The Saturday Evening Post

2011-06-25T11:40:00.006-04:00

When in the course of God-ordained events, it becomes necessary for one blogger to...

stop blogging...

A "decent respect to the opinions of [my readers] requires that [I] should declare the causes which impel [me]..." They are three in number. (And I'll try not to sound sententious.)

Life — God has given everyone a role, a part in the play of life. Fulfilling that role is what life must be about. For me that means being the best daughter and sister I can possibly be, as well as preparing to be the best wife and mother I can possibly be (just in case I ever get the chance, you know). Blogging, though able to aid these objectives in a small way, is not the best way to accomplish them. Instead of spending more quality time with my family, I spend my time creating stories about the times we do work and play together. Instead of adding to my knowledge, I exhaust the little I have by raiding my brain for photo captions each week.

Liberty — So I'm going to stop. I'm going to free myself from this self-inflicted schedule. And I'm going to trust that God will give me the strength to serve Him better by serving those around me better.

The Pursuit of Happiness — I'm going to call it joy, and I will only find it, I'm convinced, in doing what God has called me to do.

There you have it: my declaration of independence. It is, after all, the right of the blogger to alter or to abolish his blog, and to institute a new blog... Whoa! Stop right there. Did I mean to go that far? A new blog?

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I'd still like to have a place online where I can put stuff. When I do have something to show or something to say, I can post it there without having to manufacture both on a bi-weekly basis. I'm guessing I'll put photos up now and then, but I'm also guessing that the thousand words every photo speaks will have to be an adequate explanation for them. In other words, my captioning days might be over.

Nothing is posted on the new blog yet, but you are welcome to visit it:
http://carmenbeth.blogspot.com/

2011-06-25T11:39:00.001-04:00

To my dear family and faithful subjects, thank you.

Thank you for your years of posing.

Conrad has stood on his head for me.

In fact, they all have.

A Parable

2011-06-25T11:38:00.001-04:00

It's spring. And spring is a time of new beginnings.

For new things to begin, old things must sometimes give.

Don't worry about change; don't bite your nails (or worse, egg beaters); don't try to fight it.

The weapons we use to fight it are generally ineffective anyway.

Some things in life are like a stop by the chicken pen: a transitory treat, a fleeting moment of fun, a brief break in life.

Then it's time to move on with life. Take a backward glance or two, but move on.

To every thing there is a season...

2011-06-25T11:37:00.002-04:00

...and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born...

...and a time to die

A time to weep...

...and a time to laugh

A time to blog, and a time to stop blogging.

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All that remains is to thank you, sincerely, for the wonderful readers that you have been. I know, because my stats tell me, that you have been a faithful bunch. You have also been an encouraging bunch. Your comments communicate that. I will miss you and the posts I could have created for you.

God Bless, not only your next two weeks but the rest of your lives.

Carmen

2011-06-11T20:33:00.001-04:00

Hello Everybody,

Getting worried? Thinking maybe this is the end?

No, not quite. I was at the wedding of my friends Dale and Anna Stoltzfus today, which is why I'm posting late. Also, this past week I was working on another project, which is why this post is short.

Both the wedding and the "other project" were a blessing to be part of. So, no regrets.

(The link there is for those of you who contributed. Thank you.)

A Quote Illustrated

2011-06-11T20:32:00.001-04:00

"Hard work spotlights the character of people:

...some turn up their sleeves

...some turn up their noses

...and some don't turn up at all." -Sam Ewig

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Thanks go to Faith for agreeing to be the scapegoat of this week's post. I love you, Sister.

God Bless.

Carmen

2011-05-28T18:34:00.003-04:00

Dear Readers,

You're here, once again! It's hard for me to believe. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Because of your faithfulness, I want to notify you of what I've been contemplating: an end to blogging or, at the least, a break.

But the end isn't here yet. (I'll make it clear when it is.) So go ahead and check out the post.

2011-05-28T18:33:00.001-04:00

I hear that arm wrestling with Conrad has been the thing lately.

Around here, the trampoline is on the fad list. Can't you just see it sucking in the jumpers?

Mercy's parody of the Statue of Liberty

IFRC Work Day

2011-05-28T18:32:00.001-04:00

The fire company might be at the new hall, but we aren't.

In fact, we're at the old one because... well, because it's old.

Ladders...

...and workers

...and more ladders

...and more workers.

The Leaning Tower of Pizza

I approve, applaud, approbate... Put simply, I appreciate people who wash their hands, am appalled by those who do not, and appeal to all of you to make it a habit.

(Sorry. Call me overly apprehensive, but I am passionate about anything appertaining to cleanliness.)

Hope I didn't spoil your appetite.

(Check out how many words there are starting with app.)

Someone told me the lamp was trying to make a fashion statement.

And what are we doing here? Making an old-fashioned statement perhaps?

Just so you know, photography isn't dying at IFRC.

It's just going retro.

Much to the skepticism of some.

The Hard Core Volunteers

(By the way, there's some Greek up there for you to translate. Anybody?)

Look over here! Maybe this isn't volunteer work after all. Mr. Phero? Is that your wallet?

Mr. Phero? Hey, where'd he disappear to?

Time to call it a day.

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Thank you for stopping by.

Carmen

2011-05-14T15:17:00.002-04:00

Hello Everyone,

Blessings to your Saturday!

Enjoy the post. (And that's an order. :-)

At Greek Class

2011-05-14T15:16:00.001-04:00

Conrad casts a surreptitious glance over his shoulder hoping to spot the fateful "translation list."

Is he on it? Will he be called upon?

And here we have the fateful Kleenex box into which must go our homework reports.

Did we do it all? Are our assignments complete?

