tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208541902024-03-07T22:20:48.332-06:00The ArkanbloggersA site dedicated to a bit about our family and the faith which drives us.Arkanblogger Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871636480201349551noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-31737685065679512112012-07-24T21:59:00.001-05:002012-07-24T21:59:25.496-05:00Go and Do Likewise<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNldAl8qIYFHSD7ac2oWNQpMPTNIQlQLIJAKX-sYcRri07D6dCuViOvhDISmA7sMvhl39dCjNNFfJWj1cgnQQ1lnMSmJHz65iPSeWKdGizP69MsDN1ElvxuuJeEt4kLmo0a3lPA/s1600/business-shingle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNldAl8qIYFHSD7ac2oWNQpMPTNIQlQLIJAKX-sYcRri07D6dCuViOvhDISmA7sMvhl39dCjNNFfJWj1cgnQQ1lnMSmJHz65iPSeWKdGizP69MsDN1ElvxuuJeEt4kLmo0a3lPA/s1600/business-shingle.jpg" /></a></div>
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Well, I told you I'd be right back. Yesterday, I was listening to some archived talks on the web from R. J. Rushdooney and from Dr. Francis Schaeffer, which got my gears grinding, which is precisely why I listen to them in the first place. I was sharing some of what I heard with one of my close friends and counselors and he reminded me that one of the ideals that Rushdooney propogated was that Christians should stop their middling around and complaining bitterly about other people taking their individual and collective profits and using them to re-shape the world into a place which lines up with their ungodly worldview. Rushdooney's point was that Christians should be doing the same exact thing, using our individual and collective (pooled) resources to invest in businesses opportunities, making some serious Kingdom impact. Let me provide you with a short list of very high profile companies just for starters:<br />
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1. American Family Radio-a network of more than 180 radio stations broadcasting Christian-oriented programming to over 40 states.<br />
2. Chick-Fil-A-You have to be living under a rock not to have heard of this company.<br />
3. In and Out Burger-At the owner's request, you will find Bible verses printed in inconspicuous places on various cups and wrappers.<br />
4. Daystar Television Network- President and CEO, Marcus D. Lamb, began preaching at the age of fifteen and by 27-years-old he became the youngest person to ever form a television station in the United States. As one of the fastest growing Christian television networks in the world, Daystar proves that a Christian owned business can thrive, owning and operating over 70 TV stations across the U.S.<br />
5. Five and Dime Productions-Brothers, ASU Alums and TV and Filmmakers Dave and Rich Christiano<br />
6. Mary Kay-Mary Kay's motto is: "God first, family second, career third." <br />
7. Wendy's-Founder Dave Thomas was was often quoted as saying, "You can be anything you want to be within the laws of God and Man." <br />
8. Interstate Batteries-Their mission statement reads: "To glorify God as we supply our customers worldwide with top quality, value-priced batteries..." As one of the most reliable Christian owned businesses around today, they've become the number one replacement brand battery in North America.<br />
9. Zondervan Publishing-Their more than 5,000 Bibles, books and other faith-based products are sold in more than 60 countries around the world. Zondervan is definitely one the best Christian owned and operated businesses setting an example for others who wish to bring faith into their finances.<br />
10. EMI Christian Music Group-Founder Billy Ray Hearn has said, "I've always been led by the importance of doing what God says to do," and he takes pride in representing his beliefs through his business.<br />
11. Big Idea Entertainment-Big Idea is responsible for the popular series of children's videos better known as "VeggieTales," which features talking vegetables such as Larry the Cucumber.<br />
12. eHarmony-The company's founder, Dr. Neil Clark Warren, is an evangelical Christian who has been widely supported by the Christian community.<br />
13. Bott Radio Network-based in Overland Park, KS with 61 current affiliates across the U.S.<br />
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Think about it folks. The next one could be you...or me. <br />
<br />Arkanblogger Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871636480201349551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-26899360702356857962012-07-24T20:14:00.001-05:002012-07-24T20:14:35.585-05:00A New StartI sit here writing with Sherlock Holmes playing in the background. Not the Robert Downey nonsense but the AETN version. I'm not much on TV but the one thing I admire about British "tele", is that they don't seem to be so focused on outward beauty and perfection, like American television. The British provide me with solidarity in the fact that I never got braces. <br />
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On another note, it's been ages since any of us contributed to this blog, so I thought we'd give it a new look and move forward, using it as more of a site to share thoughts and ideas regarding the strengthening of marriages, families and a pro-life culture.<br />
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Be back soon!Arkanblogger Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871636480201349551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-43191349386126289252007-12-28T22:35:00.000-06:002007-12-29T09:43:43.012-06:00Greetings From Columbia, Missouri!It's been a while since our last post and the year 2007 is fast coming to a close, so I wanted to slide in one more paragraph or two under the wire before the clock strikes midnight on Monday.<br /><br />Exactly one year ago, we had taken the mother of all North American winter road trips from Central Arkansas to Southwest Montana for Mrs. Arkanblogger's parents' 50th anniversary celebration and to snow ski for a week. This year we've managed to make it to Rogers, AR for a quick overnight at Mimi and Popsey's (not even 24 hours), then to Harrison, AR for a couple of days at Peepaw and Nana's and then on to Columbia, MO for a few more days. Lots of packing and unpacking with the 7 of us. Argh!!! Next year, the plan is, Lord Willing, that we'll be staying home for Christmas and the New Year.<br /><br />It's a balmy 20 degrees outside this evening and thankfully, I'm in bed tucked under an electric blanket (with dual controls I might add). We are in the home of my brother-in-law and his sweet wife, who are not only OUR hosts, but are also housing and feeding my mother and father-in-law and beginning tomorrow, my sister-in-law, her husband and their 3 children. It's a virtual hotel around here.<br /><br />This year has brought with it, several noteable events of both sadness and great joy. The troubling times include but are not limited to, the untimely death of a friend of our family, the passing of my last living Grandmother, a car accident resulting in life threatening injuries to a friend of my children and my father-in-law suffrering a series of strokes that have left him with some challenges to face and overcome and Mrs. A's auto accident which has left her with lingering neck problem.......on the other hand, our oldest daughter started her college program and is progressing nicely with all A's and one B so far, our 2nd oldest won 1st Place in the state 4-H Fine Arts Competion, all of my family except me were part of the cast of "The Gospel According to Scrooge" at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship (which drew around 1700 people to 4 evening performances), Mrs. A and I went to Baylor as sponsors with the Cornerstone Celebration Singers to watch them perform in Youth Cue (at which our oldest daughter got asked to participate in the National Youth Cue Tour to Canada), Mrs. A and I got to fly to Dallas the week before Christmas for an evening out with my regional office counterparts and their spouses, I got to visit Chicago for the first time and attend the national Greenbuild Conference, one of my childhood friends and his wife moved back to Arkansas from Texas and Mrs. A, Grace and myself have changed our lives by changing the type and portions of food we intake and by making excercise a part of our daily routine..........resulting in reduced clothing sizes by all involved. We plan to meet our goals on fitness and weight reduction by the end of March and are well on our way. When appropriate, we'll post before and after pictures. You'll be amazed and hopefully some of you will even be inspired to do it yourselves.<br /><br />Speaking of goals, we're setting a few for 2008, which I'll list here over the next few days. I encourage you to do the same....keeping the list realistic, challenging and manageable.<br /><br />I hope that all of you will take the time to reflect on the past 12 months and reflect on those things that need changing in your life and be thankful for your blessings. Make a list of them and pray that others might specifically receive them. If you can be the messenger of a blessing, then go and do it.<br /><br />God's Blessings in 2008!!!