Sunday 30 November 2014

Thanksgiving...

I'm a huge fan of having a holiday to celebrate being thankful. And not just because of all the turkey and stuffing! Although the American holiday of Thanksgiving is only celebrated on one day - the last Thursday of November each year - I really think we can take a lot from this holiday and implement a spirit of thankfulness in our daily lives.

I have had my struggles here in Indiana and there have been some difficult adjustments to be made, but in all things I am thankful to God that Candace and I are together again. The Bible has a lot to say on thankfulness, too. Here are just a handful of verses, all taken from the NIV version:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.
(Psalm 118: 1) 

Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 (Ephesians 5: 19b - 20)

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4: 6 - 7)

 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
 (Colossians 3: 15 - 17)

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 18)

I trust that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you continue to be thankful every day of the year - no matter your circumstances or your location on this world. Give thanks in all circumstances! :-)

Tuesday 25 November 2014

Special sunset...

The sunset was really beautiful last night. Enjoy these pictures! :-)








The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
    where morning dawns, where evening fades,
    you call forth songs of joy.

(Psalm 65: 8 NIV)

Friday 21 November 2014

Let it snow...

We had our first (very early) snow of the season over the past weekend. It began on Sunday (16th November) and lasted until Monday morning. Candace and I were out with friends on Sunday night and we had to drive home in the snow. It was my first experience driving in falling snow! It was like walking in a real winter wonderland when I went outside with Rusty early the next day. This was my first experience of snow in the USA! :-)

 Snow falling late on Sunday night.
 Snow-covered pumpkins.
 Snow-covered plant.
 Rusty enjoys his walk in the snow.
Strange to think just a few days ago we were raking leaves here!
 View over the empty vegetable patch.
 The pond and Bethel Mennonite Church.
 Our temporary home.
 Pretty swing.
 The shed where we park our cars.
 Melting snow forming icicles dangling off the roof of the shed.

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Frosty morning...

The weather is certainly getting colder. We had thick frost in the morning just ten days ago. I walked outside in the chilly morning air and was captivated by the tiny droplets of frozen water on the grass and fallen leaves. There is definitely beauty in the wintry frost - and it is in these tiny details that our Creator God is glorified.

 A frosty Autumn morning.
 The frost sticks to the shadows.
 Frozen grass.
 Tiny droplets of ice on a small plant.
Puddles of icy - almost frozen - water.

Monday 17 November 2014

Groundhog...

I was walking Rusty the other day through one of the large fields nearby when I noticed some movement off to the right and, sure enough, there was a fairly large mammal digging in the soil. It noticed us and paused, watching, before disappearing into the undergrowth. We finished our walk and then headed back home where I grabbed my camera and then stealthily returned to capture a few photos of this native groundhog! I was quite excited because it was one of my first glimpses of a local mammal here.

 Groundhog, alert to the fact that it is being watched.
Keeping an eye on things from the relative safety of the bushes.

Thursday 13 November 2014

Rusty...

Meet Rusty, the newest member of our little family. He's a Yorkshire Terrier-Schnauzer cross and has a very sweet personality - although he does have some separation anxiety issues at the moment. But just look at that face!

 Rusty and I at the French Lick Pumpkin Patch.

Tuesday 11 November 2014

Amish Harvesting...

A common sight in Daviess County at this time of year is Amish folks harvesting their corn and soybean fields. They usually have a team of four work horses pulling the harvester behind. It really is awesome to watch!

 Approaching some harvesters on the Odon-Cannelburg Road.
 A corn field about to be harvested.
 Amish buggy and horses.
The teams having a break after harvesting a field.

Friday 7 November 2014

Mercy Ships reunion...

Candace and I drove to see one of our Mercy Ships friends who happened to be in the area two weeks ago. It is always special to meet up with Mercy Shippers outside of the ship context. We met up with Melinda and her family at a Pumpkin Patch and petting zoo outside French Lick, Indiana.

Candace and I also drove through to West Baden Springs and French Lick before driving back home. The colours were beautiful as we drove through many scenic valleys and forests.

 Photos never do the colours justice.
 Pretty valley.
 Driving through a beautiful forest.
 Castle Knoll Farms, where the pumpkin patch is located.
 Lovely old barn.
 Pumpkin patch.
 Petting zoo - complete with bunny rabbits, ducklings, goats, miniature horses, and llamas.
 Field corn pit in which children can play.
 With Melinda, our fellow Mercy Shipper.
Old steam train at the Indiana Railway Museum in French Lick.

Monday 3 November 2014

Autumn leaves...

We decided that it was high-time to rake the leaves in the front garden last week. They were lying so thick on the ground that you almost couldn't see the grass! Unfortunately, the leaves kept falling and so raking and bagging the leaves felt like a fruitless mission. But we persevered and got the garden cleared up nicely! :-)

 Leaves lying on the ground.
 Clearing up the lovely mess.
 Layne and Lincoln playing in a pile of leaves.
 Blakeley tries to push Lincoln in the wheel-barrow.
 I'm in there somewhere!
 Before photo - taken several days before we raked the garden, actually.
After photo. Nice and clean! :-)