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Are You Tuned In?

I love to think of nature

as an unlimited broadcasting station

through which God speaks to us every hour

if we will only tune in.

 George Washington Carver

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  John 15:12 NLT

A Hawk and A Leaf

I was surprised to look outside our kitchen window this morning and see a hawk in our Dogwood tree.  I think it is a Red-tailed Hawk.

I suspect it was looking for birds or rodents.  

It reminded me of the delicate balance in God’s wildlife kingdom ~ what is good for one is not so good for the other!

With temperatures in the 20’s this morning, and the leaves in our woodlot becoming scarce, I was also reminded of another delicate balance ~ the seasons.

God has created an awesome world!

~~~

Without doubt, the mightiest thought the mind can entertain is the thought of God.

A.W. Tozer 

Hunting Whitetail in WV

Photos by our son, Jere

Pretty Scenery Along the Way

Seneca Rocks, Elkins, WV

More Sights Along the Road

They arrived at D & S New Hope Lodge just before lunch on Saturday.

The lodge is a remodeled Church of the Brethren.

The church’s fellowship hall was transformed into bedrooms and living area for hunters and other visitors. 

The guys enjoyed attending the new church (a few miles away) on Sunday morning, then after lunch checked out their hunting area .

~~~

Jere’s Monday hunt was over at 8:00 AM – he would have to wait until Tuesday to try and fill his second tag.

Jeff had gotten his buck an hour earlier.  This is a self-portrait by Jere.  I thought it was rather neat!

Jeff got a second buck on Wednesday morning.

Ready to head home.

Dennis, Jeff, Terry, Jere, Cerwin, Marlin, and Gene

These guys had never been together on a hunt – but unanimously agreed to go back next year.

It was not a very successful hunt for many in the area, so Jeff and Jere feel blessed.  They were the only two to harvest deer in this group.  They heard from many hunters who did not get a deer.  The local hunters said the rut is late – the probable reason for this low harvest.

The Hunters Are Home From West Virginia

Jared looks up at his dad (our son, Jere), Grandpa, and Uncle Jeff as they posed with the deer last night.  Jeff shot the spike and four-point in back of him.

Jeff’s two buck.

Jared and Ian touch the antlers of Jere’s seven-point.

 From here they took them to the butcher shop, so their families can enjoy venison steak and hamburger for the next year.  (Cerwin did not see a buck, but was pleased that the boys were successful.) 

It sounds like they had a great time.

~~~

Our Thanksgiving

Josh, Ian, Jana, Jere, Kristen, and Jared.

We enjoyed a quiet day, with lunch at Jere and Kristen’s house.

For many years we went to a large Thanksgiving gathering at a fire hall with my father’s family, then after the building became crowded, and Grandpa and Grandma Hershey died, it seemed like the right time for each family to have their own dinner.

By this time our children were married and usually went to dinners at their inlaws.  Since it is the busiest time of the year for me, (preparing and mailing newsletters for TFC’s staff) and Cerwin is sometimes hunting, I never started the tradition of having a Thanksgiving dinner at our house.

After lunch, Jere attached his camera to their TV and showed us hunting pictures.

Grandpa and Jana watching the pictures.

Jere is General Manager for Lancaster DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Association) and explained how a new milking system works – after discovering those pictures were still in the camera.

Jana provided a short concert.

Then it was time for “Picture Word Lotto” with the little ones.

“Who has a…TREE?”  Jared loved being the “caller.”

Then they wanted me to watch a movie with them.

“Barnyard” was their DVD of choice.

They always knew what was going to happen next, and often said, “Watch this, Grandma.  Watch this!”

“Oh, no!  The coyotes are in the hen house.”

“Don’t worry, Grandma.  The chickens will be okay.”

Jesse liked hanging out with Grandpa.

Josh and Grandpa looked through a Cabala’s catalog.  I have a feeling that hunting is going to carry over into the next generation!

I feel blessed and thankful tonight.

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.

Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 NIV 

Amish Country

From the Air

Part II

Enjoy more beautiful photos taken by our daughter, Deb, during her hot air balloon photo shoot.

~~~

~ The End ~

Be very careful never to forget what you have seen God doing for you. May his miracles have a deep and permanent effect upon your lives! Tell your children and your grandchildren about the glorious miracles he did. Deut. 4:9 TLB