Lay it out theoretically on the top of a briefcase and Greek makes perfect sense.

Or does it?

Best wishes to Joshua in learning to drive.

(Mr. Phero forgot how to spell student.)

He looks innocent, studious, and irreproachable.

So do they all.

But they aren't. They have started a war!

The War of the Tractors

Why would anyone promote John Deere?

Conrad attempts to answer that question.

He must have been convincing: Luke came to the next class in a Kubota shirt.

Hats, Hamleys, and Huge Pennies

2011-05-14T15:15:00.001-04:00

Peering over my shoulder — wondering what I am taking photos of — hoping I wasn't taking photos of her in Dad's hat — betrayed by a mirror.

A posed photo to make up for that last one.

And another one.

Does anyone else see Roger Hamley?

Or have I been watching too much Wives and Daughters?

An 1835 penny our uncles found when building the deck.

This penny saved could be twenty dollars earned.

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God Bless.

Carmen

2011-04-30T14:33:00.004-04:00

Hello Everyone,

I doubt I need to point out that posts have been shorter and less thought-out recently.

Photography is something I have little time for right now, but I'm hoping that, with summer here, photo quantity, and maybe even quality, will increase.

Caption quantity and quality -- now that's another "something" that takes a lot of time. Maybe I'll just start posting without comment. Sounds restful...

Okay, no more threats. God Bless you all.

Charity and Faith at the Piano

2011-04-30T14:32:00.001-04:00

"In Dreams" - Duet by Charity and Faith from Carmen Martin on Vimeo.

Dad and Mom Take a Bus Trip

2011-04-30T14:31:00.001-04:00

Morning in PA, our aunts and uncles swarm the bus.

Evening in NC, they abandon it.

While our parents were watching gulls and...

...feeding gulls and...

...strolling beautiful beaches...

...WE WEREN'T.

Neither were we sitting on the table.

We did not have a can of Cheetos each for lunch.

In short, we abandoned neither manners nor moderation.

And even though we did wash a few vehicles, we did not...

...wash them all.

But let's check back to see how the wayfarers are enjoying their vacation (and the lemons).

Mom with her father Phares, her brother Phares, and her son Phares.

For devotions while they were gone, Conrad taught a two-part series on God's providence.

An adventure it was for all of us, yes; but, when the sun set on it, we were glad to be back together.

More Things We've Been Doing

2011-04-30T14:30:00.001-04:00

Breakfast at Panera Bread with the dear Ornelas girls.

More modeling for Kristen.

For a short time, this beautiful purse was within our grasp (literally), but then... We had to send it back home with Kristen. :-)

Kate Middleton? No way!

(This was just girlish dress-up. When the photo was taken, the girls didn't even know a royal wedding was imminent.)

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God Bless.

Carmen

2011-04-16T20:56:00.003-04:00

Hello, everyone.

Welcome as always. I hope your Saturday has been as busy and blessed as mine.

The Mers (Mercy and Mervin) Have Their Birthday

2011-04-16T20:55:00.001-04:00

Come on - wake up - cheer up! It's your birthday.

A doll (classic feminine plaything) for the girl.

And for the boy, a tractor (classic masculine plaything).

I can only conclude that a man looks in the direction his tractor points.

Conrad's tractor.

Made by Kristen; loved by Mercy.

When Mervin opened his markers...

...Conrad immediately made a motion to form a white-wall-protection society.

This guy refused to second the motion.

Mervin JAMES

(Get it?)

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Mercy dared to dream of a rainbow cake, and she really did get it.

We've Been Doing Things

2011-04-16T20:54:00.003-04:00

For example, playing at our recital.

Candace doing some elegant finger work.

We've been celebrating spring.

As well as celebrating Mom and Dad.

(Mom and Dad were happier than they look. They were also more tired than they look.)

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The Lord Bless and Keep You.

Carmen

2011-04-02T13:12:00.001-04:00

Hello Everyone,

This week's post is short and sweet. Short because -- well, it just is. Sweet because it contains candy-making coverage.

The Sweet Part

2011-04-02T13:11:00.002-04:00

It's time for a story, the story of a taffy-pull.

Part of the story is a mystery, the mystery of the missing cream.

Now what could have happened to those last two cups?

What? She dumped the whole carton in!

We stop Maria's rampage just in time: the whole jar of corn syrup was headed toward the kettle next.

Hmm... I think we could call that a guilty grin.

Mom passes on the art.

This candy-making process has not been approved by the USDA.

Hence we may lick our fingers.

Hey! It takes boiling water to sterilize a scissors.

Nathan looks as if he could be a formidable inspector.

He was easily conciliated however.

Mistaken for spaghetti.

The Short Part

2011-04-02T13:10:00.001-04:00

One of those days when I thank God for indoor plumbing.

A Long While Ago...

2011-04-02T13:09:00.002-04:00

...back when people were still thinking about winter decorating...

...we spent a day with Monique hacking thorny branches off...

I say we call them "trees."

But they didn't stay trees -- no sirree!

Hey, Monique, thanks for having us.

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God bless your spring.

Carmen

2011-03-19T15:28:00.002-04:00

Hello Everyone,

Since most of this post is a peek into a ~~normal~~ week of Martin family homeschooling and since most of you reading this are probably homeschoolers yourselves -- Wait! Are most of you homeschoolers? These lists I found might help us figure that one out:

You Must Be Homeschooled If...
Someone asks what grade you're in and you're not sure.
Your favorite author is Jane Austen (girls) or Robert Louis Stevenson (boys).
Your birthday is an official school holiday.
Your favorite activity is reading.
You have attempted to teach yourself physics.
Watching a movie means you'll have to write a report comparing the film to the book.
Your home library is arranged in Dewey Decimal order.
There are only nine students in your class - but all of them are your brothers and sisters.
You dress up as historical or literary characters.

