Church Occasions

In the month of March our little church was bustling with activity--in addition to regular services and Awana, two couples teamed up to host a Family Game Night; and we also had special services for Easter to celebrate the power and life of our Risen Lord!

At the game night one of the husbands who had worked for a local pizzeria headed up the pizza making--a big mess ensued, but boy was that good pizza!  

Freshly baked pizza's waiting to be sliced and served

 There were a TON of games to choose between--from board games....

And card games...

 To bean bag toss!

A lot of people had a lot of fun--and hurling those bean bags seemed to be a real favorite!

On the other side of the divider, protected from the legume projectiles there were a couple of more serious game players...

Another opportunity we took to have some food and extra fellowship at Ainger occurred between our special Easter morning celebrations.  It is our tradition to bring in breakfast to share between the early (Easter only) 8 am service and our usual 11 o'clock assembly.

 Some of the ladies did a lovely job of decorating the tables.

The fare at these feasts is always fabulous--never lacking in quantity or quality!

   

And what report on Resurrection Day would be complete without a few pictures of Lilies?

"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea...

"With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.....

"As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free...

"For our God IS marching on!"

Praising God for His unconquerable, undiminishing love, displayed in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8)


Matthew

A Little Bit of Shooting

One nice Sunday afternoon a couple of weeks ago Jonathan and I got a couple hours of shooting in.

Start with a nice open field...

Add the good 'ol pick up and a few accessories...

 And you've got a pretty good start!

The shooters loading up:

Jonathan

Matthew

 We didn't get any action shots, since we both were engaged in either shooting or throwing (a bit of a knack to both...) but did take the time for some portraits:

Fun, fraternal fellowship, and not too much competition.... (it was Jonathan's first time out :)

We're looking forward to the next time!

Matthew

Blessings from on High!

We have a BIG God!  We have a Transcendent God!  We have a Personal God!  Today we are praising God from whom all blessing flow!

This morning it is raining--we are thankful!  Last summer our area, like much of the US, experienced a drought (which some called the worst since the dust bowl years) and so we have a new appreciation for precipitation!  There has also been some thunder and lighting which releases nitrogen into the air and helps the grass green up.  After having to start buying hay the middle of last summer for my sheep I'm more than ready for some green grass!  I'm thankful that God controls the weather and with His divine knowledge sends us what we need and not what we want.  There is something about carrying water that can build character.....

Another big reason we are rejoicing is pictured below:

If you are starting to get confused by all the silver vehicles we are collecting now--join the club :-) 

This was God's gift to Jonathan this last week.  As you might remember, the other van that he started to drive to Texas died rather definitively after about 600 miles of his journey....  We were able to have it shipped back up here and have been looking for a replacement since the end of February.  Last week God provided a van that is a bit newer, has a few less miles and will still accept the parts from the old van!  Praising Jehovah Jireh!

Our "parking lot" is getting pretty full some days.... :-)

Two trailers, two vans, a car and a truck some running some not....Thankful for "The Lot!"

We are also thanking God for friends!  Jonathan and I are looking forward to being able to go visit some of them pretty soon!

Spring hasn't come on as early or as strong as last year's 80 degree days in March, but the robins have been back for a while and some of the earliest flowers are starting to bloom.  We choose to be thankful.


"Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thess 5:18

 Thankfully,

Matthew