Weekend with the Johnsons!

What an action-packed, energetic weekend it was! There is something encouraging about being surrounded with enthusiastic smiles for a whole weekend! We praise the Lord that it worked out for the Johnson family to be able to come and visit and we hope it works out again sometime. Thank you for coming, Johnson team!

…And Then Two Became Three!

Robert and I are pleased to share some wonderful and exciting news…we are expecting! Nestled in our cozy little house here in the large and bustling city of Chicago, we are eagerly making plans for our new arrival in mid-May. We decided that we are going to wait until the birth to find out the […]

Horrah for Hardy Kiwi! 2011 Report

Experimenting with hardy kiwi in the mountains of north central West Virginia has been an interesting experience. Also called “kiwi berries”, Actinidia arguta is a species of kiwifruit that grows a smaller, smooth skinned version of the big fuzzy ones we are familiar with in the grocery stores. As its name implies, it is much […]

Salem Apple Butter Festival!

Earlier this month everyone pitched in to make it possible to have a family booth at the Apple Butter Festival. This year we added cookies and West Virginia Fruit and Berry jellies in addition to the honey, candles, calendars and artwork sales. Just for fun, we put up a little table for anyone interested in […]

Remember Spring

Most of you know that I enjoy the fall season. It is the middle of autumn now and we have experienced the joys of reaping what was sown, and drying, canning, pickling… and being pickled (in our own sweat!) 🙂 And of coarse we are looking forward to Thanksgiving, when “the frost is on the […]

Josh and Lisa Wilkes!

We were so privileged to be able to pitch in and assist with the wedding preparations of our dear friends Joshua Wilkes and Lisa Butler, and to witness their joyful union on September 17. Here are some of our pictures from the event. For more pictures, check out the Wilkes’, and Neelys’ websites! “And with Thy […]

Purchase with a Purpose

It’s October 1: the day for a special announcement! My brother Jonathan would like to attend 9-weeks of ministry training at ALERT, an academy in Big Sandy, Texas that equips young people with the discipline, character, and life skills necessary to meet the needs of people in crisis. Jonathan is very excited about this opportunity! […]

Update from Mexico

I have been greatly enjoying a visit to Tijuana, Mexico, for the past few days doing photography and design work for a unique ministry called MissionTalk. It is such a joy to spend time at Casa Hoga, the local orphanage that MissionTalk works closely with, and visit nearby places such as the beaches of Rosarito […]

Thoughts on the Republican Presidential Debate

I am so grateful for the opportunity God has given me to vote! I always wish I had more time to look into each candidates voting records and beliefs. That is why I was so excited last night when Daniel informed me that the Republican Presidential Debate was about to begin! Here’s six things that […]

“Never, Never, Never Give Up!”

It was such a change from earlier that day to be standing on the volleyball court, feeling the mud ooze around my feet, and knowing that there were no more verses required to be memorized before the end of the day. It was the evening after the local Bible Bee competition, and what could […]