Bonnie Holiness Camp

We were blessed to be able to sing at Bonnie Holiness Camp on July 20. We met old friends and made new ones on this sweltering July afternoon. What a wonderful crowd! We pray that God was blessed.

DCC Camping

We arrived at Dolan Lake Saturday evening and everyone began setting up camp. We played some games, ate a delicious supper, and sang songs around the campfire before heading off to bed. The next morning, we all pitched in and prepared a hearty breakfast that was enjoyed by all. We all fellowshiped with each other that afternoon until it was time to head home. What a great time we had!

A Golden Anniversary

We were privileged to be able to share in the felicity of two special people's Golden Anniversary. Bill and Janice Shelton celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, July 13. It is such a joy to see long marriages. What a blessing to look up to examples of Christian couples who are still in love after fifty years! We have known Bill and Janice for many years, and are blessed by their wonderful friendship!

Cloud Formations

Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who make the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone.

Zechariah 10:1

Independence Day!

“God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel” –Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention of 1787 This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.” —The Last Will and Testament of Patrick Henry

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever." —Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia
“ It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible.” — George Washington
"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." — John Adams
“ Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof” [Leviticus 25:10]

—Liberty Bell Inscription

Proclaim your Independence and God Bless America!

Guinea Attack!

Over a month ago we set 40 guinea eggs, and out of those, 32 little chicks hatched. As time passed the guineas began to grow, and they soon graduated to the chicken tractor. We had some of the guineas spoken for, and so didn't want to turn them lose, because guineas are hard to catch! Over time, little by little, we noticed that they were beginning to disappear. It is really difficult to count a cage full of quick moving guinea chicks. We were losing them quickly and couldn't figure out what was getting them. Last week, on a stormy night, we heard noise coming from the barnyard. Trey and Mark went to check out the situation. What did they find? None other than a raiding skunk! Needless to say, the skunk is no more. That must have been one hungry skunk, because our guinea count rapidly went from 32 to 16! How terrible! The promised ones are now delivered and the rest turned free to range where they may. Hopefully, they will roost somewhere safe and grow to rid the farmstead of ticks and other bothersome insects.

Patriotism and Hometown Spirit

We were asked to present a Patriotic concert at the McLeansboro Gazebo on Thursday, July 3- the day before Independence Day. A good crowd brought their lawn chairs and gathered on the courthouse lawn for the program. There were several veterans in the crowd and we certainly took the time to have them stand to be recognized as we thanked these men for the service given in protecting our country! We had a fantastic time presenting the phenomenal Christian heritage of our country and its freedom using quotes from our forefathers and a variety of melodic compositions. What a wonderful time!

Our Blue Bayou

Who wants to swim in brownish water when one can float about in a beautiful blue bayou?! We were excited when we found a pond additive that was safe for animals to drink, safe for swimming, and safe for wildlife. We chose to add it in the evening so that we could awake to a "new" pond! Trey poured the intense blue in several spots and we watched as it slowly dispersed. We were anxious to see what surprise would greet us in the morning.From the perspective of Rachel and Amanda's room on the second floor, there was quite a different pond. It had turned a beautiful aqua-blue! Doesn't it already look much more inviting for a swim? What fun!

Before

After

Music Lovin' Christians

We arrived home from Oil Belt Christian Service Camp last Saturday. It was a pleasure being with all of the familiar faces for a whole week. Our family was blessed to be able to help as faculty at the Music Camp Plus week of camp again this year. Trey is the string ensemble director and Amanda and Rachel help with it as well. There were several new faces in the string section this year, as well wonderful familiar ones. Our family also led the devotion around the flag pole each morning.

The camp begins with worship on Sunday evening; other activities take place later that evening. Meeting in the faculty lounge after the day's activities are over is always a highlight of the day. We have lots of good music, stories, encouragement, etc.
The next three days are filled with practice, whether it is Band, String Ensemble, Choir, Drama, Interpretive Dance, Art, or Sign Language. Three days of intense preparation gets the performance to concert level. Thursday evening, we prepared for our first concert at Cornerstone Christian church in Effingham. Everyone did a fabulous job praising the Lord with their talents. Friday evening's performance was held at the First Christian church in Fairfield. What a great time of excitement! Both nights were a wonderful time of worship!

Saturday the camp was cleaned and we all said our goodbyes. What a fun week we had with other music lovin' Christians!