a family journey

I love genealogy and family history. It has been a hobby of mine for years, though it fell to the wayside since having children....and the priorities therein. I recently found out my uncle has been working on information too since his retirement, and I have really enjoyed emailing him and learning more about the family.

We have a unique family history in that we have photographs dating back to the 1800s of family members and so much of our history has been captured visually. The side of the family I am currently researching is on my mother's side and they came from Kentucky.

Risner Family

My great-grandmother Carrie is in the middle row, second from the right. She was the oldest of eight siblings and after her family moved to Ohio, she lived in Tipp City.

Carrie's brothers Carl and Espy

It is so neat to see how people lived 150 years ago, and know the origins of a family. Here is the homestead in Bath County, Kentucky.

Homestead at Sherbourne, Bath County, KY

If you are interested in seeing more of our research as it progresses, check out our share site Kinfolk and Memories. We will be adding content over the course of the next several months, and I am so very excited to see this work come together.

crazy bowl

Our dear friend Foster invited us to come watch him and some friends play "crazy bowl" at the bowling alley. It really was quite fun to watch. The rules are unconventional and the scoring is as crazy as the gimmicks required during the game. We had some family friends spending the night with our kids, so we were out on the town with five kids who thought it was great fun to eat at Skyline Chili and watch "old people" bowl. (Sorry Foster, you're not old).  The best bowl was when Foster was supposed to knock down only the 10 pin. Up in the air he went, landed flat on his back and never saw that he made a strike. Thankfully, he was OK! That was surely an impressive way to bowl.

Foster bowling backwards under the legs

the gang at the bowling alley

Foster and his fan club

with friend A

storage solutions

Sometimes good ideas happen completely by accident. I was cleaning my refrigerator the other day and organizing the shelves as I went. Later that afternoon I had to make a run to Meijer for something and was walking through the storage aisle. I love wire baskets and such, and saw these very narrow baskets. I remembered having taco salad this week and trying to pull out the salsa I needed in the back of the fridge. The baskets gave me a good idea: put similar jars in a basket and simply pull the entire basket out when I needed something from that group. It has organized my refrigerator so nicely.

the shelf before....organized but not easily accessible

the baskets with the jars sorted

baskets in the fridge....so tidy

The next storage solution this week was for plastic bags. We have tried using the "green" bags, but still have uses for the plastic from time to time, so we still have to find a place to store them. I have antiques in my kitchen, and one was an old malted milk container - it stands about 12 inches tall. It had been sitting empty for years. I hate to let good storage space go to waste, especially in our old farm house that has very little storage. This week I stuffed all my plastic bags inside and put the lid on. Decoration and functional at the same time! If I had only had this epiphany years ago.

plastic bags

bags in the malt container

no eye-sore bags around. Yes!

superman and the pink balloon

Call us crazy, but we thought it might be fun to relax Saturday evening by going shopping as a family at the Jeffersonville Outlet Mall....with three children five and under. :-) The kids were pretty patient as we perused through Pottery Barn {found a giant pillow for $9.00 - score!} and looked at things that were mostly uninteresting to them. Frederick did find a box of soccer balls and wanted to play a game in the store. Time to go. Next, we stopped by Old Navy because the outlet store is 40% off everything, even clearance. Awesome! We found coats for next year for $6.00 and under. That is cheaper than Goodwill, and they are brand new.

As we were checking out, the cashier gave Elauna the last balloon he had...and it was pink. She was so excited. The cashier must not have known too much about children, because when you have 2 sets of eyes staring at you, you can't give just ONE balloon. Poor Frederick. He came running to me with those big eyes full of tears, wondering why they didn't have any more balloons. Thankfully, there was this sweet girl who works at Old Navy standing nearby. She quietly told me they had balloons in the back, asked me if he would like one and what color. I said that would be very nice. She returned with three different colored balloons and gave Frederick his choice....blue. He was ecstatic! You would have thought he had won a special award. His face beamed and he and Elauna danced in the checkout line. These balloons were their prized possessions!

We headed outside because it was getting late and Jeremy had one more place to stop. Elauna stopped quick and said, "Oh no, Mommy, my balloon." Apparently when they blow them up they do not tie them. They simply loop the end through the holder on the stick. I tied a knot in the balloon and reattached to her stick. Then I tied Frederick's balloon too. We trotted on down to the next store. A lady asked Elauna if she wanted to share her balloon.....no, she didn't. At least she was polite when she answered the lady. :-)

All done shopping. It was freezing cold and windy and we were ready to head home. We walked across the parking lot towards our pickup parked in the last row. Blustery....brrr. I was pushing the stroller, Frederick on my right, Elauna on my left. The wind was so strong and I looked at Frederick holding tight to his balloon. I asked to hold his balloon because for a half second I had this horrid thought of losing that precious balloon. Shame on me for thinking that, because as I turned to get Elauna's balloon.........away it went. In a flash, it was floating across the pavement with a big gust of wind. Her little heart stopped. "NO!" Her eyes welled up with tears. There was no way I would ever catch it. I looked up and there was my superhero husband running......very fast.....across the parking lot to save his daughter's pink balloon. He caught it. I am STILL amazed.

