HOAR FROST

I love the beauty of the snow when everything is a winter wonderland, but I think I love the hoarfrost even more. While we were in Idaho they had a hoar frost. The drive home to the airport from Kamiah to Spokane was delightful. We drove most of the way alongside the beautiful Clearwater River, enjoying the beauty of the hoar frost on the trees all the way.

The hoar frost ices around every stick and every blade of grass.

Isn't this tree beautiful? It looked more beautiful than the picture shows. Thank you, Lord, for your glorious creation.

OUR NEW BABY

Here she is! We have named her Lily. Colin arrived home with this sweet little puppy on the 20th January. He was hoping to buy one for me for Christmas but could not find one. We particularly wanted an American Eskimo. We have had three American Eskimos and they have all been delightful--Pixie, Danny Boy and Snow Bear. Sadly, they all had a tragic end. We had Pixie for about twelve years and although she would have been about 14 years of age, she was still fit and full of energy. Sadly, a stray dog mauled her and we had to put her down. My three American Eskimos have all been devoted subjects and perfect dogs. This breed of dog love to please. We have been without a dog for quite some time and although we looked forward to getting another one, we patiently waited to find an American Eskimo puppy.

It was quite amazing that the Johnson family got a puppy on the same day, without either of us knowing. Colin arrived home with Lily and Howard arrived home from getting the milk and eggs from the Amish with a little puppy for them too. The children were all excited to get two puppies in one day. They haven't named their puppy yet. I am not sure how long we will have to wait. We had to wait nine months for them to name two of their babies, so I wonder how long we'll wait for the naming of this puppy! They have been waiting for another dog too. Their faithful dog, Congo disappeared. Howard has been waiting patiently to find the right dog and decided this was the one! In this picture you can see Meadow and some of the Johnson children.

Jireh and Arrow Johnson.

Isn't she adorable? The puppy, I mean!

Arrow and Rashida found some sweaters to use as puppy slings.

Chalice Allison

All the grandchildren love her. Here Shepherd Allison has his turn to hold her.

Sheppie won't let her out of his sight. I take her over to Serene's when I visit.

Mercy with our cat, Caleb and Lily.

Our grand-daughter, Josephine (JoJo) with Lily.

JOHN LEAVING

John left on the 20 January to go to Job Corps to learn a trade and to do his GED. He is based in Morganfield, Kentucky. The Johnson boys are saying goodby.

Goodbye to my son.

John and Colin.

CARRIE AND SETH'S WEDDING

Colin and I took Mercy to Carrie Jo's wedding in Idaho. Carrie Jo was one of my lovely Above Rubies helpers. She came twice to help me. Mercy and Carrie became great friends. Carrie married a tall handsome godly young man named Seth Loofbourrow. Over the last few years we have now had over 50 girls who have come to live with us and help us in the ministry of Above Rubies. Some have come back a second time. I have been so blessed. They are all beautiful girls with godly character. Colin and I say that we have "the cream of the earth" come to our home. They are now all starting to get married--seven of them so far. The girls have mentioned that one day when they are all married and have children that they'd love to have a reunion and all get together.

Colin and I with Mercy.

Two of the groomsmen in the wedding party--Lucas and Micah Olson. I had met Lucas and Micah on three occasions before at Above Rubies Family Retreats. They are wonderful young men. We stayed with their family, Wes and Tammy Olson, while in Idaho. Wes Olson is the producer of Biology 101, a wonderful resource for homeschoolers. He is now producing Chemistry 101.

There were six groomsmen in the wedding party and they all carried their western hats and cowboy belts with guns. Lucas and Micah carried their knives as well. You can see Lucas' Bowie knife which he made himself. He makes them to sell. It was great to see a wedding party of real men standing up for God, truth, family and country. And also to see a beautiful couple, coming to the altar as virgins--their first kiss on their wedding day.

Mercy reuniting with Julie Postma, another of our Above Rubies helpers who lived with us. Julie, who lives in Canada, was one of the bridesmaids.

Mercy and Carrie Jo talking together.

