Iocco Family Newsletter 2010

As we reflect back on this past year, we give Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior our inadequate but heartfelt thanks for being ever present in our lives. He has been faithful to supply our needs, help us with struggles, give us wisdom & strength to cope with our circumstances, relate with people, and help us in the small everyday tasks of life. He has given His word for us to follow and has reminded us that we need to be more faithful to take it, apply it, and use it everyday. May we obey the Voice that calls us to Himself because we believe.

Colossians 3:17

January/February

After the holidays, we began our usual routine of participating in Middlebury's "Winter Farmers' Market". This year it was held at a new location, "American Flatbread" the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month. Gordy took on the job of putting up and taking down 7 signs for the market each week. As usual, we sold our baked goods, photo cards, Ben and Greg's art cards, some of Stephen's produce, etc. until the regular farmers' market began in Mid-May.


Mid-January, after a long search, to their delight, both Greg and Ben purchased their vehicles on the same day. Ben bought a Ford Explorer, and Greg bought a Toyota Corolla.

Stephen had 2 top wisdom teeth out. He found a doctor in Rutland that would extract them for half of the price of oral surgeons in our area. This was a blessing and thankfully his surgery went very well.

During the frigid days of winter, Stephen would step inside his hoop house and bask in the 50 - 70 degree warmth. There's nothing like the fragrance of tender growing plants in the dead of winter.


At the end of February, we received wet, heavy snow which partially collapsed our grape arbor.


Gordy began his 6th year working at Champlain Orchards. He provided help for many projects such as maintaining various machines, building cabinets, making donuts, slicing apples, field work, irrigation, plumbing, etc. His boss invested in an orchard about a mile down the road, so Gordy began renovating a 200-year-old barn on the property, along with remodeling a "relic" of a house in the Spring. This project is still ongoing.




Our two hogs (Flora and Flintwitch) were butchered and we have benefited from their ham, pork chops, ribs and breakfast sausage all year long.

We began renovating our downstairs bathroom and adding a new bathroom to our bedroom area. As you well know, projects like this cause much dust and debris. We hired our friend, Greg Moore, and he did an excellent job replacing the worn floors with beautiful tile. Believe it or not, these 2 projects affected 6 rooms in our house. You know how it goes, one thing always leads to another.

Main bathroom (before)

Main bathroom (after)

Back in early February, Ben was contacted by the museum exhibit director about applying for a "sculptor" position at the Creation Museum, so he filled out an application and began praying about this unique possibility.

Also, Ben faithfully completed one commissioned piece, and 2 other paintings for a Brandon Artist Guild show.

Iocco newsletter (continued)

March/April

After almost a year of study, our group finished the 13-part "Answers Academy" course from AiG. This was an excellent program for building solid foundations from God's word.


Stephen decided to make one batch of syrup from one run of sap during sugaring season.

Nicholas and Beth told us that they were expecting a baby at the end of November, and we all rejoiced with them. What a happy surprise! :)

Ben was interviewed, and after much prayer and consideration accepted the position at the Creation Museum.


On April 1st, Ben and his buddies gathered for one last softball game, and afterward we gave him a surprise "farewell gathering" with 62 supportive friends and neighbors attending. The weather was perfect and there were many sentimental thoughts (and tears) shared that evening. At the end of the evening, many of the men and Ben's friends encircled him with a time of prayer. It was a precious evening to many of us.


Ben moved to Burlington, KY on April 7th, and begun work on the 12th. Nicholas kindly let Ben borrow his suburban, so Gordy and I caravaned with him to help with the move.

About 2 weeks later, Greg heard about an opening at the museum for a Children's Illustrator
position. The exhibit director encouraged him to apply immediately. Because of this, Greg began learning how to paint using Photo Shop on the computer.



He did very well, and throughout the summer produced many unique works of art. Months later he found out that another had been hired, however Greg willingly accepted this as God's plan.

In the meantime, Greg finished 3 new paintings. Some of you have seen "Passing Storm" on Greg's blog (pictured below on upper right). We also really like "October Morning" (lower middle) and the unnamed landscape painting (upper left). It has a "patriotic" feel to it. :)

Please continue to Part 2...