Summer's Over

Fall

Red and Yellow

Orange and Brown

All the leaves are Falling down

Days are chilly

Nights are Clear

 Summer's Over

Autumn's here.

-author unknown

 

Summer is officially over and ours ended with a real Bang!
We were able to take a trip to North Carolina and visit some friends we hadn't seen in about 7 years. My husband, Raymond, was invited to preach the anniversary service for Bethel Baptist Church.  Our hearts were really blessed by all we saw and experienced.  \
We were also excited to meet our former pastor's future son-in-law for the first time.  If you know us, then you know we love weddings!  It always amazes us to hear how God brings two people together over unique circumstances.  They meet, they grow to love each other, and they unite to become a family. Truly Amazing!

We are currently waiting for the results of the Three County Fair. We entered several crafts and some of our 4H chickens.  We will find out tomorrow how we did. If we win, I'm sure you will hear about it, if we don't....

In the meantime here are some photos capturing our Summer.

Me, discussing some important thing.

Cassidy, Coloring her hot rock for the Fair

Raymond practicing his sign

Aaliyah's photo of her chickens playing in the yard

First day of school

First eggs from our hens

 

Petting zoo pic

We decided to visit the Ark Encounter in KY on the way home. I highly recommend it!

Raymond passed out in one of the classrooms after the anniversary service in Wilson, NC

Rayanna in her saucer with a big grin

Cassidy's baptism

The Cousins' last Sunday with us.

The cousins first Sunday with us.

 

Raymond's favorite shirt.  Aaliyah practicing with the camera again.

Until Next Time,



Grace Under Fire!

Hello Friends!

You may be wondering why I have entitled this post "Grace under Fire!". It is because I believe we truly have been under attack from the enemy; but no worries! God has truly given grace!!!
During this Summer when the temperatures have been averaging about 105 degrees, our ac has been out.  When I say the AC has been out...that is exactly what I mean!  The churches AC was out (all three units!), our home's AC was out, and our vehicles AC was out all at the same time.  The grace of God has been evident because on the day that the AC went out in our home a big storm rolled in and stayed for 3 days.  The afternoon of day three, the repair man was able to come and fix it. As he was leaving (I kid you not) the sun broke through the clouds! What a blessing!

Many of our church members are going through storms in their lives.  As the Lord brings it to mind, please say a prayer for the people of Lighthouse Baptist church. I am not at liberty to go into detail, but it always amazes me when several families seem to go through the same exact trial at the same time.

Last of all, we have an injured chick.   She just happens to be one of the five we have named out of 18.  One day she just started walking strangely.  She has digressed to a state of lameness.  She eats and drinks and such fine; but she cannot even stand. She has been ill for 3 weeks and now has begun to scoot around. I have researched a lot online and I believe she has a disorder called perosis that comes from a lack of magnesium in the mothers diet. Perosis causes chicks to have a vitamin B deficiency and manifests usually between 2 to 8 weeks.  I could be completely wrong; but in the meantime we are giving her vitamins and I will continue to nurse her as long as possible. Truth be told, I can't see myself or my husband slaughtering/culling her for food.  I'm sure its a mental thing that I will have to get over; but I do not look forward to that part of raising hens. We are looking forward to all the eggs we expect come September, but have no intention of eating any of the chickens.

Injured "Blonde"

Cassidy and one of her favorite past times

Rayanna and her friend at church

Aaliyah holding "Pooh"

Raymond DeSean helping with the corn

 Until next time,

So What's been going on in my life since February?....Plenty!
Most recently I have been trying to finish up school with the older three.  I teach Aaliyah 5 days a week, Cassidy 4 days a week, and DeSean 3 days a week... when he lets me get away with it ( He LOVES school!).So much has happened during this school year that we became quite a bit behind schedule.  We should finish up just in time for the girlie's birthdays in June if I add one day on to each of their routines.
Also, it's planting time for the garden.  I spend an hour or two in the garden almost everyday.  I really enjoy gardening and this year I have tired to incorporate it into the kids lessons.  We also have decided to raise chickens through the 4-H program in our town.  When we first got them them they were SO cute...but now 2 weeks later...they are not so cute.  Their feathers and color is beginning to come in and I guess they are starting to establish a pecking order so they "fight" almost constantly.
Of course I am enjoying having little Rayanna around.  She is a delightful, chatty little thing who loves the attention of her siblings.  When she finds herself alone, she lets us know that someone needs to come and entertain her.  Aaliyah reads her stories, Cassidy sings for her, and Raymond DeSean jumps, hops, or whatever else he can think of for her.

In the church, as a Pastor's wife, the Lord is teaching me to love our people as they are...not as I wish them to be.  Sometimes we think that someone should know better than to ____________, but they evidently don't...and it is ok because as 1 Corinthians 13 teaches us- Love is patient, kind, and forgiving.

The Beckles 2016

A common sight each Sunday night.

I bet he thinks its OK to break the rule because he can't read.

I start seeds in egg cartons then plant them in the garden when they have 3 leaves.

Rayanna

Aaliyah and Cassidy

The chicks arrive

Grandma Beckles pays a visit

The kids watching Mama and Cassidy work in the garden

Fun day at the Arboretum

Me: why did you take your clothes off?
Him; I have to go poop!
The joys of potty training!!!

I hope this little update finds you all well and busy in your castles.
Until next time,

Our Newest Addition!

Introducing Rayanna Lynell Beckles!!!
Born February 11, 2016 at 4:10 a.m.
Mama and baby are both doing well.

Until Next Time,