Matthews Family Herald

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" from Joshua 24:15

We've been in Missouri for two months now.  We started out living with some family friends in their upstairs while we staked out an acre of property on their land and then cleared it.  We next moved into our camp site we set up, and then spent three weeks building up our little Winter cabin.  We've moved into that and are working on getting it warm and cozy for living.

Right now we are visiting family during the Thanksgiving timeframe in Oklahoma and in Texas.  Lord willing, we'll be back in Missouri by Wednesday.

God is incredible and has gotten us through in the wilderness by a mighty hand and many miracles. 

If you want to keep up with us a lot better, I'd recommend connecting with me on Facebook.  I'm able to update that with my cell phone out there, but not able to update this blogspot through the cell phone. 

Send me a comment here if you want me to find you on Facebook.  Give me the info to look you up and I'll see what we can do.

We made it safe and sound, thanks to the Lord.

So far for us, we done the following with my family and our friends: chopped and stacked firewood, helped finished a woodshed roof, helped put up windows in a green house, fed chickens and ducks, used an outhouse, surveyed land and narrowed down a good building site, done some yard work, had some new teas and foods, enjoyed some new board games, and we finally have cell phone numbers and library accounts. It's been a busy first week. But it's great. Way off in the boonies and we love it. We've seen lots of Mennonite families inside of Walmart and elsewhere. Coming up though, Thursday there is a big animal swap and flea market we plan to go to. Saturday is a trip to Home Depot to get a better idea of supply costs for building our home, and then I'll probably go to pick up the Yaris around that time.

That's the news from us.  You all take care,

James and family 


So yes, the news is out that we are central-Missouri bound, Lord willing, and as far as we can tell.  As we grew firm in our resolve, this exciting piece of artwork appeared one day at a local swap shop.  Heather brought it home and we mounted it up on the wall.  It serves as a daily reminder and transitional mindset help.


A couple of weeks later I found this big ole mug at the same shop.  You can see the Lake of the Ozarks a little better on the mug, which is where we'll be joining some folks we know and love in a new adventure.  The cup stays with me at work as a reminder throughout the day.  It holds a hefty serving of coffee or whatever to boot!


Oh yeah from the sillier side. . .  The title up there is how we understand that the locals pronounce the State.  Heather has gotten a bit annoyed with how I immediately follow behind anyone that says "Missouri" with a long and drawn out "Mizzz Urrrr Raahhhhhh"


I had the most aweful flat tire experience the other day.  Thankfully, Nathan's Tire Shop was there to help. 


Nathan brought out his hydraulic jack and stand and had the tire off the ground in no time.


He had that new tire out and mounted so fast!  Thanks Nathan's Tire Shop!

For Nathan's Birthday we boys and Hannah went to a local travelling Monster Truck Show.  You can see more about the show by looking at this link:  http://www.crazy-nitro.eu/#HOME

Jacob's on board for the action!

 
Ready to Roll!


Nathan keeps his cool as the anticipation mounts
 
Jacob pulls up to the challenge!

 
The one is called "The Black Devil"

 
Micah held things up!

 
The entrance to the show . . .

 
Nathan and the boys monkeyed around on some nearby trees

 
At long last, Heather and I enjoyed a nice date out a few weeks ago and saw the movie The Amazing Spiderman.  Great flick overall.  Afterwards we enjoyed this bottle of wine, a parting gift from a co-worker, and this box of delicious chocolates.

 
A close up there of the chocolates

 
The other day this sight caught my attention because of its romantic nature.  What's gotten into me?  Is it about time for another addition, I wonder?  :)

 
Oh well.  Just me in a Japanese robe and slippers after all.  We would have loved to go to Japan to see our family, but I guess Japan came to us instead via Rachel and company. 

 
My wife quickly took the bench cover off and made this amazingly special tea time, Japanese style.  We all loved using the tea set and chop sticks.  That's about as close to sitting on my feet as I could get. . .

 
One of the new princes of Japan looking so wise.

 
Not a bad cuppa.

 
The girls loved their fans 


 
And their outfits too

 

Don't mess with Jacob-Dan-iel son

 
A fan club member now

 
Defender of the Island

 
Hmmm.  Confusius say man who goes to bed with itchy bottom will likely wake with stinky fingers.

 
Here's a glimpse of the chess set.

 
You know about these, Grasshopper.

 
Chopsticks are too much fun


The chess set case.  Thank you, Rachel and Family


Heather, Hannah, and Eden worked on some pressed flower projects together.



Here's the book they used to press their flowers.  Yikes!  I said when I first heard they were using my prized Noah Webster 1828 dictionary which was a gift to me from Rachel and Thomas.  But all was well that ended well; no stains, tears, etc. 


These bookmarks look awesome!


Wonderful!


One of our family friends has inspired my wife to make some beautiful bows for the girls' hair.




The other side of the book marks.





One Nation, Under God
 (only then can our Republic stand, we then can be indivisible and have liberty and justice for all)


The Three Things We Need - Godly Men, Prayerful, who are Patriotic and Who Both Stand and Cling to God and His Word

Mama's famous 4th of July cake


Nathan helps me get the grill ready


He was a big help out on the grill as well.  We have a tree whose leaves pop like fire crackers when they burn.  Nathan loves to throw those into my grill fires, and he loves to help gather twigs and throw them in as well.


I love to grill . . .


We enjoyed the food in our backyard


Micah demonstrating the goodness of all we had together;gotta enjoy that Cholula too!


We laid a blanket out in a grassy area near where the fireworks were going to let off.  Several other families we know were also in the area, most of which we also fellowship with as part of the local Body.


We played some baseball


Nathan up to bat


Hannah did so great.  She really loves baseball


Eden out there in her Cowgirl outfit.  That's a bucket -o- popcorn behind her.


Eden and Nathan with some friends


Our kids decided to paint their faces like we see the Germans doing sometimes for soccar.  "fussball" as they call it.


Hannah's face painted all up.  The American flag you see on her shirt, she sewed that on herself.


And our warrior Jacob poses here before riding out to liberate Scotland.


And Hannah's friends.  I thought Hannah was in this shot but I guess not.  Anyway, it represents whose company she enjoyed while there.


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