Wedding Shower

About a week ago we had the privilege of attending the bridal shower of a sweet friend we meet last year at a Family Encouragement Weekend Conference. Here are some pictures, (taken by katie) from that day.

The shower was hosted by the groom-to-be's family in Culpepper, Va. Most of the Wilson girls made a day trip to attend the event.

The decorations were lovely!

Pictures of the happy couple:)

This little girl looked like a doll in her sweet little pink dress and hair bow.

The women took turns sharing godly words of wisdom to the bride-to-be.

The bride-to-be on the left and her sister on the right.

"A" for Amanda, "M" for Matthew:)

Ice cream maker! The couple plans to have a farm.

It was such an encouraging event and so good to see our new friends again! Godly friends are such a blessing.

-Morgan

Happenings

We are so excited about the warmer weather that has come at last! It's a pleasure working outside when the warm sunshine streams down on you and the light breeze rustles the new buds on the trees and sweeps over the grass like waves across the ocean.

The younger kids enjoy running off to the tree swings during their free time and the older ones are taking the opportunity to sharpen their volley ball skills. 

Yesterday, after church, some of the younger children were playing outside on the swings in the churchyard. Gabriel (7) was right in there with the rest of them and while showing off a backward flip (from up in the air as high as he could go from off the swing) he managed to fall and break his right arm and sprain or slightly break his left one. Poor little fellow. Off he was rushed to King's Daughter's to get it looked at. Mom and Dad took him while the rest of us kids stayed at church. After a little while, the young people from church headed back to the farm with us where we enjoyed a few rounds of volley ball and then just sat around soaking up the sunshine and fellowshipping  When it came time to do the evening chores some of the fellows pitched in to help unload feed and we gave a few milking lessons too. (If you help us milk you get to sign your name on the "Wilson Hall of Fame" post in our milking parlor) We are so grateful for our dear church family.

Gabriel is a real trooper. He went to get his real cast today for his right arm and a brace for his left one. He has been real brave throughout the whole ordeal. It will be hard to hold him down until he gets a chance to heal up all of the way! We are thankful to the Lord for protecting him in his fall and allowing it to not be any worse than it was.

-Morgan

Merry Christmas!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

~Isaiah 9:6~

 "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Luke 2:1-14

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."

John 1:1-5

 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:10-13

^"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all."

John 18:36-38

 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

Revelations 21:1-7

 "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelations 22:13-17

 ^"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Revelations 22:20

Recent Happenings

Where to start! The past few months seemed to fly by at a dizzying speed. Our annual Thanksgiving Turkey pick up day went well. We were worried we might not have enough birds but the Lord provided and we had enough and then some. He always provides. I don't know why we worry:) We are outgrowing our four hour pick up window, we had a line of cars waiting to get in our drive way to park! The Lord has greatly grown our business since we started almost 10 years ago. We were blessed with lots of friends who came to help us that busy week. The mornings started early with morning chores, then after a delicious pancake breakfast by Mr. Jack, we got started with the actual processing around 7-7:30am. We butchered about 150, more of less per day. What awesome friends we have! (You know who you are:)
After the flurry of processing and pick up day we found ourselves swept up in a whirl of fun social activities. I (as well as the rest of my family) found myself with very frazzled nerves after the constant, go-go-go of the November calender:) It was so nice to get to kick back and relax, rest up and go to fun social events:) For Thanksgiving, most of our family was out of town so we got together with church family for a day of fun, fellowship and food:) It was great!
At the beginning of December I went up to help some dear friends of ours who just welcomed their ninth child into the world: little John David Furhmann:) I so enjoyed my stay with them and enjoyed the challenge (in an exhausting kind of way:) of semi-running the household while Mrs. Furhmann was recovering. I'm hoping to get some pictures up soon.
That's all for now,
God Bless!
-Morgan

The Beginning of a New Farming Season

The weather has been fluctuating something crazy these past few weeks! The mornings range from the lower 20's to the mid 50's. Ah well, that's Virginia for you:) I can't complain though. The frosty mornings paint such glorious pictures and make you appreciate your warm dwelling all the more!  On the other hand, the cool mornings give you a delicious taste of Spring and the hope and newness of life it brings with it!

The first broiler chicks of the season arrived this morning and are now cozily installed in their new brooder barn thanks to the many young men who put in their time over at the Wilsons homestead. Thanks guys!

Here are a few who ventured out from under the warming hover. 

This one is preening himself:)

Here is a peek under the hover.

