The Road Home

Being in Vermont we simply had to stop at the Bragg Farm

Sitting next to the syrup boiler as we watch a video on the art of sugar mapling, the owner was so informative and friendly, he gladly answered our many questions so now we can't wait to tap our trees again!  

Here he's showing everyone a block of maple wood that has been tapped in different places, so we could see what the inside of a maple tree looks like after it has been tapped and the hole has healed.

Felicity and Chariti

Hannah and Lilya

Mr. Fournier was so kind as to treat us all to the special Bragg Farm Creemees! Thank you so much Mr. Fournier!

Bragg Farm Creemees

"Just Gotta Have One"

*sigh* Vermont is so beautiful!

God in His love always wills what is best for us. In His wisdom He always knows what is best, and in His sovereignty He has the power to bring it about.

Author Unknown

Because we were with the Fournier's who love hiking and because we were in Vermont we couldn't bear to pass up the opportunity to see the beautiful "Gorge" (Not sure what the technical name is so we just called it "The Gorge") :)

Hmmm...I'm getting reminisces of Lookout... lol

Tabitha

Stephanie

Their so cute!

Hi Momma!

A vital Christian, radiating that hidden beauty of the heart, is more attractive to the right sort of Christian man (the only kind you want) than the raving beauty who is hollow within.  A woman who is developing her domestic abilities, who is reasonably attractive, and who is a vital Christian in her own right is an irresistible person.

Jay E. Adams

Christian Living in the Home, P&R Publishing, 1972, p. 62,

"The Gorge" seen from the perspective below, isn't it beautiful!

(Jonathan Edwards wrote of Sarah), “They say there is a young lady in (New Haven) who is loved of that Great Being, who made and rules the world, and that there are certain seasons in which this Great Being, in some way or other invisible, comes to her and fills her mind with exceeding sweet delight; and she hardly cares for anything, except to meditate on him… she has a strange sweetness in her mind, and singular purity in their affection… you could not persuade her to do anything wrong or sinful….  She is of a wonderful sweetness, calmness and universal benevolence of mind…. She will sometimes go about from place to place, singing sweetly; and seems to be always full of joy and pleasure; and no one knows for what.  She loves to be alone, walking in the fields and groves, and seems to have someone invisible always conversing with her.”

~ Edna Gerstner

Jonathan and Sarah:  An Uncommon Union, Soli Deo Gloria, p. 153- 154.

Breath in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.

Augustine

Beautiful scenery and beautiful girls!

♥ Awww, my Sethers is such a cutie♥

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). …When these words were first written, they presented a challenge to all religions of the world.  They made a claim for the God of Israel, the God of the Bible:  He alone is God; He alone is the Creator.  Ever since, they have challenged the philosophies and world views of mankind, and continue to do so today.  They affirm, without reservation, that the universe in which we live is not an accident, not the chance result of ‘nature’ or ‘evolution.’  It is the handiwork of the living God.

~Sinclair Ferguson

A Heart for God, 1987, p. 24

The beauty of it all fairly takes your breath away.

My little sweetie!

If you don't see the greatness of God then all the things that money can buy become very exciting. If you can't see the sun you will be impressed with a street light. If you've never felt thunder and lightning you'll be impressed with fire works. And if you turn your back on the greatness and majesty of God you'll fall in love with a world of shadows and short-lived pleasures.

John Piper

Sermon: Malachi 1:6-14, November 1, 1987, www.DesiringGod.org. 

Men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God.

John Calvin

God was under no constraint, no obligation, no necessity to create.  That He chose to do so was purely a sovereign act on His part, caused by nothing outside Himself, determined by nothing but His own mere good pleasure.

~A.W. Pink

The Attributes of God.

Mr. Fournier took those who wanted to go, to see the top view of "The Gorge" which was...

MAGNIFICENT!

Before man can work he must have both tools and materials, but God began with nothing, and by His Word alone out of nothing made all things. The intellect cannot grasp it. God “spake and it was done, He commanded and it stood fast” (Ps. 33:9). Primeval matter heard His voice. “God said, Let there be… and it was so” (Gen 1). 

~A.W. Pink

The Attributes of God, Baker Book House, p. 49.

Getting a few more hours closer to home we then stopped by King Arthur's Flour. Just because we're spontaneous like that.

Comparing icing prices, 

making our own is still the least expensive and most satisfactory route.

 

Chefs in the making!

The Hills are Alive With the Sound of Music...

 You need to have the music on for this one.;)

Behold, the grandeur of God!
We were privileged to stay in a camper on the Joy's front lawn, so every morning when we woke up this was the incredible view we saw!

Tristan is such a gentleman, I really enjoyed the talks I had with him. Such a mature little man.

Because the Joy's live on a mountain this is their backyard, the top of the mountain.

   "For the LORD is the great God,
   the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
   and the mountain peaks belong to him"  

Psalm 95:3-4

Mom and the kids enjoying the beauty of God's glorious creation on the very top of one of Vermont's most beautiful mountains!

Sunsets are such a testimony to the Sovereign power of God, only the One True Sovereign Lord of creation could create such magnificent beauty! And to think that Lord who created such splendor is my Lord and Father! He loves me and will cause all things to work out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes! "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."-Matthew 6:33 

Seek the Lord and He will be found, Seek Him for He is worthy to be sought after.

Thank you Mr. Fournier for letting me use your wide angle lens!

~
Next Morning

Here's a picture of our camper.

This picture is not crooked, well maybe it is a little bit, but most of the slant you see is merely from the incline of the mountain.

Our beautiful camper!

We're so thankful for the generosity and hospitality of the Sikora and Joy families!

Good bye Mrs. Joy! She's so cute!

The Joy's driveway...most of the roads we traveled on looked like this!

Following our faithful travel buddies!

We shall soon be posting pictures of the road home so check back soon! :)

Sunday in Vermont

"Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set"

Singing hymns, what a privilege it was to worship in such a building which is so biblically Christ and family centered.

After church the children seemed to think the cows quite a interesting spectacle so there they sat in the backyard of the church, staring with rapt attention at the mooing cows who just sat and chewed their cud.

Our little cowboy

Mr. Murray and Noah

Chariti

Back at the Sikora's...

Petting the horses

Chariti loves horses!

Tabitha and Henry VIII

Oh, did I mention, Chariti LOVES horses!

She dreams about horses and constantly draws pictures of little girls riding off into the sunset on the backs of horses!

Elizabeth

What a beautiful view!

Waiting for lunch

Sarah, Alexa and Allisandra

Jillian and Felicity

Some played ultimate frisbee

...while others looked at pictures from the wedding

 

While driving home after our wonderful stay in Vermont, I couldn't resist the temptation to snap a picture of the beautiful landscape! I've heard many people say how beautiful Vermont is but I never realized how true that is until I saw it for myself. Mountain after mountain of beautiful greenery, lakes and ponds. You can truly see and marvel at the beauty and grandeur of God's creation!
~~~
We really enjoyed our visit to Vermont! Thank you so much to the Sikora's and Joy's for hosting us, we were so blessed and encouraged by our stay with you!
May the Lord bless your families!