A Special Evening

Last week we had the privilege of having 17 widows and single ladies that we know in our home for the evening.  

<We started off the evening by serving appetizers and then dinner followed by blueberry or chocolate tart with homemade ice-cream.  Even the little ones got involved by serving dessert.

The purpose of the evening was to let each of these dear ladies know how special they are to us. 

Denver, Taylor, and Hudson recited Ephesian 6:1-18 along with some drama.

The children also provided the after dinner music.

We had a very special time playing games with them.

Chelsy, Denver, and Anna enjoyed a game of Probe.

Carson and Rhoda played some tough games of Othello.

Checkers was the name of this game.

There was also a hot game of Rummikub.

As we went to bed that night,  our hearts were full of the joy that these dear ladies brought to our home that night.

Trimming Grapes

Yesterday as I was trimming the grapes, I actually had time to think!  The little ones were napping inside, the middle boys were busy raking the grass, and the rest of the children were busy elsewhere.  As I was hacking away at the grapevines, my thoughts turned to how God's work in my life is so much like pruning.  My heart must many times look just like the those grapevines do.  There have been times when there are no signs of life, no beautiful green leaves, no hint of any luscious fruit which will bring delight to those who partake.  The vines are ugly, brown, bare and void of any new life.  But with some pruning, sunshine, rain, and most importantly-a connection to the vine, life will spring from these barren vines.  Even so, when I am connected to the vine, the Master Gardener will prune me and the fruit will follow. 

And now it is time to go finish the job of trimming the grapes.  Maybe tomorrow it will be dry enough to plant some spring lettuce and radishes.

Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the branches:  He that abideth in my, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing."  John 15:4-5

Oklahoma City Zoo

We were able to squeeze in a visit to the Oklahoma City Zoo on March 4th, as we neared the end of our trip. This first picture, a naptime moment, was too cute not to post!

Meeting new "friends"......

Piggy-back rides!

"Plumps"

Liz & Taylor

Self- explanatory :)

Little girls

Smiles from Liz in the stroller

Reading about the gorilla

Lots of walking time

The okapi

Daddy with his little princess

Mommy with her little girls

The four matching sisters......

......and the six brothers

Rebecca 

Denver astride a gorilla!

Carson & Rebecca reading about the grizzly bear

Mitchell & Rebecca watching the bear

The younger boys' favorite animal, the mountain lion

Best friends! Denver, Taylor, & Liz

the tiger

"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all his work which He had made."

Genesis 2:1&2