You Must Be a Home Educator If...
You live in a one-house schoolroom.
You have mold growing in your fridge…on purpose.
Cooking dinner = domestic science; playing outside = physical education.
You've mastered the fine art of vacuuming a floor without sucking up a Lego or K'nex piece.

Sounds blessedly familiar, doesn't it?

Things Have Been Crazy

2011-03-19T15:27:00.002-04:00

The "Last Days Madness" of meeting a research paper deadline.

Two usually active individuals were unusually inactive this week due to flu.

They will soon, doubtless, be back to their baton-shaking, balloon-bopping selves.

(Conrad tells me to tell you to note the unique parabolic curves caused by light reflecting off the balloon's oscillating surface.)

Green Eggs (and no ham)

Dr. Seuss would not, I think, approve.

Homeschool Dress-up Week...

2011-03-19T15:26:00.001-04:00

...planned by Faith, a gal of endless creativity. We here have a Western theme.

I would have been fine with sticking to that theme the entire week. What with all the "Yes Ma'am" business.

*raises gun* Teacher, I'll take a shot at that question.

Here we are on a different day, one that's not going well for Clayton: no costume, no smile, no luck with his math problem.

Come on, Clayton. You can figure it out. Use your head.

That was the day that Christian was Rex. Toystory quotes abounded.

The next day (represent-a-business day) Clayton brought his smart phone to class.

(I think it had a calculator.)

Among the celebrated and colorful characters I taught that week was Lou Gehrig.

And Caleb Holt.

When I mentioned "colorful characters," I was referring specifically to this high-minded Turk.

The sheikh's pencil holder.

Thank you, Faith, for arranging all the fun.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." - Albert Einstein

I don't think I can agree with Mr. Einstein, considering that without the knowledge of God we cannot be saved. However, viewed as a bit of hyperbole, the quote makes a point.

"...Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ..."

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God Bless.

Carmen

2011-03-05T13:36:00.003-05:00

Welcome Back Everyone,

I was thinking about you just now. I appreciate all of you, your interest in my blog, and your patience in putting up with my perspective on life.

Thank you. Sincerely, thank you.

We've Started NT Greek

2011-03-05T13:35:00.001-05:00

(But most of it's still Greek to us.)

Dad's notes from Lesson 1, when Mr. Einwechter gave it to us straight. Problem is: we were already signed up.

Alpha, Beta, Gamma...

(You know - A B C - that sort of thing.)

So, Dad, what is the future active indicative third person plural of λυο?

Dad often impresses us (in the forceful sense) into helping him drill and then impresses us (in the admiring sense) by how much he knows.

As we labor over Greek, Mom is (rapidly) making her way through the new Lamplighter books.

Oh, to once again read an English novel...!

A Baptism

2011-03-05T13:34:00.002-05:00

Five young men and women declaring the most important decision of their lives.

βαπτιζω...

(Had to show off my Greek, as inadequate as it is.)

Grandfather and grandson.

"Buried with him in baptism...

...wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." -Col. 2:12

Candace, push that record button because...

...it's Faith's turn.

This sister of mine has, by God's grace, begun the journey of living out her name.

"The faith that saves is the faith that submits to baptism." -Mr. Einwechter

Another daughter who had the rare privilege of being baptized by her own father.

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." -Gal. 3:27

Mariana has put on Christ...

...and I do believe Mr. Oberholtzer has put on dry clothes.

Naomi, who helps with Phares and keeps him out of trouble.

I didn't say: out of water.

Friendless? Forlorn? Maybe even ostracized?

Hardly.

Sunlight and spaghetti - both brightening this little face.

And we'll end with dessert, as does every good fellowship meal.

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God Bless.

Carmen

2011-02-19T12:52:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Another two weeks of God's grace has gone by. Please stop to count your blessings.

But don't count the photos.

Please.

2011 Farm Show

2011-02-19T12:51:00.000-05:00

Notice a theme?

The John Deere skirts are interviewed by the Lancaster Farming.

When all the John Deere talk (and all the coats) started to get to Mr. Raine, he threatened to go buy a Case IH shirt.

So we steered in the direction of the John Deere display...

...which was conveniently close to the Turkey Hill stand.

A fellow ice cream and John Deere fan.

Mr. Raine, won't you please help the poor girl solve her Rubik's Cube.

(Mr. Raine was once a four-state Rubik's Cube champion.)

Opening Ceremonies of the Farm Show

(The opening prayer was asked in the name of Jesus Christ - an unexpected blessing.)

Rodeo begins.

Woah! That'll be hard to beat.

The next rider lowers her visor - well, okay, maybe not.

But a helmet might not be a bad idea.

Helmet or no helmet, that's one chivalrous cowboy.

No, it's not a gingerbread house. Well, it is but - I mean - it's more: it's a gingerbread mansion!

Some Random Stuff

2011-02-19T12:50:00.002-05:00

I was going through some files from earlier this year. I found this Margaret O'Brien style photo of Mercy.

Also, I found that the posting of Mom's birthday photo had been delayed. I must have figured I'd give her two extra months of being 42.

Phares is still ruminating on books by the way.

That's it for today: the cap hasn't been off the lens much lately.

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God Bless.

Carmen

P.S. How many came up with eighteen?

2011-02-05T14:30:00.000-05:00

Bonjour Everyone,

If I were in the habit of titling my posts, this one would be... "Of Foods and Fashions"

Sophisticated fare such as freshly brewed tea and gourmet cheese with a little custom-made crocheting thrown in - that's the order of the day.