words of wisdom {signs to make}

holly: ethiopia

My second ministry feature will be on my friend, Holly, twin-sister to Noel, whom I featured earlier this month. Holly is serving in Ethiopia. When I first met these girls they were serving together at a local church; Noel worked with children and Holly worked with youth. They would tell these amazing stories of places all over the world they had been on mission, sometimes together, sometimes independently. They are the only children in their family and have the sweetest parents, Jim and Rosie. The girls told this story of when their dad visited them while they were living in Haiti. He is a die-hard golfer and brought his clubs when he visited them. Who knows where he was planning to golf, but he brought them anyway. He found a metal roofed house in their village and began whacking the golf balls off the roof. That's Jim.

Holly and Noel

Holly was one of the first people I told after Jeremy and I were engaged. Jeremy was counseling a group of high-school boys at the time, and I volunteered when needed to teach youth seminars and talk with teen girls. She told me, "If something special happens, use the code 'bling' to let me know." We were meeting soon after my engagement, and I said, "By the way, "BLING." The biggest smile came across her face and, as only Holly can do, she showed her joy.

I'd like to share a bit from her blog, www.crosstrainafrica888.blogspot.com.

Sometimes I think we feel like we can’t approach {God} because we’re too dirty or too guilty- or not cleaned up enough. I remember many times staying away from “churches” or “fellowships” because I wasn’t where I needed to be in my relationship with God. I didn’t think Him or others would appreciate me coming that way. And of course, I liked those things not being known. Thankfully, because of Jesus, our sins can no longer separate us from God. Jesus paid for our sins…so we can approach God with full confidence. Sometimes we try to clean up or mask our “issues.” Here in Ethiopia, people cover up in shawls and blankets. But I believe God wants us to press in to Him, confidently. Our closeness to Him is up to us. He knows us to the core of who we are. He sees us. And still loves us. Amazing!

Village life in Ethiopia

When Holly arrived in Ethiopia in 2011, she described life there like this: "I think when you shake off the fast pace of the western world and slow down to really breathe, walk, and connect with people...days seem much more full and you feel much more tired too."

students in the class she teaches

Holly uses a free time during her English classes to allow students to talk, and she uses it as an opportunity to share God-moments with her students while helping them learn English. Check out her blog for more on what she is doing in Ethiopia. She takes everyday experiences and finds the truths from God's word to apply.

A servants heart. Obedience and a willingness to go where Jesus calls. A true heart of a missionary.



just one step

"In the winter of wet years the streams ran full-freshet, and they swelled the river until sometimes it raged and boiled, bank full, and then it was a destroyer."                           John Steinbeck, East of Eden

It is no longer snowing here in Ohio; it is raining. And raining. The pretty coat of white has been replaced with gray skies and fog. It would be very romantic as seen in a Jane Austen movie with English countrysides and proper manors. And lush green gardens. They always seem to edit out the continual sound of the rain with the melodies of a string quartet. 

quiet country on a gray day

I love watching flooded rivers flow with the power of the water. They can sweep entire trees down the river as if they were twigs. I remember when I was in elementary school I watched an entire embankment disappear as a wall of water pushed it over, and full grown trees folded in half and washed away in a matter of seconds. It was awe-inspiring, and a bit frightening. I was amazed at the power of the water. As I was driving in the rain today, through flooded roads and muddy driveways, I was reminded of the flood stage at harvest. In Israel. 

local river cresting its banks

fast current

soon to cover the road

both overflows from Echo Lake 

This relatively small river was nearly over the bridge, and the water was moving at a fast pace. I would not dare walk through, or try to swim in a river such as this. It would be risking my life. Yet, when Joshua was asked by the Lord to cross the River Jordan at flood stage, he was obedient. He and half-a-million people walked on dry ground. The Lord commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous. He said, "Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged." Why? Because if you do as the Lord has said, he will be with you wherever you go. What did the Lord require? Obedience - to everything written in the law. A commitment to his word - for it to be always on our lips, to be ever mindful of what it says, and do everything written in his word. Speak. Remember. Do.

This is a time of new beginnings, new resolutions, new ideas. I am a planner. I am futuristic. I would like to accomplish many things in 2013. As my mind rushes through the year, trying to ensure I have the many months covered with my plans, I hear his voice behind me saying...."This is the way, walk in it." The Lord is asking me to be obedient. The Israelites did not know how they were going to cross the Jordan; they just knew they were going to cross the Jordan. The Lord is asking me not to over-plan: just be obedient. 

What does it take to be obedient? Just one step. The first step. And then the next.

