Investing in Eternity

Merry Christmas from our Haus to yours!

2011-12-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

This will be a long post... but this is for my Moma and My sister, Heather... those of you who aren't Heather, or Moma, you can skip all of this and just know that we want you to have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! What's a Brother supposed to do with sooooo many sisters! :)

And this is the before....( I totally LOVE the before pics that no one usually sees... for that's what makes the memory to me... so pardon me as I indulge myself to a few laughs below!!!)

a family shot....

This is a tad blurry, but some man offered to take a pic of all of us, my niece too.... so we kept it, out of focus and all!

The girls were SO excited to find a REAL-LIVE PHONE BOOTH.... I don't think Bryan had a clue what the big hub-bub was about! :)

When it's Christmas around our Haus... that usually means repairs... our basement door being installed BY my 2 FAVORITE MEN! =)

Puzzles must be put together!....

What is Christmas without Cookies?....

And MORE cookies....

Running here and there... (thanks Kate I LOVE THIS SHOT!!!)

Christmas Russian Memories

Pulling out teeth....

Another fun Winter evening out on the town!

Free Victorian Village and Free Hot Chocolate and cookies... a Hausman tradition!

Sweet Victorian ladies I found to take a pic of...

Sweet kids sporting their balloon gifts too

Sewing... before you can have a "After pic... there's always the BEFORE!

More cookies... Gingerbread BOYS

Gingerbread GIRLS

Two hoodlums!

Thank the Lord for FREE Greenery for it sure makes Christmas FUN! AND REAL!(and brings that LUSCIOUS smell for those of us that have a "fake" tree! =)

More repairs... bless his heart, He's wonderful!!!!!

Here's the AFTER!!! Our Brittany got inspired by a few DIY blogs and thanks to "Grandma" Jowers' leftover fabrics and a "trim" off some other fabric she came up with this FUN pillow!

Up close - ruffle!

Jesus totally helped with this fun arrangement! (Antique window is WELL hidden under the wreath that I made!=)

THE REASON WE CELEBRATE------ JESUS!

My Christmas present from Brittany... these candles for my sconce!

Another FUN pillow that Brittany hand stenciled! GOOD JOB! makes a Momma's heart so pleased!

Then there must be boys... he's NEEDING SNOW, don't you think?! (He's "snow boarding" here!) Excuse the shop vac...some people have NO imagination!!!

Got to keep the twins... man can they EVER eat... fast as we could shovel it in.... and it took TWO of us! =) Thanks for letting us keep them, Dee... made our night!

We got to have company!!! Yea! A favorite past time of ours... but people don't like to drive to the City much these days! So we take advantage of the GBS Christmas program every time we can!=)

This china cabinet was a special gift to us from friends in IN... thanks ever so much, Slaughters! WE LOVE IT!

Got to see my Grandma Bryan again! Bless her heart! Keep her in your prayers, she told me she is so tired! I would be too at 104 1/2 years old!

Daryl praying a prayer of Blessing over Grandma as we never know when it will be our last time to see her here on earth! Thanks for taking the time (I know this post was LONG) to stop by and we pray you'll have a MERRY CHRISTMAS, all because of Calvary!
The Hausman Family

Our Thanksgiving Weekend!

2011-12-05T06:01:00.001-08:00

We were privileged to have 8 of Daryl's friends/students from WSU over to experience the American Holiday of Thanksgiving with Americans! Our kids sure enjoyed hearing their Daddy get called, "Teacher, Teacher!" =) (Which Daryl says all of the TESOL students call them!)

Here we all are at the stretched-out table! (from 2 different angles!)The Lord helped and we so enjoyed our time together! 1st time for most of them to even taste American Home Cookin! Pumpkin Pie and Apple Pie too were enjoyed by all, especially with plenty of Whipped Cream! =)

After dinner we had fun times of playing games & music! Here Bryan is showing them some of his cars! Their English was very good, can't say as much for our learning Chinese, though! =)

This pic isn't turned right... but it was such a cultural memory for the kids they had to have a shot of everyone's shoes left at the front door!

