First Hike in the Smokies

Trekking momma and her two ducklings
One of the cascades
JP making silly faces for the camera

We haven't been able to hike one time since we've moved to the Smokies. Sunday morning we took off early and went for a hike on the Middle Prong Trail. It is a converted railbed and uphill all the way. We saw tons of butterflies and spiders. There was a group of four on the ground together and Tera said "They're having church." What do you know right there on the trail. It was awesome, we were singing as we were coming back. Truly an awesome Sabbath.

School Time is here again!

First Day of School

We started school on Monday and have fallen into routine. After the first day, Tera was beaming at how she loved school and wished she could go on Saturday too. The feeling passed very quickly and Tuesday saw a minor revolt involving complaining and pouting over her reading work. Oh well, this too will pass.

Seriously, they are both adjusting very well. I was worried about Daniel because he has never been interested in sitting down for school before, so I never really pushed it. But our state requires 4 hours /180 days for the year to get credit. He has been doing great. I divide the time into smaller increments and we move around a lot. Daniel read his first word yesterday- am. Looks kinda small to us, but he sounded it out on his own and after 3 reading lessons, I think that's pretty good.

We are doing a lot of reading together this year, classics. Right now we are reading Mary Poppins and the Boxcar Children. Tera loves mysteries so I am glad we found an oldie but goodie collection.

When JP gets home and we eat supper, the kids have been relating what we have learned that day. I am surprised at how much they remember about things. That is really cool. They seem overall to enjoy the day and truly so do I.

Book Recommendations

I haven't up to this point done any book recommendations, but just like my mom I love to read. I never list reading as a hobby because it seems more of a way of life to me than a hobby. I love historical reading. Real things that happened to real people. Here are two books you need to read:

Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot.

I know this book was published in 1957 but I am just now reading it. It is the story of Jim Elliot and four other missionaries killed on Palm Beach in 1956 by the Auca Indians. It is a remarkable story of love and forgiveness.

End of the Spear by Steve Saint.

I read this one before the previous book mentioned. Steve Saint is the son of Nate Saint, the bush pilot included in the group of missionaries killed on Palm Beach. Steve's aunt, Rachel went and lived among the people who killed her brother and the others. Steve lived with them for time growing up and this book gives a true account from the Waodoni (Auca) themselves as to what happened that day on Palm Beach. I could not put this book down. It challenges me to be ready to do whatever God wants no matter the cost.

The Grand Weaver by Ravi Zecharias.

I am only a few chapters into this book but it is really good. The author explores how God is weaving everything in our lives together for His purpose- even the mundane commonplace things.

Well, there is the view from my bookshelf.

Good Friends seem just like family after a while

Tera, Mrs. Dean, Bro. Jerry and Daniel at their camper

I've noticed that good friends over the years become almost like family. My pastor and his wife, Jerry and Dean Reach, the whole 17 years as I was growing up fit into this category. We moved just minutes from their favorite vacation spot. They have been coming here for 30 years. I was surprised to see them at church the Sunday before last and then we got together twice during the week they were here. They made such an impact on me growing up. Daniel really hit it off with Brother Jerry and can't wait to go visit all his animals. Bro. Jerry asked him to come visit and Daniel said "But I don't know the way". He said "Your momma does, she'll show you." Daniel was in awe that I would know the way. (I could probably drive to their house from my mom's with my eyes closed and picture the road)