Random Thoughts and Photos

       Here are a few pictures that I took yesterday-

 This waterfall is fed by the overflow from a lake.  It's not a big waterfall compared to some, but it's beautiful!  (The picture doesn't do it justice!)

       My creative juices aren't flowing right now, and I'm having a hard time thinking of something to write; I'm just feeling rather tired and melancholy!  But I know this- God is good regardless of how I feel; I am so blest!  Today I was feeling rather discouraged, but then I decided to count the blessings in my life and to start praising God for them.  It's amazing how it works, but when I take my eyes off of my problems and start counting my blessings, my problems get smaller!  

       

       Also, I decided to make a few phone calls and send a few texts to encourage people; this is a great way to have your spirits lifted!  And it's Biblical- II Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."  God gives us comfort in our trials; then we are to comfort others in their trials!  

       So next time you are discouraged, give thanks for your blessings, and find someone to encourage!

(P.S. These thoughts are not original with me; I am so grateful for those who God has placed in my to help me along the way, and who have shared these concepts with me.)

2013 In Review (Photos)

       Now that 2013 is over, here is our year in photos......

Fishing in Alaska

This is our wonderful guide, Jay Yoder.  Seriously, this guy is so good that under his guidance, we caught fish faster than a lot of the native fisherman!  Thanks, Mr. Yoder!

Our church Christmas play

This is one of my favorite pictures of all-time!  Chelsy was shooting pictures of other people, when she turned around and saw Carson in this interesting position!

Home-made donuts!

I'm sure glad that I don't pay the grocery bill for these two!

One of the "not-so-good" days on the farm.  

I love wildlife!

The only thing better than seeing a turkey is shooting one.  (Which, of course, leads to turkey on my  dinner-plate......)

A herd of mountain goats, with Hudson in hot pursuit!

Brothers are so much fun!

 Axis and Allies has become one of my favorite games.  This past year, my brothers and I learned how to play while at the house of our good friends, the Pauls.  This game is a blast!

Had a long day, honey?

Chocolate covered almonds.  Speaking of chocolate, did you know that studies have shown that 11 out of 10 people like chocolate?  Now THAT'S something for you math majors to ponder.

If I could pick any group of guys to go hiking with, I would pick my brothers hands-down.  This picture was taken in Alaska, where our family (most of us, anyhow) hiked a mountain in Skagway.  It was three miles up and three miles back down (that is six miles total, for all of you who AREN'T math majors), there was snow and rain and wind at the top, and Hudson (who was seven at the time) did the whole thing- in crocks!  So much for all those expensive hiking shoes and boots; Hudson prefers his "old faithfuls"!

Bontragers are EXTREMELY competitive!  "Now, did he make it safely home or not?"

But as the saying goes, "All's well that ends well."

Or maybe it didn't end well.......

    

 I love puns!

And rubber band fights!  This picture was from our family battle, which was a walk in the park compared to our war when the Wilsons came to our house in December!  The older boys slept in the bus, and one night us guys had an all-out war.  I'm talking, no shirts (it hurts more that way!), and no blankets for cover, either!  We didn't take any photos, but let me tell you, some of the guys (I won't mention any names) had some major welts by the time the fight was over!  It was a blast!  I know that any girls reading my blog probably won't understand, but guys get a really big charge out of inflicting pain on other guys!  (All in fun, of course!)

        Just imagine eight of these guys, confined in a small bunk-room, with one goal in mind- shoot somebody else hard enough with a rubber band, that you inflict pain.  Yeah, it sure was wild!

 Ah, yes-food! 

I had a lot of highlights this year, but one of the biggest was preaching at our church's New Year's Eve service.  From left to right- our pastor and the eight preacher boys.  

     "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."

Thanks to Chelsy for the great photos!

How To Have A Blessed Life

       "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."  (Psalm 1)

       This chapter starts out by telling us what we shouldn't do - get counsel from ungodly people, stand in the way of sinners, or hang out with scorners.  It goes on to tell us to delight in God's Word, and to meditate in it day and night.  This seems fairly simple, but if we just follow the advice given in this chapter, we will be blessed!

The Health Of My Countenance

     God recently spoke to me through Psalm 42:11, which says, "Why art thou cast down, O my

soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is

the health of my countenance, and my God."  What really spoke to me was this- if I allow God to

be the "health of my countenance," I can be cheerful no matter what happens!  Too many Christians walk around looking defeated.  If you are saved by the blood of Jesus, you are blessed.  And if you are blessed, remember to notify your face!