn German and learn to love others and share. I pray for opportunities to love others and share our lives with other families, too. Please pray for us!

Biker Boys

Nathaniel learned to ride a bike without training wheels last week! He was so proud. He didn't think he could do it (actually, neither did I), but Daddy had confidence and patience. They just kept on trying. By the end of an hour he was pedaling down the street with a big handsome smile! He has been riding a few times since then, and he continues to amaze me. Nathaniel is not very good at steering straight - so we try to ride where there are not cars parked nearby...



Josiah is starting to ride Nathaniel's Laufrad ("running bike"). He walks along the sidewalk and all around the yard. He feels big and he likes that he can ride a bike like Nathaniel. He can't run with it, but running and balance will come with time!



Enjoy these videos of the boys in action!

Happy Birthday Josiah!

Today, August 12, is Josiah's 2nd birthday. I've included a slide show so you can see what a wonderful little boy he's become.

Josiah loves to giggle and chatter. He tells silly stories and funny jokes that make Nathaniel laugh, too. He charms everyone at our church because he remembers names and says hello to them each Sunday. He brings such joy to our lives and to the lives of many around us. He gives great hugs. He comes to my bed every morning for a couple minutes for a snuggle after Daddy's gone to work and before Nathaniel has woken up. I cherish those quiet little moments with him. He is tough, too. He argues with Nathaniel about anything and everything (recently heard from the bathroom : "No! No! No! It's not! It is my turn to go potty!!"). He likes to grab other children's toys and make a run for it. He usually succeeds with this method with other children in the nursery because he is quick. He is able to quietly and quickly open doors and escape. He gets roughed up a lot outside and just keeps on truckin'. He likes to climb high and run fast. He loves to dig in the dirt. He is learning to ride a trike and a laufrad and enjoys these "big boy" activities. He's growing up very fast. Only his chubby cheeks and chubby thighs reveal how much of a baby he still is. Otherwise, he is all BOY! Happy Birthday Sweet Funny Josiah! We love you! (If you're curious to see Nathaniel's 2 year old slide show, follow this link!)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our 10th Anniversary! 10 years ago today I stood with a happy heart and jittery knees to marry the love of my life. He's still the love of my life. He is kind and patient, funny and cute, and he has a sparkle in his eyes that I adore. He is a good Daddy and we are figuring out this parenting stuff together. He loves God and seeks Him on our behalf. I love you Tom and always will!

Summer Travels, achey hearts, and new friends

Hello Again Friends! Sorry for the delay, but we've been gone again. I guess that is why our blog is titled "Our Life Far Away" - because we are always far away from somewhere, usually from home. In June we enjoyed a visit from Tom's cousin, Nick. We did a few local travels and enjoyed having a German and French spokesman with us! Nick is quite the linguist and quite the super-babysitter. I was able to catch up on a dental cleaning while he watched the kids, as well as a few other errands. We enjoyed his stay with us. As I usually say, anyone is welcome to come visit and stay in our home!! We enjoy playing tour-guide =)!





















This July we were traveling in Minnesota, my former home, and hopefully our future home, too (after Germany, and before Heaven, that is)! My brother Mark got married to a super girl named Krystal. What a blessed and joyful wedding it was! Tom and I sang and the boys were ring-bearers. We also enjoyed time at a family reunion. And we celebrated my Dad's 60th Birthday with a surprise party. We spent lots of our hours outdoors- hiking, boating, fishing, and just hanging out at various playgrounds all across the Twin Cities. The flight was LONG (alone without Daddy), but our airplane neighbors were so nice and helped me with carrying the boys and the stuff when both of them were fast asleep and we had to stand in long customs lines. It was as though this one man was an angel placed in the seat next to us. He was never annoyed and played legos with Nathaniel and read him a story while I walked and rocked Josiah.

While in MN it was such a JOY being able to catch up with a couple friends from years ago, and made a new friend, too. Let me admit, that I am struggling with loneliness like never before in my life. I just cannot seem to grow close to anyone. Everyone is so busy, and kids are so demanding, and this is just a tough time in life. Many ladies have told me how the pre-school years are draining and that this phases will pass...and I know it will, but it is a lonesome place to be right now. It was so nice to have extra hands and hugs while staying by my parents, and less household responsibilities, too! I recently read a couple days of devotions in the "My Utmost For His Highest" book that admonished me to look out the world in need and to look up to God, letting go of my sin and constant self-evaluation and allowing Him to give the joy and the fulfillment. Yeah, tough to do. I am always introspective and pondering my failures, my hopes, my desires for my children....my...my...my... and I have a hard time letting go to look up to Him to rejoice in His great salvation!! Does anyone else feel this way? Do you have any stories or joys or a practical advice to share on how God changed your self-inspection to God-reflection?

Please enjoy the pictures of the kids and our travels in Minnesota. Thanks for listening (watching?) to my personal and spiritual longings.