Here one of the girls was so enthralled with the hair style of a "Curly Bun" and thought I had naturally curly hair! So we promised after Dinner to "show her" how easy it was to do with NO CURLS!

We all enjoyed the "Gift of GIVING" on our Thanksgiving day!

As a 1st... Daryl took the girls "BLACK-Friday SHOPPING!"... this was a 4 a.m. so pardon the "square eyes"!!!

And the day was ended watching Downtown Tree lighting ceremony and fireworks... and it ~~was~~ is officially the Christmas Season!!!

~Thanksgiving Thoughts~

2011-11-23T17:12:00.001-08:00

As we are approaching thisThanksgiving season, I couldn’t help but write a list of all the many blessingswhich have been bestowed upon me.

I am thankful that God sent his only Son to die for my sins. He gave His life; He called me to Himself; He gave His all, yet in return He got filthy rags.
I am thankful to be a Christian; one that wants holiness; that wants to live for God, to make Him the center of my life and to know more of Him.
I am thankful for a Christian heritage. One that has been passed down, yet must not be taken for granted.
I am thankful that I have been raised in a godly home. A home that is built on Jesus Christ first and foremost, and then on family.
I am thankful for my wonderful parents. Parents who love God, love each other, and love their children.
I am thankful for wonderful siblings. Although, they can get a trifle annoying at times, they make us better people. It is hard to imagine life without them.
I am thankful to be an American. Even though I don’t agree with everything our leaders have done or are doing, I am thankful that I was privileged to be born an American. A country that has freedoms more than any other country, one in which we, as a people have a say in her politics. A country in which every man has the right to worship God in his own way.
I am thankful for a warm house and home in which to live.
I am thankful for a great dog named Diesel.
(I know this might sound silly, but as a 3^rd culture kid, it issort-of ingrained in me.) I am thankful for all the clothes, shoes, etc. that Ihave. And yet even though I don’t have three closets full, I have more thanmost kids around the world would have.
I am thankful to be living in a modern technological age, with all itspositives and negatives.
I am thankful for a certain doctor named Dr. Crawford. I was thinking the otherday, “What if someone had discouraged Dr. Crawford from becoming a doctor.”Talk about the how powerful words are. “If someone had said, ‘Be somethingelse…you’ll never make it in the medical field.’ And if he had taken that toheart, then I wouldn’t have a straight back, and many other kids wouldn’t havebeen helped, and a few wouldn’t even be alive!”
I am thankful for how God answers prayer. Many times it doesn’t happen when wewant it…we may think that He is too late or too early…but He always answersprayer…and it is EXACTLY ON TIME!!!
(Kind-of going along with #13) I am thankful that God has EVERYTHING undercontrol. He knows the plan…He sees the big picture. I was thinking back theother day to around my surgery time…(It seems that everything sort-of connectsaround that now…sorry.) I was thinking how God worked everything out exactly ontime. He had the insurance come through on time. (Although then I was temptedto think that it would be too late.) He had every doctor, nurse, physicaltherapist… you name it… ‘there for such a time as this’. Through thisexperience I think that I have learned ‘faith’ at a whole new level. Learningto trust, when you couldn’t see what He was doing…yet knowing that He hadEVERYTHING under control…(and yes…it is a lot easier to say that now, lookingback, than it was going through it!!! ;)
I am thankful for a good holiness church to attend.
I am thankful for good holiness pastors; Pastors who aren’t afraid to preachthe truth; Pastors that won’t change their message to match the congregation. Iam thankful for Pastors that practice what they preach.
I am thankful for the Bible, God’s holy word. (Someone has said that it isGod’s love letter to us.) I am thankful for the Bible, where we can gather our“bread” for the day.
I am thankful for God’s many blessings; Blessings that He bestows on us eachand every day. I am thankful that God doesn’t change. People may change, andlikely they will, but God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, andforever. He is Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End, King of Kings, andLord of Lords. He is OUR God!!!!
Sowhy not thank Him?!

