Welcome Our 2 Newest Additions!!

This past week, we welcomed to our ranch, 2 beautiful additions to our foundation herd:

Invierno (meaning Winter)

Sienna Chanel (Sienna means: reddish orange brown)

We look forward to Lord-willing, breeding Invierno this Spring to Viola, for what is sure to be a spectacular cria.... & isn't Chanel such a little doll??

Graduation Plans

Grace Bible had it's first High School Graduation Planning Meeting (boy, that was a mouthful!! LOL), this past Tuesday. There will be 6 of us graduating this year at Grace: Elizabeth Patterson, Elizabeth Rognaldson, Noah Door, Caleb Chersin, Mary Beth Peabody, & me.

We decided on the date: May 20th, 2011 at 6:30pm at Grace Bible Church.
All the families were so accommodating--to adjust the usual graduation date, earlier than usual--so that I can  participate in it as well, before I leave (5 days later) for the Philippines...

I'm pretty excited....okay, I'm ecstatic...but then, who wouldn't be??

One thing that really stuck with me from the meeting, is the first thing that Pastor  Paul wrote on the whiteboard:

Graduation

What The Teen Thinks It Is...

vs.

Commencement

What The Parent Knows It Is...

Isn't that good!?!

We have another meeting in about 2 weeks, to continue the planning process...
It's going to be a blast preparing for it...(who doesn't love a challenge?!?)... :D

Samson's New Hair Cut

 So, Samson--our great, big, furry Bouvier des Flanders--got a new haircut/hair style this past week......And ain't he cute!?! Thought you'd enjoy these pictures of him!!
Unfortunately, the pictures don't show what he really looks like...his hair was all 'blow-dried', & his head was all cropped short...He looks like a real bear now!!! So, if you see a 'bear' roaming the hills...make sure it's not our dog!!! LOL

Sweet 16=Pain, Time, & Money

Rachel at Silver Mtn.

Following in my footsteps, Rachel got her ears pierced tonight at Claire's...but unlike my getting mine done 6 weeks before my 16th birthday, she got hers done exactly 2 months before!!

She was apprehensive (as are we all! :D) about what it would 'feel' like, but afterwards said, "Wow! That was ALL?!?!"

She decided to get the 5mm CZ (not squared) studs, (which perfectly beautiful on her).

Signing the papers

Picking the Stone

..........In Process........

First expression after...

Finished up...ain't she just gorgeous! (as she was b4)

"Comforts for Mothers in Labor"...

Today, we spent quite a few hours as a family, going thru boxes of "stuff"...mostly old ACE Paces, records, & interesting old papers. Amongst the junk, Mama found a paper, titled "Comorts for Mother's in Labor":D that I wrote between Year 2000 & 2002 (age 7-9).
I have no remembrance of writing this, but then, I don't even remember telling Mom at age 7, that I felt God wanted me to be a midwife...


Also, as of a few years ago, I gained conclusive evidence, showing that I am dyslexic (explaining the many different/odd learning problems I have had, especially in my High School years)...anyway, as of late, I have wondered if any of my earlier documents showed that...well, on this writing, I did wrote the following: Joshau & Isiaah....kind of cool if you ask me... LOL 

Going back to the verses, here they are...not all of them, I'd put under the List for Comforting Laboring Moms, but... :D

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.   Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but  thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

~ Joshua 1:5-9 ~

But thus says the LORD: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children.

~ Isaiah 49:25 ~

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

~ Psalms 23:1 ~

Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, & holiness, with self-control.

~ I Timothy 2:15 ~

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

~ II Timothy 1:7 ~

Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."

~ Matthew 9:29 ~

But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

~ Psalms 3:3 ~

Also, on the same but different note, we found some papers Mom wrote after she miscarried Matthew Paul on January 14th, 2004...my daddy's 39th birthday. Though not due until August, Matthew was miscarried during his second month of life. His name means "A little gift of God, dependent on the Lord".


Looking back; though his death was hard at the time, I realize now, that if Matthew had been born alive, we wouldn't have James with us now (born in November, 2004), or have his twin-Lydia Carol in heaven. Through it all though, God has been so good to us, & I wouldn't trade any of my 10 brothers & sisters (those that are in heaven...& on earth LOL), for all the gold in China!!! :D 
How anyone cannot realize the Sanctity of Life, & how special each life is---no matter where they are in the process of growth---is absolutely ludicrous & insensible. May God turn the hearts of the fathers & mothers of our Country back to their hearts & lives of their children!!!

