Goodbye Daniel!!!

In October, Daniel, David, & Samuel went to Journey of the Heart (something I would highly recommend to any person who wants an even closer relationship with God..talk about an intense 10-day long Biblical discipleship!)  One thing with the "Journeys" is that you long to do it again (as I feel as well ;D)....and so this time was Daniel's 2nd Journey.

Best Brother....

2003 - BK: David, Rachel, Daniel, Sarah FRT: Esther, Rebekah, Samuel

2005 - Our Rite of Passage

FYI, Journey of the Heart is an offshoot of IBLP (Institute in Basic Life Principles), which was founded by Dr. Bill Gothard in 1961.

Last year, while at the Journey, Daniel had the opportunity to send in an application for different ministry opportunities, including serving at the IBLP Headquarters in Oakbrook, Illinois. Though he didn't apply at that time, God kept working in his heart about possibly doing so in the future. That next summer (2010), our family spent 2.5 months traveling around the country in 3 different trips (AK; CO; and TN, AR, MO, IL, OH, KY). A large part of the last trip was spent in Illinois with our dear friends the Hogans and then also at the IBLP HQ. At that time, Mr. Gothard brought up the possibility of Daniel serving at HQ, but our business needed him badly (he worked as a Paraplanner and Research Analyst), and so he declined the offer at that time as well. 

Graduation 2010

This time at Journey, God laid the desire even stronger on Daniel's heart about the possibility of serving at HQ, and after much prayer and consideration with our parents, he applied to IBLP for a year long stint, and was accepted, to begin serving there in the 2nd week of January '12.

A Man with a Vision

Papa and Daniel decided to drive his Audi back to Oakbrook in early December with everything he'd need (which wasn't very much) for a year in Chicago and possible mission trips to other countries as well. They drove through the Midwest on their way there, participated in the IBLP Christmas Party and then flew back home a few days later. 

In the Badlands! 

Since when do they mile mark every .1 of each mile???? (In the Midwest??)

The night before his departure, we had a going away party for him during our Wednesday night Bible Study, and then some of us as a group prayed for him as well. What a huge blessing prayer is!!

Me & My Brother (Photo by Alyssa Gaul)

(Photo by Alyssa Gaul)

Daniel actually left Thursday, January 12th, 2012. To start out with, he is staying at the Drake Hotel there in Oakbrook (which IBLP just purchased and is now renovating),  and will be helping with renovations there, as well as working as an IT and Research assistant and various things under the direction of Ken Krause. He is learning a lot of new skills, like being a cook and a song leader.  He will also probably work with Mr. Hogan in Springfield at times.

Leaving at 4am

We are really excited for Daniel as he serves God in a new capacity, and is discipled in a whole new way. Please keep him in your prayers though, as it will be challenging at times.

The Drake Hotel in Oakbrook which Daniel is currently helping to remodel

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

~ Matthew 28: 19-20 ~

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

Our Christmas was a blessed, relaxing time, to be able to focus on our Saviour, and what He did for us, by sending His ONLY BEGOTTEN Son to the world to die for us--the only Perfect Lamb of God...  Christmas at our house isn't really big...we try to really focus on what Christmas really is...  Christmas dinner is fun though, because it really focuses on our family roots--the Pinkertons....see below.

So grateful to God for His amazing grace

I LOVE contrast....Reds and Greens...just gorgeous!! 

This is the 'big' thing at Christmas...Meatloaf in the look of the Pinkerton Springs (which was owned by my great-great-great-grandfather, who helped settle the area) located in Colorado.
(Yes I'm VERY proud of my roots!!) Usually we have a bunch of other 'colors' on it too, but somehow in our relaxed preparations, we found ourselves without this year!! Oh well, it was still delicious!! (Especially since it was Water Buffalo!)

Our Pinkerton Springs...

Our Christmas Dinner....Water Buffalo, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, broccoli, green beans, salad, and oops...we forgot CORN!!! :(

My paternal grandparents --Oma and Grampaw-- celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on the 30th, and so my dad's 4 siblings and quite a few of my cousins from around the country came to help celebrate during the entire week between Christmas and New Years...talk about fun!!!

Here are some pictures showing our wonderful time together:

On Thursday, we all went skiing at Silver Mountain, and boy was it fun and full of adventures!!

As a general rule, I like cats (especially when the have kittens ;p)...except that I'm allergic to them...but cats do NOT belong in houses...so to find our 'mama cat' displaying herself like a queen on our guest bed did not excite any of us....nor did it excite my little sisters to a few days later find her in THEIR bed purring in their ears at midnight!! (How she got there??? Who knows...lol)

On the big Anniversary night, Mama made a scrumptious, multi-course meal...I swapped places (of serving food) with David, and got to be the photographer all night!! Woohoo!!

Mama & Rachel dishin' up the Main Course!

Samuel LOVES Shrimp....if you didn't get that...SAMUEL LOVES SHRIMP!!!
Thus, the non-shrimpers (not me!) gave theirs to him....Wow!! And that was the 1st course! :)

Papa & Aunt Judith serenading everyone with their beautiful musicmaking.