<br /><br />The ArkanbloggerArkanblogger Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871636480201349551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-64229562766818909462007-09-30T19:40:00.000-05:002007-09-30T19:40:22.778-05:00Summer!Here are some pictures of Caitlin and I with Kayleigh the artist, and two of our other dear friends. These were taken at a really neat coffee shop where we got together as a sort of end of Summer get together. More pictures to come!<br /><br />Paige<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-84FBpXQoic0cfcNEjKS-ZPSLl_A1hQwS4IbZ4JYGoqH8knBYaJ3-sCJ3MZx3GpiwPdUKINlf7EAsNzTRHQ5KrnaJ1Z90gH8yafpVaYxFL_kspRuYQ6n0fMSVSmWI27oiuME/s1600-h/2007+128.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-84FBpXQoic0cfcNEjKS-ZPSLl_A1hQwS4IbZ4JYGoqH8knBYaJ3-sCJ3MZx3GpiwPdUKINlf7EAsNzTRHQ5KrnaJ1Z90gH8yafpVaYxFL_kspRuYQ6n0fMSVSmWI27oiuME/s400/2007+128.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzr7UAK53d_3gT528UD9c79ERhYT-5Qmc7vFb9UzL_JaE7YkKTIej6n6fqnLqB3NNlLTSSUkf0nDEN4-NDGt823yirb1Q2dL-dkMRuJ3ojn0qKigQsdYE5Pj821ZdMPZoEzas_/s1600-h/2007+131.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzr7UAK53d_3gT528UD9c79ERhYT-5Qmc7vFb9UzL_JaE7YkKTIej6n6fqnLqB3NNlLTSSUkf0nDEN4-NDGt823yirb1Q2dL-dkMRuJ3ojn0qKigQsdYE5Pj821ZdMPZoEzas_/s400/2007+131.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlBgrRc9TVulTWlX6-1VXieW9Au1nr0T4CoaO3M2uGTcY1T7AigXIcc5v4zP-oWplTV7u3xu_TytTYaI3-xXg6g8zrmqzFNTYkjcEx4Y77RfyBK3SG3cLIOrvYI_ZZpvma_ka/s1600-h/2007+111.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlBgrRc9TVulTWlX6-1VXieW9Au1nr0T4CoaO3M2uGTcY1T7AigXIcc5v4zP-oWplTV7u3xu_TytTYaI3-xXg6g8zrmqzFNTYkjcEx4Y77RfyBK3SG3cLIOrvYI_ZZpvma_ka/s400/2007+111.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFTiYec8yM0BLycfcayvxeM1jr16YpwTje7WNZHluQFlLam-XrW_dVMc0Q4MngwG9oL6EeosSZ_1Rky4F9s_sBUsHf5mtuC1OmVmpJbpJZmVsiqipX0e3skpomOMAMAaY25bH/s1600-h/2007+119.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFTiYec8yM0BLycfcayvxeM1jr16YpwTje7WNZHluQFlLam-XrW_dVMc0Q4MngwG9oL6EeosSZ_1Rky4F9s_sBUsHf5mtuC1OmVmpJbpJZmVsiqipX0e3skpomOMAMAaY25bH/s400/2007+119.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-27061215678424107392007-09-30T18:53:00.000-05:002007-09-30T18:54:08.478-05:00And more...<div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpikvUMqcqt70zbsG-PqBqZFiUV_RXPf1bEwYMmoWhI39iro4qivhTnynUgjgU-nEmmlIaoFr2SGU67iLC2HJKJA6-0M07um0Kjw0QhBPtzCvqyKW89jJBbz-J05G8S190rxY9/s1600-h/2007+020.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpikvUMqcqt70zbsG-PqBqZFiUV_RXPf1bEwYMmoWhI39iro4qivhTnynUgjgU-nEmmlIaoFr2SGU67iLC2HJKJA6-0M07um0Kjw0QhBPtzCvqyKW89jJBbz-J05G8S190rxY9/s400/2007+020.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rtw1azqA-kIC-ck_K1Cvj5_c_irTW0zWRl5S6CtMUGcT76aZEMTWHoeMBc0UsgdWTVaKJZFDRB6ZPLcQCAXj_lWNCGyHjbCqX3zp83mfJ5Wgdq5iMCaikRAq7WKgnVGiZ1ho/s1600-h/2007+023.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rtw1azqA-kIC-ck_K1Cvj5_c_irTW0zWRl5S6CtMUGcT76aZEMTWHoeMBc0UsgdWTVaKJZFDRB6ZPLcQCAXj_lWNCGyHjbCqX3zp83mfJ5Wgdq5iMCaikRAq7WKgnVGiZ1ho/s400/2007+023.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtTXdMvcgLEknCR2vx4VysVg87RZMggilAKNa6pZ3IvsMGuJL7wAvMooI9SkedGYlrGqcOdC4xkk8pdUl-OKNQyrt9LBsACH8F1fBkFqDdFUnBUz1qYHlfRwJUrnEtLnp96DR/s1600-h/2007+026.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtTXdMvcgLEknCR2vx4VysVg87RZMggilAKNa6pZ3IvsMGuJL7wAvMooI9SkedGYlrGqcOdC4xkk8pdUl-OKNQyrt9LBsACH8F1fBkFqDdFUnBUz1qYHlfRwJUrnEtLnp96DR/s400/2007+026.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYtOEwhlT9l2UGlRREir5knNz6yOtvxhoqRmJVmB4PDRZRzRmMzttEeUpzjUnBwztD3FSpSGe9DjqF7tfeDtwxcxn5wS5ketvRkbNje9LK_IeDHKhzcNz-1M6S3Xy3IAbOsCE/s1600-h/2007+029.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYtOEwhlT9l2UGlRREir5knNz6yOtvxhoqRmJVmB4PDRZRzRmMzttEeUpzjUnBwztD3FSpSGe9DjqF7tfeDtwxcxn5wS5ketvRkbNje9LK_IeDHKhzcNz-1M6S3Xy3IAbOsCE/s400/2007+029.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-72929550384212456002007-09-30T18:52:00.000-05:002007-09-30T18:52:48.123-05:00Continued from BelowHere are some more pictures from the Hardy trip!<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEV8WRj_rQEgRWzckSJmzqArCK9CyIT-DHp8jO_Q8WXyjt-IgbO88FIKoUvbxRUpNS97-C57GE_Mm215tx1XNnZmj08S9dAvqdOflc7-gglZ7OHVrKbGOqdkJWKC0BasO4Yl8/s1600-h/2007+012.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEV8WRj_rQEgRWzckSJmzqArCK9CyIT-DHp8jO_Q8WXyjt-IgbO88FIKoUvbxRUpNS97-C57GE_Mm215tx1XNnZmj08S9dAvqdOflc7-gglZ7OHVrKbGOqdkJWKC0BasO4Yl8/s400/2007+012.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfojmNK0eztkG_r68CxUzOKtIiMUFOq-AVJ_FA5CmUGx0uvz7hXDCpyFrAh_uBumc_O7fJ_G2msBPlXr9I7jMIpBg8bpmMW0RqKHVFixQDi8SU5mpFhsxYOf3K4dqw5lE7SbG/s1600-h/2007+014.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfojmNK0eztkG_r68CxUzOKtIiMUFOq-AVJ_FA5CmUGx0uvz7hXDCpyFrAh_uBumc_O7fJ_G2msBPlXr9I7jMIpBg8bpmMW0RqKHVFixQDi8SU5mpFhsxYOf3K4dqw5lE7SbG/s400/2007+014.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoolGQXj2OHfyTj6YrOAUZtZab4L8ckEa-4LfsQlH6QF7X21gw-JQk8TA_IG0zWoM2L55xly2oVSLNv6gGCI6r20dzYZsgc2kHpc0kbc5IL6TKNhWwNY_E8_DuEr5P9KQpB9B7/s1600-h/2007+017.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoolGQXj2OHfyTj6YrOAUZtZab4L8ckEa-4LfsQlH6QF7X21gw-JQk8TA_IG0zWoM2L55xly2oVSLNv6gGCI6r20dzYZsgc2kHpc0kbc5IL6TKNhWwNY_E8_DuEr5P9KQpB9B7/s400/2007+017.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9VZT9rrczgaYXRHbfxBiakHk6CQD0oC_ywiAQS8nMlbi62pl9X5f857szxhh8-h-4T447SXqJBmiOBCKRI0iY08ia4WriYtZc3WosEa9EoWsVL-343bvtt_H2SG-eBmLuVZL/s1600-h/2007+019.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9VZT9rrczgaYXRHbfxBiakHk6CQD0oC_ywiAQS8nMlbi62pl9X5f857szxhh8-h-4T447SXqJBmiOBCKRI0iY08ia4WriYtZc3WosEa9EoWsVL-343bvtt_H2SG-eBmLuVZL/s400/2007+019.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-70112551754143268322007-09-30T18:49:00.000-05:002007-09-30T18:49:46.980-05:00Greetings everyone! I hope that all of you have had a wonderful Summer and start of this GLORIOUS Fall season. I know that we have not posted on this blog in such a very long time, but I thought I would try and get us back up to date. There will probably be quite a few pictures for you all, and I will try to put a few normal posts up as I try to keep <a href="maidenology.blogspot.com">maidenology </a>updated as well (along with piano, school, choir, cheer, co-op, etc...). Here are some pictures of us with our cousins on a weekend trip to Hardy, Arkansas. Enjoy!<br /><br />Paige Arkanblogger<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcc1FBamCdwulDO_7mGBa0F3fMt_V-RyIvT7EuyTJcRe91yws21VSoHdn3Xdh-M9w9ml92ro_8GtgDdysPbp_gqsGeGCmQB676b-GNLRk5vs43wMu3xPtk5k8eurnpdCrlKTWk/s1600-h/2007+004.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcc1FBamCdwulDO_7mGBa0F3fMt_V-RyIvT7EuyTJcRe91yws21VSoHdn3Xdh-M9w9ml92ro_8GtgDdysPbp_gqsGeGCmQB676b-GNLRk5vs43wMu3xPtk5k8eurnpdCrlKTWk/s400/2007+004.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60rnFaO4gIpRfxlxIp-5SibDA7SVgh3GXCo9XxwOlAOM_xmQBTOwYQArHlo6nqLIs2t3qxkxW8oLIZ8lxJLX6cFXVlrRdMbpGY0uGmExkF3LegI7KgNvJpbuMTVC1L8Ts4xfB/s1600-h/2007+005.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60rnFaO4gIpRfxlxIp-5SibDA7SVgh3GXCo9XxwOlAOM_xmQBTOwYQArHlo6nqLIs2t3qxkxW8oLIZ8lxJLX6cFXVlrRdMbpGY0uGmExkF3LegI7KgNvJpbuMTVC1L8Ts4xfB/s400/2007+005.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_UNuUt28APAI4We0yQ01iIv1hubzPDlywQ8j8rvoeV4amAc6YIJul9yX9etCVpG59iAXkn6C4-DiRd2zUmFemCoyYaScAJ1t-tXgYPC_OjNqEAxDss8WUxSefnCqwdftzlF1/s1600-h/2007+006.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_UNuUt28APAI4We0yQ01iIv1hubzPDlywQ8j8rvoeV4amAc6YIJul9yX9etCVpG59iAXkn6C4-DiRd2zUmFemCoyYaScAJ1t-tXgYPC_OjNqEAxDss8WUxSefnCqwdftzlF1/s400/2007+006.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsw5hmGy8pAxylsEe8B1BnWbwFKJyDcWIcTfxPNgfVu_mVyCN-_2W5PMnRMlI0jPDex5J6KYCWsXrBs-Cq8_Tl7vnhnszj0sQPkthg1r84nVhyWBdiTA_hfPgFV9wc0aJfBA1f/s1600-h/2007+010.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsw5hmGy8pAxylsEe8B1BnWbwFKJyDcWIcTfxPNgfVu_mVyCN-_2W5PMnRMlI0jPDex5J6KYCWsXrBs-Cq8_Tl7vnhnszj0sQPkthg1r84nVhyWBdiTA_hfPgFV9wc0aJfBA1f/s400/2007+010.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-46409851641413069202007-07-23T20:47:00.000-05:002007-07-23T22:05:39.205-05:00Home Away From HomeTonight, I find myself and young Christopher tucked away in a beautiful historic bed and breakfast (<a href="http://jonesborobandb.com/">http://jonesborobandb.com/</a>)found in the thriving community of Jonesboro, Arkansas. This lovely old home, which is owned by one of my customers and is run by his sister and her husband, is a favorite overnighter of mine.....and it is an extra treat to bring young master C with me this time around. The weather is unseasonably cool and we had the opportunity visit out on the expansive porch and enjoy the quiet of the early evening, while swinging in the big wicker swing and drinking homemade lemonade. I didn't want to come inside and I treasure times like these with my children.<br /><br />May God bless all of you...........<br /><br />The ArkanbloggerArkanblogger Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871636480201349551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-65184057318586577792007-06-17T22:40:00.000-05:002007-06-17T23:10:43.596-05:00Father's Day BlessingFirst of all, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!! Today was absolutely amazing. Such a wonderful way to spend Father's Day. I don't have much time, so I am limited to telling you about the main event of today.