Phoebe's Graduation

We've had some gorgeous days over here.

I was trying to capture this field of Butterweed (Packera glabella). It was kind of pretty seeing this field full of it. Other fields had a few yellow sprouts popping up sporadically, but this field across the road from us was absolutely packed. 

Turns out it is bad for animals and humans to consume, causing liver problems. So don't eat it. It's great for pollinators though.

Then the farmers came and those yellows fields were gone in no time. 

From our house you could see up to 7 or 8 tractors in the fields all around us as all the different farming families planted.

Jonathan and Harrison making chocolate chip cookies.

The boys went to the Kiamichi Preaching Gathering.

Jon kept a good eye on everyone and no one was injured. You never know what'll happen when a bunch of boys gather for a week out in the wilderness.

Harrison and Silas preached in the contest and did really well.

Amos and Lanaya Elizabeth took a trip to Oregon for Amos' birthday. I believe they are in front of Multnomah Falls.

My parents arrived for Phoebe's graduation party. We had some time to kill, so we went to Hannibal. Dad bought us a new Keurig (since ours had just broken that morning), and we visited downtown Hannibal and walked down by the river. 

We also shared a piece of mint fudge from Clemen's General Store. You won't regret a pass through that store.

And finally Phoebe's party came. 

This was my first time doing a Walmart cake, and I don't regret it. Phoebe designed it, my dad picked it up, and it tasted pretty good too. And we didn't have a ton left over, which I was glad of!

The boys and my parents were a big help! Phillip did the slide show (which isn't as easy as you'd think if your devices won't connect to the TV). Jonathan helped fix the slideshow problem. Harrison and my parents helped in the kitchen and with decorating. Absolutely couldn't have done it without all of them!

Phoebe and Ainsley will be rooming together in Linn, MO starting in August. I'm thankful for their friendship!

Thanks for taking the pictures, Bryn!

Then the very next day the church had a Rededication Service. Everyone waited outside and walked in together to see the newly renovated auditorium. A lot of work went into the renovation. We met downstairs in the basement for almost 6 months while it was redone. New flooring, pews redone, new paint, new lighting, new electrical stuff.... I don't even know what all was redone, but it looks totally different and so beautiful! The stained glass windows really stand out now, and we have the original wood floors back.

Phillip spoke briefly and presented a plaque to Bob Moore who donated a lot of time and skill. He headed up the building committee, did the electrical and lighting, and was the de facto contractor.

 It was a lovely service all around.

 

Advancing Toward Summer

We've had quite the busy time since Easter. 

But we are thankful we have the health to deal with it.

Phoebe's Easter outfit. She made this skirt by hand!

Amos and Lanaya's Easter picture. Always a cute couple!

They were having supper with friends and got an adorable picture with the friends' baby.

And Phillip and I flew to Orlando to be there for Jon's graduation from Advance. They are going fully online after this year, so there will possibly not be another in-person graduation ceremony.

It was a late flight because of weather in Atlanta. We were supposed to land in Orlando by midnight, but instead got there at 3 am. Absolutely no one was there to help with car rental, but we finally looked clueless and tired enough that a taxi rolled down his window and reluctantly said he'd drive us to our hotel 15 miles away. The carless situation worked out since either my parents or Jonathan were around to pick us up for whatever was needed.

Trying on cowboy hats at Boot Barn. 

Nana and Aupa with Jonathan at Kissimmee Christian Church Sunday morning. They drove many hours from Jennings, LA to be there and I was glad to see them.

And it's so sweet that the McFerrins and Gradys (faithful friends from Jacksonville) drove down to be there for the graduation too. 

Jonathan has been staying overnight at the Gradys in Georgia while driving to and from Florida, and he has spent his Thanksgivings at the McFerrins. 

Ann McFerrin caught this picture and sent it to us.

Jonathan was the Student of Distinction (because of grades, I think; that boy got the highest score they gave in every class the past two years!). 

So he got to address his class. We were all glad to get to hear him speak and he truly did an awesome job.

Jim Book, the founder of Advance Ministry Training.

Jonathan's class being goofy. They look like the dwarves from the original Snow White. 😆

Phillip and I flew home without incident. Then Jonathan left the next day to drive back home with all his stuff stuffed into his car. I always thank God profusely for safety once he's home. It's such a long way to drive!

