The Wheels on the Bus: April 2017

Since our children were born we have prayed, prayed, prayed for godly spouses from likeminded families who absolutely love the Lord. And big families. And singing.

And homeschooling. And family discipleship. And the Bible.

And everything else we could possibly think of. :)

Six years ago the Lord sent the Bontrager family in their gigantic bus to our front door in Idaho. They had 10 adorable, homeschooled, song singing, Bible loving children and were truly the starting point for our travel as a family in our bus.

We have visited together whenever possible as we criss cross the country and have so loved our time with each of them.

Last Fall, Carolina and Carson decided to spend a little more time together. :)

They say a picture's worth a thousand words and so....our TEN THOUSAND words MUST certainly begin with PRAISE THE LORD!! HE has done this sweet, amazing, marvelous work in their hearts and we are so happy and grateful! More pictures and details are on the way, but for today....we are REJOICING!

"I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart;

I will show forth all thy marvelous works."

Psalm 9:1

Contrary to popular opinion, we are still alive out here in the wilds of Iowa!
We have collected far more pictures than should be legal to post and thank the Lord for His ongoing goodness to our family!

On one of our last days before moving in, Chapman's 36 chicks arrived.

Lovely breakfast.... compliments of Crockett!

Watching the storm clouds gather and dump!

Blessed to be part of a wonderful church here and love opportunities to sing favorites together!

Daddy & Mother....business road trip to Branson, MO.

Lina has been hoping to fly one of these for a very long time and finally got to go with some friends.
Amazing time!

Watching some of our favorite "adopted" little people!

Charlie spent the last few months working here full time.
He starts his day off at 2:30am and loves every minute!

Occasionally he gets one of the brothers to join him. :)

On another Lowe's light mission for the house.
We have been there so often now they ask about the house and the kids. Ha!

Had a few plumbing issues on the rental. :)

Very creative table setting for Chap and Christian's January Birthdays

Unexpected adventures via several short business and helping trips.

It is a blessing to share truth and spend time with families we love!

Daddy and Carver drove to Oklahoma for the CPAC conference. Daddy did the speaking and Carver was hired to do photography for the conference and banquet. He did an outstanding job!

One of the breakout sessions.

Carver is proof: hungry boys do great food photography. Ha!

Our friend and former football player Pastor Paul Blair.

Visit to the Oklahoma Capitol.

Very fun steps at the home where Daddy and Carver stayed.

Encouraging pastors and political leaders from all over OK.

Back home Charlie out running errands with Chap and Gini.

So happy to finally get to see our missionary grandparents! Their trips from Asia are short and sweet, but we are very thankful for the little windows we get!

Men's breakfast at the local watering hole. :)

Charlie hitching a ride to the sale barn with his Amish friend. :)

Enjoying our last few days with horses and buggies flying by in this Amish community.

Happy parents dinner out with Dandee & Manee.

We love to play chess, but when they come to town!? Continual tournament. :)

Carolina keeping up with her SCOBY
(symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). In the end, it's Kombucha! :)

Cooking and cleaning projects together!

More chess! And a little harmonica serenade by Crosby. :)

Snacks in the van and a tour of the remodel project.

"Late & great" conversations on a host of intriguing topics. :)

Had several days of amazingly warm weather! More great conversations on the porch.

Butter and Gini reading together in one of their RARE moments of still and quiet!

Kombucha Party Cont'd. :)

Ants on a log in abundance. All made and consumed by one hungry, healthy Daddy!

Very fun sibling popcorn game night!

Crockett keeping his mice business hopping! (Or is it snapping? :)

The never ceasing dish party hosted by Carver!

And another creative disher experimenting with facial foam. :)

Carver patching up a Bowers made hole in the rental kitchen. The story shall be withheld to protect the guilty possessor of the sharp elbow.

Crockett and his flower. :) On your 50th trip to town, you find all kinds of neat stuff!

Snow was sparse in Iowa, so Lina and Charlie went to see our dear friends in Upper Peninsula Michigan. They spent the week helping them get their sugarbush ready for the sap to run!
We stayed with them last Spring and loved seeing how they produce maple syrup on the farm.

Working. And freezing!

The sisters helping clip lines.

Lina and Bethany grocery shopping. Or were they checking out the competition?

Never a dull moment in the sugarbush with these two flying through the trees!

Definitely one of the most gorgeous places around!

Butter loves his little legos!

Late night little people adventures!

And perfecting the art of the perfect smoothie. By Chich. :)

Sunday afternoon energy burning at the park.

One of our family favorites is called Snow on the Mountain. Indian curry and chicken, inspired by our Grandparents from Asia and sooooo yummy!!

Boys with Seargent Major Archie Davis who came to speak at our church.

Uno date with Crosby at the coffee shop!

Chapman, Campbell, and Crosby were also thrilled to go with Daddy on a business trip to FL!

Fabulous afternoon at the beach.

Best buddies. Shivering and smiling.

Road trip home with Daddy was looooong, but happy.

After being landlocked in Iowa all winter, the warm sandy beach was perfect!

The girls and a dear friend headed down to Texas for several days. Left home at 2:30 am to catch a 6 am flight out of Des Moines. It appears they are still smiling. :)