I found, when preparing this post, that I don't appreciate these delicacies enough. Tea was described lovingly by one author as "liquid wisdom," while reviewers raved over the "wet earth aroma" of Vacherin Fribourgeois. Leave it to the Brits and the Swiss to come up with this stuff! (And leave it to me to make fun of it.) Here we go.

A Tea-Party

2011-02-05T14:29:00.000-05:00

Hosted by our dear grandmother...

...and attended by her eager granddaughters.

(We got to use the front door! And the doorbell!)

I defy C.S. Lewis's opinion that "Tea should be taken in solitude," and suggest that there are few better people to drink it with than my grandmother and cousins.

(Of course, his grandmother and cousins may not have been so nice.)

Adria elegantly nibbles a cookie...

...while Alicia indecorously analyzes her tea dregs.

The cultured indication that no more tea is required.

But we're not done with those pizza bites. No sirree!

(That's our vulgar American taste for you.)

To Grandpa go the leftovers.

"A Proper Tea is much nicer than a Very Nearly Tea, which is one you forget about afterwards." -A.A. Milne

If memories are the measure of a proper tea, then this one takes the tea-cake.

On to Cheese

2011-02-05T14:28:00.000-05:00

"Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese." -G.K. Chesterton

All right, Mr. Chesterton, I'll give it a try.

There once was a man, Gary Martin,
Who tried a new cheese on his kin.
Twasn't new; it was old,
To the point of being bold,
And smelled of dead animal skin.

"Now smell it," he said, "and I'll tell you
All about it after you're through."
Twasn't nice I'll just say.
(For that people pay?)
In the future no more, no thank you!

It appeared to give Mom a headache.

Faith appeared to fear a stomach ache.

And to eat or not to eat was the question we all had to face.

We tried it for novelty's sake (and for Dad's).

Vacherin Fribourgeois

(known less reverently around here as the "stinky cheese")

Got to give Dad credit: he usually has good taste in the cheeses he brings home. Here we're looking at Brie - good stuff!

But to me the ultimate cheese is something like this homemade cheese ball.

We'll wrap up this cheesy series with the indisputably healthy carrot. Now there's a subject worthy of a ballad or two. Okay, okay, not now.

You'll be Hooked

2011-02-05T14:27:00.000-05:00

Disclaimer: The following set of photos is neither an advertisement nor a portrait gallery.

What is it then?

Good question.

Kristen came over one snowy day. We didn't plan the snow even though it was ideal for trying on Kristen's cozy crocheted commodities (tongue twister isn't it?) and taking photos of them for her Etsy store.

The Little-Green-Riding-Hood look.

The save-me-I-beseech-you! look.

Button up for winter in this wool neckwarmer...

...or just be inspired to get out your own hook.

With this photo we turn our backs on this advertisement masquerading as a portrait gallery. Or wait, was it a portrait gallery in the guise of an advertisement?

Whichever it was, my sister made a beautiful subject and model.

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Wishing you a wonderful fortnight with many refined moments.

Okay, let's make that a little more American: Have a good one!

God Bless.
Carmen

2011-01-22T12:15:00.001-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Last post, on the Love the Church conference, I forgot to thank Emma for giving me her list of quotes from the conference, some of which I posted. So here's your "Thank you," Emma.

And here, everyone else, is another post, all for you. Hope you enjoy.

Lunar Eclipse

2011-01-22T12:14:00.001-05:00

The last time a lunar eclipse coincided with the winter solstice was five hundred years ago and Bloody Mary was up to something bad. So we heard. And so we had to see it.

Trouble is, we had to GET UP to see it.

(Since you're wondering... No, the guy in the chair is not part of our family.)

He's fortunate we didn't shoot him, pulling into our driveway in the middle of the night. Nothing (not even the moon) can eclipse the fright he would have given us if we had not recognized his car.

"Watching and waiting, looking above..."

Filled with warm coffee.

The moon becomes lost in the clouds. Again.

Candace perfects her foot-stomping routine.

After reaching full eclipse, the moon disappeared into the clouds...

...and Faith disappeared into the house.

The moon emerges from the umbra...

...and Faith emerges from the house.

All that talk about feminine energy and I didn't see any around.

A Pinata: the Making and the Breaking

2011-01-22T12:13:00.001-05:00

Made in our garage...

...to be destroyed in Grandma's.

Made out of love (for relatives).

Destroyed out of love (for candy).

The pain of having hot glue on one's lip.

The pain of having one's lip hit by a stick.

Conrad fell in love immediately.

His cousin had a vastly different reaction.

Candace made this just by looking off...

...this.

Any guesses who the fish is?

Any guesses who had the hardest time smashing the fish?

Only the eyes remain.

Martins!

Hey, I can give you directions to that store.

An Evening in the Life of Phares

2011-01-22T12:12:00.001-05:00

One evening Phares looked about him, and he began to notice something.

Everybody - everybody besides him that is - was reading.

He ruminated on this for a while.

Then he tried to start Studies in Words, only to discover (or did he already know?) that his sister was reading that book.

Finally he found the picture books.

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Phares continues to grow, and I hope we will all continue to grow, physically, mentally, spiritually - in whatever way is needed. God Bless your next two weeks.

Carmen

2011-01-08T18:37:00.004-05:00

Hello Everyone,

I checked my traffic for today. I see some of you have already visited once. Maybe twice?

Thanks for your dedication. This blog is, after all, the Saturday Evening Post.

Have a blessed evening.

(Today's post is a two-pager by the way. Click "older posts.")

Love the Church Conference

2011-01-08T18:36:00.003-05:00

Held at Ridgecrest Conference Center in NC.

I'd say they met their goal by hosting this conference.

Every time we headed to the dining hall, we met friendly staff faces.

Not sure what was "main" about this menu line. There were at least four of them.