<br /><br />Ever since last fall, our choir has been working hard on a repertoire to sing at a <a href="http://maidenology.blogspot.com/2007/02/festival-2007.html">choir festival </a>perform at the end of the year with the members of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra at a gorgeous church. This is tradition with our choir every other year. But this year, it was a little different. Not only did we have the first group of seniors graduating from the choir who had been in it for as long as possible, or the group of alumni (including some of the original 13 of the choir...we are now at over 80 at least) who came back to sing a few songs with us, but this year, we were doing our concert as a benefit for the <a href="http://hope4hannah.com/">Hope 4 Hannah project</a>. This made it all the more special, helping to take the focus of off us, and to put it on the Lord. <br /><br />This year, our concert was held at a beautiful church that had great acoustics for a choir to sing in. After the hours of practicing on Monday night, the hard work from all of our sectionals coaches, and the time and major of our choir director, Pastor Eddie, it was so wonderful to get to go and sing in a place like that with a real orchestra. This concert was an experience that I will <strong>never</strong> forget. At first, I did not realize just how big of a deal this concert was (just like Pastor Eddie said...). But once the orchestra started playing, it hit me. <br /><br /><br />One thing that our choir director really does that makes our choir more than just any old youth choir is that he really tries to get us to sing each sing from our hearts, truly praising God. I would love to tell you about singing each song in particular, hearing our seniors sing the solos, and crying at the end because it was so amazing and such a blessing, but as I said, I am limited on time. But below you can see two pictures from tonight. One of them is a group picture of my sisters and I with Pastor Eddie, and the other is a picture of four of our seniors singing. Caitlin is the one with the microphone (she did wonderfully!). I am sorry the post is so short. Perhaps when we have our computer fixed, I will get to really tell you all about it! I hope that all of you had a truly blessed Father's Day!<br /><br />Paige<br /><br />PS: remember that you can click on the pics to make them bigger!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMV8QcfRkp19JZLV8N1M8oOFBYO2Q-XE2n5VQRZsYvwQs-ptFk33CJF5Q61u5z0HfVaBttEdumLWzWoSw-B5FpTtaa46j-EE4F46lKd1Xo-T3z0OgvMl3nWhyphenhyphenPOiLT8il_QxB/s1600-h/DSC02046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMV8QcfRkp19JZLV8N1M8oOFBYO2Q-XE2n5VQRZsYvwQs-ptFk33CJF5Q61u5z0HfVaBttEdumLWzWoSw-B5FpTtaa46j-EE4F46lKd1Xo-T3z0OgvMl3nWhyphenhyphenPOiLT8il_QxB/s400/DSC02046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077250474033417170" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4roWF29OZ5OeoLx5kGqy6oOwgNfLfJ7qCADR5sZmggx0B0JlJKbDW7iHHolicTLqgCHQtJ2UQGNywdRjl_yRNA3-7pRoG-i9ymmFTXiopAKE_3zwkNB3NK15S8iKovKf0-SBT/s1600-h/DSC02041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4roWF29OZ5OeoLx5kGqy6oOwgNfLfJ7qCADR5sZmggx0B0JlJKbDW7iHHolicTLqgCHQtJ2UQGNywdRjl_yRNA3-7pRoG-i9ymmFTXiopAKE_3zwkNB3NK15S8iKovKf0-SBT/s400/DSC02041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077250482623351778" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-19186649118979090342007-01-21T16:47:00.000-06:002007-02-13T16:44:10.592-06:00To Tell You The TruthLooking back at the news of the last couple of weeks, I am reminded of the recovery of the 2 young boys that had been abducted in Missouri. One had been missing for several days, another for a few years. Something that's impossible to grasp, unless it has happened to you or yours. A terrifying experience at the very least for one family and purely devastating for another that lived years without knowing the whereabouts of their son...or if he was dead or alive. They have had years stolen from them.<br /><br />When discussing these events with my very close friend, who lives near the area where the last young boy was abducted, he made memtion of a comment by one of the local churches. The comment was, "the recovery of these boys is proof that God still answers prayer".<br /><br />My friend, when describing this very common train of thought among many Christians as "vile" and "vulgar", was moved to anger. "What about", he asked, "the prayers for the children who haven't come home? Some of those children most assuredly have parents who are more righteous and prayed more fervently than the parents of these boys and their children are gone, probably forever. Others, are certainly not as righteous as the parents of the boys in the news and their children have been brought back to them...or moreover have never been taken at all". Statements such as the one made by that church, prove nothing but the lack of understanding, stupidity and/or arrogance of the people who make such comments. One cannot possibly say with any certainty, that whether God answers prayer or not, has <strong>anything</strong> to do with the recovery of these boys. We haven't even discussed the harm that more probably than possibly came to these young ones while being held captive. The extent of that damage has yet to be determined. Did the prayers not work until after a certain period of time? Or until after a certain amount of suffering was endured by the boys or their parents? Was all this to happen in God's own time? To be a proponent of such ideas as truth is vile and vulgar indeed.<br /><br />God is God and there is only one.<br />God is truth...He created it.<br />God is the Lawgiver.<br />We as a people, society and nation, are to abide by the Laws.<br />People can and do break these Laws, causing at times, untold harm to themselves and many times, others that were just simply in their path.<br />Christ redeems us when we confess, believe, repent and change our lives. He provides a "bridge back to God...or to righteousness. Personally, I don't think we have a complete understanding of the extent of what this means.<br />On that note, we who identify ourselves Christian people, nor anyone else, have not arrived at "all knowledge" or "complete understanding".<br />If we don't have understanding on an issue, then we have the opportunity and at times the responsibility to go on a quest for the truth. To pursue the answers as doggedly as finding out if the earth was flat or round. And remember that vocal proponents of a "round world" were at times murdered by the firm "flat world" believers for doing what? Telling the truth.<br /><br />-The ArkanbloggerArkanblogger Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871636480201349551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-63421146833832757642007-01-02T21:08:00.001-06:002007-01-02T21:53:33.799-06:00I Missed the SignHave you ever taken a wrong turn, then had to re-trace your steps because you didn't follow a sign? Well, I experienced this on the slopes as we were skiing down the mountain. It started just fine smooth. Nobody was falling, there was no snow falling, and it was a beautiful day. Until we went straight, instead of right. I was with Marie, Elizabeth and Emma Joy. As we were skiing, we all of a sudden came to a hill. But not just any hill, we were looking almost straight down. We had come to the black diamond hill properly named "Northern Lights" (perhaps this is what you see as you are going down?) Now I am not a professional skier, and I was not about to even attempt to ski down this thing. None of us were. So we took off our skis, put them on our shoulders, and hiked up the hill from whence we came. I guess you could call it our one adventure (that is what I kept on saying to everyone as we were hiking up). Marie and I made it to the top first, so I decided to take some video to have as a memory of our wrong turn. It really was not funny at the moment, but we can all laugh at it now. More pictures are coming soon (when I get them all sorted out...)<br /><br /><br />\<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OUMDgwpuIhQ"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OUMDgwpuIhQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Paige ;)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-85620208254245444442007-01-02T19:21:00.000-06:002007-01-02T19:27:29.102-06:00Real Twin FiddlingYou have heard me talk about the great music, so I thought I would give you a small taste of some of it. I wish I had some of all of it for you to hear, but this will have to do for now. On the fiddles are my cousin, and a good friend. The guitar player is the good friend's Mom. They played quite a few songs, but I personally think this one was one of their best. I hope you enjoy it! <br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iv4xqs21Cco"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iv4xqs21Cco" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="350"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-47512030451070862622007-01-02T18:50:00.000-06:002007-01-02T19:09:21.086-06:00Playing Cards...Here I learned how to play the wonderful game called "Aww Shucks". It was a bit like spades, but at the end there is a twist (it was a good one). At the other table people were playing "Wizard". This is a game that is also similar to spades and played like hearts. I recommend both of them, especially after a hard day of skiing. Ah, and <a href="http://media-brain.blogspot.com/">Uncle Mad </a>has a blog of his own. I am sure he would love for you to stop by!