Random Photos and a Road Trip

Thawing my frozen fingers after being outside in the cold with my camera.  :)

I have such a beautiful and blessed life!  Lately, it has consisted of a road trip with Papa, listening to some amazing music, making memories, staying up really late, watching Anne of Green Gables, a trip to Fargo, ND, and back to WI to visit friends. 

One of the best soundtracks EVER!

I love our matching coats. (Thank you, Ashlyn, for the wonderful photo!)

I took little Nathan's 1 year photos.  He is such a cutie!

My camera's self timer is such a blessing!  :)

What a GLORIOUS sunset!!!  It literally took my breath away. 

Amanda took me out to DQ after dinner.  I ordered a Snickers blizzard and Amanda got Reeses. Ice cream is my favorite.  Yum!

Then we headed back to the Richter's home and had a sweet devotional time. :)  Amanda and I spent the night in their camper.  It was so fun to stay up late watching one of my all-time favorite classics, Anne of Green Gables.  That movie is so well done!

We drove from Iowa to Wisconsin to Fargo and back with Mr. Lincoln's face on our lisence plate.  Mortifying!

I got to drive back from Fargo to Wisconsin.  I'm getting better at keeping a constant speed.  :) 

We were blessed to spend more time with the Richters on Wednesday.  I felt so like a carefree little kid again...Amanda and I "played dress-up".  Yes, it was fun.  The dress I am wearing belonged to one of the Richter's neighbors who is now in her 90s.  She wore it to dances etc. as a young lady.  I am so grateful that I am able to make sweet memories with people I love!

Washing dishes after a delicious dinner.

We stayed up late Wednesday night and into Thursday monring.  After not seeing each other for a couple of months, we had a lot to catch up on, and a lot of memories to laugh over once again.  :)

Papa and I visited the Holland Family Cheese factory in Wisconsin on Thursday because they won a national award for their Gouda cheese.  I couldn't resist taking a picture of this adorable little milk cow!

Behold Our God

Daniel Renfro introduced our family to this great worship song while he was here.  This is another of those songs that you need to look up and listen to!  :)

Behold Our God
By Sovereign Grace

Who has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice
All creation rises to rejoice

Chorus
Behold our God seated on His throne
Come, let us adore Him
Behold our King—nothing can compare
Come, let us adore Him

Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His words?
Who can teach the One who knows all things?
Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?

Who has felt the nails upon His hands?
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man
God eternal, humbled to the grave
Jesus, Savior, risen now to reign

You will reign forever
Let Your glory fill the earth

Knowing You

All I once held dear built my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this

(Chorus)
Knowing You, Jesus knowing You
There is no greater thing
You're my all You're the best
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love you ,Lord

Now my heart's desire is to know You more
To be found in You, and known as Yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All surpassing gift of righteousness

(Chorus)

Oh to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in Your suffering
To become like You in Your death my Lord
So with You to live and never die

(Chorus)

JOY

    Mama and I went to a bi-monthly meeting of some women from our area who get together and sing hymns that they have memorized over the past two months.  We had a blessed time of glorifying the LORD together and sharing of His undeserved blessings in our lives. We had much joy in the LORD this lovely morning.

Psalm 30:5
... but joy comes in the morning.

The name of the group is "Joy in the Morning",

and that is why I have the scripture above.

Old country farm on our way home

The Alzen Family's Adoption Concert

The Alzens are a family who we have known for a very long time and they are very dear to us.  Currently, they are going through the process of adopting two Ukrainian orphan boys.  They recently hosted a fundraising concert along with another family band.  It was a great experience of lively music and wonderful fellowship.  

I have the Alzen's  blog linked on my sidebar so if you would like to get more information than I am able to provide, please visit their blog.

(They also have an adoption blog linked to their family blog.)

You wouldn't believe how well they played!!!

- Mr Alzen -

- Mrs. Alzen doing sign language for one of their songs -

- Isaac -

- Lucas with his "Whiz - bang" -

- Ana-Lise -

- Tessa -

THE GARMS FAMILY:

At the end of the concert, the two families came to the front together and played Power in the Blood - completely impromptu!  It was wonderful!