2010.....a pure blessing

The year 2010 has been filled with new things for yours truly, new shows, new fairs, new livestock, new school, new experiences, new look.  It's been an amazing year and it is with meloncholy thoughts that I say goodbye to it.  On top of all that, it is the end of a decade.  A decade in which I've changed so much, yes from 7 years old to 17, it's been filled with many changes.  10 years ago I had just gained two little sisters.  I was to gain 2 more siblings plus many "siblings" through foster care in the next 10 years.  I got into 4H, FFA, found a love for agriculture, politics, God, my family.  I can only hope that the next 10 years will be just as amazing!  Here at the end of the year, I am reminded of these words,

"Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done!"


What a beautiful song!  Perhaps it wasn't a perfect year.  There were times I just  wanted it to be done.  But God is powerful and always saw me through everything.  He is a merciful and loving God and I would be nothing without Him.


Now as we look forward towards a new year I pray that I will keep my heart open to God's direction and listen to His call.  And I just can't wait to see what He has for me!  How exciting! :) 


I think this verse will be my theme verse for the year 2011. 

Psalm 37:4,7
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass ... Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.


May you all enjoy a wonderful New Years Eve and have a wonderful beginning of the year 2011!


In Christ,
~Bethany~

A Way In A Manger

Last night my family went to church for the Christmas eve candlelight service and I was caught by a song that a young lady sung.  I'd never heard it before, "He Made A Way In A Manger".

He Made A Way In A Manger
Longing for a Savior
A hopeless world would wait
Sin demanded justice
At a price we could not pay;
But God displayed his mercy
The greatest gift of love
When we could not reach heaven
Heaven came to us.

Chorus:
He made a way in a manger
A way to the cross
Messiah the promised
Before time had begun;
For God so loved this world
Though he knew what love would cost
He made a way in a manger
To make a way to the cross.

In Bethlehem a stable
Became a throne of grace
As God himself our Savior
Drew near to take our place;
His mother smiled in wonder
As shepherds stood in awe
The sacrifice of heaven
Lay sleeping in the straw.

He is the life that died our death
The precious Lord Jesus
Laid down his sweet head.

Chorus:
He made a way in a manger
A way to the cross
Messiah, the promised
Before time had begun;
For God so loved this world
Though He knew what love would cost
He made a way in a manger
To make a way to the cross.

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

In a time where Christmas is a celebrated event spent with family and friends opening gifts and eating too much food, we must go back to when God sent His only Son to earth.  Imagine what it must have been like up there in heaven, with the angels wondering where their Creator was going.  Going to earth?  To be a child?  A human being?  That lowly?  Jesus was the King of Kings!  He had no right down there.  But He went anyway.  Why?  Because He loved us.  God loved us so much, that He sent his Son here, He made that way through a manger, to the cross, and to our hearts.  This Christmas season, let us be thankful to Him for all that He has done for us.


In Christ,
~Bethany~

Puppy pics

Here's just a few pics of Abigail and I with a few of our puppies that we have right now.  The puppies are 3 1/2 weeks old, so cute!  The one that I'm holding is a girl and we're going to keep her....I'm rooting for the name Liberty, what do you all think?  Registered name...."Give Me Liberty"....yeah anyway :D  Just thought I'd share these!

Liberty and I!

Abigail and both yellow females

So, today was the last day of school for the year!  We go back on the 3rd of January....so a nice wonderful over 2 weeks break!  Yay!!!  Trying to plan activities now for the next two weeks when we have everyone home.....hmmmmmm :)  any ideas anyone?  lol

~Bethany~

Since it's been forever......

Yeah I know, it's  been next to forever since I've posted anything on here.  I've finally fallen into back into my regular routine of school, meetings, chores, and life.  Today is a little out of the norm however....we got a snow day!  So instead of the usual quiet in the house on school days there are 4 additional people that are trying to find something to do.  On top of that, it's freezing cold (like 16*, realfeel of 1*).  So I'm catching up on web stuff and sitting upstairs by the fire.  It's 61* downstairs, so the 76* feels amazing. :)  Anyway.....

I did have a tragedy happen, my laptop was infected by a horrible virus.  I was told it was one of the worst viruses around and it's amazing I am able to still use it.  However, I did lose a lot of my pictures, including a bunch from my D.C. trip.  I was disappointed, but what can be done?  Oh, and the hinges broke on this thing, so I think it may be time for a new laptop soon.  I think I'll wait 'till right before college though. 

Anyway, here's some recent pics .......

Last week, the homeschool group had a field trip, going to a an old one room schoolhouse and learning like children did back in the 1800s.  I wasn't able to join because of school, but I thought I'd share the pictures!

The classroom full of children from grades 1-8!

 Two boys intent on studying.

 Jordan working hard.

 Mom was "teacher" for the day.

We also did our annual cookie baking day and caroling!  I don't have too many pictures of the day, but I do have a picture of some of the goodies!!!

Our family also picked out our Christmas tree at a small tree farm near our place.  

It's now sitting in our living room not decorated :)  We just bought the lights today, so I guess it will get decorated later this afternoon.

Hope everyone is enjoying their day!
~Bethany~