Then to find a seat.

Closed eyes made that job easier.

Or else closed eyes was a fad I didn't catch on to.

But man shall not live by bread alone; rather by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

I am convinced that, through the means of faithful men, God's Word was preached that weekend.

Mr. Davis

Mr. Pollard

And our own Mr. Einwechter.

Great men of the past were present in spirit.

Despite the high concentration of God's Word, folks still seem to need their coffee.

Who knows? He probably needs his chocolate milk.

What can I say? We Martins need our orange juice.

Conrad needs his napkins. :-)

2011-01-08T18:35:00.001-05:00

Back to the conference, which was nicely summarized by this tidy booklet.

Did I say tidy?

Mr. Davis tells the women not to be offended by the Bible's gender language in calling both men and women "sons of God." "After all," he said, "we men have to be the 'bride of Christ.'"

People working.

People playing.

People working and playing.

People selling.

People buying.

People selling and buying.

I was blessed to observe healthy father/daughter relationships.

Sibling relationships seemed to be flourishing too.

Of course he wasn't pulling her hair!

2011-01-08T18:34:00.002-05:00

"When we preach a sermon that belittles sin, we belittle Christ." -Dan Horn

Bereans?

Rick Riggins

No, I don't know him, but name tags give a lot away.

As do purses.

Homemade name tag reads: I am BILL EINWECHTER'S son-in-law.

Trying to capitalize on the celebrity value of the Einwechter name, eh?

Oh yeah, it pays to be an Einwechter.

Love the Church, which means love the people in the Church, which means - I get to love these girls!

Me and my lens holder.

Emma was the only one with a bag big enough.

Trouble is her heart wasn't big enough.

(Just joking. Emma toted stuff for us all weekend.)

After conversation in the Vendor Hall and supper in the Dining Hall, we head back for more sermons in the Lecture Hall.

"God the Father has never thought of you apart from Christ or Christ apart from you." -Jeff Pollard

"The only thing we could motivate a holy God to do is to condemn us." -Paul Washer

I know why they have Mr. Washer speak last: there's no danger of people falling asleep. In fact, the danger is that people won't be able to sleep all night.

2011-01-08T18:33:00.001-05:00

We did manage to sleep a little; in fact, a little too much. This was the morning that the alarm went off at 6:51, instead of 6:15 as I had planned. Mr. Raine thinks I have dyslexia.

But instead of having dyslexia, I had breakfast with my brother who used to have dyslexia.

As Mr. Bradrick was fond of saying, "Here is the Kendall family to serenade us."

Someone recognizes the seriousness of Biblical law.

Mr. Brown brings the conference to a close with an impromptu charge.

Even though you weren't there, you do have the opportunity, just as we did, to order the audio.

Stop what?

Stop walking on the grass?

It's got to be a sign from Heaven.

Finally, the conference over, we get to try out one of the grand pianos.

Someday, when Aaron is a world-famous pianist and Candace has forgotten that she took this photo, I will make a heap of money by its sale.

One of the highlights was singing with over a hundred fellow strangers (that's not an oxymoron) late into Saturday night.

"Brethren, we have met to worship..."

2011-01-08T18:32:00.002-05:00

So there we were, the farthest South we had ever been, and this is what we wake up to Sunday morning.

Now what? Stop snowing?

Snowmen were falling from heaven unassembled, and so the Morton family took the trouble to assemble them.

Being from Georgia, it was the most snow they had seen in their lives.

Mr. Morton: Where are you from?

Me: Pennsylvania.

Mr. Morton: What part of Georgia is that?!

We left the North Carolinians digging their way out of the snow and headed home.

You didn't think we would go on a trip with the Raines and make it home without stopping somewhere "historical" did you?

They are fortunate enough to have a great-great uncle (buried here) who was the youngest colonel in the Stonewall Brigade. And they have an ancestor who was a princess and one who received love letters from John Wilkes Booth and - and - well, it just isn't fair.

Couldn't have been a better day for graveyard pictures.

Where the flowers go to be cremated.

Conrad and Emma are still, to this day, debating whether George Washington's axe can be George Washington's axe after having the head replaced four times and the handle three. Some things do not end with the trip.

And some things should not end with the trip. I pray that the teaching received that weekend will influence me and others who were there for the rest of our lives.

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Thanks for joining us.

God Bless.

Carmen

2010-12-25T18:08:00.002-05:00

Yup, I'm posting. Have faith, my friends. (And patience. :-)

But.

I'm not posting again until the year 2011.

Happy New Year.

2010-12-25T18:07:00.001-05:00

No matter what you believe about Christmas, I expect we can agree on one thing:

Santa Claus is not real.

:-)

Of Cakes and Birthdays

2010-12-25T18:06:00.001-05:00

Roses are red... Uh, wait. No they're not.

But sugar still is sweet and so are you, dear sister.

Another dear sister and graduate of A.C. Moore's cake-decorating class.

So after all those decorating classes, what did Christian want for his birthday?

An ice-cream cake.

*scratches head* I can't read this. It says:

uɐıʇsıɹɥɔ
ʎɐpɥʇɹıq
ʎddɐɥ

Now why is he scratching his head? I trust they haven't taken to printing the newspaper upside down.

2010-12-25T18:05:00.001-05:00

Another cake class specimen.

He not only requested tools for his birthday...

...he got excited about them too.

Sure, tools are great. But traditions are better.

And having the Jacksons over at least once a winter is something that needs to be written in stone.

Michael serves it.

Conrad passes it.

Grace eyes it up.

Maybe the next one, Grace. Hang in there.

It's not heavy; so it's not a book.

What?! Not a book? The Jacksons always give books.

(It was a book. On tape.)

