Drinking In The Springishness

Invigorated by honking swans, landing chickadees, waving grasses, bold geese, and steep, rooty hills we drink in an early, warm Spring before the thermometer plummets again. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let all creation rejoice before the Lord

Psalm 96:13

Scramble To The Sugar Bush

I picked up the phone and my sister told me I needed to get in the car right now if I wanted to make it on time to the sugar bush with her. I darted to the clock in the kitchen, surveyed the kids and the house to see if we were presentable. Where was the farm? Oh, an hour and a half away. When did it start? Ah, just over an hour from then. Well, I thought to myself, we've done crazier things. I gathered the kiddos and scrambled to the sugar bush. After all, maple syrup time only comes once a year :) 

peeking at the sap

 

 Farmer James explains how they extract the sap from the sugar maples. 

 wagon ride

 

sap lines (some running 5,000 feet!)

old fashioned way of drilling holes in the trees

 Meg gives the drill a try.

 A hydrometer measures the sugar level in the sap.

 After making a hole and setting the spile, we hang the pail.

 Molly finds a friend...

 ...with beautiful eyes.

 Evaporator machine: water boils off, sap turns to syrup.

ordering the age of spiles 

 Caleb attempts to make a hole for the spile.

Oliver helps.

 grading the colour and density of the syrup

 testing the maple syrup... mmm!

enjoying some outdoor time 

 

Little legs get a break from a long-legged cousin :)

As far as the east is from the west...

Once again our BGT Dancers performed a piece that touched hearts and brought a few in our congregation to tears. Interpreting East To West by Casting Crowns, Meghan and the other kids demonstrated how being trapped in our sin makes us afraid we'll always stay there. Only Jesus can free us, lift the chains and deliver us. More importantly, we need to receive His forgiveness and gift of deliverance. We are victorious in Him!

"Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in Your 'Sea of Forgetfulness'

The chains of yesterday surround me

I yearn for peace and rest

I don't want to end up where You found me

And it echoes in my mind,

Keeps me awake tonight

I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west

And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned

But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away

From You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west?

'Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been

Rising up in me again

In the arms of Your mercy I find rest

'Cause You know just how far the east is from the west

From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin

Time and time Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in...

I know You've washed me white,

Turned my darkness into light

I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night

I can't live by what I feel,

but by the truth Your word reveals

I'm not holding onto You

But You're holding onto me

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west

I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again

In the arms of Your mercy I find rest

'cause You know just how far the east is from the west

From one scarred hand to the other

One scarred hand to the other

From one scarred hand to the other"

 

(more photos from the BGT Kids' Choir)

 

 

Thanks again, Mrs. Emma for your servant's heart and love for our kids!