Greg donated his painting, "Noah's Ark: Voyage End" to the Creation Museum. It was graciously accepted and cataloged in their archives.
Our group began a 6-week study called "God Provides" in early April, with our 3 men taking turns in leading. Then Greg began an 11-week study for youth and their parents called, "Demolishing Strongholds" at the end of the month. Greg did an excellent job of leading this study (produced by AiG). We recommend it to those desiring to effectively witness in today's culture.
Stephen decided that after several years of raising chickens and selling eggs that he wanted to down-size, thus Gordy and I inherited his flock. I learned how to feed and water chickens each morning (which was something new for me as the boys had always done it). I might add that I "fought off" 3-4 determined broody hens while gathering the eggs daily. Gordy helped out on the weekends. We sold eggs to local neighbors, at the market and to the Middlebury Natural Food Co-op until November.
Stephen still has his horse, donkey and sheep to care for daily.
A "spring snow" came at the end of April, which gave an opportunity for Ben's brothers to build him a snowman and send him photos. Flowers and snow mixed together is rare and fun to remember.
May/June
Tate Publishing Company out of Mustang, Oklahoma accepted Greg's manuscript for publication. This was an answer to our prayers as Greg has been seeking a publisher for the last couple of years. Immediately after being accepted, Greg diligently worked on over 25 new pen & ink illustrations, so he is not only the author, but the illustrator as well.
At present the editing process is well underway, and Lord willing, "The Child Who Saved Our World" will be published by Spring 2011. :) Update as of June 15, 2011: Greg's book will be released to bookstores nationwide on 6 September 2011. Tate Publishing has just posted it for sale on their website at:
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781617776410
Please check it out.Greg will have some books in his possession by mid-July, so you may contact him directly
Thanks for your support.
May the Lord bless the work of Greg's hands for His glory.
Our sons bought us a "web-cam" for Mother's Day, so the family found great satisfaction and joy in being able to "see" and keep in touch with Ben over the miles. Also, on Mother's Day afternoon Nicholas, Beth and Audrie came over for a visit.
Our dear Christian friend, Ellen Schrock (age 96 1/2) passed away Mother's Day weekend. While living in Michigan God used her to teach and inspire me in my quilt-making efforts. Also this year, our friends Betty Rutz and Fran Monroe passed on. We will miss their friendship and the part they played in our lives.
Our kind neighbors, the Isenbergs, again allowed Gordy and I to use their tandem bike for "joint" exercise together. This year we rode down to Swamp Road and enjoyed passing through the covered bridge and over the railroad tracks, completing a 6 mile course. Someday we hope to own a tandem ourselves .
In mid-May Gordy, Stephen, and I drove to Michigan by way of Canada. We used our "Enhanced Drivers Licenses" for identification instead of passports. We idled on the Blue Water Bridge for an hour while waiting to enter through US customs.
We enjoyed our time with both our families before driving down to our destination in Petersburg, KY. There Gordy and I attended a one-day training session to be certified volunteer Video Conference Coordinators for AiG, while Stephen an d Ben enjoyed some brotherly time together.
Happy Father's Day, 2010!
Stephen sold some of his home-grown produce at the local farmers' market, along with our baked goods, etc. Up until this summer, Gordy always accompanied me to the market, but with him needing to work on bathroom projects and cutting winter firewood, Stephen and Greg assisted me this year. I was grateful for the guys willing help, but greatly missed my husband by my side.
July/August
Quechee Gorge, also called Vermont's Little Grand Canyon, is located 1 1/2 - 2 hours away from us. One Sunday our family decided to visit and discover it's natural beauty. There we enjoyed winding trails, steep climbs and a rushing river. We had a family picnic together before leaving for home.
A few years ago Greg found through his genealogy studies that we have long lost relatives buried in Tunbridge, VT. So, the next weekend we made our way over the Green Mountains to a little cemetery up in the hills called, "Ordway Cemetery". There we found 13 stones engraved mostly with Ordway names. In the back we found my Dad's relatives, Moses and Susannah Ordway who were buried there almost 200 years ago. Moses would be my great, great, great, great, great, grandfather. This discovery made us feel a bit more a part of this land called Vermont.
At the end of July, Gordy, Greg and I traveled out to KY for a short visit with Ben. Gordy and I took a short tour through the museum with Ben, while Greg had an interview, then we headed up to Michigan to visit with relatives, some whom we hadn't seen in over 4 years.
Please continue to Part 3 ...