We still lacked the amount of blueberries necessary to make blueberry buckle, so we dropped off half of our group to go blueberry picking and  the other half went to get raw milk which is so good! It tastes so much better than the store-bought chemicalized stuff!

From cows that are allowed to graze on the green grass and out in the fresh air

Fresh milk straight from the separator!

That there is good milk! And for only $2.50 a gallon!

Cow crossing...only in the middle of nowhere would you find a sign like that...

~

Our camera battery died soon after we arrived at the Wardwell's house so thanks to Samuel's camera(with me behind it) we got pictures of all of us picking blueberries!

For us city folk, we were a little confused as to where the blueberry "bushes" were. Around here we have big bushes...there, they have low (almost ground cover) bushes, with small yet very sweet berries.

Sitting in the grass as it waves in the wind whilst picking blueberries, twas quite picturesque!

Stephanie and Amanda

Beth looking cute and Mom saying, "Oh! Such hard work! Tabitha stop taking pictures and get over here and help us!" :)

My little Sethieboy ♥

John and Samuel picking hard!

Stephen, he's a cute little guy!

John.
I was lucky to get a smile out of him and not some funny face, or so he said :)

My attempt at an artistic shot

Stephanie, looking cute despite the sunny squint. :)

Duty called so I relinquished the camera to Samuel, who had done his job, and he took the rest of these pictures.

John teaching Stephen and Seth the proper way to sword fight :)

Noble soldiers! Seth loved playing with Stephen! On the way home Seth said, "Mommy, I want to go to Ruthie's house and play with Stephen!" A little bit confused there, but still cute!

The Wardwell's yard is beautifully picturesque!

Our small group surrounded by the blueberry bushes and trees!

God has, as it were, placed Himself on display in the art gallery of the universe. He beckons His people, you and me, to stand in awe as we behold the symmetry of His attributes, the harmony of His deeds, the glory of His goodness, the overwhelming and unfathomable grandeur of His greatness; in a word, His beauty. God is infinitely splendid and invites us to come and bask in His beauty that we might enjoy Him to the fullest.
~Sam Storms~
God's grandeur is magnificent! And Samuel did a good job taking this picture too! :)