Viola is Here!!

It has been almost a month since the suspenseful last half hour of the OpenHerd auction, where we bought our newest addition to Rockford Bay Ranch: A beautiful, rose grey junior herdsire, who has Champion Genetics-Silver Spoon Viola.

Well, after waiting (for what seemed like forever), Viola arrived yesterday at our ranch, safe & sound!! (and ain't he gorgeous!!!)

Though only 17 months old, Viola is HUGE!!! We're very much looking forward to his first breedings later this year, for what should be, some large, colored (grey??) cria!!!

One more thing....about his name...isn't it cute? Yeah, I thought so too. It is pronounced: (VEE-ohl-uh). As many of you know, my Grampaw used to be a conductor/violinist/master of many (& has been teaching Rachel violin for quite a few years now, with phenomenal success, I might add).

Also, Oma (my gramma) used to play Viola as well, so it ties in both grandparents, & our family!!

Viola is such a God-send...we needed to get colors into our herd, & God provided for us!!!! Praise the Lord!!!

REMINDER: It Isn't Spring Anymore/Yet!!

Well, pride goeth before the fall, I suppose...or as it really goes in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
So, I was emailing a friend the other day (who had a bunch of snow in her mid-western State), joking/boasting about our gorgeous Spring weather here in the Northwestern State of Idaho, and (as I knew would happen) snow came last night!!!

Not that that was a bad thing, but...well, I suppose it was "bound to happen" as they say! LOL
------------------
I just have to share this praise with ya'll....yes, it does have to do with Packing...

Yesterday morning, while trying to decide what to wear to church, I thought, "I really need to find some good layering clothes, & some good woven short-sleeved shirts!!" (It was the perfect day to wear a turtle neck under a short-sleeved woven shirt). Also, for the last many months, I've been trying to find some inexpensive flannel long-sleeve shirts, but to no avail as of yet...

Well, last night, we went to the Schumann's home again, & had a wonderful time fellowshipping with some other families there. Selah just happened to have cleaned out her closet, & had around a half dozen shirts that fit me; of which (Praise the Lord), there were amongst other things, some short-sleeved woven shirts & flannel long-sleeved shirts.

I know that you probably think it's just a trivial thing; but to me, it was another big reminder of how I can trust God to supply all my needs...heretofore and in the future!! There have been some other even bigger 'miracles' (to me) that have happened in the last few weeks, that I look forward to sharing in a future post.

But my God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 4:19 ~

It's February!

I can hardly believe it's February!! Doesn't time fly!!
Here are some interesting facts I found regarding the month of February. Enjoy!!

In addition to being the most misspelled month, February is a misfit of days from Leap Year (every 4th year) to its standard 28 days in a collection of 30. Interestingly, February had 28 days until Julius Caesar gave it 29, and 30 days every four years. According to tradition, Augustus, the Roman emperor, took one day off to add one day to August, the month named after him. We now have February with 28 days, and 29 on leap years.

February's name comes from the Latin word "februum", which translates as "purification". Given the amount of "purifying" rain that typically falls during this winter month in the Northern Hemisphere, the name seems appropriate.

Birthstone: Amethyst
The word Amethyst is believed to be derived from the Greek language meaning "a (not) and methustos (intoxicated)," therefore the stone has been embraced as a symbol for sobriety.

Flower: Primrose

Fun Facts:
- February is is Black History Month in the US & Canada, serving as a remembrance of people & events in African American history.
- February is also National Cherry & Chocolate Month (among countless others), which explains all of those Valentine's Day gifts of chocolate-covered cherries.
- February is well known for Ground Hog's Day on the 2nd, Valentine's Day on the 14th, & President's Day on the 3rd Monday.

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Matthew 24:42

(Thanks to 'entourage' wikipedia, & 'celebrations' for the facts!)

ACLJ Suing Planned Parenthood

Yesterday, the ACLJ sent out an email to their members with the following message:

"Thousands of pro-life Americans marched in Washington, D.C., on Sunday to mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It is estimated that over 53 million children have lost their lives to abortion in the 35 years since this tragic ruling.

