~The Duckling Family Goes to A Museum~

The past weekend, Father Duck and Momma Duck took all the Little Ducklings to a museum. The museum was called Uncle Remus' House. There, they meet some of the creatures from the books of Uncle Remus. Here is a few pictures of the fun time they had.

Br'er Raccoon

There were no pictures allowed to be taken in the museum, so here are some from the outside.

Br'er Rabbit. Born and bred in the briarpatch.
He survives forever by his wit, his courage, and his cunning.

Uncle Remus' House had a replica of a blacksmith shop.

A field tool

A beautiful stone bench.

Some history.

Br'er Bear

Some stone raccoons in a stone birdbath. 

Another field tool.

A pretty little stone walkway.

Mr. Turtle. Or Br'er Turtle, I can't remember.

Both this building....

And this building were renovated and rebuilt slave quarters from before the civil war

Littlest Duckling loved  the turtle.

The wonderful Br'er Rabbit himself.

A delightful little wishing well. 

The Duckling Family has a wonderful adventure, and returned home ready for a good nights rest.

~When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder...~

 When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
and the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;

           When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,

and the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,

and the glory of His resurrection share;

When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,

and the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there

Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun;

let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;

Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,

and the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there. 

When the roll is called up yonder,

when the roll is called up yonder,

when the roll is called up yonder,

when the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

This has always been one of my favorite hymns.

 It tells of one's  longing to be in Heaven.

 In that Home above the skies

. Those pearly gates and golden streets call you, 

they beckon you as you wake, and lull you to sleep at night. 

The sound of Angel's singing keeps your daily toil going.

 The thought of gazing on Jesus' sweet face,

 or dancing around the Throne of God, is the reason you are so enthusiastic about life. 

Yes, this song has always been so dear to me, for it reminds me that, after all is said and done, after I have done everything I can for Him,

 after my eyes close for the last time,

 that 

I'll Be There.

My younger brother took all these pictures. 

~How to Keep in Touch With Out-of-State Family~

I have a lot of family who lives far away, and even out of state.

 Out of my five older brothers and sisters, three (along with their wives, husbands, and children) live more than two states away. The other two live thirty, and sixty minutes away. 

My own mother's parents live an hour and a half away.

 My parents, younger siblings, and I are on an island of sorts.
 I am so thankful for technology and media making it possible for me to see and talk to them all every day. One of the other ways we keep in touch, however, is by writing letters. It is such a fun thing to see your letter in the mailbox, and then receiving a letter in turn. My special way is to write little newsletters. I used to write them every month, but I became so busy, that they soon stretched out to two months, and then three, and finally, I decided to write quarterly letters. What do I write about? Well, anything that I would want to hear if my family lived many miles away.
News from home, funny things that have happened to my family, our daily lives, anything I want basically.
  Not only is it fun to write, I always get messages from the receivers of the letters, telling me that they read and reread the letters to themselves and their children.  I encourage you, if you have far away family, write to them. You don't know how much of a smile it will bring to them.

Philippians 1:3 

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

Proverbs 25:25

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

The newsletters getting their addresses put on.

~For Every Mother~

A Mother's Love 
There are times when only a Mother's love
Can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappoints
And calm all of our fears.
There are times when only a Mother's love
Can share the joy we feel
When something we've dreamed about
Quite suddenly is real.
There are times when only a Mother's faith
Can help us on life's way
And inspire in us the confidence
We need from day to day.
For a Mother's heart and a Mother's faith
And a Mother's steadfast love
Were fashioned by the Angels
And sent from God above. Author Unknown 

Mother
If I could give you diamonds
for each tear you cried for me.
if I could five you sapphires
for each truth you've helped me see.
If I could give you rubies
for the heartache that you've known
If I could give you pearls
for the wisdom that you've shown.
Then you'll have a treasure, mother,
that would mount up to the skies
That would almost match
the sparkle in your kind and loving eyes.
But I have no pearls, no diamonds,
As I'm sure you're well aware
So I'll give you gifts more precious
My devotion, love and care.
Author Unknown  

And Grandma's too...
While we honor all our mothers
with words of love and praise.
While we tell about their goodness
and their kind and loving ways.
We should also think of Grandma,
she's a mother too, you see....
For she mothered my dear mother
as my mother mothers me.
Author Unknown

Happy Mother's Day to every Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Step Mother, and all the Mothers in between!