Mercy and Carrie Jo. I am sorry I am not featuring more pictures of Carrie Jo and Seth. Unfortunately, they had red eyes in all the pictures I took. However, if you would like to see some neat pictures or a slide show, email Wendy, Carrie's mother at countrymom2six@gmail.com

REMEMBERING MY PARENTS

Ten years ago today my dear mother, Joyce Kathleen Bowen (nee Grant) passed from this life into glory. She had always hoped that she would would go "up with the shout" according to 1 Thessalonians 4:16, "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." However, she went on earlier! My mother loved to talk about the coming of the Lord and of heaven. In fact, she loved to talk about the Lord to whoever came into her home.

I love the words which Pearl wrote about her Nana, taken from her article, "More Than Toast and Pots and Pans." Pearl takes after her grandmother in character and looks. "It was in her kitchen that she welcomed friends and those who were lonely. An herb tea made in a pottery teapot and "something nourishing to eat" were the items on her menu during visiting hours... though there never seemed to be a closing time. But it wasn't just for the homemade food they came. It was the listening ear she offered and the well chosen words of counsel. Her kitchen was not only a place to feed the hungry, it was a psychiatry office with a stool for a couch."

Sadly, I didn't get to see my dear mother before she passed away. She went to glory while I was on the plane trip to New Zealand. When I arrived at Los Angeles I received word that she was gone. It was a hard trip to fly all the way to New Zealand knowing that I had missed her.

It is now just over a year that my dear father (Ivan Verdun Bowen) passed away--29th December, 2007. Fortunately, I arrived back in New Zealand in time to spend some days with my father. What a privilege it was to be with him as he took his last breath on this earth.

I feel so very blessed to have been raised by such wonderful and godly parents, parents who loved us, lived for us and encouraged us continually. They passed the baton of God's ways onto us faithfully. Colin and I are now seeking to pass it on faithfully to the next generations. What power there is in building godly generations.

I remember my father's father (Walter Eugene Bowen) and my grandmother (Catherine Rudman Wall) who also loved the Lord. They trained their five boys to walk in the ways of the Lord too. I am now the third generation from my grandparents, our children are the fourth generation and our 35 grandchildren (so far) are the fifth generation--all walking in the ways of the Lord. I trust that by God's grace I will see a sixth generation in my life time.

Thank you, Lord.

A BETROTHAL

On Sunday, 11th January, we attended a most wonderful occasion--the celebration of the coming betrothal of Brayden Waller and Talitha. Brayden is the oldest son of the Waller family. Did you read their wonderful story in Above Rubies #68. If you missed it, you can go to their website, www.hayovel.com and read about how they serve the Lord in Israel with their eleven children.

The following weekend Brayden and Talitha read to each other the vision for their marriage in the presence of their families and began their betrothal to one another. Talitha has now gone back to her home to prepare for her marriage and Brayden is preparing the house for them to live in. They will not see one another until the wedding. When he has the house ready he will come for his bride. It is all rather exciting. We think the wedding may be coming up in April.

MERCY'S 17TH BIRTHDAY

Mercy's birthday was the 9th January, a Friday evening. Because it was Friday evening we first of all enjoyed our Shabbat meal together and then had the party. Rashida, Meadow and Mercy at the table together.

Meadow and Rashida.



We had the greatest birthday party. One of the best! It was such fun. We all laughed and laughed and hooted with joy. We played some fun games. The first was PASS THE PARCEL. This is an old game that we used to play at parties when we were children but it is as much fun today. I wrapped a little gift on which was written, "To the Birthday Girl", which Mercy got at the end of the game. I kept wrapping paper around with a message on each piece of paper. The person who received the package would then have to read the next message and choose the right person. The above picture is checking out each person's feet because the message said, "To the girl with the nicest toes!"

Meadow won this one which said, "To the girl who can do the best hip wobble." And there were many other fun ones.

We played another game, WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS. Once again we have a big parcel on which are written things to do. When the music stops the one who has the parcel has to do what is written on the parcel. Cherish got it this time and had to dance to a Newsboys song on the new Newsboys DVD. Sometimes, instead of having to do something they would receive a gift. They never knew which one it would be!

I played the guitar for the music, even though I don't know how to play! Lauren (one of our Above Rubies helpers) got it this time and is wondering what she will have to do! Chalice is on the right.

We then played THE CHOCOLATE GAME which is one of our favorites for parties. This is how it goes. Each person takes a turn to throw the dice and continues going around the circle. When someone gets a 6, they run to put on the clothes provided (this time an old dress of mine, a hat and gloves). When they have put on the clothes they can start eating the chocolate on the plate with a knife and fork. Of course it is a race to do it to try and get some chocolate. Many times someone will get a 6 before they have even finished dressing! There was lots of excitement and shouting going on in this game. Here Lindsay (another of our Above Rubies helpers) is getting to eat some chocolate.