The ACLJ now has a rare opportunity to hold the largest pro-abortion group accountable for their actions.

Contribute Here

A former executive with Planned Parenthood in California has turned in his former employer for allegedly orchestrating a massive fraud scheme-taking millions in taxpayer funds. The ACLJ is going to court to hold Planned Parenthood accountable. The outcome of this case could financially devastate Planned Parenthood.

It is our moral fight to protect the unborn....


Taking on the largest abortion provider in America and their BILLION-dollar-a-year budget is requiring significant resources from the ACLJ.

Will you make an immediate tax-deductible contribution to help us take on Planned Parenthood and save the lives of unborn children?

Our case, Gonzalez v. Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles, Case No. CV 05-8818-AHM, is in federal district court right now. Planned Parenthood faces significant fraud charges with alleged overbilling totaling more than $180 million in taxpayer funds over a six-year period. This case could have a dramatic impact on Planned Parenthood - putting a financial squeeze on their operations and expansion plans.

Planned Parenthood, the nations largest abortion provider, is consistently launching new "clinics" around the country and relies on our tax dollars to fund its growth.

A victory in this case is crucial. We intend to expose what can only be described as "corrupt practices" and seek a verdict that would order Planned Parenthood to pay millions of dollars - money they never should have had in the first place.

Thank you for standing with the ACLJ to help save the lives of unborn babies. I'll keep you upated on the progress of this and our other important cases.

Sincerely,
Jay Sekulow
ACLJ Chief Counsel

P.S. This case has the potential to cripple Planned Parenthood's financial operations and slow down their growing number of facilities - including abortion clinics - around the nation. Please share this important message with everyone you know who is concerned with protecting the lives of unborn children. Thank you."

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

Life is precious. Miraculous. Delicate. Created by a loving God who makes every human being unique. Life made in the image of God is a fundamental human right that begins at conception.

According to our Declaration of Independence, "all men...are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The order is significant. Life is the FIRST God-given right of every human being. If you do not have life, you certainly cannot enjoy liberty or pursue happiness.

Unfortunately, our God-given right to life in America has been undermined in our "culture of death". More innocent human beings are put to death every day than those who died in the 9/11 attacks - 3,000. Abortion ends the lives of more than 1.2 million unborn children in America every year. Fully 22% of all pregnancies end in abortion.

The overwhelming majority of those innocent children are simply sacrificed on the altar of convenience. Nearly 50 million unborn have been murdered by abortion since the Supreme Court ruling on January 22, 1973. (taken from our Church service this last Sunday)

For Thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

~ Psalms 139:13-16 ~

Yesterday is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHLS), a day set aside to celebrate the intrinsic value of all human life. January is recognized as Sanctity of Human Life month, with SOHL Sunday held on the Sunday in January that falls closest to the day on which the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion was handed down by the US Supreme Court in 1973. 

In 1983, President Reagan issued a proclamation establishing a National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHLS). Since 1983, the SOHLS proclamation has also been issued by Presidents George H.W. Bush & George W. Bush.

Proclamation 5147 -- National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 1984

January 13, 1984

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The values and freedoms we cherish as Americans rest on our fundamental commitment to the sanctity of human life. The first of the "unalienable rights" affirmed by our Declaration of Independence is the right to life itself, a right the Declaration states has been endowed by our Creator on all human beings -- whether young or old, weak or strong, healthy or handicapped.

Since 1973, however, more than 15 million unborn children have died in legalized abortions -- a tragedy of stunning dimensions that stands in sad contrast to our belief that each life is sacred. These children, over tenfold the number of Americans lost in all our Nation's wars, will never laugh, never sing, never experience the joy of human love; nor will they strive to heal the sick, or feed the poor, or make peace among nations. Abortion has denied them the first and most basic of human rights, and we are infinitely poorer for their loss.

We are poorer not simply for lives not led and for contributions not made, but also for the erosion of our sense of the worth and dignity of every individual. To diminish the value of one category of human life is to diminish us all. Slavery, which treated Blacks as something less than human, to be bought and sold if convenient, cheapened human life and mocked our dedication to the freedom and equality of all men and women. Can we say that abortion -- which treats the unborn as something less than human, to be destroyed if convenient -- will be less corrosive to the values we hold ear?

