Fall, Leaves, Corn, and Beans

Fall engages us in a variety of activities, including harvesting corn and soybeans, reciting verses for the National Bible Bee Competition, milking cows, hauling manure, playing with kittens, and raking leaves.

Raking leaves can be a party!

Some specialize in the abstract.

Combining finds Dad in his element.

Dusk descends upon the farm. 

Liz teaching her niece piano.

Rebecca gathering herbs.

Mitchell and Bryn hauling manure. 

Time to clear the gardens!

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" (Colossians 3:23).

The apple crew.

Wallace is clearly having a party!:)

Filling up the grain wagons.

Not every day is picture-perfect, as you can see here! The crew discussed how to best extricate the combine, after its front wheels sunk into a soft, muddy, rut.

When one tractor wouldn't do the job, we eventually used two to pull out the combine. 

Thankfully, no one was hurt, and harvest continued.

And that's a brief snapshot of what we've been up to this fall!

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." --I Thessalonians 5:18

Our Sacred Duty: A Voters Call to Action

Tomorrow, millions of Americans will go to the polls to elect US representatives and senators, state representatives, senators, and governors, and local officials.

Watch this inspiring video by evangelist Caleb Garraway, to learn why America has been blessed by God and why voting is not only a privilege, but also a sacred duty.

"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest, of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." --John Jay, first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court

Shipshewana!

At the beginning of October, we hit the road to sing and share in one of our favorite towns, Shipshewana, Indiana. We also performed a few concerts in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan on the way to and from Shipshewana. 

Singing "How Firm a Foundation."

In an area that is home to many Amish, the "Amish Wedding Song" was a favorite.

Taylor played exceptionally well, despite having jammed his finger in a door a couple days before the trip. Somehow he managed to chord with only three fingers!

Some of the ladies reconnected with a few friends for food and fellowship.

Our fearless leader passionately challenges fathers and men wherever he goes.

Precious family moments.

The perfect picture of determined grit, blank surprise, and wide-eyed expression.

At our last stop in Michigan, some friends graciously provided a delicious soup and salad buffet. With touring finished for the year, it's off to harvest, manure hauling, Bible Bee, and CD preparation! 

"O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth." --Psalm 105:1-5

2018 Family Camp Recap

Thanks to all who joined us for Homeschool Family Camp 2018 a few weeks ago! The Lord blessed in remarkable ways. At Family Camp, we experienced an unforgettable time of learning, growth, fellowship, and fun!

Our theme this year was Except The Lord Build The House: Building Godly Generations By God's Blueprint. Through the morning and evening sessions, we learned what God's Word has to say about marriage, parenting, family structure, our purpose, family relationships, and much more! 

In the afternoons, attendees enjoyed fellowship, swimming, 

hiking, resting, volleyball, and other fun activities. 

Homeschool Family Camp ran for two consecutive weeks, with mostly different families each week. 

Some of the young men did a SEAL workout one morning.

An afternoon breakout on scams, deception, and self-awareness.

The 3rd Annual Homeschool Family Camp Arm Wrestling Competition was a big highlight!

This year, we had a first ever Mother/Son and Father/Daughter session one of the mornings.

We also had a father-daughter session.

Mr. Yoder memorably demonstrated how the giraffe proves intelligent design.

Mr. Wissman gave practical talks on various aspects of family life. In this session, he
presented a powerful illustration on the dangers of peer groups.

Reconnecting with family.

Storytime.

Tug-of-war!

Family volleyball.

Precious family moments.

Mighty Mighty Scoop Noodle Challenge!

Liz with her nephew, the ineffable Wallace Bradford.

Thanks again to the Wissmanns and Bowers for joining us in this endeavor! Thank-you to all who came and made Homeschool Family Camp 2018 a reality!

Does your family need to be encouraged, strengthened, and refreshed? Prayerfully consider joining us for Family Camp 2019! You can attend either September 3-8 or September 9-14, 2019. We would love to have you join us! For more information, send an email to iowafamilycamp@gmail.com.

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. --Psalm 127