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WQMepY6l4Zs"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WQMepY6l4Zs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="350"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-82363811425299610602007-01-02T12:08:00.000-06:002007-01-02T18:50:24.988-06:00Round One of the Photos from our TripHere are some of the pictures from our trip. These particular ones are from the night of the party. It was my Grandparents 50th anniversary. There were many other pictures taken, but here are some of them. There is one pictures that is not from the party that I will explain. Oh, due to loading issues, they are in no particular order. Hmmm.<br /><br />This picture is behind the house where we stayed before heading to the cabins. Christopher was quite overwhelmed by its size. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfHZr0WFvsrilrZUc7VcXpzgzOUMgjn5PqMHIjGeC-Xi4Hs0nqekv6oyQO1X5UD2tAX2JguEkt2LFBpadY3nOB_2nOwwL8ig3YfdcmiBG3nijYwUN9rI3xxhxd91fulG7cbPm/s1600-h/DSC00266.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfHZr0WFvsrilrZUc7VcXpzgzOUMgjn5PqMHIjGeC-Xi4Hs0nqekv6oyQO1X5UD2tAX2JguEkt2LFBpadY3nOB_2nOwwL8ig3YfdcmiBG3nijYwUN9rI3xxhxd91fulG7cbPm/s400/DSC00266.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015506277245683602" /></a><br /><br />This is <a href="http://montanamaiden.blogspot.com">Renee</a> playing her beautiful harp. It sounded so lovely!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9WG3Wzn0SyQVYb4QDaXOR0V7b485-xAdDuNY1Gn9-2ZVzW6ia0kUku5lpRvc3ar-j13m4C054kqStRrrU5J7YKJAEx7SpKZanKuSpALGNJl0S2uw7gC5wowbAMRZbxRcMgi4/s1600-h/DSC00259.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9WG3Wzn0SyQVYb4QDaXOR0V7b485-xAdDuNY1Gn9-2ZVzW6ia0kUku5lpRvc3ar-j13m4C054kqStRrrU5J7YKJAEx7SpKZanKuSpALGNJl0S2uw7gC5wowbAMRZbxRcMgi4/s400/DSC00259.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015506281540650914" /></a><br /><br />Here is the whole group playing Pachelbels Canon together. Caitlin is at the piano, our cousin on the violin, and Renee on the harp. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8Fy2qNY6Z-86FriUwdLZ-ZPVUsk11RDPbphklooUE9HSt7CrxFp5p_3jB5eXqGhkuI5iiQWl5TsrcSrsg2kPKzbI7gqaf7fqwvxK5kjd9-rEIm_7oPmh_uBqv6lR328woseF/s1600-h/DSC00258.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8Fy2qNY6Z-86FriUwdLZ-ZPVUsk11RDPbphklooUE9HSt7CrxFp5p_3jB5eXqGhkuI5iiQWl5TsrcSrsg2kPKzbI7gqaf7fqwvxK5kjd9-rEIm_7oPmh_uBqv6lR328woseF/s400/DSC00258.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015506290130585522" /></a><br /><br />Here is the head chef and chief dishwasher, (both of them my uncles). They did a ton of work trying to get ready for this, as you can see. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M4Uu6fDPVxIIphJPmEQVT42Iodawjmk3EJokbHD7rK4M_naAbgXaSb3CeC7lTP_cofU_y075IEzGBuNCnohWsz58GA5CUrQ6VVyEO3PmhqIYRxtBG0RNgzmMak9Si6Z8ftlc/s1600-h/DSC00246.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M4Uu6fDPVxIIphJPmEQVT42Iodawjmk3EJokbHD7rK4M_naAbgXaSb3CeC7lTP_cofU_y075IEzGBuNCnohWsz58GA5CUrQ6VVyEO3PmhqIYRxtBG0RNgzmMak9Si6Z8ftlc/s400/DSC00246.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015506294425552834" /></a><br /><br />This is our wonderful Grandma Caroline. We were at the house at that moment and most of us were busy making the food for the next day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mipwDrf5jc_ivZLVPA9gF6x9SDkH2R7BktKPjs_IJFvba4i0vRpgIztyPJReo46rEqaztw3Ls8V_hp03ANPrcXzPsoUFuaBjux-H7t_b_7bMiDSFQ8iiWuenzCXYKZ0PvMHX/s1600-h/DSC00189.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mipwDrf5jc_ivZLVPA9gF6x9SDkH2R7BktKPjs_IJFvba4i0vRpgIztyPJReo46rEqaztw3Ls8V_hp03ANPrcXzPsoUFuaBjux-H7t_b_7bMiDSFQ8iiWuenzCXYKZ0PvMHX/s400/DSC00189.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015579394768930770" /></a><br /><br />Oh, the cake was so pretty! Mother Arkanblogger made it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqv-hv3BKoZ0nFNACYrkpzvso35x043fOKeG5xmu09HngAepW3apyLMRwXZlovBYYJg54k7flfM_69ClGE67ZU3pthLNxnKmcQlOF9A4cWKtugD0yJHrrCLXkgvaz3v1-6lGK/s1600-h/DSC00195.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqv-hv3BKoZ0nFNACYrkpzvso35x043fOKeG5xmu09HngAepW3apyLMRwXZlovBYYJg54k7flfM_69ClGE67ZU3pthLNxnKmcQlOF9A4cWKtugD0yJHrrCLXkgvaz3v1-6lGK/s400/DSC00195.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015579399063898082" /></a><br /><br />This is the piano that Grandfather rented for all of us to play on. The touch was so nice!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsh3KwAvnP788I2pzaHuLmUg2Kt4yxkC24dkzjq6w-KG7R0THjzkZgqHENkZo8mCEgDaQQjRlMj7uVAlN97vwO8X7P2bbEjr5u_iOqnbqhaGVGIM4J7v2x_db5AUmlpOzdjQl/s1600-h/DSC00197.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsh3KwAvnP788I2pzaHuLmUg2Kt4yxkC24dkzjq6w-KG7R0THjzkZgqHENkZo8mCEgDaQQjRlMj7uVAlN97vwO8X7P2bbEjr5u_iOqnbqhaGVGIM4J7v2x_db5AUmlpOzdjQl/s400/DSC00197.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015579407653832690" /></a><br /><br /><br />Mmm...that chocolate fountain was good! There was not much food left by the end of the night.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhxvUkqteCkJJg5iX-YAA7dUP6GFjlTaGIBxHOqUtiRUL4UlrxqFqlL2lGrum1vN2Es-rkemj1eQBcbnmssMHeQ_RAFyOcVKOCuzmmqkXGl3DPdJ7lwF68Hj7FDZNs7vvlB2l/s1600-h/DSC00201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhxvUkqteCkJJg5iX-YAA7dUP6GFjlTaGIBxHOqUtiRUL4UlrxqFqlL2lGrum1vN2Es-rkemj1eQBcbnmssMHeQ_RAFyOcVKOCuzmmqkXGl3DPdJ7lwF68Hj7FDZNs7vvlB2l/s400/DSC00201.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015579411948800002" /></a><br /><br />Here is some more of the wonderful food that was made by the amazing chefs. Thank you so much!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhgets1hYSMkjvZWyIGz5ChesuQhFe7cG88TP8UoOiXCx8Gx5IdkckCMtI4vRr3KkiXYuKRPakiOW4LU3qVMmXU2PAYGLuRKpMnQbonPtYYtX2GEuZZfFXXLTeWC3-OzuuaN_/s1600-h/DSC00203.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhgets1hYSMkjvZWyIGz5ChesuQhFe7cG88TP8UoOiXCx8Gx5IdkckCMtI4vRr3KkiXYuKRPakiOW4LU3qVMmXU2PAYGLuRKpMnQbonPtYYtX2GEuZZfFXXLTeWC3-OzuuaN_/s400/DSC00203.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015579420538734610" /></a><br /><br />The very creative presentation of the delicious smoked salmon, courtesy of Grandfather and Uncle Dean.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaWqF_u7WcDtPag74LyDUjc_UO6nhIgCFRZ_VW5vT9SwjpfutHEIUG7Modm2wLZ0nwn0aemewRJ9iciRHnXIxDnCfMC6AJhFS_glfqthJ3K1h9V2KvJ8fOgYrK4OPse9E-RNH/s1600-h/DSC00205.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaWqF_u7WcDtPag74LyDUjc_UO6nhIgCFRZ_VW5vT9SwjpfutHEIUG7Modm2wLZ0nwn0aemewRJ9iciRHnXIxDnCfMC6AJhFS_glfqthJ3K1h9V2KvJ8fOgYrK4OPse9E-RNH/s400/DSC00205.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015589273193711650" /></a><br /><br />Our dear <a href="http://vet-in-training.blogspot.com/">cousin</a> playing the piano. She did so good!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6F96sjv0XKsO3RXrlHAxkxf8orM5dRZelhPOBqSlEGyuMZaL3HFobQkhRVmnp-iYUmW2LSlUOBPYE2iU8ZuliOWwT0-9xYQfZ4V_R6OJ-vp6m8PRfmZaix1T03ATj4HAG_JjA/s1600-h/DSC00232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6F96sjv0XKsO3RXrlHAxkxf8orM5dRZelhPOBqSlEGyuMZaL3HFobQkhRVmnp-iYUmW2LSlUOBPYE2iU8ZuliOWwT0-9xYQfZ4V_R6OJ-vp6m8PRfmZaix1T03ATj4HAG_JjA/s400/DSC00232.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015589277488678962" /></a><br /><br />Observation of the chocolate fountain. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIt3XKN0ZtOAhq7ffsU3yCuO5JavGOjKYmwMM_g8l205BXvAtD9GRBLOy4p0DffuFEM-wHUaDyb3dtan-znYL6q8Uuhyky1w2EuJ-BNYmOnHxNK78XGo2wHFsLyV50_OFArse/s1600-h/DSC00225.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIt3XKN0ZtOAhq7ffsU3yCuO5JavGOjKYmwMM_g8l205BXvAtD9GRBLOy4p0DffuFEM-wHUaDyb3dtan-znYL6q8Uuhyky1w2EuJ-BNYmOnHxNK78XGo2wHFsLyV50_OFArse/s400/DSC00225.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015589286078613570" /></a><br /><br />Here are some people talking. Grandfather is among them on the far right.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlPg2HzkTfYnghOo5CePpt1hvTpxNXlO60urqhfexwoU0pHK-84jrElMW_lS-2_4-N08HAZKdEXxHPfltoa_dj2I2jOLKtn9DS3rWRGT_MSywA0dk-q2xYMfzHnbtTYDXHvhc/s1600-h/DSC00234.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlPg2HzkTfYnghOo5CePpt1hvTpxNXlO60urqhfexwoU0pHK-84jrElMW_lS-2_4-N08HAZKdEXxHPfltoa_dj2I2jOLKtn9DS3rWRGT_MSywA0dk-q2xYMfzHnbtTYDXHvhc/s400/DSC00234.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015589290373580882" /></a><br /><br />Here are some more people talking. The one on the left is <a href="http://blogofbryce.blogspot.com">Bryce</a>, and I am not sure about the one on the right...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoPdKiN6S4VEUJ21NJ4LMF0Mt-eyHwmBtAHaWDY1d1XQhqqFHRWMrNPf7PlntejsrAcZkvtlCTTKRqXw4WHkxPejXZc_QWHS_lJd8abAYcmgrt9sywUq167rJtx5_HQSIUlGW/s1600-h/DSC00241.