Into His Gates

In 1620, the Pilgrims landed in this great country; 243 years later, our president thought it fitting to proclaim a national day of Thanksgiving, even in the midst of the Civil War.

"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that [the gifts of God] should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens . . . to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens." ~ Abraham Lincoln

144 years later we, with the rest of the United States, stop to celebrate the day dedicated to giving thanks to our Lord for his bounty. It is rather humbling to realize that for 387 years family after family, generation after generation has set aside time to gather and give thanks for the blessings of the Lord. May we never fail to pass our thankfulness on to ensuing generations, and may we model it daily.

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." Psalm 100:4,5

It's Deer Hunting Season!

November 16-18 was a time of fun and excitement for our family- deer hunting season. Venison is a favorite around Providence Prairie, and God has blessed us with a wonderful herd of healthy deer. Early Friday morning, Trey and Mark prepared for the first hours of the season. Rhonda, Amanda, and Rachel waited anxiously in the house while doing chores and fixing breakfast.

After only about 45 minutes, we received a call that Trey had already gotten a nice young buck! Soon after Trey brought it back to the house, Mark came walking back. We wondered why he was back so soon, but he informed us that he got two deer! We didn't believe him at first, but it was true! The deer are plentiful in rural Hamilton County.

Early the next morning Trey went out to his stand and within half an hour was back again and had gotten his second catch! Mighty hunters!

We are all thankful that the men took younger deer as they will be so tender and tasty this winter. God blessed us with a bountiful deer harvest!

Revive Us Again!

Revive us again! The words to the old song still ring true today. Revival began at Dale Christian church Thursday with a great message from Ron Lamp about Naaman and how we too should fully follow God's Word. Friday, Bill Cox delivered an inspiring message on how we should look forward, not backward; outward, not inward; and upward, not downward to live as Christians. Saturday, Bill Shelton preached the Word on not overlooking burning bushes that God places in our lives. Sunday morning began with a convicting sermon on what we as the Body of Christ should be doing, delivered by Ryan Cox. What an uplifting time visiting with each of them and hearing them impart the Scriptures.

The noon Homecoming meal found the tables overflowing with delicious food of all sorts and so many wonderful choices! After we were finished eating the meal and enjoying fellowship with those of like precious faith, we anticipated the Homecoming concert by the Preacher's Quartet.

The concert was excellent as Ron, Ryan, Bill C., and Bill S. lifted our spirits in song with wonderful harmony!

Following the concert, the Cox's and the Shelton's came to Providence Prairie for a short visit, but left soon after as they were beginning revival elsewhere that evening. Of course, we had to have a little fun before they left!Directly, our church family began to arrive for our hayride and wiener roast. We visited around the fire while the first hayride started.

The Pioneer picture was put to good use once again!Jumping rope was a hit with everyone! Chris, Glenna, Kay, Mark, and countless others jumped to the rhymes of old. It was so much fun!

The day ended with songs around the campfire. It was a grand day, a grand week, and a grand time of revival.

Providence Prairie's Homeschool Family Pioneer Prairie Fest

Thursday saw loads of final preparation for our Prairie Fest. The day was spent painting, cutting, sewing, cleaning, organizing, preparing the barnyard and last minute prep. Rhonda spent much of her time making a stick-your-face-through-the-hole painting of a pioneer family. She is an excellent artist and did a superb job on this work of art.

Of course we had to try it out that evening!

The funny pictures soon followed!

Friday, much the same happened. Rhonda, Amanda, and Rachel worked and worked on sewing the last pieces on the bonnets of which there were eighty to ninety finished! Trey finished organizing the barnyard, while Rhonda painted a few last minute signs. Having rained off and on all day, we were hoping and praying for dry weather on the day of the event.

Bed felt good that night!

Saturday morning arrived with a beautiful sunrise! The weather was perfect and stayed that way all day long. Mark and Trey worked hard finalizing the barnyard preparations. After the games and decorations were put up, everything was in its place. Shortly before three o'clock we donned our pioneer outfits, and lit the kerosene lanterns that were hanging around the barnyard and up and down the lane.

Soon, the folks began to roll in.

After signing the guest book, each received a Scavenger Hunt bag and list to begin the fun!

People arrived from all over Southern Illinois- Chester, Marion, Thompsonville, Ellis Grove, Mt. Vernon, Centralia, Belle Rive, Harrisburg, and Hamilton County were all represented. We totalled over 100 that evening! We were thrilled with such a good turnout and so many in pioneer costume!

Pioneer games and activities galore were available for everyone to play, with such variety as Rolling the Hoop, the game of Graces,

Building a Split Rail Fence, Wheelbarrow Rides,

the Stick Pull, using the Cross Cut Two Man Saw,

and Jumping Rope,

just to name a few. What fun they were!

Sack races in the straw bale maze were eventually replaced with homemade fun of a different sort- developed by the children themselves!

Available close by was the Prairie Peddler Shop, (a horse trailer converted into a covered wagon) with Straw Hats, Bonnets, and the like available for purchase. Amanda performed a spinning demonstration at the front of the shop. Hay rides went on all evening long. Each one was packed to capacity.Trey took the participants on the historic Old Goshen Road. They even passed the place where Jessie James hid in a barn long since gone. What fun! As new rock was recently added to the driveway, the men obligingly got out and helped to push the fully loaded wagon up the hill. It just added to the enjoyment of it all!

The wiener roast was eagerly embraced by hungry guests, which was followed by singing and then a read-aloud of The Princess and the Kiss. Mark led us in prayer and devotion.

The crackling fire warmed us on the somewhat chilly night. The evening was complete after an old fashioned hoe-down with live music.

We had a splendid time, well spent with homeschoolers from all over Southern Illinois! The Pioneer Prairie Fest was a successful event, full of fun for everyone! It shall prove to be an annual event on Providence Prairie.

Friends and Family Banquet

Thursday evening we travelled to Carmi to sing for the Wabash Area Retirement Home Friends and Family Banquet. The catered meal was delicious, and we had a wonderful time singing for the audience. There were many people there that we knew and we visited with good company all evening.

The Vegetable Stand

Saturday, we received a call that Maddi Jo and Adrianna were having a vegetable stand, so we traveled to the Macedonia area to purchase some tasty homegrown garden vegetables. Adrianna and Maddi (sisters) were having loads of fun with their vegetable stand that Saturday. We arrived and after perusing the wares, we purchased several bags of vegetables from the young entrepreneurs. Mmmm, did the goodies ever taste good!

Sunday, Dale Christian church was delighted with a visit from the Delaughter family-missionaries in Tanzania, Africa. After the service, they came to our home for dinner. It was great catching up with their progress and having time to visit. It had been several years since we had seen them in person.

A Singing Birthday

Saturday, October 13, Mark celebrated his birthday. After a hearty country breakfast, we were surprised with a birthday visit from Jack. After singing for a while and enjoying each other's company, it was time for dinner (the country word for lunch), and we all sat down to a hurried meal. We had to leave as soon as dinner was over in order to reach Toledo Christian church for our evening's singing engagement. Our meal was finished off by Mark's annual favorite Old-fashioned Chocolate Cake- a recipe that his grandmother and mother always used to prepare. We all cleared the table and prepared ourselves for the north bound trip.

Reaching our destination, we arrived at Toledo Christian church where they were hosting an area women's banquet. The meal was delicious and the company was great as we visited with Bill and Bonnie.

The ladies were a wonderful audience and we were blessed by the smiling faces in the crowd.