Maryland

I'm a little behind on posting due to our internet being down at the house, but I still wanted to share about our time in MD... even though it's a little outdated.

During the week we were there, we stayed on the Ketts' Family Farm where my grandparents live. It was so nice to see and visit with the family again. For some its been over a year!

We all thoroughly enjoyed times alone in thought and prayer as we walked along the country dirt road beside the fields where the horses peacefully graze, read and study on the dock with the sound of the waves patting along the shore, or walking through the fields listening to the birds sing.

Around the farm~

At the beach near Mom Mom's house

A day on the river with family

A view of the farm from the boat

Little Kinley Rae Deen- the newest addition to the family. So precious...

Cousins

left to right- Andrew, Matt, Josh, Tyler, Aaron 

Abby and I

Friend time too

 Tyler's childhood friend, Nicholas, graduated from the Naval Academy. We were privileged to attend a bagpipe concert he preformed in as well as his graduation ceremony.

Graduation Day

Throwing of the hats

Nick graduated with honors as the 24th in his class of 1,100 graduates. He has been commissioned into the Marines, and with a major in Arabic, will most likely be sent over to the Middle East. He continues to be in our prayers.

Maryland by way of Kentucky

During our trek to Maryland, we stopped by our friends, the Trouts, who operate a dairy farm in Sedila, Kentucky. Twice a day we enjoyed the new experience of learning how to milk cows. 

Cleaning up after milking- Andrew hosing out the parlor

Running water through all the equipment

 Feeding the calves was one of my (Rebecca's) favorite jobs! 

My little friend, Johannah

 Going for a joy ride

Buddies- Andrew and Josiah

Andrew fixing small engines with helpers, Josiah and Jessie 

Johannah helps hold and give just the right tools.

Johannah's goat heard

A day of rest and an afternoon walk around the farm

In the evenings and between chore times, we enjoyed games of volleyball. Winners were privileged to more sleep the next morning, while the rest woke up to undertake the 4am milking. :)

Group shots

Top row, left to right- Tyler Trout, Tyler, Caitlyn Trout, Carleigh Trout, Rebecca, Ally Terwilliger, Courtney Trout, Andrew, and Zack Terwilliger
Bottom row- Johannah, Jesse, and Josiah Trout

We thank the Lord for the gift of friendships, fun times, and sweet memories!

Muffin News

Here's a little update for all who have kept our little Muff in prayer...

After only three weeks, her healing and recovery have been miraculous! She's already jumping up and off the couch and my (Rebecca's) bed, going up and down the stairs, running all over the house to chase toys or to welcome people as they enter the front door, and bossing Jack and Buddy around outside.

Here are some before and now shots...

In the vet's office

Removing stitches

Now one can hardly tell!

She still has some lumps and bumps on her broken shoulder and favors her left leg, although she is beginning to use it more. We are thanking the Lord for this miracle puppy!

And back to playing in the green house. :)

A Tea

Yesterday, we joined our friends, Matthias and Stefanie, to provide music for the Socorro Hospital's benefit tea. This was to raise funds to build an access enabling patients with wheelchairs to enjoy the hospital's healing garden.

Matthias and Andrew playing a duet- Be Still My Soul

Stefanie and I playing, Morning Has Broken

Dr. and Mrs. Bassler

The boys talking with our state representative, Don Tripp

Several people asked if we were all one family… imagine that!! :)

We had lots of fun preparing and playing together, and were blessed by the opportunity to serve.

"The pure air, the glad sunshine, the flowers and trees, the orchards and vineyards, and outdoor exercise amid these surroundings, are health-giving, life-giving.

Physicians and nurses should encourage their patients to be much in the open air. Outdoor life is the only remedy that many invalids need. It has a wonderful power to heal diseases caused by the excitement and excess of fashionable life, a life that weakens and destroys the powers of the body, mind, and soul." Ministry of Healing, pg. 264

Happy 21st Birthday, Tyler!!

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are for good... to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11  

All who know Tyler have been blessed by his out going, fun loving personality. He's the social character, always eager to meet new people, ready to send a smile their way.

We love you Tyler!

By the way... All who might be wondering, his birthday is the 11th. We were too busy celebrating to post. :)

Tyler's highlights of the past year

• Seeing God's hand in my life and the revealing of His will.

• Enjoying time and working together with my family.

• Spending time with friends.

• Travel!!!  Honduras-- Experiencing the culture of another county.                                           Kansas City with Dad, Andrew, and our friend Jonathan.

• Working as an EMT-- The ability to help someone in a life threatening critical moment to conquer their problem, allowing them to live longer with their loved ones. 

• Learning the ways of retail and working in the hardware store... I love it!!!

To Another World

Upon arriving in Honduras it was as though I had stepped into another world. This beautiful nation, clothed with a tropical climate, dense colorful vegetation, and gorgeous mountains, is ridden with flagrant poverty, and vice. As I'm sure your heart would, my heart ached for the people, and it's given me a whole different perspective on life.

I can't help but wonder if Christ had a similar experience when He came to earth. He left the riches, the splendor, the glory, and the purity of heaven to come here to a sin filled world darkened by spiritual poverty, disease, vice, and impurity. And Christ's heart must have hurt because of our hurt. It must have pained Him more than anything we can imagine to walk this earth and realize that the crowning act of creation, man, made in the very image of God, had become so degraded, so downtrodden, so filthy compared to our original design and intention. Could it be that this is why Christ reaches toward us with a heart so full of compassion, mercy, benevolence, and love to give us those promises of a better life, a better place to live, with no tears, no dying, no orphans, no abuse, no physical pain and disease, no emotional pain, no loss, the impossibility of harm on any dimension, the promise of sin not rising the second time. Everything in complete harmony and unity. But no sin… no physical, emotional, or spiritual pain. Is it really possible? The Bible says, "with Christ all things are possible… Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." It is possible, and when we all get to heaven won't it be a day of rejoicing?!

Lets grasp these amazing, almost surreal promises, share them with others, touch lives by Christ's influence in and through us, and lets go together...

To another world...

Quint