Playing "The Duet"..a Tabletop piece....same piece of music is being played by both people, but their reading from opposite sides of the music!! Talk about mindboggling!! (but beautiful!!)

James...who, the "baby" of the family, is now 7!!! Where does time go?

James got a lasso for Christmas....boy has he spent his time lassoing/tying people up!!

The cake topper shown has been used for many generations in our family...it was also used at my parent's wedding.

 Somehow, after a delicious waffle breakfast, there was a mini food fight (which is not typically allowed at our house...it made for PLENTY of memories!!!!)

No, Daniel didn't start it...but he was an accidental victim!! 

My darling, entrepreneurial, innocent-looking 15 year old brother - David ;p

Esther--doing what she does best--taking care of babies (this time our  newest cousin-Sierra)

Rachel...my 'conscience'..what would I do without her??

 Being a very musical family, with my Grampaw being a conductor, musical instructor/teacher, and a whole list of other incredible things, it was only natural that the Pinkerton Philharmonic Symphony came to Rockford Bay Manor for Saturday afternoon.... The song?? God Bless America

Pretty much all of us played...even me on the piano (which was more than challenging for me...lol)

Grampaw met Oma in Junior High during Orchestra practice....so it was only appropriate for him to ask her to marry him again during this orchestra practice, with the 'introduction ring' that he used then (that my dad used for my mom as well!)

What a huge blessing and a privilege to be there......

The one & only "Pinkerchovsky" Clan...
Jim (#4), Nancy (#3), Dan (#5), Judith (#1), & Gary (#2)

Saturday night, we had an amazing Firework show...comparable to the Resorts (in our opinion) to celebrate the New Year, and 60 amazing years of testimony...that marriage IS for LIFE!!!!

Praise God for the testimony my grandparents have shown to all of us!!!

All Firework pictures attributed to Alyssa Gaul

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

~ Genesis 2:24 ~

Patience Pays Off...

Though I may have been in a foreign country, ranch business never stops, and when I had time between shifts and outreaches when I was in the Philippines, I helped direct the sales and care operations of our ranch back in the US.

This last year, we found that our herd was increasingly becoming all white, because our color stock was more in demand So for the first time in a few years, we made some purchases of quality colored alpacas to infiltrate our foundation herd.

We found all the new stock we wanted by the end of July, but on a whim in early August, I decided to surf another online Alpaca Auction (almost as bad as horse shopping!! ;p), & found a "3-2" Gray Female Alpaca Package that caught my fancy & was in my price range. I thought, "Hey, it has a few days left, the lines are good, it'll probably go way beyond my reach, but why not?? I'll Bid."  Though I did pre-count the costs, I was still completely shocked when a few days later, the auction ended, and to my surprise, I was the highest bidder!!!

Black and Silver Gray is my speciality...for almost all livestock, and so I was pretty stoked. The one girl had just been bred, and since they were out-of-state, both were held until the pregnancy was confirmed and she was far enough along that it'd be safe to travel--meaning October. Unfortunately, every transport for almost 3 months kept falling through, and so God had a LOT of fun teaching me patience, as I waited expectantly for my 'girls'.

Today, "Violet" and "Essence" actually made it to our ranch. There is always a risk buying sight unseen, but I wasn't disappointed. And sure enough, Violet is pregnant for a Summer 2012 cria. Woohoo!!!

During this whole purchase and the many complications that came with it, God taught me a lot. I like to give first-rate service to our clientele, and sometimes it's frustrating when that is not reciprocated when I'm on the other end of the deal. However, God gave me grace, and abundant patience, and I was able to laugh it all off, and try to be a blessing.

I am reminded of the following verses....how good is our God, that He would continue to teach us, though we may be wayward and unwilling, but He in His mercy, as we seek Him, continues to train and teach us through all things:

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

~ 2 Corinthians 4:15-17 ~

1 Down, 39 To Go...

Well, I finished Chapter 1 of 40 today, and am now starting on the 2nd Chapter of my EMT Manual. My Quiz Score was  85% (3 wrong), and even with that, I am already learning so much.  The program is set up really well, and the Contact People are easy to work with when you have questions.  EMT Fire Training has really tried to make it's program user and learning type friendly, and my little siblings are jealous, because I get to play 'crossword puzzles' to help me memorize the different names, etc. :)

Star of Life

This first section is completely Preparatory, meaning it covers the basics of everything EMS. For instance, this first Chapter gave an overview of what EMS is all about, what our Scope of Practices are, etc. etc.  The next chapter is on Workforce Safety.  Already, I am learning so much that can be used for every aspect of Health Care, and not just for Medical Emergencies (which is why I'm enrolled in this course).

Though I know the course will become more complicated and challenging as I start memorizing more and more, I'm looking forward to the Fundamental Knowledge I'll be learning, that I know will assist me an every area of life.  As it was said at my dear friend's RN Pinning Ceremony last night, 'though the coursework is tough, the outcome is worth it, and it changes you (for the good), and gives you life-long skills'.