N.H

Home School Thanksgiving Banquet

2011-11-15T16:55:00.001-08:00

Our Annual Homeschool Thanksgiving Banquet!

Each year the kids are to dress up as Characters from History. Jesus TOTALLY helped this Mommy find something for our kids to wear. I went to Kmart a couple weekends ago and found several racks of their out-of-season costumes clearanced for 75% off! So I squealed, "Yea, Praise Jesus, 'Tasha (she HATES to be called that!) help me dig!" (she wasn't exactly thrilled at her Momma's idea, but she helped me anyway and here's what we came up with for only $5 each... and that $$ was a gift from G.G. for the kids! (Thanks so much for making their ~~day, Month,~~ YEAR!!!) I KNOW that I'll more than get my your money's worth watching them play by the hour with these fun Authentic looking dress-up clothes! So thanks to my find, Bryan chose to be Sergeant York! Who was a WWI Christian Hero! (you can't see but "someone's" about to loose two front teeth, but they are hanging in there rather crooked and stubborn like!=)

Here he is holding his Great-Grandmother Hausman's Bible, to help illustrate Sergeant York's firm belief that God was and is to be 1st in EVERY area of our lives! Oh, that is my hearts cry for all of us!

Darla chose to be Sacajawea. The Indian women who went with Lewis and Clark on their Exploration of the West. (For we found a complete Indian GIRL outfit and MODEST enough too! PTL!) Here she has her little "Papoose" in a Colombian bag, gift from the Dickinson's, that we "rigged" to try to look like how the Indians would have carried their young! (she had some DARLING REAL moccasins too, but ~~Brittany~~ I mean... Someone whom we'll leave un-named, who was helping me take all of these pics, forgot to include her shoes!!! Of all the nerve!!! (for those of you who Don't know me... I'm only teasing someone who LOVES shoes and you MUST include SHOES in every outfit, for THEY make the outfit.. don't leave out the shoes, Mommy!!! ... Goodwill always has some there just waiting for our next trip to find more... SHOES!!!

Here's our friend who got to be there today, cause he is recovering from shoulder surgery... I'll let you guess which one! Hee!

One of the small stars of the show!

Here's Sergeant talking with a "Mark Twain" type character... you should have seen the eyebrows on this Dude! Way to go Deanna!

And these eyebrows.... =)

Borrowed from this "Star"

Here is "Daniel Boone" and "Davy Crocket"... aren't they just darling!!! (Can't believe they are already almost 1 year!!) They had their mouths all set for the plate of Turkey, Mashed potatoes & gravy, Green Beans and Rolls, that their Moma had just sat down before them... so they were a bit too preoccupied to "smile" =)

Here's a table full of sweet children all dressed up as some character from our History! and with their yummy plates full at our Thanksgiving meal!

Awaiting the meal, this was some of the "line-up"!

These two "detectives" about stole the show with all the "Stunts" of how they would catch the bootleggers. They were the 1st abolitionist Detectives and were such a success that folks loved them, but unfortunately Politics didn't! HAS much changed?!

The intent audience!

Up closer.... NOT TOO PERSONAL!!!


Our Mr and Mrs Snowman Crafts!