Little Big Boys

Lately the boys have been growing up in leaps and bounds. We've been out hiking and walking a lot lately, and both boys are troopers for long distances! Josiah has graduated from his crib to a toddler bed. Josiah talks all the time and tells "jokes". His favorite jokes are about granola bars - and all the weirdest places one could find a granola bar. Nathaniel laughs hysterically about Josiah's jokes. I gave both of them haircuts today. They have been squabbling and acting like brothers, not at all like babies.

Yesterday we harvested our first peas from the garden. Both boys helped pick a bowl full. Nathaniel loaded them into his dump truck and wheeled them into the house and dumped them on the counter. He called it "hardhat harvesting!" We've also been out strawberry picking/devouring on 4 occasions on a local farm. The boys little red-berry stained faces are a joyful sight to see!

Nathaniel had an opportunity to help promote Daddy to the position of Major in the US Army. Nat ripped off the Captain's patch and put on the new patch for Major. He got it on nice and straight and was very pleased with his official part of the ceremony. We all shook hands and Nathaniel acted very civil for quite awhile! Go TOM! Go Nat! I love you guys!

Full of Stories

Well, we've returned from our journey to South Africa. We are full of stories, pictures, prayers, and praises. We have new eyes for issues and concerns we've never had faces for. For example - we now know personally the children who are suffering from hunger and the women who cook soup for hundreds of these little ones on a daily basis. And now we've met and been blessed by many others who worship the same God - in their own passionate and lively way!

It was a difficult time for us to parent well and minister to other needy folks, too. Nathaniel was unhappy and upset about everything while we were there and it was difficult to help him with his overwhelming emotions. Honestly, I felt very ineffective and like a failure as I tried to do all things well. But I typically feel that way at home, too. God is working on us, and I do not enjoy His discipline, but trust that through God's workmanship Tom, my children's, and my heart will be changed and our reflection of His glory will be made more perfect through these trials and parenting challenges. We did learn a lot, see a lot, and experienced "real life missions with our kids" (which we've not done before).

South Africa is place of extremes - whites & blacks, wealth & poverty, mountains & plains, violence & peace, donkey-drawn-carts & BMWs, deserts & oceans, modern conveniences & earthen huts, huge elephants & tiny bee-eater birds. I hope you will see that in the pictures and be moved to prayer or to ask questions about how you may be involved, too. You know, a blog is meant to be interactive, so please comment!

By the way, the music in the photo show is titled "Two Weeks in Africa" by Caedmon's Call...check out the lyrics - how appropriate!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We're in Africa...

We are still far, far away in Africa. I just wanted to plead for your prayers that we will finish well. That Nathaniel will calm down and be less angry and behave better. That we will stay safe on the road. That our team will continue to seek unity. That the children and teens we will speak to this weekend at the youth events will see and know God as their salvation...

Hey Good-Lookin'!

Here's a few photos of the boys in the clothes we got for Uncle Mark's wedding! I had to do a little altering since the pants were too big, but I think it will work out okay. Those are some good lookin' boys, if I don't say so myself! I also included a little video taken recently of the boys singing together.

Prayer Guide for South Africa

Please pray with us! We are heading out in just 4 days to South Africa. God is mighty, whether or not you choose to pray, but it will be your privilege and blessing to join with us in prayer and ministry. Here is a suggested prayer guide for May 13-31.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” (Psalm 28:7, NIV)

May 13:
Pray For Caroline and the Team as they depart for South Africa. Pray for a pleasant and safe journey. Pray also for Sita as she is travelling from the United States to South Africa.

May 14:
Pray for the team as they arrive in Johannesburg, SA and for a smooth connection to Cape Town. It will be a 40 minute drive to their destination at Gordon`s Bay, Cape Town.

May 15:
Pray for IIOM Team as they will fellowship with Berenice & her family along with other Pastors and friends. Pray that this social and B-BQ evening will be a great time together.

May 16:
Pray for the Sunday morning service at the Calvary Baptist Church in Elsies River. Pray for the IIOM Team as they would participate in testimonies and songs. Pray for the speaker.

May 17:
Pray for our first day of VBS`s in Belhar & Uitsig. Pray for the team as they minister and witness to the children & feed the children. Pray for the evening service at Eden Elohim. Pray for the team as they minister.

May 18:
Pray for the 2nd day of VBS`s. Pray for children`s salvation. Pray for spiritual breakthrough. Pray for the 2nd Evening Service at Eden Elohim. Pray for the church that they would be challenged by the team.

May 19:
Pray for our 3rd day of VBS. Pray that there will be a special touch of God upon the lives of each child. Pray for the team as they will minister in the Acts Mission Church in Grassy Park. Pray for God`s blessings.

May 19:
Pray for our last day of VBS. Pray for Margot and her team in Belhar & for Sita and her team in Uitsig. Pray for fruitful results. Pray for the team at the Acts Mission Church. Pray for God`s anointing upon them.

May 20:
Pray for the IIOM Team as they enjoy their first free sight seeing day. Pray for God`s protection and a pleasant time. Pray for the combine service of the Men & Ladies Conferences in the evening.