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

 ~ Isaiah 50:7 ~

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy (ruhamah), and find grace to help in time of need.

~ Hebrew 4:16 ~

Smart...

Rachel and I were teaching my 7 year old brother, James about the value of money today, when I remembered the following poem...."Smart" Proves the point, eh??

My dad gave me one dollar bill

'Cause I'm his smartest son,

And I swapped it for two shiny quarters

'Cause two is more than one!

And then I took the quarters

And traded them to Lou

For three dimes -- I guess he don't know

That three is more than two!

Just thenm, along came old blind Bates

And just 'cause he can't see

He gave me four nickels for my three dimes,

And four is more than three!

And I took the nickels to Hiram Coombs

Down at the seed-feed store,

And the fool gave me five pennies for them,

And five is more than four!

And then I went and showed my dad,

And he got red in the cheecks

And close his eyes and shook his head--

Too proud of me to speak!

~ Shel Silverstein

For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

~ Ecclesiastes 7:12 ~

An Essay From Samuel

For school today, my 13 year old brother, Samuel wrote the following Essay:

In the colonial days, taking care of the sick was much different than today. The people didn't know what the flu or other sicknesses came from unless it was obvious. Because of their lack of knowledge, contagious sicknesses often proved deadly. There weren't many hospitals and very few doctors, so the mothers would resort to using herbs for remedies. Even though they didn't taste or smell very pleasant, many herbs like Mullein for coughs and Helichrysm for wounds proved very effective. The most popular herb--St. John's Wart--was believed to draw devils away. Herbs, however, were not the only means of treatment. Colonists also used tea for a cure that was made by burning frogs to a crisp and grinding them up into powder. Disgusting!!

There were many rumors about different diseases. Numerous colonists would blame the sickness on spells cast by witches or even evil spirits. There were also many queer thoughts about different cures. One of them was a cure for the fever. They would cut the sick person's fingernails and put them in a bag, which would be tied to an eel's neck. The eel would be put into water and when it died, they believed the patient's fever would leave.

Another superstition was that when babies teethed, doctors would have them wear a necklace with wolves teeth on it which they believed would help with the pain. The most common superstition, however was bloodletting. In trying to help the process of healing, patient's veins were cut open, and the blood was allowed to flow out. They believed in this cure so strongly that if a doctor was unavailable, the barber or the minister would do the bloodletting themselves. Today, we have found out how to heal the sick, but unfortunately we have gone too far.

The main problem with today's medical society is that many doctors care more about money than their patients. They sell them masses of unneeded drugs that take away pain and can lead to addiction without solving the root problem. Unfortunately, the people today don't realize that they are following a shepherd-disguised wolf. Even when information is discovered on how to heal most sicknesses, it is often criticized and suppressed. Home remedies also have their place, and thus the sensible will take the best of both worlds and disperse the love and kindness of mothers and the wisdom of doctors to all.

The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

~ Proverbs 23:24 ~

Just a Testimony

"....my cup runneth over."

~ Psalms 23:5c ~

Manila, Philippines

That verse hit me hard when I read it today....God has so blessed me, and so filled my cup to overflowing...  This last week was extremely busy--in a good way: from helping my dad prepare for our Annual Staff Appreciation Party, to preparing for Sunday's Philippine Presentation, and everything else in between, and God sure made this verse true in my life!!

If you know me, I love helping other people, but it's hard sometimes to allow people to help me because "I don't want to be a burden"...a lie I know...but still something I battle with. So, it was overwhelming to have so many people pitch in to help with last minute preparations for the Meal on Sunday. I when I assumed I would just get all the last details done...whatever it takes, not matter if an "all-nighter" would be the answer. I guess teamwork is a good thing...something God has created. Something that I need to learn how to do well.

Where are my brothers???

Looking back, even an "all-nighter" by myself wouldn't have gotten everything done in time, and so I'm grateful that my precious family joyfully pitched on Saturday...sacrificing their plans for me. No less grateful was I than when I walked into the Church kitchen Sunday morning, to find my dear friend Alyssa already working in the kitchen!!! So many people lended their hands willingly to help...it was simply...yes, I've used the word a lot, but it's the best I know....overwhelming.

My Bukid Baby

The 'Surprise Meal' was Filipino Tacos....everyone raved about them, and I guess they'll become a regular around our house!!  I was told to plan for around 175 people, but when all was said and done, there were around 210 for the meal, and 225 for the presentation. Though there was a shortage of meat and beans, no one complained....and if anything, they got a feeling for what it was like in the Phils, when sometimes all you ate was rice 3 times a day. (Boy do I LOVE rice now!!)

As my mentor reminded me later, I asked God that it would be about Him and not me...that He would speak through me, and that He would get the praise, glory, and honor, and I know He did.  Though I felt incapable, He was there through my weakness-praise God!!

We serve a powerful God!! Praise Him for who He is!!

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

~ Romans 8:28 ~