"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh."

Recently, we had the honor and privilege of celebrating AB's parents' 50th anniversary (see more photos at http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AatWTZozctXOw). As the years go by, too often marriages fall - physically to death or spiritually to divorce. So it was a true celebration to rejoice in a marriage that has stood the test of time. As their pastor said, "We seem to perform five marriages a week, but rarely get to see these milestones reached." We were particularly glad that our children were able to witness this occasion, to see the fruit of a lifetime commitment lived out before a faithful God. As we reflected with our children on the sacrifices and blessings of a godly marriage, we were reminded that in the "If you're not having fun then you're not doing the right thing" generation, the old saying "It is necessary to do right; it is not necessary to be happy" should still hold true. The beauty of a God-honoring marriage is that as we strive to persevere, to live out God's design, we are truly happy in ways that only He can provide.

Thank you, George & Eunice, for not giving in or giving up. You are both examples and blessings to your children and grandchildren. Now PLEASE take good care of each other so that we can do it again for your 75th.....

Upon returning home to Texas, we became fairly introspective. The entire event served as a catalyst for us to examine our lives as a family, to ask ourselves what sort of legacy we will leave one day. Are the goals we have set for ourselves, our children, our family well-defined? Do we have a clear "end game" in sight to focus on, and milestones and markers to motivate us? Are those goals man-centered or God-centered? What kind of multi-generational faithfulness will be exibited by the generations to come if we are faithful in the time we are given? Hmmmmm. We must stay focused, because all of us will not live to celebrate a 50 year wedding anniversary, or even a 50th birthday. Last week we received the terrible news that AB's instructor pilot from the maintenance test pilot course had been shot down in his Apache in Iraq, leaving behind a wife and two children. We take comfort in Psalm 139:16 "And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them". And even as we grieve for their family, we rejoice and are thankful for the love and life we share with our family and friends.
Love from the Farmhouse. Thanks for stopping by...

New Year in the country

"To be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look at the stars, to be satisfied with your possessions, but not contented with yourself until you have made the best of them; to despise nothing in the world except falsehood and meanness, and to fear nothing except cowardice; to covet nothing that is your neighbor's except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manners, and to spend as much time as you can, with body and with spirit, in God's out-of-doors. These are the little guideposts on the footpath of peace." - Henry Van Dyke -

Happy New Year to each of you, now well into 2007. We are later than we anticipated updating everyone! To those of you who are more faithful (and quick) at sharing with us your goings-on, we thank you.

Christmas with no extended family was quiet, but sweet and good. For the first time, we observed Advent as a family throughout the Christmas season. The children made an Advent wreath and each night their daddy would read a Bible story or Christmas related devotional. Gathered around the table with the candles glowing, we sang a different Christmas song each week and contemplated with joy the upcoming celebration of the birth of our Savior. If you don't do this as a family, we highly recommend it. Amidst the stress and activity of presents and shopping and parties and concerts, it kept our hearts anchored.

AB's arm surgery went beautifully, and he completes his last week of physical therapy next week. Last call for anybody to try to arm wrestle him and win! He will be back to normal very soon.

Dear friends left us for extended educational opportunities in Florida, and though our hearts are heavy, we count the days till they return in three years.

On New Year's Eve we welcomed our awesome nephew back to Texas (see photo above). What a delight! We are always so sad to send him home.... somehow hoping that his mom will decide that gee, she doesn't really need this tall, mathmatically minded, equestrian son of hers after all, and why not just leave him with us! Alas, as with all good things, his visit came to an end too soon, but we loved every minute!

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW... We became the proud owners of a sweet old horse over the holidays. Friends of friends needed to find a good home for their aging appaloosa, Theodore "Teddy Bear" Roughrider Roosevelt. He is wonderful, a steady, dependable trail horse who dances for his supper (really!) and loves to have us nearby. Early in his life, he worked at a riding stable, so he is very patient and slow with the children. We laugh because every afternoon around 4 he shows up at the gate to eat... "senior citizen early bird special".

Come and see us soon!