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoPdKiN6S4VEUJ21NJ4LMF0Mt-eyHwmBtAHaWDY1d1XQhqqFHRWMrNPf7PlntejsrAcZkvtlCTTKRqXw4WHkxPejXZc_QWHS_lJd8abAYcmgrt9sywUq167rJtx5_HQSIUlGW/s400/DSC00241.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015594800816621666" /></a><br /><br />More great fellowship going on here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjT4EJ-4aRDVfdqeM3orjW9ZCCwUsYxGBIaybchZzykQUMYI0ATSeO9xuPEI6_riShSDvi4N7dnpMLqlaPyxx9OQEteduJec6K61HQWouoTDjMPvVk84nRHKnUIDjakyuDvz4/s1600-h/DSC00242.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjT4EJ-4aRDVfdqeM3orjW9ZCCwUsYxGBIaybchZzykQUMYI0ATSeO9xuPEI6_riShSDvi4N7dnpMLqlaPyxx9OQEteduJec6K61HQWouoTDjMPvVk84nRHKnUIDjakyuDvz4/s400/DSC00242.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015594809406556274" /></a><br /><br />Here I am with Ms. Anne. It was so wonderful to see them again!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiopfea52uZmVCMZP5nWAkZeCwDuiQMGjZtAYr5urvy3-VZPx2fl5jmc_49IZQU_0ar7mFhdZoRi0kl449cZcVYa6nyPqudtWZHHXEthDdbQiw_Uec_vk9zt4xiUA_fVMo-iA/s1600-h/DSC00247.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiopfea52uZmVCMZP5nWAkZeCwDuiQMGjZtAYr5urvy3-VZPx2fl5jmc_49IZQU_0ar7mFhdZoRi0kl449cZcVYa6nyPqudtWZHHXEthDdbQiw_Uec_vk9zt4xiUA_fVMo-iA/s400/DSC00247.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015594817996490882" /></a><br /><br />Mr. Roger, Ms. Laura, and Renee. We had such a great time!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCiIOvLbNp4rZYYK2SmpHruUYVS2SpNKio0ytU_8EmfryOdYangaXvjK3GUelbK3ibaxIpCr24v2MII3X8k6nkSpX0uzUAeizFVPvVnGmYLtaEchlU5bswJwDIcODbTRq3AmU/s1600-h/DSC00248.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCiIOvLbNp4rZYYK2SmpHruUYVS2SpNKio0ytU_8EmfryOdYangaXvjK3GUelbK3ibaxIpCr24v2MII3X8k6nkSpX0uzUAeizFVPvVnGmYLtaEchlU5bswJwDIcODbTRq3AmU/s400/DSC00248.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015594822291458194" /></a><br /><br />Here is the band that played. Our cousin is the one with the fiddle. All of the music was wonderful.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFnos-1U9wETry6Vek87tjSJGefo45gskL-8AmnjGmPPpfohAvZGKcnPwvEgk4ZJJhHHlHAoLsYOoLLbgYv0b__TbxBsxj7lnm5xI6vMfkC3AgvGBDRPWy3onulTzUwdsImYR/s1600-h/DSC00249.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFnos-1U9wETry6Vek87tjSJGefo45gskL-8AmnjGmPPpfohAvZGKcnPwvEgk4ZJJhHHlHAoLsYOoLLbgYv0b__TbxBsxj7lnm5xI6vMfkC3AgvGBDRPWy3onulTzUwdsImYR/s400/DSC00249.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5015594826586425506" /></a><br /><br />That is round one of the pictures. There are some more to come along with a few videos and posts. Until then, Happy New Year!<br /><br />Paige and CaitlinUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-1451124864303574732006-12-31T21:25:00.001-06:002006-12-31T21:41:48.302-06:00Happy New Year From...OmahaYes, Omaha, NE...or Council Bluffs, Iowa, depending on which side of the river that you're on. We left Rapid City SD this morning at 8:00 and got into some nasty winter weather or road conditions, as it were. Finally inched our way into town a couple of hours ago. Got the last room at our hotel too. We'll start again in the morning. <br /><br />My computer crashed in Montana, so the vids that we have to post will be done when we return. Hope you like them. Our trip was a blast. We enjoyed and were blessed to witness and even get to help set up and cater (that was a riot) the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of Mrs. A's parents and got to see, visit and even stay (thanks Roger and Ann for your hospitality!) many of our Montana friends as well, along with snowskiing for 5 days and enjoying the hot springs at Fairmont. We were treated to lots of great food, hot off of the "Green Egg", singing, fiddle, harp and piano playing and even did some dancing...the Montana Waltz and the Virginia Reel. Lots of fun. Did I mention that ALL the little Arkanbloggers learned to ski with the girls following in their mother's graceful ways and Christopher was pronounced a "Hot Dog" on ski's. Also, we recommend the chocolate chip cookies at the cafeteria at Discovery Ski Lodge. There's so much more to come...<br /><br />Happy New Year To You All and We Wish You God's Blessings In 2007!!!Arkanblogger Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871636480201349551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-84226177957288347772006-12-25T00:34:00.000-06:002006-12-25T00:36:45.928-06:00Here is our cabin...<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Aa4e2Qrq2s"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Aa4e2Qrq2s" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="350"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-57064258370255973662006-12-22T19:06:00.001-06:002006-12-22T19:15:59.388-06:00On the RoadThese are some pictures ranging from Mitchell, South Dakota to Rapid City, South Dakota. Enjoy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCA1miHtJfFVUAHWws6StXWJTU8Fb4MOB6lmlYgX7JLfeKw9Saye9dBHuoO6HTzEEKpYaxG51WQsM3ziRhOtzXIVQvCoHdU_jMiSdCKbrP4HuxRqV6j5t7FF90PaUJzNcvL8W/s1600-h/DSC00127.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCA1miHtJfFVUAHWws6StXWJTU8Fb4MOB6lmlYgX7JLfeKw9Saye9dBHuoO6HTzEEKpYaxG51WQsM3ziRhOtzXIVQvCoHdU_jMiSdCKbrP4HuxRqV6j5t7FF90PaUJzNcvL8W/s400/DSC00127.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011524531313585954" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhlLd_C6a1UercbBxCV-ExJWWDQzUPn0cieJ8ypUudlFKiGLMS4sh8LBotWLtY6BJhUtkoZGXEOlgwcw2Jjj3b_g6GUs8-IMj5eNOvXmyL43lqw3DyO3kaZ9KkDvXmCHAHWl6/s1600-h/DSC00135.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhlLd_C6a1UercbBxCV-ExJWWDQzUPn0cieJ8ypUudlFKiGLMS4sh8LBotWLtY6BJhUtkoZGXEOlgwcw2Jjj3b_g6GUs8-IMj5eNOvXmyL43lqw3DyO3kaZ9KkDvXmCHAHWl6/s400/DSC00135.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011524088931954450" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIirRsVgALpliB7mlWScZ0T2BFbV32q6PmCNiDwL3daWhv55YAhfyw3p6PLf6JsX2cBoi-S5E4f7P3-QolBSkCC2yOlNttl8widABYuilw9hWA8GnMcDpyVUrzpouyVwd7TtTd/s1600-h/DSC00145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIirRsVgALpliB7mlWScZ0T2BFbV32q6PmCNiDwL3daWhv55YAhfyw3p6PLf6JsX2cBoi-S5E4f7P3-QolBSkCC2yOlNttl8widABYuilw9hWA8GnMcDpyVUrzpouyVwd7TtTd/s400/DSC00145.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011523668025159426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVcuPzYyZ5WSs1MqwSRkiIQ2NTcDnVgKtfCc918sx0n722rOaLcjslaNrZXoCGARkyohxOlr6T369_sf3c_g7M9p62-PM497BWQa0btePA5vHwlkWEH_NkYEC7YfcFV9N069X/s1600-h/DSC00176.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVcuPzYyZ5WSs1MqwSRkiIQ2NTcDnVgKtfCc918sx0n722rOaLcjslaNrZXoCGARkyohxOlr6T369_sf3c_g7M9p62-PM497BWQa0btePA5vHwlkWEH_NkYEC7YfcFV9N069X/s400/DSC00176.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011523333017710322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdDs5VfL20aGpg0ZWa0dO5QkSnDjMr_UdAUiR9PkYfcLDaE4pCHwQ8pobbCGRnG1iaorn7vJ49di8Y7zo_10dwuTpk14VGWSfVjD1cnFRrkNqKWF17piHOWVxHmuonjSzkOVJ/s1600-h/DSC00166.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdDs5VfL20aGpg0ZWa0dO5QkSnDjMr_UdAUiR9PkYfcLDaE4pCHwQ8pobbCGRnG1iaorn7vJ49di8Y7zo_10dwuTpk14VGWSfVjD1cnFRrkNqKWF17piHOWVxHmuonjSzkOVJ/s400/DSC00166.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011522950765620962" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-82226568734434927922006-12-22T19:00:00.000-06:002006-12-22T19:05:58.123-06:00Here are some pictures...Here are some pictures from the beginning of the trip. There are more to come...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADqahwRmn1l6Qr0cUGZeOmwgtZZiL2mo0LmmFrq_JC6ItQmVbMQ2xrHeERYACG8v5cbgeRBzrcxo23-O1Z-NHA2wHbLh7hdh_L1U-qZzK1Eu37QGx3yk0Jf9VgF15msPd1Z5o/s1600-h/DSC00057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADqahwRmn1l6Qr0cUGZeOmwgtZZiL2mo0LmmFrq_JC6ItQmVbMQ2xrHeERYACG8v5cbgeRBzrcxo23-O1Z-NHA2wHbLh7hdh_L1U-qZzK1Eu37QGx3yk0Jf9VgF15msPd1Z5o/s400/DSC00057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011522066002357970" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqOrr33S7mmnNL3JJ8NdAzoMKgP90db27Lac_P2npiY0xw44spym_6FY5SZrHSrulpEND8PjPr4P93mCyZjHGoQil0EclohGsLvpJabgbJLFJ7ZAxp-wS9N_DkFMx4rfe6meU/s1600-h/DSC00055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqOrr33S7mmnNL3JJ8NdAzoMKgP90db27Lac_P2npiY0xw44spym_6FY5SZrHSrulpEND8PjPr4P93mCyZjHGoQil0EclohGsLvpJabgbJLFJ7ZAxp-wS9N_DkFMx4rfe6meU/s400/DSC00055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011521846959025858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCUpZ4pxeA43lZD_m7OPkYklidknnjyVe0hZssFIGEiNV-05zaAzpvjPjp19lGQL6Hz_7ntYi0FvTM5tNZDUV3sXrrELtLvAGPfOfQei83oBL7KVnVljZTwzgOPWx8TNKGL-4/s1600-h/DSC00054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCUpZ4pxeA43lZD_m7OPkYklidknnjyVe0hZssFIGEiNV-05zaAzpvjPjp19lGQL6Hz_7ntYi0FvTM5tNZDUV3sXrrELtLvAGPfOfQei83oBL7KVnVljZTwzgOPWx8TNKGL-4/s400/DSC00054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011521623620726450" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAyrnZBoZOBF43P1yVzOJ8fBoMfM1BH9VlBl0iUnsVpikLJNQ0UFreR31knTKNapEXlS_6AYHV8sWVIjLh-Ki1eFPwHD9Lv0_jigeg97xsrQlPS7ef6mrCZ5qki0wiO4cuqF4/s1600-h/DSC00048.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAyrnZBoZOBF43P1yVzOJ8fBoMfM1BH9VlBl0iUnsVpikLJNQ0UFreR31knTKNapEXlS_6AYHV8sWVIjLh-Ki1eFPwHD9Lv0_jigeg97xsrQlPS7ef6mrCZ5qki0wiO4cuqF4/s400/DSC00048.