A Friend Loves at All Times

“Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with breath of kindness, blow the rest away.”

George Eliot

My farming family

"Bibelheimers 2011"

What an amazing 2 weeks we had! It's been 7 years since our whole family went to North Dakota. My kids have gone without us, twice!! We love our Bibelheimer family, and are so blessed to be able to see them fairly often. They come here to get out of the snow. Todd and Pam even came last summer for a Gideon convention here in Phoenix.

We joined them at family camp at Crystal Springs, Medina ND. Kenny and Nicole (my cousin) were the directors. Todd (cousin) and Pam's son Michael led us in amazing worship. My uncle Roy, has not missed a family camp since 1954!!! Doesn't that blow your mind???

Maybe I will post some farm pics, but Alex did a family photo shoot for them while we were at camp.

I love our shared legacy in Christ and growing old with them. They are very dear to us.

MOM HEART weekend

What a great time , getting away with like-minded girlfriends. We have all loved Sally Clarkson for many years. I own every one of her books and am always refreshed and also challenged when I read them. Especially Seasons of a Mother's Heart. I haven't read her newest Dancing with the Father, but hope to soon, after I read my other favorite mom Ann Voscamp at Holy Experience who just released her first book A Thousand Gifts.

There were 9 moms all together, 6 of us drove over, which is my favorite mode of transportation. No schedule! We were gone Thursday morning until Sunday evening. Stayed at a lovely timeshare by the beach south of Newport. Not a hotel, two 2-bedroom units with kitchens. Sooo nice, sooo quiet. Even with baby Emily there (Andrea Griffith's 8th, who joined us from Little Rock) Thanks Lori for the timeshare!

Late nights chatting, we ate at great restaurants and there was much laughter.

4 of us ended with seeing my brother and his wife Sheri in Irvine. Thanks gals. At least Sheri signed their boy devotional books!

I can't remember the last time I've been away with girls out of town, for fun and fellowship and teaching..... when I'm not responsible for something. Maybe a Lilies weekend, but that's been several years, and at a local hotel. I didn't realize how much I missed it!

I'm on it now... where will we go next? I'm thinking NY. I'll keep my ear out for the conferences, especially if it's my sis-inlaw's!

No Love Like This

Alex had sprained her wrist while snowboarding in Utah with the Swindlers, January 13 or so. We hadn't had family worship in a month or so and have certainly missed it! Tonight was so sweet, singing and having a time of edification. And then I spontaneously recorded this song Alex had written last year. I LOVE the hymn she added at the end. Hope you are blessed like we are! (you'll have to pause the music in the Louis iPod on the right)

A Winter Wonderland in... AZ?

The Harris Family was kind enough to take us to the snow, to stay in their folks' cabin. We skiied at Snowbowl after a beautiful storm had been there. (Dorian is with Emma somewhere)
Here's Julie Morelock and her booboo. They met us at the DUMP, for some great sledding, until she got hurt!

Jeff and Lilly

Lizzy turns 11