Jennifer and Alex's Wedding

We were blessed to be able to join Jennifer and Alex on their joyous wedding day, July 25. The bride looked splendid and the afternoon progressed beautifully. Amanda had been requested to play violin while Miss Anita accompanied on the piano. We pray that Jennifer and Alex are blessed in their life together!

Camping at Red Hills

Our family spent a splendid weekend camping at Red Hills State Park. There were trails to hike and get lost on. . . biking to participate in. . . campfires to roast over. . . and lots of fun to be had.

We had beautiful weather and a wonderful time.

Once Upon a Time. . .

Once upon a time, God blessed the McDaniel Family with a beautiful baby girl. She was loved and doted on by all in the family, especially her older brother. She grew and thrived in the family in which God had placed her. Often, her parents would take time during their devotions to pray for their children's future spouses, knowing that their time in discipling them would quickly draw to an end and their work would be finished.

Time passed, and the little girl was joined by a younger sister. Together, they grew into beautiful young ladies who were devoted to serving the Lord. They both looked lovingly into their daddy's face and wondered if there would ever be someone as wonderful for them to marry. Daddy assured them that indeed one day their knight in shining armor would enter their lives. God knew exactly which young man was the right person for each one, and which young lady would be the right one for the son. He assured his daughters that the right man would be the one willing to climb to the top of the apple tree to pick the very best apple there. Each child simply had to be patient and have faith that at just the right time, that special person would enter their lives and God would bring them together.

Time passed and the McDaniel sisters grew into fine young pillars in their father's household. Their mother taught them to be keepers at home and to serve and be busy with the tasks put before them. The son grew to be a strong warrior contending for the faith; a young man of integrity and virtue.
On a warm summer evening, while serving in ministry, the son was approached by a handsome young suitor concerning the elder of his two sisters. A few days later, the honorable man spoke with the father, asking the privilege to court the daughter. The young suitor was part of a family that had been friends with the McDaniel Family for several years and was quickly deemed an eligible young man. Permission was granted and their conversations together began.

In short time, the two knew that God had brought them together in His time and His course of events and that they two would together make an inseparable team for Him. They soon realized that they indeed had so much in common, a mutual attraction, and most important of which was a strong common faith in the God who created all!

Praising the Lord daily for the blessing He has bestowed on this blossoming relationship, we invite you to meet Mr. Ryan Cox.

We pray that you grow in the Lord together.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Rachel! Mmmm! Cherry cheesecake!

Treat your children like you won't have them in a year.

Train your children like they won't have you in a year.

- Holly Elliff

Hamilton County Fair Demolition Derby

Friday, July 10 brought us to our County Fair to watch the Demo Derby scheduled for that evening. The event began soon after we arrived and we watched as the first several heats took place. Between a few heats, new to our fair was a Lawn Mower Crash Derby (of which unfortunately, all our pictures are blurry). No one had ever seen a Lawn Mower Derby and it was even more entertaining than the Car Derby! Although there were only three mowers, it was quite funny to watch! It was a good night!

Independence Day 2009

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."

~ Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777

"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."

~ Samuel Adams

"No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation."

~General Douglas MacArthur

"God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it."

~Daniel Webster (1834)

"The future doesn't belong to the faint-hearted. It belongs to the brave."

~Ronald Reagan

The Indigo Bunting

Male birds are very territorial and windows without screens provide them a place to fight with their reflections as was the case with this beautiful male Indigo Bunting. Unfortunately, when they fly into the window to ward off the intruding male, many are knocked out. Nevertheless, it provides us with a unique opportunity to see a variety of birds species up close. The Indigo Bunting was in dire straits as he had knocked himself senseless on our sliding doors. With hungry cats lurking around, we went out quickly to rescue him. As it was hot, the bird was dehydrating in the sun. We gave him water by dropping drips of it over its nostrils, letting the water run into his mouth. Rachel knew this technique after having given Mr. Bo-Jangles drinks this way when he was a hatchling. Soon Mr. Bunting was revived and flew off to join the rest of his kind!

The Latest Edition

Our subscribers will soon be finding Volume 13, issue #3 of the Prairie Proclamation in their mailboxes! This issue is filled with this and that from Providence Prairie, including lots of fun and informative pieces on farmsteading and family life. If you would like to subscribe or renew your subscription, you can do that here. We would love to add you to our family of readers!