One Morning

2010-12-25T18:04:00.001-05:00

The little guy can smile.

Really.

(He just needed a moment to reconcile himself to appearing on the blog in girls' socks.)

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And if you need a moment to reconcile yourself to brevity of this post, so be it. Take your moment. :-)

God Bless.

Carmen

2010-12-11T09:37:00.001-05:00

Hello Everyone,

The NCFIC likes to have their conferences on my blogging weeks. I like to go to their conferences. Uh, do we have a dilemma here?

Thanks to the Lord, I got my inspiration for this post several weeks ago which helped speed the "production time." It's Monday evening as I write this, and, as you read this, I will most likely be sitting in a lecture hall. Candace and Conrad are going along this time. So I'll have my faithful models at my side - er - at the end of my lens. We're traveling down with the Raines, who, as you know, make great subjects too. The following post will back up that statement, so with out farther ado or adieus...

A Trip to a Civil War Encampment

2010-12-11T09:36:00.003-05:00

A real encampment with a real general.

And real artillery officers.

The women arrive at camp, determined to bring civilization with them.

They write home: "How can this be called the Civil War? It is anything but civil."

One day the peace is broken.

The alarm is spread: the Yankees are coming!

The general himself dismounts to correct a sloppily aimed cannon.

The women forget civilization and worry about self preservation.

And they pack, in case of retreat.

The first enemy sniper sets his sights on the camp.

The boys in the front lines bow their heads.

The drummer reaches for his drumsticks.

And then...

...somebody's cell phone rings.

What is that noise?!

Okay, I should have told you before. We were at the Raines for dinner, not at a Civil War camp. Almost had you tricked right? If only that cell phone hadn't given the show away.

Yeah, relax. This is just dress-up.

Yeah, and somebody dressed me up in the wrong time period. I want to be a man with a gun not...

...Colin Gunn.

So, Micah, do you turn your belt buckle right side up when you're in a blue uniform?

Loading the cannon is a coveted job.

People literally wait in line.

If playing cannonball is exciting...

...playing baseball is more so.

Candace, I doubt tossing a ball in the air and...

...catching it in a hat was considered a lady-like pastime in the 1800s.

The general retrieves his hat.

I may have been staring into the mouth of a cannon, but then, so were they.

I've heard of photographers having a "second shooter" to help them out.

Back to that lunch I mentioned earlier... It was fantastic.

And the camp was fantastic in the formal sense of the word.

Clayton discovered the wonder of noise a long time ago. The wonder is he hasn't yet tired of making it.

Phares discovers the wonders of the Raines' home. You can find anything there.

Is this a corpse?

She just had to make sure.

There's something anachronistic about flying a plane while wearing a Confederate uniform.

Don't try to tell me that flight interests men and women equally.

Birthday gifts exchanged.

We'll never tire of going to the Raines' home - of that I am certain. Thanks, Raines.

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God Bless.
Carmen

2010-11-27T11:36:00.002-05:00

So Everyone,

Which would be more fishy: a post featuring fish, or a post on a fishing trip without any pictures of fish?

Now go fish...

2010-11-27T11:35:00.001-05:00

The things we find in the cellar... *shakes head*

The things we find on people's heads... (Don't shake your head. Next Faith will too.)

To Sweet Arrow Lake with the Gordners...

2010-11-27T11:34:00.001-05:00

...for the purpose of fishing and fellowship.

He's got the equipment and the enthusiasm.

Now for the education.

Clayton moves on to Mrs. Gordner's class on the finer points of fishing.

Candace gradually transitions from behind the book to...

...behind the hook.

I haven't had a single bite. I could use a bite. Maybe we should stop for a snack.

"Anyone hungry?" -Mr. Gordner

Forget the snack. I'll settle for a nap.

"There's a reason they call it fishing, not catching." -Mr. Gordner

Maybe it's time to start praying.

The Fisherman's Serenity Prayer

God grant me the vision
to dream of catching fish...

...the focus to visualize
myself catching fish...

...the faith to believe
that I will catch fish...

...and the wisdom
to keep the freezer stocked
with hamburgers and hot dogs.

We may not have the fish, but at least we have the chips.

The slime of worms is replaced with the slime of Clorox wipes.

*sarcastically* Choking on a fish bone maybe?

Pink and red - I told her they don't match. :-)

"Fishing is the sport of drowning worms." And catching leaves, I might add.

Time to launch plan B.

Motors might be permitted on the lake but...

...little girls without life jackets aren't.

Bon Voyage

Left behind, we decide to do a little traveling of our own via the "Go Travel" game.

Only to you blog viewers would Candace show her cards. She would never give me a peek at them.

First stage of hypothermia sets in.

"This is the first time I've been cold in years." -Mom

(I half believe it.)

What would we do without blankets? And what would we do without the Gordners?

Thanks for taking us fishing. We had fun...

...took lots of pictures...

...and made this old picnic table's day.

"But," Conrad reminds us, "we fished all day and caught no fishes."

In reality though... "The fishing was good; it was the catching that was bad."

This time it's Mervin's turn to give the farewell.

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God Bless each one of you. Thanks for stopping by.
Carmen

2010-11-13T09:35:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone,

No introduction today, except to say that the Mills are a wonderful family that we - hey, you don't know who they are do you? Well, maybe by the end of this post you will have learned to know them better, just as we did on the trip that you are about to see.

Mills, thanks so much for joining us on the trip. We enjoyed it tremendously.

A Trip with the Mills

2010-11-13T09:34:00.001-05:00

"We could have just rented the bus and driven around in circles." - Mrs. Mills

And so we could have, but it was nice to have an excuse.

And to think that I suggested bringing ours.

(That's right. Just like the immigrants before us, we went through security.)