Lots of planning and marketing prep has been happening at Full Quiver these past few months! It is the slower busyness of winter after all:) We have been blessed with some new business opportunities, namely being able to team up with a prominent organic vegetable farmer and share drop-sites which has brought us both new customers. This in addition to lots of other yearly planning and a few new marketing ideas, etc. lend excitement to this season of gearing up for the 2012 growing year. Even through the midst of the yearly planning we've still had time for taking it slower, (chores go a lot faster!) have family read alouds, (complete with all of the British and Scotch accents!:) and most importantly, revisit priorities and the reasons we do what we do. I look forward to seeing what the Lord does with our farm and in our family in this next growing season. He is so very good and faithful!

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" 

Romans 11:33

-Morgan

"Love So Amazing, Love So Divine..."

When I survey the wondrous cross 

on which the Prince of Glory died; 

my richest gain I count but loss, 

and pour contempt on all my pride. 

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, 

save in the death of Christ, my God; 

all the vain things that charm me most, 

I sacrifice them to his blood. 

See, from his head, his hands, his feet, 

sorrow and love flow mingled down. 

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, 

or thorns compose so rich a crown? 

Were the whole realm of nature mine, 

that were an offering far too small; 

love so amazing, so divine, 

demands my soul, my life, my all.

~When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

~ 

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
Yonder on Calvary's mount out-poured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all my sin.

Sin and despair like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide,
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide;
Whiter than snow you may be today.

~ Marvelous Grace of our Loving Lord

~

Alas! and did my Saviour bleed,

And did my Sovereign die!

Would he devote that sacred head

For such a worm as I!

Was it for crimes that I had done

He groaned upon the tree!

Amazing pity! grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide,

And shut his glories in,

When Christ, the mighty Maker, died

For man the creature's sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face

While his dear cross appears;

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,

And melt mine eyes in tears.

But drops of grief can ne'er repay

The debt of love I owe;

Here, Lord, I give myself away,

'Tis all that I can do.

~Alas and Did my Saviour Bleed

~

I stand amazed in the presence

Of Jesus the Nazarene,

And wonder how He could love me,

A sinner, condemned, unclean.

Refrain

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

And my song shall ever be:

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

Is my Savior’s love for me!

For me it was in the garden

He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”

He had no tears for His own griefs,

But sweat drops of blood for mine.

Refrain

In pity angels beheld Him,

And came from the world of light

To comfort Him in the sorrows

He bore for my soul that night.

Refrain

He took my sins and my sorrows,

He made them His very own;

He bore the burden to Calvary,

And suffered and died alone.

Refrain

When with the ransomed in glory

His face I at last shall see,

’Twill be my joy through the ages

To sing of His love for me.

Refrain

~I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene

Around the Farm

Some pictures from this past Summer...

Lily-Mae, one of the milk cows

Glamorous bush-hogger;)

Lucky the goat, watch out! She bites:)

Partners.

Cowboy Gabe.

Will and a piglet

Blueberry and calf.

Hazy morning.

Curious piglet.

Hungry little piglets.

One of the many new calves born recently. Coconut is this little one's name.

A new FQF enterprise headed up by William (12) He is raising rabbit's for meat this season and hopes to have it available soon.

Curious bunny.

Hoop houses for the broilers. Just processed our last batch of the season!

Volunteer Sunflower

A new farm building addition. A laying shelter for the hens. (Part of it's even painted pink!:)

We're gearing up for our final push of the season. Thanksgiving Turkey processing and pick-up. After that begins our down time. A slower season of rest: more family time, fixing things and planning for the next farming season. Our family has really come to appreciate this farmer's downtime, if we really purposefully take it slower during the winter months than we are refreshed and ready to jump back into busyness again come April. This year has been another good year of growth for our family, not all easiness, but good nonetheless. The Lord is good.

"Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love."
Hope everyone has a good weekend!
-Morgan

Morning by Morning.....

Well, things are starting to normalize around here again. We are still in the height of our busiest season, but that's normal:) Dad is feeling better and Sam's foot is healing nicely. We still fuss over Dad and we women folk tend to baby him a bit, but that's as it should be:) We are very thankful is is feeling much better!

We had a new calf born today! A pretty little heifer. We are thinking about naming her "Blessing" because she is a blessing and encouragement in the mist of trials. She is the end of the slight "milk famine" we were having and, if the Lord wills, she will be a future milk cow in a few years. It is so good of the Lord to never give us more than we can bare, and He sends us little encouragements in unexpected places, right in the heat of things. His mercies are truly new every morning. Here are a few pictures of the new calf......

I hope everyone has a good weekend!

-Morgan