BIG Thank You

Someday we'll make a list of those who have contributed to our homestead endeavors, but for now, I'd like to thank those of you who have helped pay for things, given us useful things, taught us about stuff, and given us your support in many other ways.

First thing that comes to mind is Mark and the chainsawing...I need to thank him for teaching me how to keep my body parts connected. We have been using the a saw pretty frequently up here, and I wonder where we would be if we couldn't run the saw properly. Also, I would like to thank him for the help packing our moving van...which was almost more dangerous than running a chainsaw!

Next would be my Grandparents, who have been blessing us financially. Their frequent encouragement has also helped considerably. I look forward to spending time with them again, either when they visit, or when we visit California again.

You might not believe it, but we were lacking two MAJOR things when we moved. One was a fireplace. This house didn't have one, which was a little scary being that the power goes out for days occasionally. The other thing we were lacking was a gun. And after seeing a young black bear from the deck, we were a little nervous about being up here and having no defense against the bears, and coyotes, and a mountain lion too. three days after moving in, with my Grandparents here, my uncle ran in yelling about a bear. "Yeah Right" But a couple minutes later Grandpa called everyone to the deck and pointed the bear out.

Anyway, Mom met some people through a ministry and they were beyond generous when they delivered some groceries to us. Then they took it beyond, beyond generous when they gave us a woodburning stove, and a scoped hunting rifle. I am in the process of getting deer tags for the upcoming season, and their gift will be mighty handy!

My 'Adopted' Aunt and Uncle (very close friends) blessed me almost to the point where we questioned their sanity by giving me a violin right before we left California. They had come by a couple violins in some way which I can't remember, and because none of their children are currently playing the violin, they lent one to me. This violin is the only one I've ever played, and I am really attached to it. So parting with it in California was not going to be an exciting experience for me. I am very grateful for their gift (a gift for a few birthdays, Christmases, Graduation.....). I try to put it to good use every day, and I hope to bring glory to the Father by my playing.

I don't want to think about where we would be if our nearest neighbor was not there to pull us off the driveway whenever we get stuck. He has been a God-send considering that we're always calling him to help get us sorry Californians out of the snow.

Last but most assuredly not least is our new church family. The folks at Reformation OPC have extended a TON of hospitality to us. Not only frequent invitations to activities and dinners, but gifts of meat, a cat, muscle (helping move in), and good fellowship.

If I have not mentioned something, there is the possiblility that it slipped my mind, though I can't imagine that happening!

May we all be so blessed by God and our friends.