Cherish is getting the last little bit!

Mercy and Mother together.

Mercy blowing out her candles.

Mercy receiving her gifts. Here she is reading the card Colin and I gave her which tells her that her birthday present is a plane trip to Idaho to Carrie Jo Grave's wedding. Carrie Jo was one of our Above Rubies helpers and Mercy became very close to her. Of course, at each Campbell birthday party we always have speeches. Each person present had to share some things that they love about Mercy. This is always a very special time.

It's time for the sleepover now and to watch some movies. We all watched Fiddler on the Roof.

JANUARY 4 BIRTHDAYS

Today is Serene's 32nd birthday. I can't believe that my biological baby is 32! And if my dear mother was alive, she would be 93 years today. She and Serene shared the same birthday.

GIFTS AT THE ALLISONS

Arden opening one of his gifts. Yes, it is a Newsboys CD. Just what he wanted!

Shepherd's turn!

He's happy!

Cedar has had enough for the night!

Shepherd (Sheppie as we call him) is worn out too! It's hard to believe that Sheppie was a premature baby!

COUPLES NIGHT

My, we love to have celebrations. On the 29th December we enjoyed a CHRISTMAS COUPLES NIGHT--Stephen and Simone, Rocklyn and Monique, Evangeline and Howard, Pearl and Charlie, Serene and Sam, Kate and Terre and Colin and I. Wes and Sharon were in Florida so we asked some dear friends, Everett and Linda Lang to take their place. Sixteen of us had such a wonderful night together. We had it at our home, in the downstairs packaging room, which we can also use as a social room. We love to do these special nights, at least once a year hopefully, as most functions we have the myriads of children and don't have the same opportunity to talk.

Sharing together over dinner. We all brought a beautiful dish each. The food was abundant and delicious. I cooked up two pieces of lamb again.

We all sang The Twelve Days of Christmas. Here Stephen and Rocklyn are operatically singing their line, "Five golden rings!"


After dinner we played White Elephant. But we did it with books as we all love to read and are not really interested in getting "stuff"! We all purchased a book each and wrapped it up. As each person had their turn, they could choose a new book or take a book from someone else if they liked that one! We did a lot of exchanging back and forth and it was a lot of fun. Everyone was trying to get back the book that they bought as they all purchased what they wanted to read! Serene missed getting her books back on fitness! They were grabbed up! Rocklyn missed his political book and the one on the life of Einstein. They were grabbed too. But Simone got one of hers back! Here she is victoriously holding up her book which she retrieved three times. Our rule is that once you have got it three times from different people it now belongs to you! And it was a book that she had bought herself!


At the end of the night we all sang Auld Lang Syne and that was fun too.


I did forget to photograph a wonderful night we enjoyed before Christmas and that was when we went carolling. About twenty of us went to four different homes and sang to old couples. We sang the carols boisterously and joyfully. It was such a great time and we blessed each home we visited. I'm already looking forward to doing it next year.

CHRISTMAS DAY, 2008

Pearl on Christmas morning.

Along with other gifts, Colin gave me a beautiful bouquet of roses and a card. You can see that we are celebrating Hanukkah too. This is our dining room upstairs, as is the introductory picture.

What is hiding under these bedspreads?

We gave Psalmody and Mercy a Glory Box each for Christmas. They call a Glory Box (which is the English term) a Hope Chest in America. I still love to call it a Glory Box! These chests are made of cedar and they smell delightful.

Colin cutting the turkey. We cooked lamb as well of course. I cooked the lamb in the upstairs oven and the turkey in the downstairs oven.

Kate and Pearl picking. Everyone likes to hang around when Colin cuts the turkey and lamb so they can pick!

After eating our Christmas Dinner we sat around to fellowship and sing. Pearl and Meadow are singing our New Zealand Christmas carold, Te Harinui to us again.

My sister, Kate

Rocklyn with baby Max who was very sick. Because of Harry, Rocklyn and Monique had no sleep the night before and Monique was sick too, so they were pretty tired on Christmas Day.

A big hug from Jireh after he received his present.

Hugs from the Johnson children.