Oregon Colleges were Once Christian

Oregon Colleges started out by Christians and for Christians

Follow the link above and be amazed.  We've come so far away from what our Christian forefathers had in mind....we can put our heads in the sand and try to forget about it, or begin to read for ourselves our past history as a nation and country.  I hope that our new President and the new Year in which he rises to leadership will bring us back to the bedrock of truth....a foundation that our ancestors once believed in.  Happy New Year Everyone!

I've heard it before; most colleges and universities were started and run by Christians.  Now I've read about it in the above link and it hits close to home....

Christmas 2016

We are eagerly anticipating using this old schoolhouse built in 1906, and it's connecting gymnasium built in 1931, for private parties and events in the coming new year.  We see a real need to reconnect the generations and learn from one another...some of the best ways to learn are through storytelling, hands-on activities, talking to real live people who attended school here, reading old books written 100 + years ago....attending museums, chatting with those who have lived through many wars and hard times.

No, we're not official yet.  This has been a new vision in the making....one we didn't dream up....one that has been growing since we've lived in this place over a year.  Yes, a year is along time for some of us.:)

We hope to share with you as the vision grows and takes on a more structured form in the coming months ahead.

Missing Alaska but enjoying the Oregon snow

Snowflake anyone?

What could be better than this?

Baby's first snow...in Oregon.

Yes, it's a real carrot and real charcoal...

Too cold for piano?  Wear some mittens:)

Snow:  the calorie free snack.

Brother and Sis enjoying one another's friendship...

It snowed last week and melted off and then snowed again today.  This is a lot of snow for Oregon and we have thoroughly enjoyed rolling in it, eating it, slipping around in it, sledding in it, walking and running in it...pouring molasses on it, throwing it at each other, etc.

We miss Alaska and all the friendships we made there.  God must of known that a little snow here and there is somehow comforting to the soul.  It is peaceful and quiet....perhaps because all seven children leave the house:)

It is such a delight to play in the snow and wonder at the beauty of it.  I almost feel like a kid again whenever it snows...I have to resist the urge to call my brothers with the excited shout, "It snowed!"  Somehow it is so magical to wake up to a blanket of white, even as an adult.

Merry Snow Days Everyone!

The First Recorded Thanksgiving....

This year we celebrated our first Thanksgiving in our new home in Oregon....except we celebrated in the old schoolhouse first.... We had a wonderful time talking, laughing, playing, singing, sharing our memories of thankfulness for the past years late into the night..and sharing our faith with our loved ones.  Many blessings to our friends and family this coming year....


Enjoying laughter

Lots of smiles from cousins

The warm glow of candles

The warm hugs of Grandpa and Grandma

Warm food on the banqueting tables....

More warm glow from the candles....

Reading time with Grandpa Bill

Chatting and enjoying Finsen's friendship

Stepheny sharing some artist's tips....

Serenaded by the youngest....

Learning how to stand on your head with Grandma Debi

Attack of the Lamp

Look at my bazooka, Mom!

 I recently asked my 6-year old son to help me move a lamp and this is what happened.  I had to take pictures.  Of course, it turned into a weapon and then somehow warped into a wild animal attack lamp and electrocuted him to death.  I used to be concerned about this type of behavior and then relaxed as I have heard multiple godly women, including a dear friend of mine who also happens to be a Pastor's wife, reassure me that this type of behavior in boys is normal..... 



I've been electrocuted by a lamp!

Enjoy a good laugh and if you have little boys growing up in your house, just relax and enjoy their antics as all too soon they grow up and mature into godly young men, living their childish ways behind them...and all their cute little antics.

Leaves of Joy

Oh the joy of falling leaves....and throwing them at one another...

Wow, another month gone by....so much has been happening around the Gerhardt household but I thought this picture captured something special and simple....joy. 

It's school days spent in the sun, or together in the schoolhouse with other families....

1888 old school desks with little metal ink well holes

 little children of 2016, to fill them up...

Enjoying our children and students....

Yes, there's even room for toddlers in this school house

Antique wooden easels held together by a piece of rope...

Here's the front of the 1906 school house

Here's the inside of the gym built in 1931

What we've enjoyed the most over the last year is watching God bring people, supplies, equipment, and encouragement to grow whatever He is growing here.  I wish I could tell you exactly what's happening but I can't.  AND for once, I'm OK with not knowing the direction God is moving us in.  It's His work, done His way, with His people.  I'm so blessed to be a part of whatever He is doing.

All I know is there has been lots of laughter, a few tears, prayers, singing, piano playing, volleyball and basketball games, tag, encouragement, fellowshipping in Christ Jesus, sharing memories, making things, a grammar class, an art and PE class, birthday parties, a recital coming up and hopefully more classes and events on the way.....

We are so excited to watch people coming together here from all walks of life enjoying one another, enjoying life, learning together and growing.  It's a real community forming and it ebbs and flows with such a gentle pace. 

May you all be blessed with peace, joy, and contentment this day no matter what the political climate may bring....after all, our country is made up of real people like you and me and it will be what it will be.