May 21:
Pray for the Ladies Conference at Calvary Baptist and the Men`s Conference at Full Gospel Church in Belhar. Pray for the key speakers and seminar speakers as they minister God`s word to the people.

May 22:
Pray for the Sunday morning service at the Church of God in Elsies River. Pray for the Team as they once again minister in song & testimonies . Pray for Sandra as she addresses the church.

May 23:
Pray for the Team`s health and well-being. Pray for their 2nd free sight-seeing day . Pray for the Evangelism Explosion evening at Calvary Baptist Church in Hanover Park. For the moving of God`s Spirit .

May 24:
Pray for the Team`s Families. Pray for Sita`s son Tere as he is left with her step mom. Pray for God`s hand over them. Pray for the once again for the Evangelism Explosion Evening.

May 25:
Pray for Tom & Sara and their 2 sons . Pray that God will bless this family as they are serving God. Pray for the boys that they will be healthy throughout the trip. Pray for the Evangelism Explosion.

May 26:
Pray for Team as we will hand out tracts to the people in Hanover Park and invite them over to the Evangelism Explosion Evening. Pray for precious souls to come into God`s Kingdom.

May 27:
Pray for the Team on the 3rd sight seeing day. Pray once again for God`s protection on them as we will explore the beauty of South Africa. Pray for a wonderful day of fellowship and unity.

May 28:
Pray for the Team as some will start packing to return to Germany & others will stay for 3 extra days. Pray for the Youth Rally at the AOG in Vahala Park Pray that God works in their hearts.

May 29:
Pray for the Team members who will leave to return to Germany. Pray for those who will remain that they will rest & relax and enjoy the beautiful ocean and the wonderful mountains.

May 30:
Pray for Caroline`s Family who will be writing their final exams. Pray that they will study and that God will give them great success and that they will get good results. Pray for Udo as he is taking charge.

May 31:
Pray for Mike. Pray especially for his mom as she is slowly recovering from her lung surgery. Pray for a speedy recovery. Pray for him as he will be responsible along with Tom for the music and worship team.

Free Books!

I was searching for some audio books for Nathaniel to listen to while we are traveling in the next few weeks. I had hoped to find some free resources, and I was thrilled when I found this great website! There are thousands of books for kids and adults and it seems pretty easy to download and legitimate. I look forward to listening to some good books in the near future!

And what was said to the rose...

I have been blessed by the colors and smells of Spring. It brings great joy to me to think of the way God makes all things new. I am struggling with selfish emotions and a dislike for disciplining my children. (Being a stay-at-home Mom is hard work!) But, I am often praying and singing out there in the garden. God is working on my sinful heart. I think the garden is a place of renewal, showing me God's ever faithful plan for my heart and for His creation. God is speaking to my innermost thoughts and bringing my sin and selfishness out into the light. So much like He does to the flowers - from seeds to plant to harvest.

It reminds of the song "Here is Our King" by David Crowder with these lyrics:
From wherever spring arrives to heal the ground, From where ever searching comes to look itself
And what was said to the rose to make it unfold, Was said to me, here in my chest
A trace of what we're looking for, so be quiet now, and wait

We've been enjoying the spring temperature climb over the last couple of weeks. We spend most of our days outside, even meals (yeah! less sweeping and mopping the kitchen). The boys love bikes and trikes and ride them all over the yard all day. We've been doing a lot of gardening. Nathaniel has been a cheerful helper with all things concerning dirt. He picked out the seeds for the beets from the grocery store, since he was curious about beets. He wrote his own label for them and planted in them in rows. He even made me a "special plant mixture" containing mud, sand, water, and random pieces of wood and rocks he's found in the yard. He stirred and stirred his mixture to get it just right for the "plants to be healthy" so he says...

Our garden in the back has mostly vegetables - carrots, peas, onions, tomatoes, Nathaniel's beets, lettuce of various kinds, basil, watercress, and parsley. I planted seeds of most plants, but a few lettuce and tomato seedlings. Today we harvested lettuce for our dinner salad! I gave Nathaniel a scissors and some directions, and he became the proud "harvester!" In the front, we have pots of herbs, shrubs, beautiful lilacs, 2 clematis (on my homemade trellis like this), and I have holes waiting to be filled with flowers (they are free to us from our army-self-help store) when they are available. The soil here is light and easy to dig. It seems pretty fertile, since there are plants and trees of all kinds sprouting everywhere around us. I am so thrilled! We are going to be gone for most of May and maybe in July...but I will try to enlist the help of my neighbor and a timer-sprinkler to keep things going. If you live nearby, please come over and enjoy the plants and eventually the harvest =)!

I've included pictures of our gardening process, from start to present state. I had to put up a little fence to keep Josiah from trampling the new little sprouts with his tricycle, but otherwise everything is pretty natural. I used branches and fishing line for the peas to climb; it looks a bit like a spider web, but I think it will be efficient. My hope is that the garden will be pretty minimal expense and minimalist in appearance, but maximum harvest and maximum display of God's creation!

Enjoy spring and be blessed. I am sure God is at work on your heart, too, so keep in touch.