"A little hard work never hurt anyone..."

Yesterday we (Dad, Mom, Trissy, and me) all went to Archer's family's place to help them put the roof on the house they are building. Archer's dad is a great thinker - he's also a Christian, a husband, and a father. All those things come together to make him take the action he does. With the goal of being more self-sufficient, and more private, they're living on a piece of land out in the "boonies" you might say, building a homestead using their own hands, research, and alot of prayer. Bro. S. wants more for his family than the modern 'norm', and takes this mission very seriously. Instead of a TV, they have a trampoline the wole family uses together. Instead of trips to Disney World, they take their kyacks {not sure if I spelled that right} out on their lakes or float the creek. Instead of lots of 'things' to keep the kids busy, they raise produce and animals for entertainment, education, and personal use. And instead of building a small mansion on this beautiful land, they are building a modest, economical farmhouse-style home. Dad really likes to talk with Bro. S. ; his way of thinking is so refreshing and, sadly, so scarce in this age we live in. The family of six is living in a barn already on the property, and a little old camper trailer, until the house is finished.
Anyway, so like I said, the better part of our Saturday was spent baking in the sun, melting from humidity, and helping these dear friends try to knock out the roofing job in one day. It was hot, it was humid, but it was also very rewarding. Archer and Law's two younger sisters gave Trissy and me the grand tour of their farm (Mrs. S. showed Mom around), in between lifting sheets of metal roofing up to Bro. S., Archer, Law, and Dad, and moving scafolding and sheet metal around to different positions. Bro. S.'s mother was also there visiting - a really neat lady, very spry, very likeable, and a master gardener. We helped pick peas and lima beans while she told us interesting facts about plants and bird feeders. After picking, we, along with Mom, Mrs. S., and the three dogs, ;) sat under a tree and shelled as long as the men didn't need water, recharged batteries for their drills, or more sheet metal. That was really fun!

A couple of pictures from the day (click on them to view them larger):

This is where we were shelling. The two younger sisters, Bro. S.'s mother, Trissy, Mrs. S., and Louis the dog ;)

I Heart Lima Beans! ;D

The men on the roof while we were shelling. Sorry the last picture is off-center. Dad, Bro. S., Archer (behind Bro. S., sitting on the roof to tye his shoe), and Law. Law is getting a little head start on the break they were fixing to take ;) .

Law is a very interesting person - guess it runs in the family; Archer is pretty quirky himself :) . This is kindof a side note, but I didn't record it when it happened (I think it was the same Wednesday night service I told about here) and I'd like to remember it:

Law used to not play his guitar much with the group upstairs on Wednesday night because, for one thing, Japan was the 'regular', and for another, he wasn't old enough yet to be in that class. But then Japan left, so Law started filling in more. He's almost as good as Archer. Anyway, after we finished one song and the 'musicians' were getting ready to move to the next, one of the young people (I don't remember who, but it was one of Law's friends) called out, "Go Law!" kindof teasing him, but as a compliment at the same time.
Law looked up, looked them square in the eye across the room, and in front of everyone, stated emphatically, "This is for Jesus!"
He has a funny accent 'cause they didn't grow up in the south, and that, coupled with the fervor with which he spoke (Law isn't one to get riled easily), made me just want to laugh! But I was so proud of him! If he will keep that spirit of the Lord first always, he will grow up to be a great man. God help our young people! May He raise up this generation to accomplish GREAT things for Him!

Blessed Be Your Name

We sang this last night at church in the young people's class. As a general rule, I don't really care for alot of the modern 'Christian music', but this has become one of my favorite songs of all time. It really has alot of 'meat' to it, if you get my meaning, and the Lord has really used it in my life lately. I thought I'd share the lyrics here for you!

The young people (from about age 15 through college) meet in an upstairs room for their Wednesday night lesson. Before the lesson, we always sing a couple of songs, and about four of the young people are in charge of 'leading' it. Archer plays several kinds of guitar, Bro. Blake's son Simon plays the drums (*rolls* eyes - I don't really care for drums, but in all fairness he's really quite good - he doesn't overdo it), Julia (haven't mentioned her yet - she's definitly one of the 'cooler' kids, you know, perfect blonde hair, perfect in-style clothes, and an attitude that comes out occasionally, but I think she really does have a good heart - Trissy is closer to her than I am, and likes her) sings, Japan (his nickname - he looks oriental, but he really isn't - I don't think ;D ) plays a guitar, and last night Archer's younger brother Law played another guitar. They all do a good job, and I said all of that to say this: I like our church's versions of these 'new' songs, generally alot better that the 'artist's' who recorded them. So, many times when I mention a more 'modern' song that has blessed me, I am thinking of the way our church does them :)!

BLESSED BE YOUR NAME

Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Chorus:
Every blessing You pour out I'll
Turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's "all as it should be"
Blessed be You name
And blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Chorus:
Every blessing You pour out I'll
Turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
I will bless Your name

Chorus:
Every blessing You pour out I'll
Turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

He is Lord! He is sovereign! Blessed Be His Name!!

College Class AR Trip

Fri. Jan. 15 ~

Last night was, of course, our Thurs. night college Bible study class. It was SO great to get to be there again! It had been so long since we had had a 'regular' meeting, and to have it going again felt great! We hadn't met the Thurs. before Christmas, and the next Thurs. was the trip (more about that in a minute), then it was cold and icy last week, and Dad didn't think we should get out on the roads, so Trissy and I missed that one, and something came up the week before Christmas... So anyway, we hadn't met all together since about Thanksgiving, and we've been missing it!!


The 'trip' I mentioned above was one the class had been planning for quite a while, since sometime in the summer, that when it got colder, we would go to Arkansas to a Christian children's home there, and help them clear some land for a new dorm building. They didn't have the kind of money it would take to hire someone to come in and do it, and they were really needing another building for the kids. So we decided we could go and help them out, and consider it a sort of 'mission trip', since even though we weren't going to be involved in evangelism exactly, we would be helping these 'missionaries' who were sharing Christ's love with abandoned children. As it turned out though, Trissy and I didn't get to go after all, but neither did Archer or Tanner, so the group was kinda split up anyway. But from the stories the others were telling when they got back, it seemed like it really did them some good. They got alot of work done, and really seemed to get a blessing out of the 'get-away'. Oliver shared that he felt like, before he went on this trip, that his spiritual life was probably the lowest it's ever been. But to just get away from everything for a few days, to have time to spend in the Bible in the evenings, and to be around up-lifting friends really helped him get his eyes and focus back where they needed to be. There were similar stories from several that went. I can't help feeling that I'd been cheated just a little bit... But my first responsibility is to my parents, and I guess (no, I really know, it's just hard to admit it sometimes) that if they say I can't go, well, then, that's it.


The Lord has blessed in several strange ways after all from us not going though. I won't go all into detail, but let's just say that when you choose to be satisfied with the way things work out, and just let Him handle the details, things will turn out for the best.