Like the immigrants before us, we were part of a vast throng.

Like them, we had only the clothes on our backs and one little backpack.

Like them, some of us were detained.

Back then there were food vendors too, with prices just as outrageous. That's another thing that hasn't changed.

Even the gatsby hats are still around.

We strain our eyes as many have done before us. She comes into sight and...

...out come the cameras.

Ladies, I hate to tell you, but the main attraction is to your left.

Whose example will she follow?

Miss Ellis Island? Yeah, I guess we will if we don't get off the boat.

Miss Ellis Island meets Mr. Grumpy.

The door to the past opens.

Maps are not a thing of the past.

2010-11-13T09:33:00.001-05:00

It's not just a Noah thing.

It's a Mills family obsession.

T is for Twins

F is for Friends

Studying...

...her fingernails.

Mom, look! You are about to see... the amazing flying Clayton.

You want a turn?

No thanks. I'm on vacation.

For some, lunch is a highlight; to others, a necessary intermission. (And to others, a chance to talk with their mouths full.)

2010-11-13T09:32:00.001-05:00

Eventually, we will get there...

We must have Faith.

The Tourist

The Kamikaze

*looks skeptical* Carmen, I'm not sure many people know what a Kamikaze is. Of course, if you'd link to Dictionary.com again...

He reminds me of myself. I have that tendency to stick my chin in the air for photos too.

Okay, analyze my chin if you must.

Lots of chins and nice big grins.

The climb ahead of us is not for the faint of heart, we know; yet we turn down the chairs' invitation. We keep going.

Lady Liberty gave us a good reception.

As well as a good view.

Naomi aids and abets Clayton in the frightening of parents.

Go, sailboat, go! Faster.

Hannah Grace Mills I :)

We mob the revolving doors. Such novelties!

2010-11-13T09:31:00.001-05:00

A bird's water fountain.

Yawns are contagious. Just looking at this photo made me yawn. Three different times.

Smile replaces yawn.

Five Fine Females

(Hey, at least it's alliteration.)

Wrong arm, Conrad.

The wind-blown thrill of a ferry ride.

All hands on deck!

Terra firma at last!

Leaps for joy.

Argument of the day: Are they standard-sized tennis balls?

The random people pictures begin.

I like taking random people pictures but...

...when someone looks up, just as I snap, with that startled, frozen, glazed expression, it's enough to kill my photographic ardor.

Nothing can kill Mom's ardor; not even a long day that's not yet over.
(That's right. There's more.)

2010-11-13T09:30:00.002-05:00

Characters - all three.

All the people not pictured were "too mature" to be seen in such company.

The competition never ceases.

Conrad grapples with a bit of Luke's trivia.

Just to prove that we can ask hard questions too. :-)

A big "thank you" to our capable waitress.

And a bigger "THANK YOU" to the various public - I assume they were public - electrical outlets, without which this post would have been impossible.

It's a standing invitation.

Or is it? Does the invitation still stand? Does it?

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No need for yawn-inducing photos for me right now. I've been indulging in them periodically. It's time to get this show on the road.

God Bless.
Carmen

2010-10-30T11:37:00.002-04:00

Hello folks,

Here is a link: Dictionary.com

If you don't know some of the words in this post, use it.

Sorry, I just have this love of vocabulary.

Have a splendiferous fortnight.

Fairs!

2010-10-30T11:36:00.001-04:00

This first photo reminds me of a limerick I read in Literature a few years ago:

There was a young man at Devizes,
Whose ears were of different sizes.
One was so small,
It was no use at all,
But the other won several prizes.

It took a good eye and a steady hand (not a big ear) to win that ribbon.

I'm curious what all these people who get blue are supposed to do? Get blue? At the risk of sounding unpatriotic, I admit that the Canadian method (first gets red and second gets blue) makes more sense. After all, if you only come in second, you might have something to feel blue about.

Dilettantes or connoisseurs?

Either way, if I were a cake, I would be shivering under my icing: these folks know how to pick cakes apart.

Is there anyone who doesn't think we should go that direction?

So much color - local color.

On display...

...packed away...

...time to add up all the pay.

Family Fun Night 2010

2010-10-30T11:35:00.001-04:00

Duly registered and stickered.

Those ubiquitous Crocs.

It's all about getting caught. He can pretend that's not the goal, but it is.

Tikes on trikes.

Um, what do you call that thing on front? The engine?

Hurry up. The guys over there already have pants on their calf.

Not to mention suspenders.

What's up with the Krauters? Or should I ask, "What's down?"

"I've always dreamed of being in a three-legged race..." - Anne Shirley

The dust rises. Will they?

The suspense before.

And the publicity after.

Allies

Rivals

Once again, a very balanced individual.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade? Hmm...

...wonder what you do when life gives you potatoes.

Speed-pick - that's what.

When is someone going to notice I have my bucket up?

An orange microphone and a clipboard - he's got to be important.

Now that's rejoicing with those that rejoice.

The Last Straw

Matthias and his eggplant.

Not sure who's getting strangled: the balloon or Charity.

The balloon is massaged back into shape...

...only to have its neck stretched a few minutes later.

Yup, that is what you think it is.
(That is, if you're thinking of the right thing.)

Egg-scellent catch.

A time for high-fives.

And a time for paper towels.

A time to end...

2010-10-30T11:34:00.003-04:00

...and here is Mercy to bid you farewell.

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With blessings,
Carmen

2010-10-16T10:12:00.003-04:00

Attention Everyone.

The Saturday Evening Post has fallen on hard times. Nah, make that "busy times" - sounds better.

