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.