We have been given the precious gift of human life, made more precious still by our birth in or pilgrimages to a land of freedom. It is fitting, then, on the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade that struck down State anti-abortion laws, that we reflect anew on these blessings, and on our corresponding responsibility to guard with care the lives and freedoms of even the weakest of our fellow human beings.

Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Sunday, January 22, 1984, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I call upon the citizens of this blessed land to gather on that day in homes and places of worship to give thanks for the gift of life, and to reaffirm our commitment to the dignity of every human being and the sanctity of each human life.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of January, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eighth.

Ronald Reagan

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:24 a.m., January 16,1984]

So, WHAT can WE do???

- Pray that dignity of every human life will be respected and protected - at every stage of life from conception to natural death (Proverbs 24:11-12).

- Pray for the women and men facing unexpected pregnancies in our community.

- Pray for an end to abortion.

- Stay Informed about Threats to the God-Given Right to Life - Sign up for the Washington Update at www.frc.org

- Urge your elected officials to act to protect the unborn.

• Encourage your US Representative and Senators to vote in favor of the Smith-Lipinski bill to remove all government fundiong for abortion and to fvote for bills to protect he conscience of health care workers.
• Call the US Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Or visit www.frc.org and click on contact officials.

- Support a Pregnancy Care Center in your area. To find out more about these life-affirming ministries to women who are expecting a child, check out FRS's site: www.apassiontoserve.org.

- Support our local Open Arms Pregnancy Care and Real Choices Clinic - a Christ-centered ministry, that reveals God's design for human life, sexual integrity and reproductive health to individuals, to help them make a life affirming choice through education, compassionate support and pregnancy related services. ALL of their services are free, & because Government funds are not received, there is no hindrance to sharing the Gospel.

Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

~ Proverbs 31:8-9 ~

Going to the Regional Spelling Bee!!

This morning, Samuel, Rebekah, & Esther participated in the NIHEA Homeschool Spelling Bee.

The Results??

Samuel (7th grade) came in 3rd place by misspelling the word 'mirage', & won a $25 cash prize.
Rebekah won the 5th grade division, by spelling the word 'luncheon' correctly, & won a $100 cash prize.
Esther won the 4th grade division, by spelling the word 'salute' correctly, & also won a $100 cash prize.

Therefore, Rebekah & Esther will be going on to the Regional Spelling Bee at Schuler Auditorium, on March 19th, 2011.

Homeschool Winners:
8th: Caleb Stedman
7th: Andrew Stedman
6th: Kiara Selby
5th: Rebekah Pinkerton
4th: Esther Pinkerton

Purchased An Alpaca Stud!!

Viola at age 1

 Well, today, we finished up the purchase of a 1.5 year old, Medium Rose Grey junior herdsire, who has  Champion Genetics, named Viola. Isn't he Gorgeous??

Last weekend, the Lord led us to purchase him for an extremely low price...at approximately 1/20th of his value price, at an online auction.  God has been SO gracious to us, & there is a Story behind all of this...one of patience, & waiting on God...one which, when we Waited on God, He gave us the desires of our hearts, in a totally unexpected & unimagined way!!! We are SO grateful!!

Viola's Fleece (one week ago)

Viola will be coming home in the beginning to middle part of February.

Psalms 121

A few days ago, I received an email from a family friend, with the reference Psalm 121. I didn't get around to looking it up until today, but when I did, I found one of my favorite, multi-underlined/marked passages, & it was such a blessing.
I knew then, that God, thru Mrs. Schaffer, gave me a passage for this year, and the next...one for all my missions, and life in general for that fact.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

~ Psalm 121 ~

Name Change-Postponed

Well, as some of you know, my biggest 'apprehension' about being in the Philippines over my 18th birthday, was trying to get my whole passport/driver's license/name change thing figured out....

1) From what I researched a year ago (I can't find the sources now), because I got my Passport before I turned 16, I'd need to get it renewed by my 18th birthday.
    Thankfully, I was misinformed. We called up our County Clerk today, & she informed us that my passport expires whenever it says on the data page, NOT when I turn 18...so, I have another year & a half.