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011521400282427042" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMTzRiBOZZmGwzumvtVpnDPXCLTMMbsYryFKP6hWABGS1AXhVX3_ZoUun0lyWgeQy7A2rAJS0vbpZN2MQQOgGa68xwWqsgoPPBbRFkTBg4cPQFfV8r8l-ll4nFZ7-wnF3VVbf/s1600-h/DSC00040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMTzRiBOZZmGwzumvtVpnDPXCLTMMbsYryFKP6hWABGS1AXhVX3_ZoUun0lyWgeQy7A2rAJS0vbpZN2MQQOgGa68xwWqsgoPPBbRFkTBg4cPQFfV8r8l-ll4nFZ7-wnF3VVbf/s400/DSC00040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5011521181239094930" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-15988190593999811542006-12-22T15:01:00.000-06:002006-12-22T19:19:40.600-06:00Hello From Mitchell!<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YgGDPsMQbik"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YgGDPsMQbik" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="350"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-34007289181860573302006-12-22T14:34:00.000-06:002006-12-22T14:51:52.764-06:00Greetings from MONTANA!!Greetings everyone! I hope that all of you are having a lovely holiday season. We just arrived in Montana last night at around 12:30. I was SO glad to see snow again! I believe that our first site of it was in Iowa, which is where we made our first video post that I will be posting after this one.<br /><br />We left Council Bluffs early on Thursday morning, planning on going the entire way to Bozeman MT. I think it was about 17 hours of driving, with a few stops for gas, lunch, and dinner. The drive was not as miserable as we thought it would be. On the road, we watched plenty of movies in our DVD player ( I am VERY thankful for that) which helped to keep Christopher occupied. The views (though dull in some places) were beautiful! It was so amazing to see parts of the Badlands, snowy hills, and all of the little towns covered in snow all in one trip.<br /><br />I am now going to attempt to post a video blog above this one. It should be pretty self explanatory. We should be blogging more detailed posts shortly. I hope that all of you are having a lovely (and safe) holiday season!<br /><br />In Christ,<br /><br />PaigeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-56803912254106414652006-12-17T19:13:00.000-06:002006-12-17T23:01:29.656-06:00The Day After Yesterday...or...The Night BeforeTick...tock...tick...tock. We are leaving in the morning and are currently running, let us say, a little behind schedule. I'm trying to wrap up some work that has to be done on the computer/printer, Mrs. A is at the store running errands and the troops are downstairs doing their chores. Packing to commence in about an hour. "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Oy</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Vey</span>", as my maternal great-grandmother might have said.<br /><br />With a little luck, some discipline and a nod or two from the Good Lord (faith AND works you know), we'll get on the road before noon tomorrow. It is strange to leave our home this time of year and we even decided to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">forgo</span> putting up the tree. But, it's all for a good cause, as we get to witness the 50t<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">h</span> wedding anniversary of my Montana in-laws, which is the real reason for this trip to Big Sky country. The bonus is seeing other family and our Montana friends, along with having the children learn to ski. We're looking forward to it...even the 45 hours or so in the car for the total trip. That's <span style="color:#ffff00;">some serious</span> family togetherness right? More to come!<br /><br />-The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Arkanblogger</span>Arkanblogger Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871636480201349551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-37188386906905155602006-12-14T01:01:00.000-06:002006-12-14T02:57:23.142-06:00When Worlds Collide...Or Do They?Of late, I'm wondering why people of the Christian faith don't (for the most part) seem to look upon and discuss "religious" matters and situations in life, just as they would any other matter. I think we've gotten confused/brainwashed into thinking that there is this "church" life that exists whenever we are in the confines of the "church" building and then there is "the world" that exists outside of that. And from that logic, we think that there are two sets of truths that exist. Isn't that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">double mindedness</span>?<br /><br />That mentality reminds me of folks that claim to have a "work life" and a separate "home life". These people are compelled to act one way at work and then make a 180 degree turn upon leaving their place of employment. Sort of a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jekyll</span> and Hyde syndrome, as it were.<br /><br />It's all one life. There is no separation between work, family, "church", here and there. We should be the same wherever we are and no matter who we're with.<br /><br />After all, faith isn't something that's manifested only when one is in the "church" building. It is <strong>only</strong> a building after all. It's not the temple. The church is the body of believers or those who profess God and make an effort to live according to the standards set forth in God's word/laws, while recognizing and accepting the gift of God's grace through Christ. In other words, they strive to be obedient to God, rather that their own sole desires.<br /><br />When we are walking the path of truth, we should be able to discuss how to get a particular stain our of our clothes, using the same reason and logic, based on the same truth, law and good principle that we would use when discussing any biblical matter. I submit that, to abandon truth on any issue (all of which belongs to God) is to abandon sound reason and ultimately God.<br /><br />In summation, "biblical" truth should be congruent with all other truth. If not, then we have a fly in the ointment that needs to be plucked out. More later.<br /><br />-The ArkanbloggerArkanblogger Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871636480201349551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-63615159085009493042006-11-28T21:32:00.000-06:002006-11-30T21:29:02.533-06:00Employed...About a month ago I embarked on the journey of finding a job. We searched around a bit, considered a few positions, and then...one came up.<br /><br />For those of you who don't know, I was a competitive gymnast for about nine years. So I have experience in the area. It just so happened that a newer gym had opened up about five minutes from our home. New gyms generally need new coaches. So we called in to see if they could use me there.<br /><br />To make a long story short, I ended up getting the job without an interview because of connections I have. So I now am a gymnastics coach. And what an interesting job it is. Everyday at work I get a worldview lesson, being as my fellow employees are not <em>all</em> the most Godly people. I get a workout lifting little girls so that they can get over the bar...or the mat, it all depends. I also get experience working with children. The well behaved and the not so well behaved. All of them are there. I do love working with the children, seeing the smiles on their little faces when they get a new skill (and are quite pleased with themselves, might I add). This job also gives me a reason to get back some of my old skills :) The only down: my face when I see how much tax is taken from my paycheck.<br /><br />I learn something new everyday. This is for certain. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!<br /><br /><br />PaigeArkanblogger Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871636480201349551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-28842390623162251752006-11-25T04:19:00.000-06:002006-11-29T07:11:08.429-06:00Oh Give Me A Church..."<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Laaaaate</span> is the hour", as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Grima</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Wormtounge</span> once said in a deep <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">English</span> accent(for your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">LOTRingers</span> out there). I'm sitting at the little "nook" in the kitchen, surrounded by the dark and writing on the girls' laptop. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Mine's</span> in the bedroom where Mrs. A is experiencing deep REM stage sleep right about now. Something I'll be back to doing momentarily, just after I rid my mind of this little conundrum.<br /><br />For the life of me, I haven't decided where to settle into a "church home" with my family. We've pretty much pulled away from the Church of Christ congregation where we'd attended for the past 3.5 years, due to unresolved youth ministry issues and other things having to do with our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">incompatibilities</span>. Sad in a sense, but we did manage to make a few good friends while attending there.