I was asked to help with the Jr kids Craft. I'm not too great at coming up with ideas like this. But I had some wonderful suggestions to get me going AND JESUS HELPED MUCH!!! We Mom's, all dug out all of our scraps of ribbons and old buttons etc so the cost was cut to almost nothing, thanks to the felt being donated... only took time to cut out and the kids did the rest! It was fun to watch their creative ways making these gifts to give to the patients at a Nursing Home where we go and Carol each Christmas! Christmas, and God's Amazing Gift to us, is best understood when we GET THE JOY OF GIVING! So this makes every scrap of fabric and every "ouch" of burnt fingers from hot glue, worth it all to see the smiles of someone remembering the "outcast" of our Society... after all they were someone's "teacher, Momma, Daddy or Grandma, Grandpa"! Last year Jesus gave us a tiny glimpse of our efforts as some of us split up and went caroling down the halls. The director asked if the kids would be okay caroling to a lady that was dying... and Denise said she thought they would be. The lady then led them to a room of a VERY sick lady, who had actually been in a coma for several days and had shown NO response at all to her family, who had been called in for they knew she was soon to pass. The kids went in and sang Carols and when she heard them she started crying and awakened to join several minutes with her family. (Can't remember all the details...) but that let the kids "see" for the family was SO moved to tears as well that this response was made... So that's why we do what we do... Is it worth it... OF COURSE... the Bible says it's all worth, Just ONE soul!

Here's a few of the artists at work...

The kids had so much fun being SO creative and I'm VERY sad that I forgot to get a good close up pic of all of their work when they had finished! Oh well, if you've followed our blog much, you'll know that at least I'm being "consistent" with my lack of pics!!! =)

Heather, we all missed ya'll this year, you can be sure. Natasha also missed getting to be there as she was VERY ill with a cold! But we are counting our blessings that Jesus protected her from any such hard coughing until she was healed, for this coughing has made her back pretty sore, as you can imagine! God is Good!!!! And all the time! Happy Pre-Thanksgiving!

Our Fun "Surprise" weekend!

2011-11-09T11:18:00.000-08:00


"Oh, Dad!!!! Shock of all wonderful shocks!"My brother flew down and totally shocked his girls by a visit! This is the snapshot that Kate's friends got of her 1st glimpse of her Daddy! So sweet! I LOVE IT!

So glad we live close enough to get to "help" (at least a very tiny tad) make this a success! The details were too many to blog, but soooo fun how it all worked out, connecting with other friends to make sure that his girls would be around and all the connections to surprise them 1/2 to death! I'm sooooooo glad it all worked without a hitch! This pic above is in our still under construction dining room...

Here Bryan is showing his "Big Game Hunter Uncle" his bow! He (Bryan) thoroughly enjoyed this time, as we all did! Sorry our pics are all interaction pics for we forgot to get decent ones when we were dressed up for church etc. Everyone had already gotten in comfy clothes pretty much.... so here's what we got anyway!

This was everyone around the dinner table! It was SO much fun to get to have company again. We live so far from our church that we rarely get the treat of company at Sunday Dinner these days! but since we LOVE our church, we just have friends over on other days, that's all! (well, we always plan to anyway... gotta get that happenin again! Confessions are good for the soul, they say!)

And Last of all.... Part of Andrew's girls surprise was this "ole clunker" to ride around in with their dad! Too fun! Our kids got to have a "spin" and even Daryl got to take a drive, which he "~~hated~~" dearly "LOVED" every minute of that, you can be sure! So glad that Jesus worked everything out for this fun, fun, surprise for TWO very special girls! And selfishly it was SO MUCH FUN to get to be a tiny part of it too! (Sorry, Heidi we didn't have a pic of your reaction! And we were sad we didn't get to see you too!)

Daddy's 50th Class Reunion @ G.B.S.

2011-11-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

My parents at the GBS Homecoming this year! This was my Daddy's 50th year that he graduated from High School there. He is wearing a sweater very much like what his class would have worn, with the original letters that my Momma had re-done for him, just special for this occasion. He was President of of his Class all 4 years of High school. It was so fun to get to be with them at this special time!

Some long time friends... solving the world's problems, it appears anyway! Good times of reconnecting for them all!

Bro Trouten also a 50 year Grad, only his was from College.

These four ladies were BEST BUDDIES when they were in High School. It was fun to hear all of the stories of all the mischief that they used to get in together! I guess you never saw one of them, but what you saw all four of them... and they always dressed alike too!

