A busy summer...

  We've had a very busy last few months. In August Conroy sprained his ankle really bad and had to take it easy for a while.
  Then we were blessed with corn, along with other garden things...then we took a quick trip up to Canada towards the beginning of September.  We enjoyed relaxing and spending time with family at a campout with Conroy's Mom's family. 
  After our trip to Canada we got busy with applesauce and tomato products (tomato juice, pizza sauce, and salsa).  I tried making ketchup  this year too as our family goes through the ketchup. I'm hoping to make some tomato soup yet with some of the tomatoes that are ripening yet.  It's good to be winding down with canning but I'm so thankful for all the things God provided.
    Laticia has been a good help to me with ending the green beans, winding the victorian strainer when we are making applesauce or tomato juice, etc.  For storytime I've been reading the Laura Ingalls books to her.
   Conroy has been very busy lately trying to keep up with studying and work, etc. He and my brother Tim along with Ethan Peake are carpooling and attending the Advanced EMT classes in Rice Lake.  It's every Tuesday and Thursday evening and one Saturday (during the day) a month that they go for classes.
  This past Sunday I was blessed by the sermon Dad shared on being filled with the Spirit.  He read some out of Ephesians 5.  As I was turning to that chapter on Sunday verse 2 just kind of "jumped out" at me.
  Verse 1&2 :  "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour."  The WALK IN LOVE stood out to me.  It was a challenge to me...it's a command God wants me to follow him and walk in love as he has loved me.  It was a good challenge for me this year as Monday was my birthday.   It's been my prayer that God will help me daily...moment by moment to walk in love....to love as Jesus would...that all my thoughts, words, attitudes and actions would be like Christ.  The morning of my birthday the song" Thine for service" was going through my mind.  The chorus goes: "Thine for service when the days are drear,
                                              Thine for service when the skies are clear,
                                             Yes thine for service through the coming year.
                                                    I am Thine for service Lord." 
 This is my prayer and longing to be a channel of His love to everyone.  It's something for which I need His constant help and strength.

Welcome to Door Post Vinyl Designs!

  Conroy has been working on setting up and starting these past few months our new family business. If you want an outside sign or an inside verse decal Conroy should be able to get something designed for you.
Below are a couple verses we have in our bedroom, and the sign is one he made for a customer,  or you can check out the website. Maybe you have an idea of your own that you would like made.    www.doorpostvinyldesigns.com

 

My favorite Pickles

  Seeding tomatoes, peppers and some impation flowers yesterday reminds me that summer is coming and gardening too.  I'm looking forward to all those fresh garden things again. Yummy! 
  A friend was asking for my pickle recipe recently so here it is.  This is the one that I got from my mother-in-law and is our family's favorite.
   Dill Pickles (Small Ones)
10 cups. water
4 cups. vinegar (white distilled)
2 cups. sugar (I even do less if I don't want them as sweet. Maybe 1&1\2 cups.)
3\4  cup salt
1 Tablespoon pickling spice
 Combine and cook all the above until it boils.
  Add a head or stalk of dill, a bit of onion, and 1 clove of garlic in each jar. Fill with your small cucumbers and pour hot brine over them.   Boil lids and close jars.  Place in hot water bath canner and just bring to boil (you don't want to cook them too long so they will still be nice and crunchy), then take out and screw lids tight and turn upside down on towel to cool. (I've had trouble sometimes with them sealing so that is why I tighten the screw and turn them upside down to help them seal better.)  This brine recipe makes around 11 quarts.
   Below is the finished product from last summer! 

Our Thanksgiving and Building Project

Our 16x20 addition.  I'm looking forward to extra space including space for a pantry!  :)

 Thankgiving Day Dad, Mom and Anna came over and helped get the rafters and some of the OSB on the roof.  It was a blessing to have their help in getting it covered before the snow came.

   Friday after Thanksgiving we all went up to Jesse and Monica's and spent the weekend with them.  We came home Sunday afternoon.  It was good to see them again and Laticia sure enjoyed playing with her cousins.

                                   Thank-you Lord for all the many ways You have blessed us!

In Everything Give Thanks!

 In Everything Give Thanks

(Tune: Jesus Has the Table Spread)

As we think of all Christ's done,

And the battle's He has won.

We are thankful for His mercy and His grace.

We can freely worship Him,

With no fear of prison.

Thank-You God, for salvation You have given.

Chorus:

In everything give thanks,

For this is the will of God.

In Christ Jesus as we travel this sod.

God has blessed in many ways.

He gives grace through all our days.

As we trust Him and rest in His love.

God gives friends, both far and near,

And our families we hold dear.

Who have blessed us in so many ways.

We have often felt their care,

As they've lifted us in prayer.

We're so thankful for our God-given friends.

Thank-you God, for meeting needs,

To our prayers, You've given heed.

You “exceedingly abundantly” provide.

Thank-you for the harvest great,
Your provisions, never late.

Thank-You God for Your bountiful gifts.

~ Carissa J. Loewen ~

Nov. 19, 2011 

God gave this song a year ago today. 

 Yesterday Daddy preached a challenging sermon on having an attitude of gratitude.   It was a challenge to me as he shared that our children learn by our example and how we respond to situations whether with gratefulness or unthankfulness that is what our children will pick up.  How I long for God to help me have a spirit of contentment and gratefulness daily!  

Thank - you God for your all your many blessings!!!

Troyer Family Relatives

  Dad's brother and sister and mother came to visit to Wisconsin so we enjoyed several days with them.  It was right over our 6th anniversary so it was time for another family picture.
   Aunt Margaret had these projects to work on...one of them was making purses.  The men went fishing one day.  It was a good and special time together making memories!

Marvin and Margaret              Morris and Gloria
       Troyer                                     Yoder

  

Grandma Troyer with her children.  (Aunt Verda, the oldest is in heaven with Grandpa).

                                                       Displaying the purses we made!

                                                     Our 6th Anniversary Family Picture!

                            The men were successful with their fishing and it was sure good eating!

Como Zoo

     Laticia has been wanting to go to the zoo, so we finally took a day off and went to the zoo.  Highlights there were the Monkeys, the seal or sea lion show and griaffes.  We also enjoyed a ride on the carosel.