Day at Blue Spring!

For Bo's birthday we took a trip to Bronson Blue Spring.  It was so much fun!  It is so much more enjoyable to swim in a spring than in a pool (though pools are fun too!)  There was a large shallow area for the younger ones to splash around in, as well as the deeper part around the boil for those who enjoy diving.  A diving platform made it even better, and we were almost the only ones there.

Here are some pictures from our day!

Journeying in the Light Part VIII

Well, I hope I haven't worn everyone out with this story yet, but since it isn't finished, I have to keep working on it.  :)  May it be an encouragement!

Journeying in the Light~ Part VIII

For previous chapters, please see the other blog posts in the category Journeying in the Light.

Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe~ A Christian Adventure Tale

Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe

Rating:  8 out of 10 stars

     Published on April 25th, 1719, Robinson Crusoe is one of the most popular and famous adventure stories of all time.  What young boy doesn't like to camp out?  And how much better it would be to live on a desert island for a while!  Most people are pretty well acquainted with the general story:  Robinson runs away from home to go to sea, sails on several voyages, is taken prisoner and enslaved by the Moors for a couple of years, escapes to  Brazil, farms for a while, then goes on another voyage that ends in his being wrecked on a desert island off the coast of South America.  But what is not always known is that this story is distinctly Christian.

Book Review: In His Steps, by Charles Sheldon

In His Steps, by Charles Sheldon

My rating:  8 out of 10

Age range:  12 and up

    In His Steps was recommended to me by a friend, who said it had impacted him greatly.  I can see why- it provokes the reader to ask the question "What would Jesus do?"  It is the story of a movement begun by a tramp who comes to town asking for work, and intrudes upon the comfortable and easy going First Church of Raymond.  The members are astonished and scandalized when he gets up and asks a number of thought provoking questions, but the pastor is deeply impressed.  The impression is deepened yet more by the death of the man shortly after they meet.  The next week he asks his church for volunteers who are willing to pledge that for at least one year, they will regulate all their actions by first asking the question:  "What would Jesus do?"

The Armourer's 'Prentices, by Charlotte M. Yonge

The Armourer's 'Prentices 

Rating:  9 out of 10 Stars

     I came across this book on Librivox, when I became proof-listener for the recording.  I really enjoyed reading it, and C. M. Yonge has now become one of my favorite authors.

The Coral Island & The Gorilla Hunters, by R. M. Ballantyne

R. M. Ballantyne

     Robert Michael Ballantyne was one of the most popular boys' authors of the Victorian era, and deservedly so.  He was a Christian writer of adventure stories, and thoroughly researched his subject before writing; often visiting the location he would be describing, in order to understand and portray it better.  It has been said that "what G. A. Henty did for a boy's understanding of history, Ballantyne did for his understanding of geography."  His books however are not mere traveling guides, but tell an interesting story, full of action and humor; always from a Christian perspective.  Occasionally there will be an issue, especially when the books involve romance, such as the main character speaking to a girl of love before talking to her father, but this is not very common.

     In most of Ballantyne's books, especially those dealing with unreached, savage tribes, he strongly addresses the need for missionaries to preach the Gospel, and presents a clear Gospel message in the story.

Journeying in the Light: Part VII

Continuing the narrative of Alice Hawthorne, with her relations in England:

(Photo credit:  Savana Feldman)

Chapter VII

(For links to previous chapters, visit this blog post:   http://alaynamaysblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/journeying-in-light-part-vi.html

An Unexpected Turn of Events...

Yesterday morning, we had no idea that some of us would be in Shands hospital until 10:45 that night.  Neither did we have any idea that a long standing record for no broken limbs was about to depart from our family.

The Chicken Butchering Brigade!

This morning, we butchered two roosters who were about to become a problem on the farm.  

LilyAnn, Justice, Emaline and Russell were my helpers.  Oh, and Kep helped too, when one of the roosters got away.  He later supervised operations from under the table.

A New Addition...

Ever since I got Fannie, we have thought it would be great to have another horse so that I wouldn't have to ride alone.  I always said that a large pony would be best- one big enough for any of us to ride, yet smaller than an average horse so he would be less intimidating for the younger ones to ride.
Well...  It seemed a little bit impossible for us to get another, but the Lord provided one.

In the Garden...

We have been working outside for about an hour every day before it gets too hot.

Cabin on the Prairie & Cabin in the North Woods

C. H. Pearson

Cabin on the Prairie

&

Cabin in the North Woods

Cabin on the Prairie is one of my favorite books, and the sequel, Cabin in the North Woods, is very good too, but somewhat slower moving.  These books are set in the days of the westward expansion.  Cabin on the Prairie follows Tom Jones; eldest son in a squatting family that moves every few years.  He is dissatisfied with the roving life, and desires a better education.  He decides to run away from home to find what he longs for, but is prevented and soon realizes the folly and sin of such an attempt.  When he comes into closer contact with a missionary pastor in the area, his life is changed for the better, and he finds a new love for his family.
These books are most suitable for boys between the ages of 8 and 15, but of course, boys and girls of any age can enjoy them too.  Because of a few graphic scenes described during and after an Indian attack, it is not advisable for younger readers or listeners to read/ hear the whole book.  Parental discretion is advised.
Cabin on the Prairie is available on Project Gutenberg.  Hopefully the sequel will become available soon.