The representation of Daddy's 1961 High School class that came this year for the celebration!

This is the college class of 1961

Saturday a.m. service when everyone was introducing themselves again after 50 years!

So glad we got to be with you Daddy and thought you'd like to see this post... I did it for you all too, Dickinson's!

2011-10-22T17:09:00.000-07:00

Happy 16th Birthday Brittany!!!

Brittany's Birth~~day~~ Week started out with a Daddy/Daughter date! (Yes, Gram...I got to have a birthday week too!!! ;)

We had 1st tasted this restaurant on Deputation years back... so Bob Evans it had to be for her Birthday breakfast with Daddy!!

Spinach, Potato, Omelet in a biscuit bowl: this was Brittany's choice.

Daddy went with something a little more familiar: Blueberry Crepe

For our birthday, Mommy always cooks our "birthday menu". Brittany chose: Company Chicken, Mashed potato's, Candied carrots, Sweet Corn, rolls, and Russian salad.

Later in the week we had a ~~Birthday party,~~ fun family night with a few of Brittany's friends! (Since we weren't allowed to "call it her Birthday party"=)
We had Pumpkin Chili, and Regular Chili, Homemade French bread, and a fun Recipe for Homemade Focaccia (also an Italian flat bread seasoned with Rosemary and Fresh Parmesan) that I found and a choice of: Chocolate or FunFetti Cupcakes, (which Natasha lovingly made and decorated for her sister) Black Raspberry pie, (thank you Daddy for all of these fresh from your garden) Chocolate chip pie,(which Brittany made herself this time), Pecan pie and ice cream for desert.

The first pie on your left is Brittany's Chocolate Chip Pie (also known as Brown Durby!) I thought Jesus really helped her!

This picture was taken when Brittany was two at Cades Cove, TN. We got a few ~~weeds~~ flowers to match the flowers that she had picked in her hand. Why Not, they were FREE!!! =)

Brittany's art work of Painting her Pumpkin's WHITE... she loves everything with touches of White!

These Beautiful flowers were a gift from the Becker's for Brittany's party. Thank you so much Becker's for the lovely flowers and for allowing us to use your home as Party place!

These two candles were gifts from the Dickinson's, who couldn't be with us, but were there in spirit and prayers! Thanks so much, Heather for praying with me, Jesus really helped her party to turn out SO well!
Thank you Dickinson's for the "candles"! They were a BIG hit...especially with the Wegener's! (He wants to talk business with you! ;)

We ended by playing some games. Which really didn't get underway til Brent got home! Thank you for your service to our country, Brent! God Bless you, and welcome Home!!!

This is Victor Borge, a piano comedian.

This is especially for Brittany....

And with that happy note...signing off~

Pumpkin Scones

2011-10-12T05:18:00.000-07:00

Fall calls for all the pumpkin recipes you find or learn about, at least I think so! Here's one that our Pastor's Wife made for treats recently and I begged for the recipe. Posting this just for my dear sister, Heather!

Delicious and so moist! Other scones that I've tasted are dry, these are yummy even when served cold!

Pumpkin Scones

2 1/4 cups plain flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
1 egg
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons pecans, optional (I didn't have any, so it wasn't an option! =)

In large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pie spice salt and baking soda. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk egg, pumkin and milk add to crumb mixture just til moistened. Turn to lightly floured surface and knead 10 times. Pat into 8" circle and cut into 8 wedges. Separate wedges and place on greased baking sheet.
Bake at 400o for 12-15 min. (The original recipe came with a Cranberry butter recipe, but I didn't have those and thought I would like it better with this glaze instead.) Serve warm with homemade butter cream glaze! Enjoy!

Here is the glaze for those of you that wanted me to add it... (Easier said than done, for I just do it till it looks right! =) But here's how I start at least...

