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Walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

1 Thessalonians 2:12 (New King James Version)

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How would life be different in my house or at my job if Jesus took my place today?

Another Day at Jeff & Chris’ Farm

Preparing Things for Auction

Saturday, May 5

Quintin & Jeff

The men spent most of the day putting an old tobacco wagon together, and after we left they put another one together. That one went faster because they knew how to do it.

Josiah

They said it was like putting a puzzle together. When Bud stopped farming tobacco, he took them apart and stored them in pieces.

Chris’ mother pruned the grape arbor.

Diana and Gloria and two visiting children took the wheelbarrow to her. Chris is on the right.

These pressure cookers were so dusty and dirty that they were washed with a hose.

My job has been to wash dusty (sometimes very dirty) bottles, jars, dishes, and trinkets. These look like they were stored in the basement or barn, or maybe one of the sheds.

Some things that are ready for auction.

Remember the picture of this one-armed wooden toilet from last week? Look what Chris found – the other arm. That made Jeff smile.

Go here to see the picture of it from last Saturday.

The guys did it! They got the wagon together.

 Although you will notice they had to use some bale rope at a few places.

It will be stored here for the auction.

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:24 (New King James Version)

Yarrow

The other week I bid $17.50 on this book, garden gloves, and a $25.00 gift certificate at a silent auction – thinking someone would outbid me – but nobody did.

Now that was a good deal!

I looked at this beautiful book, and thought, “How can I most wisely use this?”

I never seem to remember the names of perennials, so decided that I will learn about one perennial per year – then maybe names and information will stick.

The first perennial in the book is Yarrow, because its real name is Achillea.

My first challenge was learning to pronounce these words: Yarrow and Achillea.

Yarrow sounds something like arrow with a Y in front of it.

Achillea has two pronunciations – the one I most easily remember is to think of achilles heel, then I can say Achillea.

Yarrow comes in a variety of colors – but deep golden yellow is the most common.

My next job was to purchase two different varieties and plant them in an area where they receive a lot of sun. The note said they even do well in hot, dry conditions.

The smaller one (a hybrid) is Oertels Rose and will grow to a heights of 12-15 inches.

The taller one will grow to a height of 18-24 inches.

Because I have been busy this week and it has been raining most days – they are still not planted. Today I noticed the Achillea Moonshine is starting to bloom.

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Yarrow is grown in herb gardens for their healing properties. I want to learn more about that.

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Do you know anything about Yarrow?

I will sing for joy in God,
explode in praise from deep in my soul!
He dressed me up in a suit of salvation,
he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness.

Isaiah 61:10 (The Message)

Our Bird Feeding Area

At first I thought this female house finch was having a bad feather day, but every time she shows up, this is what she looks like.

Female Downy Woodpecker

Away She Goes

Male Gold Finch

Bird Bath

Ahhhh it feels good when my feathers are clean.

Wood Thrush

It’s fun to see one of these now and then, because they are rare in our yard.

The Baskets

Squirrel Feeder

The blue jays also like the peanuts and corn in this feeder.

Common Grackle

I am trying to figure out what this bird is. It is long and sleek – unlike a finch or sparrow.

I expect it may be a female grosbeak or some kind of bunting.

@ata_grandma and @myhopeisinjesus have concluded that it is a female indigo bunting, and after looking at some online photos – I agree. Thanks for doing the research for me.

A woodpecker feeder from our daughter Deb

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One day last week when driving to Lancaster for a routine dentist appointment, I called our daughter Deb to see if she was going to be in Lancaster for any reason. She was! That is incredibly rare that both of us have a reason to be in Lancaster – midway between our houses – at the same time.

We decided to meet for an early lunch. It was so much fun. That was when she brought the feeder that an Amish friend made for me. I have seen the downy woodpecker at it, but have not yet captured a photo.

 God is love.

Everyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them.

1 John 4:16 (Easy-to-Read Version)

Mr. House Wren

Builds a Nest for Mrs. Wren

We were delighted when we noticed a house wren building a nest in our brand new birdhouse.

I thought it might have to winter a year before a bird would use it.

I watched him go back and forth from the ground to the birdhouse many times during the past few days.

His only problem was when he chose a stick that was too large for the tiny hole.

He would try over and over again.

I learned that the male house wren uses sticks to build at least two nests, then lets his bride choose the house she likes best.

He is still trying to get this stick inside.

He finally gave up on that large stick and chose a smaller one.

Building a nest is exhausting!

Finally it was ready for his sweetie. The birdhouse is full of sticks up to the hole.

When his special lady was in the area, he attempted to attract her to the nest by singing and then showing her the two nests that he had built for her.

We think the other nest was nearby, as I saw a wren carrying sticks to one of our old birdhouses.

His song gets high and squeaky when she comes close to him.

After she chooses the nest she likes best, she finishes it with the soft stuff – things like feathers, string, and lint. I am thinking that he was successful, because today I saw a wren taking some soft stuff into the blue birdhouse.

After she lays the eggs, he will feed her until the babies hatch.

Hopefully we will have a front row seat to this, as the birdhouse is just outside our living room window.

The wisdom from above is first of all pure.

It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.

It is full of mercy and good deeds.

It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

James 3:17 (New Living Translation)

Third Grade

Bible Museum

Monday, April 30

Third grade Bible Museum was prepared by the students of Mrs. Shenk at Lititz Area Mennonite School. That is our son Jere and grandson Jesse entering the museum.

The two students who welcomed us to the room where Bible heroes would be reenacted.

Our grandson Ian chose Joshua

Jaren (Samuel) & Cassidy (Hannah)

Chloe (Shumanite Woman) & Carter (Jacob)

Carrie (Widow of Zarapeth) & Josiah (Aaron)

Adam (Isaac) & Evan (David)

Jade (Sarah)

Ian talked about Joshua’s life.

Each child brought two or three items that represented their Bible hero. He had a cane to represent Joshua’s staff.

Introducing Miriam (each student introduced the next Bible hero).

Allison (Miriam) & Olivia (Naomi)

Antonio (Joseph) & Eva (Rebekah)

Mariya (Esther) & Trent (Gideon)

Laura (Ruth) & Cole (Moses)

Matthew (Elijah) & Alex (Abraham)

Mrs. Shenk

The entire cast of Bible heroes

Our favorite Ian (or Joshua)

Ian with his parents and brother, Jesse

Ian with his friend Carter

Ian with his drawing of Joshua.

As we left I noticed a photo of Ian in the hallway.