"Now when the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing.....until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground." {Joshua 3:15-17} When we are obedient, the Lord will be with us. Take that step to the water's edge - whatever....or wherever....that might be for you. He is waiting to turn your flood into dry ground.

pin board

A few years ago my sister and I went to an auction {which I love to do} and the lady whose items were for sale had been an artist. She had tons of old frames, some good...others so-so. I bought entire boxes of antique frames for $1.00! Yes, I am a scavenger and I like really good deals. These frames have been in my attic waiting for good projects.

This one was made for a friend.

This project uses one of those frames. Since it wasn't in great condition and had no glass, I painted it the color my daughter chose....her favorite: pink! I used Rustoleum 2X to spray both sides of the frame until it has a nice sheen.

Next, use a staple gun and some cotton twine and zig zag the twine and staple to the back of the frame. Do this for both a vertical run and a horizontal run.

Example: pink is the first vertical run.
When to the bottom, reverse and go to the top
between the gaps of the first run (the blue line).

Next, I took scrap fabric and rolled to make a rosette. A strip two feet long by one or two inches wide will make the big rosette. After the rosette is formed, hot glue the back to hold the shape. I then glued it to the corner of the frame. Differing sizes give it some variation.

After making the rosettes, I cut triangles from the same fabric to make a miniature bunting. I hand wrote the letters on each piece, but a stamp could be used instead. If you are writing the letter yourself, use a Sharpie pen - fine tip, or something comparable.  Hand sew the pieces on a piece of cotton twine using a matching thread. Leave a few inches on either end to allow the bunting to hang natural instead of straight across.

Finally, choose a fabric for the back of the frame and hot glue to the back. I use the tiny clothes pins to hold on pictures and letters.

I sent all the components but the frame to our missionary friends in Haiti. Pat made a frame from twigs and Cheryl assembled the rest of the project. I think it looks very cute, and I love the natural look of it.

feed sack memo board

I love old feed sacks or coffee bags, and am always looking for news ways to upcycle them. I thought of this idea the other day after walking through Hobby Lobby. I saw a memo board and flipped it over and it looked like the back of a canvas for painting. I went to the painting section and found a two-pack of 16"x20" painting canvases for 7.00 (before the 40% off - yeah).

Supplies Needed:

16"x20" painting canvas
feed sack or fabric of choice (at least 20"x24")
quilting filler
upholstery nails (I found decorative flower heads)
cotton twine or jute twine
staple gun and short staples
super glue
flat nose pliers

I doubled the quilting filler to add thickness to the canvas, but enough to keep the design on the feed sack flat. {To give it a French-tuft look, add several layers of the filler or use a very thick filler and run a needle and thread through the back and pull tight, as you would when sewing on a button).

Center the feed sack on the canvas and flip over. Staple the edges to the back of the canvas.

Run the cotton twine in a criss-cross pattern over the board and staple each run to the back. Push the upholstery nails through each cross section.

Flip the board over and clip off the ends of the nails with pliers. (My dad helped me with this part....they are tough little nails.) After the ends are clipped, super glue the nails to the fabric.....make sure to do this on the backside not the front.

Here is the finished product:

noel: czech republic

I am super excited this year to be featuring at least two ministries per month as an opportunity to share what God is doing is these friends lives. Jeremy and I are directly involved with most, and so many are a very special part of our lives. We hope their testimonies and ministries show the many ways the gospel is being shared worldwide.

I start the year with my very special friend, Noel, who has been serving in the Czech Republic since 2005. Our journey started together in 2004, when we both travelled to the Czech to help with the summer English camp hosted by the Common Grounds Ministry. Both Noel and I felt the Lord talking to us and asking us to trust his guidance for our future.

There was this one beautiful summer day when we had a break from the teaching and we rode the gondola up to the top of the mountain in this ski town we were staying in, Janske Lanze, near the Polish border. (Note: ski town in summer is prime for hiking - no snow). We had lunch at this local bistro/pub with our friends and decided to hike down the mountain the remainder of the afternoon. It is one of those adventures that is ingrained in my memory so clearly. It was this hike down the mountain that the fog cleared from our vision and we knew for certain the direction the Lord was taking each of us. The hard part was that as close as we hard grown, he was calling us to opposite sides of the world.

Here I am on the hike.

Noel was certain God had called her to work with the poor, and though the Czech people were not monetarily poor, they were destitute in spirit. They did not know God, nor had they been taught about God with years of atheism in their country. She heeded God's call and moved to the Czech Republic the fall of 2005 and has been in full time ministry there since. She worked in Renice with Common Grounds teaching English through Bible study, working with children and young ladies....many of whom are serving in ministry themselves now. She also helped introduce mission work to the Czech people - a concept very foreign to them. She was key in starting a ministry in Ethiopia where she has been visiting on short-term mission. The lady is crazy (in a wonderfully-good way); she does mission within mission and truly loves her work for Jesus. She is a true friend and I am so fortunate to know her!!

You can read more about Noel on her profile with TEAM minstries. {click here} She is now embarking on a new phase of her ministry in the Czech, as she and friend Petra are starting a business focusing on health and fitness in Prague, creating opportunites to share Christ and offer counseling in safe environments.