Phoebe and I went to our church's Women's Banquet together. 

They always have such a good meal ~ and lots of good fellowship.

The next day Uncle Earl and Aunt Pat, Aunt Anita and Mimi and Papa came over for supper. Mimi made the main course (a delicious chicken casserole). And the others also brought delicious foods with them.

We always have such fun talking with all of them.

Phillip had to fly to San Antonio for a work trip the next day. While he was gone, the kids and I made a trip to St. Louis to visit the art museum and the zoo. If there is a climbable tree, Jon will climb it.

The boys and I spent the morning at the museum, had lunch with Phoebe at their cafe (where I spilt my soup!), and then went to the zoo for the afternoon.

Phoebe wanted to spend all day at the art museum, so she got her fill.

Phillip's flight back from San Antonio was detained so that he ended up spending the night in Chicago and flew home a day later than he was supposed to. Ah well. We're not sure if flying has changed since we were young, or if we're suddenly doing it wrong. There always seems to be some kind of troubles.

We are all home now and glad to be together. 

We have one week of school left! Jonathan is planning to supply preach at two churches in Jamestown, MO this summer. Harrison has at least three camps to attend this year. Jonathan is also recruiting him to do some of the children's sermons at the churches he'll be preaching at. Phoebe is going to have her graduation party in a couple of weeks (May 31st from 2-5 at the church ~ everyone invited!). And she'll be working, going to CIY and moving to Linn in August. We also want to visit the art museum in Chicago and go to a Shakespeare play in St. Louis. 

It's been wonderfully sunny! So I've been walking down the lanes for exercise, getting a little burnt and watching the tractors who are finally able to get into the fields.

I can't believe we get to see these skies every day.

The Brightest Darkest Day by Phillip Gore

It was the darkest day.

And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots.

Matthew 27:35

And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man should take.

Mark 15:24

When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.

Luke 23:33

There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between.

John 19:18

They crucified Him. 

They crucified Him. 

They crucified Him. 

They crucified Him. 

It was the darkest day.

Each of the Gospel writers simply state that "they crucified him.” In the first century, crucifixion was so commonplace that descriptions were not necessary—everyone knew the horrors of death by crucifixion. Thank God, in our century we have no experiential knowledge of crucifixion.

1. There were several types of crosses used: X, T, Stake and the traditional style that we see in most paintings and movies. Jesus’ cross was most likely this last style as there was room above his head for a sign.
2. Jesus’ “hands” were nailed to the crossbeam with 5-7 inch-long metal spikes. It is possible that he was also tied to prevent the nails from ripping through the hand. It is possible that the language could include the wrist area, which would not rip. If it was through the wrist area, the median nerve would be severed causing severe pain through the arms and shoulders.
3. It has been suggested that a spike driven at the appropriate angle in the right area of the hand would not rip out.
4. The cross would be lifted into the air and slipped into a hole deep enough to keep it and its victim upright for the duration. The jarring of this action, would have potentially jolted Jesus’ shoulders out of joint.
5. Once in place the feet would be nailed to the cross as well. There are a number of ways this could have been done and probably was done at different times in history. Through the side of each foot and into the crossbeam. One nail through both feet and into a little platform as is often portrayed. Or each foot nailed individually right into the front of the upright section of the cross.
6. The wounds Jesus had already experienced would be exposed to the rough-hewn cross increasing his agony.
7. It is commonly believed that suffocation was the ultimate cause of death. The position you are in supposedly makes it very difficult to breath (particularly exhale) because you have to push yourself up to do so. However, this is based on WWII prisoners who were strung up by their hands which is a different position. 
8. More recent evidence suggests that people hung as you would have been on a cross may have trouble breathing but would not die of asphyxiation. They would however die of shock.
9. It's no wonder that the word "excruciating" literally means “out of the cross.”

All of that is poured into those three little words, “They crucified Him.” It was the darkest day. 

And we have said nothing of:

1. The Betrayal of Judas, the Denials of Peter or the Abandonment of the Apostles.
2. Being shuffled back and forth between Annus, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate and Herod Antipas.
3. Trial after trial. One kangaroo court as unjust as the next.
4. Being mocked, beaten with fists, beard pulled out, crowned with thorns, the horrors of the Roman lash.
5. Being Condemned by the crowds and forced to carry a cross.

