posted by Michael on 03/7/10

Although the weather station predicted about three inches of snow on Thursday and Friday followed by partly sunny weather for a few days, the snow didn’t stop and by Saturday morning, thirteen inches had fallen on top of the existing eight inches and more was still expected the next two days! Although very snowy, it has not been exceptionally cold, and the accumulation of slush on our long driveway has made getting in and out very challenging at times. When it warmed up enough to check on our beehives we found a couple of them had died. And as the snow began to melt further, we discovered a baby deer that had starved to death right in our yard. But along with the hard and the sad comes the due share of joy. Jonathan has once again headed up our backyard sugaring operation which is looking like the best year we have ever had. It is a joy to see honeybees flying and deer and turkeys that made it through. We know that soon the  crocuses will come up and the maple trees will bloom. For winters like this, here is a wonderful song we received from a pastor in Taiwan that is very fitting for the season. The title is "How tedious and tasteless the hours", words by John Newton and music arranged by Lewis Edson from Bach’s cantata 212.

How tedious and tasteless the hours
When Jesus no longer I see;
Sweet prospects, sweet birds and sweet flowers,
Have all lost their sweetness to me;
The midsummer sun shines but dim,
The fields strive in vain to look gay,
But when I am happy in Him,
December’s as pleasant as May.

His name yields the richest perfume,
And sweeter than music His voice;
His presence disperses my gloom,
And makes all within me rejoice.
I should, were He always thus nigh,
Have nothing to wish or to fear,
No mortal as happy as I,
My summer would last all the year.

Content with beholding His face,
My all to His pleasure resigned,
No changes of season or place
Would make any change in my mind:
While blessed with a sense of His love,
A palace a toy would appear,
All prisons would palaces prove,
If Jesus would dwell with me there.

Dear Lord, if indeed I am Thine,
If Thou art my sun and my song,
Say, why do I languish and pine?
And why are my winters so long?
O drive these dark clouds from the sky,
Thy soul cheering presence restore;
Or take me to Thee up on high,
Where winter and clouds are no more.

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by James on 02/28/10

Standing Alone

There’s something about taking pictures at this time of year–it’s just really hard to find anything colorful. Though in winter it is the nature photographer’s goal to find and showcase hidden color, there are times when it simply doesn’t exist. Hence, one must compensate with high contrast and well defined shapes. For shapes to work, however, they will usually need to be positioned against a solid background, a challenge in timberland environs. Of the many snow-blanketed trees I shot that morning, this maple was the only one that popped out enough from the background to make it worth displaying

If I were to shoot this picture again, I would lower my tripod considerably to conceal more of the distracting snow-plowed road and the black line on the bottom right of the picture. This would also have allowed more of the tree to be visible against the sky. I think the pine tree on the left gives good depth, but the dark bushes on the right are distracting, seeing they are not clearly defined. Perhaps moving closer to the tree and pulling back on the zoom would have made for a more dynamic image. What do you think?

5 Comments » | posted in Photography

posted by Donald on 02/26/10

To answer a question from the earlier post on this subject, yes we do have a straight-on photo of the painting teacher Tony did for me before I left Taiwan. Along with it came many more pieces of art from the churches and the school.

(By the way I have so much that the Taiwanese  students and teachers gave me that even now, months later, a new surprise is “unpacked” from time to time. This Tuesday I found an art pad  I had been given from another teacher at the King Car summer camps. It was just what I needed because I had used the last page on the previous pad last week.)

These pictures have all encouraged me to use my art skills to bring glory to the Creator and joy to others.

2 Comments » | posted in Art Work

posted by Donald on 02/24/10

First, define what a Christian nation is: Do you think of a Christian nation as a mere civilized culture? Do you think it might be where a majority of the people in that nation claim Christianity as their religion?

Second compare the present America to that definition. You might be surprised at what you find.

Visit http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=23909

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Michael on 02/16/10

Along with all the troubles of being without electricity, God also gave us the beauty of the snow and the joy of wintertime fun. Here are just a few of our pictures of this memorable time. As I write this, snow is pouring down outside again, but this time it is so cold that it is not sticking to everything. Please continue to pray for many who are still without power and who got up to four times as much snow as we did. This is victory, when God’s love and truth reign freely in our hearts no matter what.

9 Comments » | posted in Family News