<br /><br />We've since attended services with another Church of Christ, the Baptists, the Hyper-Calvinists and have held home <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">worship</span> (which we all enjoyed). I even sat in with the local "Church Of England" when I was traveling out of town on a Wednesday evening. In a few short weeks, we've been privy to Predestination, procrastination, singing with musical instruments or without (note...a pitch pipe is still a musical instrument), communion every week or quarterly, preachers being called "pastor" or just "brother so and so". Women doing nothing at all in worship, except sitting there quietly...or not. Having a choir or only congregational singing, separate classes segregated by age or family integrated worship? Prayer books or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">extemporaneous</span> prayer? Doctrine abounds.<br /><br />What ever happened to meeting with the saints/sinners on Sunday morning for an actual "worship" time, where that's what we actually do. Just worship. You know, plain old singing, prayer, communion and scripture being read by different men (possibly within the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">framework</span> of a weekly theme, but not shackled to that). The worship is the centerpiece and not the preaching. Those who desire sitting through a lectureship, may stay for such an event to be held after worship. Others who desire to study alone or with a smaller group or go and eat or rest or go about their lives, may leave and not be chastised for doing so. Why are we bound to evening services on Sunday and Wednesday, which in my opinion are there as a way to make us feel pious toward our brothers and sisters, who do not attend these "extra-credit" services. My work takes me away from my family at times and I have no desire to get in my car and drive to a building, only to be separated from them for another hour or 2 on Sunday and Wednesday evening. Nor should I or my family be held accountable for not holding to such a schedule.<br /><br />Isn't "church", the collective body of believers...no matter where they meet? It's not a building, for the love of Pete. When I hear the term "the Lords house" my Catholic Radar goes into overload. It's one of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">those</span> descriptions that sound holy but need some defining before being thrown around loosely.<br /><br />In retrospect, some of us hold our doctrines/traditions a little too close to the vest...in idolatry. A doctrine or tradition may or may not be based in truth. And what is relevant or even true at one point in history, may not be relevant or true in current times. We need to realize that 2 roads from 2 different starting places can and do lead to the exact same destination. That is a truth. There are common laws that must be adhered to on both roads but both roads offer different scenery and a different experience than than the other. Some of us get the scenery that we experience on our journey, confused with the destination itself. We can even become convinced that our particular journey is the ONLY way to the destination. No others will do. This is a lie. For although there are common laws that apply to every journey, many roads can and do lead to the same destination.<br /><br />More on "the journey" later. For now, the sandman has crept up behind me and daylight is fast approaching. I need a warm blanket and a bit of sleep. Good morning to you all.<br /><br />-The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Arkanblogger</span>Arkanblogger Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871636480201349551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20854190.post-89296977611963693572006-11-11T19:05:00.000-06:002006-11-15T09:00:30.667-06:00Speaking of Arkansas and Things Southern...<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5550/2545/1600/Janice%20as%20a%20blonde.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5550/2545/400/Janice%20as%20a%20blonde.jpg" border="0" /></a> Mrs. Arkanblogger "mugging" for me at one of the childrens' birthday parties.<br /><div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5550/2545/1600/IMG_0769.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5550/2545/400/IMG_0769.jpg" border="0" /></a> Photo taken by Mrs. A. Taken at Silver Dollar City in the Ozarks.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5550/2545/1600/IMG_0749.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5550/2545/400/IMG_0749.jpg" border="0" /></a> Aunt Phyliss and Mrs. A preparing for the Thanksgiving feed in the den.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5550/2545/1600/IMG_0745.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5550/2545/400/IMG_0745.jpg" border="0" /></a> The first morning of last years' hunt. We <strong>did</strong> leave the neighborhood. Photo by Mrs. A.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5550/2545/1600/IMG_0629.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5550/2545/400/IMG_0629.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The White River at Gastons' Resort. Photo taken from the top of the Dam.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5550/2545/1600/IMG_0618.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5550/2545/400/IMG_0618.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Closeup of the White River and lodging at Gastons'.<br /><div><br /><div>I've been noticing a little dialogue of late, which concern the good and bad traits of our fair state of Arkansas. So, being myself a 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">th</span> generation Arkansan and more specifically of Arkansas county itself, I thought I'd take a couple of minutes to weigh in on the subject.<br /><br />It is true that Arkansas is widely known a place where broods of mostly toothless <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hillbillies</span> reside deep in the woods, stilling their moonshine and searching for spouses at their family reunions. It is also the general belief of the rest of the country that Arkansas women walk around in public sporting both <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bare feet</span> and the condition of being pregnant. The town of Harrison has in the past been known as home to the national headquarters of the KKK and we shan't forget that there is still a place called "Hope", which spawned the likes of our former president William Jefferson Clinton. Our current <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Governor</span> Mike <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Huckabee</span> lived in a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">triple wide</span> trailer while having the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">gov's</span> mansion renovated, which prompted a quest spot on the Jay Leno show and made for fodder at the office <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">water cooler</span> for months on end. This is also the birthplace of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Wal</span>-Mart (which many good folks have held in favor and contempt over the years), although it's founder, Sam Walton, was born in our neighboring state of Oklahoma, just to the west of us. We're even home to the Arkansas Razorbacks, whose many fans will very proudly and spontaneously offer up the "hog call", consisting of a long and loud, "WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....PIG...SOUIXEE!!!", to complete strangers in airports, grocery stores and in church (I've been there when it happened), should the spirit so move them. Bearing in mind those little highlights, we have somewhat of a history of being maligned...and sometimes painfully and truthfully so.<br /><br />Now there is another side to the story, as the man once said. Let me say that I have lived in Oklahoma and Colorado and then had extensive dealings with customers as I traveled the states of Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska. I have also spent time, some of it considerable, in Florida, Washington, California, Nevada, Montana, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, Maryland, along with Washington D.C., the Bahamas, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Cabo</span> San Lucas and The Florida Keys. So we can safely say that I've been around the "block" a time or two....not as much as some...but I also know folks that have never left the state. Bearing all this in mind, I can say that Arkansas has some of the nicest people and prettiest countryside in the U.S. Yes, the Rockies and the Tetons are majestic and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Smokies</span> are green and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">luscious</span>. Our domestic coastlines offer captivating views and even the "plains" states have their vast beauty and cleanliness. I'll admit being quite taken with such places as Key West, FL, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Bozeman</span>, MT, Sheridan, WY, San Francisco, San Diego and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Sonoma</span> Valley, CA But as much as a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">cliche</span>' as it is, for me, there is simply no place like home. Some people spend their adult lives escaping from their place of birth for one reason or another. Others embrace it. I've done a bit of both.