October Snowstorm

Beautiful wet snow is sticking to everything

It’s a good thing we covered the plants in the garden!

Putting the snowplow on the 4-wheeler

Picking the apples from our trees

Silly sisters

There was a snowball fight, of course

First snowstorm of the season: October 4 & 5

“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
-Isaiah 55:10-11-

Lake Itasca Family Music Festival 2012

We have been eagerly looking forward to the Lake Itasca Family Music Festival this summer.  It was the 7th annual and we have had the privilege of being there each year and helping with this wonderful family event.

The Bontrager Family

In between working to keep things running smoothly, we enjoyed great music from families hailing from all parts of the country, learning at instrument workshops, singing a couple of songs on the Heritage stage, and jamming late into the night.

Mom was the Snack Shack “manager”

The Triple L Band

The Storybook Musical Theatre presented by the Wissmann family

We were blessed by the fellowship with friends that we get to see each year at the festival.

Teresa, Sara, Hannah, Amy, Deborah, Anna

We so appreciate the emphasis on family ministry that we see throughout the weekend.  We suggest you put next year’s festival on your calendar – August 2, 3, & 4 2013.

Daniel and Jonathan eating supper with their friends

Family Camp 2012

We enjoyed a wonderful, refreshing week of family camp up at Story Book Lodge – for our 10th year in a row.  We all enjoyed the fellowship with old friends, meeting new brothers and sisters in Christ, and the challenging messages shared by Mr. Warren Henderson and Mr. Randy Amos.  Swimming, games, kayaking, fishing, and volleyball until 11 each night… such fun!  Here’s some pictures from our week.

Kelsi, Deborah, Ashley, and Myranda kayaking (like my feet?!!)

Dad and Herby visiting in the kitchen

Swim time is always a highlight for the younger ones (Daniel is on the top of the slide and Jonathan in floating in the inner tube)

Dodge ball in the gym (bad picture, I know; the lighting in the gym makes it difficult to get a good one)

Our family, the Kurths, and 7 “extra” kids went to see the fireworks in Virginia on the 4th

Jesse, Danny, Dylan, and Daniel doing pots and pans after supper

Deborah, Abby, Myranda, Sara, and Kelsi

We highly recommend family camp at SBL.  We would encourage you to visit their website to see their schedule.