Saving

Several years ago when we bought our Toyota 4Runner, we bought it because it had a V8 and we needed it for towing.  As we have been working toward going to the  mission field, we are constantly looking for ways to save money and be better stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us.  As we looked at the amount of driving we have been doing, and our trip we are planning out west this fall, we began to look into downsizing our vehicle.  So, a week and a half ago we traded in our 8 cylinder Toyota for a 4 cylinder Honda with 100k miles.  After we had it for a few days, Holly said, "I just want to drive more so we save more money."   Hmmm,  I think that logic is a little flawed.

The garden's bounty

Monday morning...

 Ten hours later...

We will use these for spaghetti sauce, chili, and stew throughout the winter.  Have I mentioned before that I love Mondays?

Washington DC 3

The second and last day of our trip we went to the Antietam National Battlefield.  It was very interesting to hear the history and then go out and see where it actually occurred.

 

Samuel completed the junior park ranger course.  He had to complete a workbook of activities.  One was to sketch a monument and tell about it.  He learned quite a few things.

Our last night we drove part of the way home.  We were planning to stay at a campground in WV but when we go there it was all full.  It was getting pretty late and we were out in the middle of nowhere, so we pulled over on this road and walked off into the woods to camp.  Only one other vehicle went by the entire time we were there.

Washington DC 2

Our first day in DC was spent walking around the national mall and hitting a couple of museums.  The white house was less than impressive.  We walked up, took the picture and left.

Unfortunately the Washington monument is still closed due to damage from the earthquake last year.

By the time we got down to the Lincoln memorial we were pretty hot and tired.

Washington DC

This past week Samuel and I made a trip to Washington DC.  This was the only sign where we got out and took a picture.

We stayed at a campground near Frederick MD.  The first night we had chili cheese dogs.  Of course it is much easier to clean up afterwards if you put the can of chili directly in the fire instead of using a pan.

The end product was bun-less chili cheese dogs with spray cheese on top.  Not ideal, but quite easy.

Quotes that spur us on

"The Great Commission is is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed" — Hudson Taylor

 "The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become." — Henry Martyn, missionary to India and Persia

 "The Bible is not the basis of missions; missions is the basis of the Bible" — Ralph Winter

Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell." — C.T. Studd 

 No one has the right to hear the gospel twice, while there remains someone who has not heard it once." — Oswald J. Smith

 We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first." — Oswald J. Smith

 "Let my heart be broken with the things that break God's heart" — Bob Pierce

 "Someone asked Will the heathen who have never heard the Gospel be saved? It is more a question with me whether we — who have the Gospel and fail to give it to those who have not — can be saved." — Charles Spurgeon

"To belong to Jesus is to embrace the nations with Him." — John Piper

"Your saints will extol you.  They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom."  King David

"Father and King, my heart breaks more each day for the lost.  Here I am.  Send me."  Holly Larrabee

Two girls and a dog

Gabby and Rebekah decided to give Josie a  bath.  She was apparently rowdy because they tethered her to the deck.

I think they had fun.

Reunion

On Monday we had the opportunity to go down to Campbellsville KY to meet with two other SIM missionary families we went through training with this spring.  It was great to spend time with other families who are at the same place we are.  The Howells are on a trip from MN down to TX to try to finalize their support as they hope to leave in the next few months.  They are going to Paraguay to do rural church planting.  The McCrearys were nice enough to open up their home to us all.  They are going to Galmi Hospital in Niger to be pharmacists.

Rebekah's week at horse camp

Rebekah finally enjoyed her March birthday present:  a week at horse camp.  She enjoyed each day and came home with stories about the stubborn horse Cherokee that she was assigned.

Heading out the morning of the big ride.

Rebekah and O'tool.

 What a great week at camp.

What every homeschool room should look like

 

There are really no words to describe the magnitude of this fort that took over our home-school area.  There were secret doors, special rooms, and long corridors.  Hours worth of free entertainment.