It was the darkest day. The sky would go black, the Father would turn from the Son, causing Jesus to cry out: 

with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Matthew 27:46b

It was the darkest day. But why? What was out there in the darkness? The answer is sad but simple. Sin. Our sin. The unfathomable overwhelming multitude of our sin.

1. We betrayed, denied and abandoned him.
2. We mocked, beat and lashed him.
3. We condemned him and nailed him to a cross.
4. We crucified him.

It’s good to stare into that abyss. Only when we understand the depths to which we have sunk, can we begin to comprehend the glorious heights of God’s grace. As the Apostle Paul writes:

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21

We have no experiential knowledge of crucifixion. We adorn our churches with crosses carved from fine woods or fashioned with stained glass. We wear them in gold and silver around our necks. What was once a symbol of unrelenting condemnation and judgement was transformed by the death of Jesus into a symbol of love, grace and forgiveness. Just as His death transforms us from condemned sinners into forgiven saints. 

A trade only God could make. Our sin for His righteousness.

When Jewelers show diamonds, they always place them against the darkest background they have - usually black velvet. They do this for a reason. A black background does not reflect light, so all of the light reflecting back to the eye will be coming from the shimmering jewel. The bleak, black background highlights and draws attention to the diamond in the center.

Against the brutal backdrop of the crucifixion our Lord shines brighter than any diamond. His loving kindness and grace pierced the darkness of the day and pierces the darkness of our souls. From the cross:

1. Jesus prayed “Father, forgive them.” He prays the same for us, lost in our sin.
2. Jesus promised “You will be with me in paradise.” He promises the same to us, in spite of our sin.
3. Jesus proclaimed “It is finished.” He proclaims the same for us, in regard to our sin.

His prayer, His promise and His proclamation all fulfilled because he paid the price for our sins, offering us salvation from the eternal, righteous, judgment of God.

It was the darkest day. 

It was the brightest darkest day. 

It was Good Friday.

(preached by Phillip at the Community Good Friday Service.)

Phoebe Turns 19

 

We had such a lovely warm day for Phoebe's birthday.

I sent this picture of Phoebe and the cake platter to the neighbor who was there to help with her home birth. We had planned a home birth, but Phoebe came so quickly that the midwives were not going to arrive in time. So the neighbor lady, Dawn, came over to help. She and her husband went to Disney later that year and bought Phoebe a pretty ceramic Micky Mouse platter that has seen lots of use.

We had a simple chocolate cake after lunch with Mimi and Papa. 

And then Phoebe had her friends over for a picnic in the back yard that evening. That's why we were so thankful for the beautiful warm day! 

She wanted white cake with white frosting, a vanilla custard filling and blueberries. 

A windy picnic on the freshly mowed lawn 

(first lawn mowing of the year by Harrison!).

We had juices and fruit and mint leaves and Ginger Ale so the girls could make fruity drinks.

And Silas kept Harrison company. 

Phillip and Papa looking dapper.

It's been too wet to get in the fields. This purple flower called henbit grows in the uncultivated fields and gives off a beautiful purple sheen.

Up close it doesn't look like it'd make such a stark purple color, but if you get enough of it together, I guess it sure does.

Look at that sky. 

We got a new oven last week. I was so sad to lose the vintage oven that has been in this house since the '70s. But it broke, and upon examination, it was not safe. Parts would have been too expensive, etc. But this new oven works wonderfully, even if it's not vintage. We got it just in time to bake Phoebe's birthday cakes.

We are coming to the end of the school year. Phoebe's finishing up books; her senior year will soon be over. We're working on her graduation next. 

Harrison is getting his driver's permit soon, so he'll be studying for that. 

Jonathan graduates from Advance, and Phillip and I get to go for that weekend (along with my parents and some friends from Jacksonville). 

Lanaya Elizabeth has lots of knitting patterns and projects in the works. I get a glance at those every once in a while. Plus I'm making her headscarf pattern right now, so I get to look at her pretty modeling picture when I follow the instructions. :-)

Phillip is gaining strength by working on house projects. He's amazed at the difference of what his body can or cannot do after 5-6 months of being down. He's pretty much able to eat whatever he wants without inner troubles. He's been at work about 5 weeks now, and that's all going very well. Could we really be on the other side of this whole thing?