Glaze:
1 Tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
1 Tablespoon milk
1 cup to approx 2 cups of powdered sugar
Stir this all well, till it resembles a soft icing.. I usually make mine pretty thick, for when you add them to warm Scones they spread well and cover it better rather than a thinner glaze! Enjoy!!! I've had to make them twice since blogging this for my son saw the blog post and ~~begged~~ requested for them again! His sweet delighted squeal was well worth the extra effort!

Fall Tailgate Party at CNC!

2011-10-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

We had our church get together - 1st ever in the Fall and it was a BIG HIT! The weather was perfect to make a bonfire feel wonderful! Here are some of the pics of the people's tailgate themes! I was soo pleased with the huge variety! Some of them won prizes and some didn't, but it was GREAT FUN! Can't wait til next year!

This was one of my personal favorites!! Click on it to see the "Tail", along with the "gate"! Great job, guys and the best part was they just ordered pizza and they were done!!! I love it! And with their two little guys making things hectic DOUBLE TIME for them, everyone LOVED IT! Great going, Kennedy's!

This Patriotic tailgate was one of the winners! Great job, Beckers! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

These are just some fun pics of our Minister of Music... it was soooo cold that I bet their hats were "needed" too!

They were laughing so hard at how silly they must have looked! And we WERE LAUGHING at how silly they DID look!!! =) Love you guys though, Ryans!

The Turkey before Thanksgiving oven!

Cute Lil Pumpkin!

The "TURKEY" after it's been stuffed! Sorry, Rob!

The Ryan's and Jowers did their tailgate together and won the prize for Best Decorated! We ALL Agreed!

We had folks show up from somewhere near the "Hick-ville" area, I think!!! Great Fun!

The Winner below is the Cox's and Campbells! Somewhere they lost their real tires!

And some folks that look like they were from "South of the Border"!

Connie and Denise did a wonderful job decorating for Pastor Appreciation! God has truly blessed us at CNC with some of the most godly, giving Pastors on earth! And their wonderful wives who stand by them! We LOVE YOU ALL and are SOOOO happy that God led us here!

Hutchinson's Pony Rides for 5c... too cute!

Here's our Haus!

We borrowed a friend to stand with Darla for the other kids from this Haus were out playing!! It was so cold that we wanted something WARM, so I made Chicken Spaghetti and homemade Garlic Breadsticks! Should have found a way to take COFFEE, for my Orange-Lemonade was a TAD cold to drink! =)

Another view of Campbells and Cox's display!

Eisenhart Jr's all about HUNTING... who's surprised! Hope they get a deer, this year too! We sure enjoyed the venison that ya'll gave us last year!!! ~~Hint!~~ I mean, Delicious!!!!

The church display for the Pastor's!

Delicious Spanish Food!!!

Earls and Truesdale's booths! Delicious hot cider and all kinds of tasty treats for all to share! YUM!

The Final winners for the MOST work!!! The Wegener's! And they put on a wonderful fireworks show for us after it got dark!

It was just so much fun! Natasha was cleared by her Doctor to get to play volleyball for the 1st time since her surgery in March and so she was thrilled! We all were! Of course, We forgot to get pics of the bonfire, and volleyball groups! Thanks CNC for being such a FUN, LOVING, Church! Nothing beats good ole Christian Fellowship! We love ya'll!

2011-10-02T14:02:00.000-07:00

Today we said good-bye to a precious lady, neighbor, and friend. We miss her dearly, but look forward to seeing her in heaven. The most important thing - she was a child of God, forgiven, and walking with Jesus! Mamie Neal passed away a week ago and our hearts have been sad since we heard the news. She lived across the street and was known as the "Mayor of Bodmann" and EVERYONE on the street respected Mamie Neal. We learned at her funeral yesterday that those from her church loving called her "Mother Neal"! This pic was taken when we had her over for her birthday, before she got so sick with her cancer!

