Peaceful

I didn't make it to the farm yesterday.  I was busy with projects here at the house.  I know a lot got done, but I don't have pictures.  Those updates will have to happen later.

The one thing we have noticed is how peaceful things are at the farm.  We are working hard, but it is not stressful work.  We are on a pretty busy road, but the noise doesn't seem to make it on to the property.

The fields are quiet and the sunsets are beautiful!  We realized how big the field is when we walked around it.

 The fire pit is so calming and convenient.  Whether to cook on it or just to relax and watch the flames and listen to the frogs.

The farm will be perfect for nature classes.  Lots of critters and plants that we need to learn about.

The first critters we brought over were some young chickens, Buddy and Sissy.  It is nice to have friends come over to visit and help us work to get the farm ready for us to move into.  We were able to have two workdays this week.  That was so helpful!

The farm is so peaceful that even Thomas is able to kick back and chill!

 This cart has been so handy.  It was left here for us by the previous owner.  We have used it a lot!!

Most days have ended up by the pond, whether to fish or watch the fire. The sky is dark and clear and the stars truly shine. We love looking up into the night sky. I can't wait to bring out the telescope and really learn the constellations and planets!  We thank God for His goodness to us in providing this place for us to live.

Psalm 36:5

 Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Man looks on the Outward Appearance....

 Elizabeth and I enjoyed all the butterflies we saw at the zoo.  There were so many with vibrant colors.  The docents told us, as we walked in, that there were some large blue butterflies fluttering around that were called blue morphos.  We were told that we wouldn't get a picture of their blue beauty unless we caught them in flight.  They always sit with their wings closed.  The bottom of their wings has a tan and brown pattern.  If you see them sitting they are pretty boring looking.  They are impressively large (2-3" long) but not exactly beautiful.  We saw several of them.  We even saw a couple flying, but with so many people in a tight space it was near impossible to get a picture.

Then I happened to glance in the back of some plants and a blue flash of color caught my eye and there was a blue morpho with it's wings open sitting quietly.   Yes, the butterfly in the top photo and the one just above are the same type of butterfly.  Just one has their wings open and the other closed.  They look so different!

So often we judge others by the way they look.  We only see them as they are with their wings closed.  We don't take the time to get to know what they are like on the inside.  We miss out on the color of who they really are.  We judge them before we know them.  We miss out on many blessings and opportunities.

1 Samuel 16:7 says... "Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."  We need to make sure our hearts are pleasing to God.  We need to make sure we have accepted His forgiveness, so we have beautiful hearts.  Perfection is His standard, and it can only be found in His son Jesus.  But God gives it freely to all who seek Him.

Ice Storm

Last night we had an ice storm. It left the world looking like a fairy land. Yes, there were a few tree branches and wires down, but it was so beautiful. This is our rhododendron bush.

An evergreen tree with frozen ice jewels hanging from the branches.

The neighbors little pine tree.

A lilac that will have beautiful purple sprays come spring is now encapsulated in an icy garment.

It runs off and looks like a frozen waterfalls.

The gooseberry bush rests in its icy splendor.

The blueberry bush was highlighted by the silvery ice.

The rhododendron got so heavy that the branches bent leaving the icicles to form curls at the end of their tips as gravity moved them to the horizontal. It stretches my mind to see the icicles almost totally horizontal.

I think that ice storms are one of the most beautiful things in God's creation! Especially if I don't have to be outside driving in it. All you warm weather friends can enjoy our winter vicariously. We are having a good time, but longing for a little more sunshine!

~Mom

A "Currant" Post

Our currants are ripening. This afternoon Elizabeth and I went out to pick for the first time.

She picked the low ones and I picked the currants that were more toward the top of the bush.

Currants are rich in antioxidants. They taste sour. Elizabeth thought they were a treat. We don't generally eat them unless we're out picking. The rest of the currants go into the freezer for smoothies.

First, Elizabeth washed them. After she dropped them on the floor she washed them again and put them into a container. I stopped her and placed them on a plate.

I put the plate in the freezer and when their frozen I'll put them into a container. That way they won't all freeze together in a glob. Picking currants is tedious work, but since we're growing them we might as well use them.

The variety in fruit alone is amazing. Who would dare think that it all happened by chance?

~JoAn

"For since the creation of the world...."

We have never had any pets except for a few fish until the last couple months.

Michelle and Thomas have started keeping creatures from the rodent family. Their goal: to raise and sell the fur.

I have a goldfish, that I didn't want, but won in a drawing I didn't know I entered.

Just today Paul and Michelle caught a couple of baby rabbits.

Last, but not least, Michelle is looking for a dog. When this dog is found it will be the first one the Mangos have ever owned.

Paul and I are diligently working on Biology. This last week we have been studying ecosystems. It is absolutely amazing how God has designed all of His creation to work together. And we only scratched the surface by learning about the water, oxygen, and carbon cycles.

Finally, the most wonderful thing of all is this: "the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world."

Hallelujah!

~JoAn