Baby Alert

This past Saturday, we hosted a baby shower for Melinda. There has been much excitement around here for the soon arrival of Amelia Grace Engelhart, who is due November 18 (and her Mommy hopes not a day too late!) =D We were blessed to have quite a number of friends come for the shower, as well as Melinda's mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law.

Melinda's baby quilt that we've been working on

We had a great time of fellowship and enjoyed "oohing" and "ahhing" over all the cute little girl clothes! I think Amelia may be the best dressed gal in town!

We are praising the Lord for His grace and goodness and praying for a safe delivery of a healthy baby girl!

Posting from P.A.

A few of us kids have been enjoying some time with our grandparents in Pennsylvania, observing the local wildlife (deer, raccoons, rabbits, and even a bear!), spotlighting, shooting guns, swimming, bowling, playing games, watching movies, eating too much pie, and all-around having a great time.

Coon Crossing??

Daniel has been very closely attached to the creek (or "crick," if you're from up here =)), spending much of his time fishing. He caught a good many fish and kept two to eat.

Rainbow Trout

Gram and Pap took us to visit Penn's Cave as well! It was beautiful, and the pictures hardly do it justice. There was a definite temperature difference as we walked down the steep steps to the cave opening. We toured the cave entirely by boat!

It was a mostly dark, yet delightful, ride!

Rainbow lights on the cave formations

We were also able to spend some time with Gram and Pap Byler! 

The field above Gram and Pap Maurer's house was so beautiful that Beth and I couldn't resist climbing the grassy hill to take pictures:

Beth took some pictures of the boys as well when a couple cousins came up to visit:

 Daniel and cousins Micah and Caleb

"Mr. Thinker" 

Happenings

Putting away...

... schoolbooks for the 2015-2016 year

Cultivating...

... the growing garden

Cleaning...

... others' dirty houses... as well as our own

Painting...

 ... Melinda and Andrew's new house

Visiting... 

... the eighteenth century 

Packing...

... with Andrew and Melinda to help them move

Learning... 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Happy New Year

Hello there! I hope you all enjoyed a Very Merry Christmas this December! I thought I had better get on here and share some pictures since it has been all of five months since I have posted! {For that you have my deepest apologies...}

A little more than a week ago, we made our traditional gingerbread houses! Well, that is, most of us went traditional.... Beth saw a new idea on Pinterest and decided to try it - a teepee! It turned out very cute, complete with an open fire and some plastic Indian figures. Maybe next year we should bring out the cowboys too. =P

Two weeks ago all we girls from church got together for a Christmas party that Amber hosted! We had a great time of fellowship and games around egg nog and delicious food!

This was the church's Christmas dinner. We used only light from lanterns and the fireplace! We had great evening and sang Christmas carols a cappella. (For those of you who have experienced the acoustic effects in the church basement, you know how awesome that sounds!)

Another tidbit of news around here .... Andrew and Melinda got a puppy! A little chocolate lab who they dubbed Toffee.

He is adorable!!

Toffee and Bear get along quite well, though it took us a few days to figure out that all the growling was playful, and Bear wasn't going to bite Toffee's head off!

They love to frolic and carry on and chase each other, but despite the size difference, I'm not sure who gets the raw end of the deal!

We are all currently enjoying the break from school! Bethany and Daniel will start back up on Monday, and I get into my second semester of college next Wednesday. All has been going well, but busy as always. =)

We are hoping for some more winter-like weather in the near future. Somehow it doesn't feel like Christmas when it is 75 degrees outside and we're running the AC! We have also been getting buckets of rain, leaving the yard a muddy mess. Not a very festive scenery.... Dreary as the weather may be, however, we can rejoice in the gift of eternal life and the blessing of a New Year!