Natasha and Brittany were honored to get to play a special violin/piano number (medley about heaven) at the funeral service. Although there was much sadness in the packed church, the Pastor reminded us that we were there to celebrate her home-going and preached a powerful salvation message. "We are all going to die, and you won't be late for this appointment!" (Pastor Ellington). May God help us to live the life, be faithful, and get serious about living for God and following His commands. Christians love, forgive, reconcile, go the extra mile, and our self-centerdness can be purified!
What an experience that we hope we never get over! Getting to attend Mamie Neal's "Celebration of Life" at her church here in Cincy! Though we miss her much here, we plan to so live to meet her again, as the choir sang so well when we "Goin' up Yonder!" What a hope we have, all because of Jesus!

Our "Tall" Grandma Bryan's Visit!

2011-09-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

We were SO privileged to have my dear Grandma Bryan, age 104, come and stay with us last week!

We SO enjoyed our "History lessons" the kids and I all sat around the table asking Grandma questions of what it was like when she was growing up! It all started with the ICE BOX that you can see in the background. They wanted to know if she ever had one... she answered, "NO, we couldn't afford one!" My, how many are the blessings that we have to count today!

Brittany is sharing a violin song with Grandma entitled "Our Eternal Home" all songs about heaven. Oh let's ALL plan to meet there. "Will the circle be unbroken?" My daily prayer is that God will woo the straying ones and keep us all on the "Highway of Holiness!"

Care to come over for a chat?! Would love to have you... it's not THAT far of a drive, right?!

It was fun having Grandma sit on our front porch and introducing her to all of our neighbors! Again, I forgot to get that picture!

When Gram and Gramp come, they always bring treats, like this yummy cereal!!!(and Yes, our son admitted that he thought He was SPOILED!!!)

and who says that my kids can't handle the sugar?! I don't see any "extra" side effects, do you?

Bryan's 1st art project (more from our School Haus to come later)... and of course he just had to share it with Grandma Bryan too!

We love you and MISS having you with us still, Grandma! Thank you for your Godly example to our family, for your prayers and love gifts to missionaries for years and years! Thank you for being brave enough to make the trip at your age. Thank you too for braving all of our stairs, morning and night! You are so special to us and we are SO glad that Jesus kept you safe! Thanks for obeying the "rules" too! =) I told her that she only had ONE RULE that she HAD to obey while she was at our Haus... and that was "NO FALLING!" Jesus helped her as we PRAYED lots and wouldn't let her hardly move, poor thing, without at least 2 of us around to "cushion" her, should she start to fall! Grandma, I hope, that if Jesus tarries and I live to be your age, that I'll be as gracious as you are! We Love you!

Thanks for stopping by our Haus! Come again, soon!

Harvest time at our Haus!

2011-09-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year! Delicious Sweet Corn!

Everyone has their job and that makes is lots more fun! Brittany helped me cut it off the cob. (Yes, Natasha did help too, but I forgot to get a pic!)

Daryl and the two "Hoodlums" helped with the shucking!

Washing...

Blanching.... And putting into freezer containers, which again I didn't get a pic of... oh well! We sure enjoy that yummy sweet stuff come cold winter days!

My Daddy brought me some of his garden tomatoes that needed to be used up NOW! So I got 2 pints of Tomato sauce with Green chilies to use for winter soups! Yum!

2011-09-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

Sixth Month Check-up!
I recently went for my sixth month check-up since my spinal surgery. It is hard to believe that it has already been sixth months since my surgery.
Here is a few excerpts from an email to my family following the check-up:
(Please excuse any grammar, or illogical sentences that may appear!)