Thank you Wardwell's for letting us pick blueberries! We're so blessed with your friendship!  :)

~~~

Dear Friends, Day 2 filled with friends, raw milk and blueberry picking has now come to an end. Hope you enjoyed it! Check back soon to see Day 3!

ISLE O'PINES HERE WE COME!

Once upon a time there was an island far away in the middle of nowhere in the land where life is the way it should be. Surrounded by a 10 mile lake, blueberry bushes and pine trees it was an island of bliss, peace and relaxation for the weary soul. Once upon a time a 17 year old girl was turning 18 and her family wanted to make her day special but how? Different opportunities were discussed and guidance from the Lord was sought. North or south, hither or thither? But the Sovereign Lord knew just what was best. Providentially in His infinite wisdom He manifested Romans 8:28, and worked it all out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.  

      

                     Along came a wandering minstrel who told of an island surrounded by beauty, the handiwork of God! This island was owned by kind friends who invited the girl's family to come, refresh yourself, celebrate her birthday surrounded by the Sovereignty of God! The girl's family prayed "Lord, if it's your will." The great, Sovereign of the Universe said "Go on, rest awhile and refresh yourself" Thus they did and here are the pictures, now I beg you, dear blog reader, as you look at this our blog, do not merely be entertained by the travels of our family, rather realize the spirit and work of God that is behind the pictures, realize the Sovereign faithfulness of the Lord that answered our prayer for a time of real reviving and refreshment. For those of you who were a part of it realize the beautiful blessing you were and are to our family. For those of you who enjoy visiting us, please realize the faithfulness of God to His children and be encouraged. We have been given a wondrous gift to be able to communicate with the Sovereign Lord who created us, who loves us! He is faithful and delights to answer our prayers. We are bound to Him by the precious blood of Christ, and He delights to see us rejoicing in His faithfulness, love and precious care! As you go on, think of that. 

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 Day 1: Sunday Evening

We had hoped to leave on Sunday but thought we were going to have to leave on Monday instead, but even in this 'little' detail the Lord still proved His Sovereignty and we were able to leave a day early, on Sunday!

On our way to pick up Amanda we forgot we had to fit everything we packed,+

Samuel AND the boat linens :)

As you can see in the picture above it was dark by the time we left. At about 1:30 in the morning we were pulled over by a sheriff, someone had reported us as having bad driving. Because our tires are really bald it's difficult for Mom to control the van as she drives. He pulled us over but he didn't give us a ticket! He asked if we were close to our destination (which we were) so he just gave us a warning and allowed us to go, he was actually very nice and friendly!

Welcome to the Isle O' Pines...

an island surrounded by a ten mile lake,blueberry bushes and  pine trees

Good Morning!
After being pulled over by the police officer we arrived at the Isle O' Pines in the wee hours of the morning. Welcomed at the door of the cottage by Beth, we tucked the little ones in bed and the older kids set up and slept in the hammocks...

 It was beautiful sleeping outside in the cool night air, looking up at the stars peeping through the branches shining beautifully, feeling the soft breeze, it was beautiful!
As nice as it was though, we decided not to sleep outside anymore due to the monstrous results of sin... mosquitoes!
After spending a night slapping ourselves or suffocating under the covers to avoid being bitten by them,we chose to sleep inside.

Samuel in the WW2 hammock

Chariti and Amanda, two cuties, hair tussled from sleeping and all!

Our view! 
'As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, 

O God.

My soul thirsts for God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalm 42:1-2

Breakfast by the lake, oh how peaceful and beautiful it is there!

Hannah's got a milk mustache! You can just see the tops of her fingers as she's giving Seth the bunny ears.

Mom reading Lamplighters "The Lost Ruby"
It was cloudy and a little cooler, a perfect day for reading!

crocheting...

drawing...

quilting...

looking at pictures...

After reading we went outside to pick fresh blueberries to make a blueberry buckle

There's nothing better than fresh blueberries!

Searching, searching, searching we shall comb this island clean of blueberries!

Samuel dangerously close to the water...just for a PICTURE!!!

SMILE! your on....

Samuel's camera :)

♥

Samuel and Stephanie, brave souls that they are, kayaked near to the island in the background, wayyyy out on the lake. The water was as still as glass most of the time but on the days when the wind was strong, we had to be careful lest the wind blow us away and then we would have had some mighty good exercise in trying to get back!

Felicity and Chariti desired no brave exploration of the waters, they were content to stay next to the island

 Feeling as though we had stepped out of a storybook we sat in the canoes as we picked the blueberries that hung from the bushes overhanging the water. The good thing about picking blueberries from bushes that overhang water rather than bushes on land is that if you drop a blueberry it floats in the water and you don't have to search for it on the ground amongst the grass and leaves.

Hey, look it's me! :D

Stephanie's taking Seth for a ride

Once we finished picking blueberries Amanda, Stephanie and I went to explore the waters and we all raced back to the island! That's some good exercise for your arms!

Chariti and I then went for a pleasure ride

Behold the grandeur of God's creation!

Reading the Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink as she beholds the Sovereignty of God in His handiwork, what on earth at least, can be better? :) The only thing better would be to see the Creator Himself face to face! But what beauty He has given us to behold here on earth. He is beautiful! 

Seth's practicing his canoeing skills

Mom decides to try her hand at kayaking and she thoroughly enjoyed it!

Isn't it beautiful? It was so wonderful to be surrounded by God's marvelous creation including the people he's created!

 After a peaceful day of racing and relaxing we had grilled chicken and spinach salad with strawberries, feta cheese and raspberry dressing for dinner! Yumm!

Now it's Tabitha's turn to be in the picture

Hannah decided to practice her photography skills :)

Felicity and Chariti ended the day with an evening candle lit snack next to the window overlooking yonder lake.(thanks Samuel for this picture!)
 ~~~~~~~~
Day 1 was a relaxing introduction to our time spent on the Isle O'Pines!
Check back soon to see Day 2-Good Friends and Raw Milk!