2) My driver's license expires 6 days after my birthday (7/1/1993). My unknown there, was if they'd let me back into the US with it being expired (& I being 18), even though I had a passport.
    I called our State DMV, & the gal that answered said that since I had my passport, I'd be fine. I just wouldn't be able to drive back in the States until I got it renewed.
**Don't ever tell me that DMV people aren't nice!!! I've never (up-to-date...NOT saying it won't happen) had a problem with them.... :D


3) When I was around 14, I added Hope onto my name, & have been using it in my signatures ever since. My plan has been to change/add it legally around the time my passport expired/I turned 18.
    So, I'm going to wait until next winter to start the legal proceedings of changing my name.....that takes a load off my plate for now!!


This probably doesn't seem very significant to you....but when you've been mulling it all around for the last 3+ years, wondering how it's going to work out, & hoping it'll be okay, etc. etc. It's a big deal!!! LOL

PS. I have my parent's FULL blessing on adding Hope to my name. They are very supportive, Praise the Lord!! :D

A Day With the Ruselers!!!

This morning, I went to the Ruseler's home, to ultrasound Jordan's goats (all of which are VERY pregnant), & Katie their dog; as well as talk about packing & vaccine plans. We also started studying/learning the Filipino/Cebuano language.

We are currently using MyLanguages.org, who's goal is to become the number one website in the world for teaching languages online. Though they are in the process of building it, it is already a wealth of information, and includes downloadable audio for different words. Best of all, it is free, with no strings attached, or subscriptions/registration required.

One thing I noticed (and though I've been told this by others, it hasn't really hit home until the past few months), is that with the little bit of Latin & Spanish that I've learned, it has already helped with learning Cebuano.

Below is a short video on the Cebuano Alphabet. It gives you a good idea of what the letters, words, and phrases sound like, & is also UNFORGETTABLE!! Ugghh! LOL

Schumanns, Dolly, & Scrapbooking...

Me & Dolly

Tonight, I went to the Schumann's place: some very good friends of ours. Selah (a very dear friend) just had a calf born (Dolly) to one of her best milkers (Precious), 4 days ago.

This afternoon, Selah separated Dolly, to start bottle feeding her, so while I was there, we gave her her first bottle feeding.
Fortunately, it didn't take more than 5 minutes for her to realize what she was supposed to do...
Isn't she cute???

Selah & Precious

Selah surprised me by giving me a scrapbook and supplies, so I can scrapbook The Trip when I get back home in September!!! I'm SO excited...

Mercy Midwifery Clinic/School Video

Video Link

Scheduled my Flight

Yesterday, while we were up skiing at Silver Mountain on a Homeschool Ski Day (discounted rates), I called the travel agent that our group is using to schedule our flight. I guess his company has been serving missionaries since 1989!!


I would totally recommend him to anyone who is traveling to the Philippines...  

Ed at Pelitravel

P.O. Box 1945

Brookings, OR 97415

tel-1: 800-673-5422 

tel-2: 800-439-5956

direct tel: 541-469-9821

I haven't received the itinerary yet, but from what I know, we will be traveling as follows:
Drive to Seattle. Fly from Seattle to LA, California; to Seoul, South Korea; to Manila, Philippines. At that time, we will change airlines/terminals (as we were flying Korean), and then fly to Davao.


The girls that are going are as follows:
Terry Rogers (midwife)
Lydia & Annie Barnett (22 & 21, respectively)
Brandie Berard (almost 18)
Stephanie Reed (early 20's)
Chantal (Shan-Tall) McKinney (early 20's)
Jordan Ruseler (19)
and me-Sarah Pinkerton (17)

Welcome to My Blog!

Welcome! For approximately the next 8 months, I will be using this blog to update you on what it is taking to go to the Philippines, & what I am doing while there.

This is a dream come true to be able to go intern at the Mercy Maternity Clinic in Davao, Philippines...ever since my good friend Jordan Ruseler & I found it when we were 13 & 11, respectively. Now, we are both going over there with a group of 5 like-minded student-midwives from down South & their midwife/teacher Terry Rogers for 3 months!!

Mercy Maternity Clinic (MMC) serves almost 20,000 patients (prenatal exams), & delivers approximately 1,500 babies annually. Their target group is comprised mainly of families living in severe poverty conditions, who cannot afford quality health care.

Our plane leaves on May 25th, 2011 from Seattle, & we will start returning on August 30th, 2011.