There have been, and still are, so many places to go, so many friendships to maintain, and so much of life to live, that I have had little time for virtual places (think Blogger). In the end, however, this busyness bodes well. After all, the places we've gone and the people we've gone with are the stuff that blog posts are made of.

Trips and folks and everyday jokes,
That's what this blog is made of.

Literal Technology II

2010-10-16T10:11:00.002-04:00

Last time, as you might recall, Mr. Bedelia had a photo that he wanted to get rid of, badly. Now, half a year later, it seems he's found some photos that he likes and, consequently, wants to save off his computer. His friend recommended that he burn a CD.

Mr. Bedelia burns a CD.

We Got Cows!

2010-10-16T10:10:00.004-04:00

Yeah, we looked as surprised as you when we found out.

They didn't look surprised. Quite at home rather.

What they were was obvious, but where they came from and whose they were was a head-scratching problem.

What, not yours either?

All Mercy can figure out is that those cows must have made a big moostake.

Christian patrols with a hockey stick.

Wait, Clayton. Last I heard, wind drives away chaff, not chaff drives away cows.

Head sentry thinks he's got these C.O.W.s under control.

Bull starts his way.

You sure you don't need some aid from the homeland security department?

No, I'm fine...

I've got my methods.

You're hungry, eh?

We'll use that to our advantage.

Dad extends his hospitality to all the cows.

Ungrateful beast.

Eventually the owner shows up, the cows (and the excitement) leave, and...

...Conrad washes down the barn.

Now that's a day in Lancaster Cownty for you!

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God Bless Every One.

Carmen

2010-10-02T12:17:00.003-04:00

Welcome back...

...to the blog and to the USA.

That's right, we're home from Canada. We have been for a while, but - you know - it takes a while for the blog to catch up. Fortunately, our family has as many adventures at home as abroad. So whether it's our private adventures (did I say private?) or events that some of you participated in, sit back and enjoy the pictures.

Balloon Chasing

2010-10-02T12:16:00.001-04:00

The evening this thing floated over the cornfield, we dropped everything (except I never would drop the camera) and gave chase.

When I said "we" I meant all of us.

I'd be wiry of landing such a place.

Then again, maybe it's no more dangerous than crossing 272 with ten children.

Farewell to Grace continued

2010-10-02T12:15:00.001-04:00

Somehow, a few weeks ago when I posted pictures of my piano student Grace who just moved away, I forgot to post this photo of the quilt the girls at church made her.

Lapp Valley Farm Revisited

2010-10-02T12:14:00.002-04:00

Ice cream with the Gordners.

Cone or bowl? Come on, make up you mind. We can't go back and forth forever. :-)

Imagine what we would look like if we ate at this place every day.

He eats here every day. (Not quite what you imagined is it?)

They also eat here every day. Take your pick.

Candace takes her pick.

As does Phares.

Mercy, accompanied by flip-flop 1 and flip-flop 2, heads toward the barnyard.

Mercy loses flip-flop 2 to the cowpen.

Will this trip become a tradition?

I hope so. :-)

Charity's Birthday

2010-10-02T12:13:00.001-04:00

Faith, Hope, Charity, these three; but the greatest of these (for that day) was Charity.

I think it was a good birthday but a bad hair day. :-)

Now Charity likes punch. So we had punch. Candace settled for a watered-down version.

The evolution of Hawaiian Punch into water.

IFRC Church Picnic 2010

2010-10-02T12:12:00.001-04:00

They told me it was football.

It looked more like a conspiracy to take out Mr. Raine.

*wipes forehead* I can't seem to get rid of this guy.

Shoot...

...he missed!

Will he miss too?

Hmm... Wonder why he wore his Phillies shirt?

Touchdown!

(Whoops, I'm still thinking football.)

Isn't it odd that when you get out you have to go in?

(The way Clayton does it makes it even odder, I know.)

Mrs. Karlburg - outfield, in her element.

Kara and Carrots

My coverage would not be complete without these wonderful ladies and...

H2O - Hard 2 Omit

Folks start turning their backs on the picnic and...

...heading to their vehicles.

I hope he makes it home.

Mouse Tales

2010-10-02T12:11:00.001-04:00

The "mice meister" is now catching them two at a time.

Which pleases Christian because his tail collection is growing.

It also pleases Dad because his tale collection was not growing but shrinking due to mice teeth.

The books are all in from the barn now, and The Old Squire's Farm tales take their place on Dad's new shelves.

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That's the end. Now get off the computer and go read a good book. :-)

God Bless.
Carmen

2010-09-18T11:56:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone,

We watched "Anne of Green Gables" recently which should explain the several quotes or allusions. This post and the story of Anne Shirley really have nothing to do with each other, except that both are set in Canada. So to Canada let us go.

The Extended Martin Family Goes to Canada

2010-09-18T11:55:00.001-04:00

No, we didn't take a bus.

Though could it be that Grandpa is taking his dump-truck?

Finally we arrived. In Canaba.

Trust me, Candace's spelling has been showing major improvement over the past few years.

Since we were in Canada, a maple leaf. Obviously.

(Candace, now that we've mastered your spelling, perhaps we will turn our attention to your drawing.)

The first evening was... A time to look at pictures.

And a time to take them.

What's this? Wow! Definitely a time to take pictures.

Definitely not a time to ride bike.

Ladies on cowback.

Who said being a lady is easy?

Ladies in waiting (for their turn).

Ladies in distress?

Or not so distressed.

The knight with shining air compressor comes to the rescue, and we're good to go again for a while, except...

...it looks like it's time to play "pin the tail on the donkey."

Dad and Uncle Gary, you coming too?

Dad: "When I became a man, I put away childish things."

The question is, did Cindy?

My fire-leaping cousin.

His photo-loving sister.

Pretty abstract for me, I know.