<br /><br />Let me share with you some of the places I love and things I love about Arkansas...<br /><br />The Boston, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Quachita</span> and Ozark mountains must certainly they look as if they are mere foothills, if set aside the rugged mountain ranges of the west, but their colorful peaks and rolling beauty is quite engaging....and I've stood atop Mount Evans, Colorado on many occasions, which at it's peak is over 14,000 feet, so I have a pretty good frame of reference, as mountainous beauty is concerned. Arkansas' notable mountains include, Mount Magazine (often called the highest point between the Alleghenies and the Rockies at 2,753 ft.), Mt. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Nebo</span> and Mt. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Petit</span> Jean State Park. Another beautiful spot is Gaston's Resort, which is located on the White River just a few miles south of the Missouri border near Flippin, Arkansas. Gaston's sports world class trout fishing (with or without guides) , lodging and a fantastic <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">restaurant</span> located on the bank of the White River. I've been twice and I highly recommend it. There is Blanchard Springs Caverns, which is a 3-level cave system and is the only cave currently <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">administered</span> by the United States Forrest Service. Also the Ozark Highlands Trail roams some 180 miles around north west Arkansas and will eventually link to the Ozark Trail in Missouri. The future combination of the two trails will result in approximately 700 miles of trail in the Ozark mountain range.<br /><br />Some towns worth a visit are Eureka Springs, which is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Victorian</span> village with a European flavor with steep winding streets, lined with cottages and manors. It is the only city in the United States where none of the streets meet at right angles. The city is dominated by a 7-story 2 million pound white statue of Jesus, which sits across the valley from the downtown area. I'll admit that I could do without that one...but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Thorncrown</span> Chapel is most certainly worth a visit. This chapel in the woods was designed by E. Fay Jones, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. A retired schoolteacher purchased the land for his retirement home but felt that the land was too beautiful not to share and commissioned Mr. Jones to design a structure where folks could feel welcome and close to God. Take the highway east out of town and follow it for a couple of hours and you'll find Mountain View, host of the annual Ozark Folk Festival. This celebration, along with the Arkansas Bean Fest and Great Championship Outhouse Race, causes the population of the city to swell from it's 2,800 folks to 100,000. It's not uncommon to find musicians playing and "jamming" together on the downtown square at all times of the year...weather permitting.<br /><br />There is much more to say regarding the north part of the state but I am a child of the "Grand Prairie", which borders the delta region of the eastern part of the state, which has it's own beauty. The delta, running north and south, along the Mississippi River, variates between massive rice, soybean and cotton farms and thick hardwood forests. Stuttgart, my hometown, is in the heart of the Prairie and is known as the "Rice and Duck Capital of The World". The city is home to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Riceland</span> Foods, the world's biggest rice miller and is named after Stuttgart, Germany, which is also a leading rice producer. There are world class waterfowl hunting facilities throughout the Delta region and the "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Cabelas</span> of Waterfowl", known as Mack's' Prairie Wings and Rich N' Tone Duck Calls are both headquartered in Stuttgart. Dividing the northern and southern regions of Arkansas is our state capitol, Little Rock, which has become a vibrant city that's highlighted by The Clinton Presidential Library and is the headquarters of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Alltel</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Axciom</span>, Heifer International, Family Life, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">TCBY</span> and Stephens Investments. The opening of our River Market District was part of a very successful revitalization program for the downtown area of Little Rock and just last month The Big Dam Bridge was opened to the public. The bridge runs parallel to a lock and dam on the Arkansas River and spans 3,463 feet, making it the world's longest specifically bicycle and pedestrian bridge. Little Rock is also now home to a Peabody Hotel...where every day at 11:00 a.m. the Peabody ducks are escorted from their penthouse to the lobby via elevator. The ducks, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">accompainied</span> by a Sousa march, proceed across a red carpet to the hotel fountain. Then at 5:00 p.m., the ducks are ceremoniously led back to their penthouse.<br /><br />Now I don't have a southern accent, nor does my wife or our children...maybe our son has a "tad" of a twang...never the less, I love the many eccentricities about Arkansas' Southern Culture. Such as the fact that farmers and country folk wave at you when you meet them on the highway. You need to wave back. Grandpa's pass down pocketknives and shotguns to their grandsons...and granddaughters. In fact, a man without a pocketknife is probably a yankee or "one of those Californians". This is a place where many grandmothers still hand down family <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">recipes</span> and teach the younger generations how to cook such <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">delicacies</span> as fried green tomatoes, smothered steak and fried chocolate pies. Food is very important here. Much of our gathering and socializing takes place around a meal, laid out buffet style. Sweet tea is a staple for us...like folks <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">having</span> milk in the fridge. When we meet a hearse on the road and it becomes obvious to us that there is a funeral procession approaching, we pull over out of respect for the families and friends of the departed. I love that. Deer hunting season is such a part of the culture here, that school districts have recognized it and have at times, closed their doors, so the students can participate in the sport with their families. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Camo</span> clothing is always in style. If we're doing our jobs, we teach our children to say "yes sir", "no <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">ma'am</span>", "please" and "thank you". Another part of doing our job is to write thank you notes. The good southern men open doors for women, children and older folks. If someone treats us poorly, we call it "being ugly to us". When grandpa dies, unless one of the family moves in and takes over the property, we don't tear down his old country home. We'd rather let it sit...as sort of a conduit to the past. That explains the old houses, sheds and barns that you see littering the landscapes of the south, particularly in rural Arkansas. This is also a place where, though they are few, old country stores still exist. You can stop in have a homemade bologna (beef and sliced thick please on white bread only) and cheese sandwich, a doubledecker Moon Pie and Soda Pop. These establishments also generally offer a smattering of fishing and hunting gear, fuel, a selection of canned goods and frozen foods, a bit of hardware and tools, along with some local conversation. If you see one of these little "mom and poppers"...stop in a make a purchase, so they don't disappear from the landscape altogether.</div><br /><div>We like for our friends to come on up, down or over, as it were and depending on the season, sit in front of the fire, the wood stove, at the kitchen table, on the porch or in lawn chairs under the shade of the big pin oak in the backyard and talk about politics, religion, northerners or whatever comes to mind. We want to connect with you here....just at our own pace. We want to know who your people are and where you're from. Not to size you up...but to have some empathy with you and find some common ground for discussion. So, we'll see you soon and you be sure to give your mama a big hug around her neck and tell your daddy hello for us.<br /><br />p.s. Deer season (guns) started last week. </div><br /><div><br />-The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Arkanblogger</span><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Arkanblogger Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871636480201349551noreply@blogger.com5