Dear Family,

I thought you might like to hear how my 6 mo. check-up went with Dr. Crawford. It is hard to believe that 6 months have already passed since my spinal surgery!... Dr. Crawford came in, and said that the bone fusion looks good, and it is coming along well. It won't be totally fused for a year, but he said that it is progressing nicely! PTL! He also said that my neck looks very well, in place and normal, not jutted out like it was. So I was relieved about that too! So overall, I am allowed to do basically anything I want to do, except American football, he said. Bummer...there went my life-long dream! Other than that, I am allowed to start driving, and ice-skating, sledding (since winter is on its way) etc. there shouldn't be a problem. He said that I have the best protected back out of anybody out there! I don't have many limitations, other than the already mentioned football (or a sport where anyone would tackle me) and lifting no more than 25 lbs. So Praise the Lord for the wonderful report! It is a great load of my mind...(for I tend to worry a lot!) I go back in 6 months. after my 1 yr. anniversary!

Thank you all for your continued prayers!

Love,
Natasha H~

2011-09-12T10:15:00.001-07:00

BAKING FUN!!!!Saturday, we had fun baking Whoopie Pies... otherwise known as Gibb's Cookies. Kate (my niece from AK) came over, and we had fun baking and hanging out!

Getting ready to bake the cookies.

Baked and Filled...and ready to eat!

AWW! DELICIOUS!!!
And yes, we are still under construction...so please excuse the background!=)

Thanks Kate, for all the fun times! We enjoyed having you over!!!
Come again soon!!!

2011-09-07T08:36:00.000-07:00

Hitting the Mark! This is our son's dream bow that the Lord helped him save his birthday and work money to purchase! He was very diligent, turning down many treats for it would take his precious funds towards his goal. It made us very proud of him for sticking to his dream and not wasting his money either! He's dreaming of going hunting with his Uncles in AK, VA and PA some day!
His Daddy took him out to practice shooting and this was his 1st time shooting. We were very pleased with how well he was able to hit the mark. Our prayer for our family everyday is that they will NOT MISS THE MARK spiritually. So many are falling short, taking an easier route and how that grieves our hearts! I often "Wonder If He Ever Cries", for He gave His life that we might make Heaven, the way is clear in His word... all we need to do is Follow! Let's HIT THE MARK daily with our lives living pleasing to His Holy Word and His Highway of Holiness!

2011-08-24T08:58:00.001-07:00

Camargo Camp~
Camargo Camp was wonderful this year: wonderful messages, great fellowship, cool weather, and don't forget the delicious meals!

I thought this picture was to cute! Several of the boys decided they wanted to sit with Bro. Parker for one of the meals.
And not to mention these 2 adorable twins!!!

The children's theme this year was on "Keeper of the Light".

Children's activities~
Youth devotions and activities with the Bender's~ (Sorry I forgot to get a picture during devotionals.)

Stars and Stiffs softball game~
For the past couple of years, they have done a stars and stiffs game on Saturday. The stars-ages 12-25, and the stiffs-age 26 to "?". It was a fun, close game, even though the teams were a bit lop-sided. The stiff won though..... no comment.

The Children's program~
This illustration was of walking in darkness, until the Bible sheds light on our path.

The final song was "We Will Carry the Torch". They had 4 generations of Christians passing on the torch...it was really cool. (the 4th Generation was "on-loan" =)

And so ends Camargo Camp. By the end of the week, we had been fed both spiritually and physically. We had great moments of fellowship and fun. It was a blast!
Looking forward to next camp!
NH~

2011-08-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

Recently I went to Colombia, S.A. to teach. Here I am holding a pitcher of water with a few other trinkets in the pitcher. Ephesians says God's children are to "Be filled with the Spirit." God wants to fill us with His Spirit, but as long as we have self-centeredness in our hearts - He won't. We must ask God to cleanse our self-centered nature and purify our hearts. Self-centeredness wants it's own way and wants to make the decisions - it's all about what I think is best rather than what God's word says. He will sanctify us completely if we will become a living sacrifice. Then and only then can we love God with our whole heart.

2011-08-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

Just a Glimpse of my Senior Trip!
New York City Sunrise~

Ellis Island Immigration Museum~

Philadelphia~Birthplace of the Constitution

Gettysburg National Park~

* the hole in the barn side, was caused by a cannon ball from the battle.

Signing off,
NH~