Corn Party!

We had a great day on Wednesday with some friends who offered to let us come do a corn day with them! Some of us went out and picked the corn on Wednesday morning, and then we got to work chopping the ends off of each ear.  

Then we put loads of corn through the boiler, with the husks still on.

As each load of corn came out of the boiler, it was taken over to the ladies who were shucking it under running water. Since the corn had been boiled, the husks and silks came off much easier!

After each ear was shucked, it was put into a big tub of cold water to cool. 

After that, it was taken out...

...and run through the cutter, which removes all of the corn from the cob. 

Next, quart-size bags are labeled.

Then the corn is put into bags, and taken to the freezer. 

So there you have the whole operation in a nut-shell! It's pretty neat to see what all can be done in a day. The Lord has blessed us very richly through our generous friends who planted the corn and gave it away after all the hard work was done! Thank you, Huenefelds!

Fun in Kansas!

My family and I spent a weekend in Kansas, and we really had a lot of fun with the relatives! Here are a few pics of what we did! Sorry they're a bit grainy...they were taken with my ipod.

I really enjoyed watching my cousin Ashley work with her horse, Dixie!

Ashley has been training Dixie ever since Dixie was very young, 

and I've seen her make lots of progress!

Here she's swinging the training whip to get Dixie used to a rope
flying around her head.

Teaching Dixie to lie down

Working her with the saddle on

Jumping!

Ashley and her beautiful horse!

I also got to go to a bluegrass jam with Ashley, Kara

and some of their friends!

And of course, I always love watching my brother and cousins

ride their dirtbikes!!!

I'm so thankful for the relatives that the Lord has given me! 

I have the best cousins ever!

A big thanks to Grandma Bergen for all of her hospitality and 

wonderful meals, too! Love you, Grandma! It was great to see you!

VBS

Our church's VBS went on this past week, every evening, Monday through Friday, at the park!

We are so thankful for Dan Vander Velde, who did the teaching through his paintings each night. 

He and his wife, Melissa, did the hard work and planning for this VBS, and they did an amazing job!

Katie and I and some other friends took turns doing the hangman game each night.

Katie's turn was on Tuesday.

My turn was on Thursday!

Danielle, Katie, Thomas and I led the songs for the kids.

And of course...game time with the kids!!!

Tug of war: Adults against kids

We were so thankful for each of the kids that came to VBS, 

and for all the adults that helped out...especially the ones that made

cookies for snacks! =D

"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."

John 12:32

Engaged!!!

On Saturday afternoon, June 28, 2014, Mitchell Quiring asked me to be his wife! I said yes, and we are officially engaged!

I am so thankful to the Lord for this very special man that He has placed in my life. God has grown us together in so many ways, and has used us to help each other to grow in Him. 

Mitchell, you are so thoughtful, generous, and loving, even when I don't deserve it. You are dependable and hardworking, and I feel secure in knowing that you will always do your best to provide for me, even though it is ultimately God who provides. You are strong and have solid convictions, yet you have a soft heart toward others. You're so unselfish, and always looking for ways to help others out. Your care and love for me are so obvious, and as I keep growing closer to you, I keep being more and more amazed at the man God has made you to be! You are a wonderful example to me in so many different ways, and God has used you so much to point me toward Himself. You have completely stolen my heart, and I am so proud to be your future wife! I love you!

Isn't the ring gorgeous? =) I love it!

God is so amazing! He is awesome!

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised!

Psalm 48:1