County Fair...last update :)

Well, the County fair got over last Thursday, and in a way I'm glad it's over. It was really a fun filled week, but it was also tiring! I thought I'd fill you in on the events of Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday was quite busy with the swine show, livestock judging contest, communications judging, and the open horse show. Hannah and I both got blues for our pigs, which isn't too bad. It would have been fun to get top in the class (or champion!), but it was still a great learning experience.

On Tuesday night was the judging for the communication events. Our club's skit went onto State, but for our song we got a lavender, which means that we were the first alternate in case one of the other acts canceled. Us girls were kind of disappointed about that, but even in the midst of things such as these, God is at work (I'll tell you the rest of the story after I finish up the County fair update).

Wednesday was the parade, and Thursday night was the livestock auction which concluded the County fair. All in all it was a fun week, and I'm looking forward to next year!

Ok, I mentioned earlier that God is at work even when we don't see the big picture. This past Tuesday I got a call from our County extension office asking us if we would like to go onto State with our quartet! Another girl is going to be leaving for college, and won't be able to do her Share the Fun act at the State fair. Now that I look back and see the whole picture, I'm just amazed at what God can do. We were quite disappointed that we didn't go onto State at first, but I think that God was planning it that way just so that we could see Him work. If we would have gone onto State right away, we probably would have taken it for granted. Our God likes to work in ways that will amaze us and show us His power.

I apologize for not having any pictures in this post! I don't have any other photos from County fair loaded on our computer.

Commited to Purity

I wanted to share this poem on purity with you as I find it a really neat as well as encouraging. This poem came with my purity ring, but I feel that purity goes much deeper than just wearing a ring on your hand...it's something that takes place in your heart, your thoughts, and your actions.

This ring's a special symbol

of the promise that I've made.

With your help, O Lord, I know

its glow will never fade.

With your help, Lord, I'll stand firm

though some may criticize.

For whose opinion matters,

if I look good in your eyes?

Who can give me anything

to take the place of you?

Who on earth can justify

a love that isn't true?

So, I make my statement,

on my hand and in my heart.

I know, one day, I'll hear you say

I chose the better part.

The world calls this old fashioned;

still, I'll wait--it's just awhile.

For Honor, Truth, and Faithfulness

are never out of style.

by James Louviere

copyright, Stuller Settings Inc., 1995

Our Savior's Love

"But when the kindness and love of our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous this we had done, but because of his mercy."

Titus 3:4-5

County Fair Update

I have to apologize for not keeping my blog up to date in the last few weeks. Our 4-H county fair started last Friday, and it goes through this Thursday! Today doesn't have much going on, so I'm actually home for the afternoon. I know some of you had mentioned that you would like to hear what is going on during the fair, so I though I'd give you a little update.

Friday wasn't too busy...we just took the horses to the fairgrounds. The dog show was also on Friday night, and Hannah showed our dog Bentley. They got 2nd in their obedience class. She was quite excited about that, and is also looking forward to showing again next year!

On Saturday I showed my Quarter Horse, Flash, and my sister Sarah showed her Shetland pony, Misty. Flash and I didn't place very well in any classes...but I'm alright with that as we have greatly improved since last year, and that's what counts. Sarah showed Misty in the 2-3 year old halter class, and there was only one other person competing against them (which was really nice since this was Sarah's first year showing). Misty was a little ornery, but they still placed 1st in their class...great job Sarah! We also had our exhibits judged on Saturday, and all of my pictures got blues. The seasons collage went onto State!

 (Sarah showing Misty)

(Myself showing Flash)

Yesterday was communications, and I participated in two Share the Fun acts. The first was a skit that I did with my club, and the second was a vocal quartet that I did with my sister Hannah and my friends Alexandra and Jessica. We did the song "On Faith Alone" by Robert Pierre; Hannah and Alexandra played violin, Jessica played piano, and I sang. We hope and pray that all we did represented Christ, and that He got all of the glory! I think that all of us were quite nervous, but we were able to do it almost perfectly...which is better than we have ever done before! We got a blue ribbon, and tomorrow we'll find out if we go onto State or not. One of my close friends and her family had been missionaries overseas, and she came in on Saturday. Their family came to the fair yesterday...it was great to see them again!

(From left to right: Hannah, Jessica, Rebekah, Alexandra)

Tomorrow is the swine show, and then Thursday is the livestock auction. This will probably be the last post before fair is over...it's quite a busy week!

~ Rebekah

Aren't they cute?

Today we woke up to a surprise...our sow had 10 piglets! I find it so amazing that even though it's this sow's first time farrowing, she is a wonderful mother. Isn't God's design of our world is so neat? We have enjoyed having these piglets around, but it will be (and has been!) quite a learning experience for us as well! They are so tiny and cute and I thought you might like to see some pictures of them. Maybe I'm crazy to think they are cute, but I guess I'll let you see for yourselves :) Sorry if not all of the photos are clear. It can be hard to get good pictures when they are so active!

Isn't he cute?

Happy Birthday to a wonderful friend...

Alexandra, I hope that you have a wonderful birthday! You have become such a close friend over the last few years, and I thank God for all the fun times we have shared. It is neat to see how the Lord is working in and through your life and I want to thank you for encouraging me in my walk with Him. You are such a great friend and I hope that you have a wonderful birthday. Keep shining for the Lord!

Your Friend,
Rebekah

4:12 Bible Study

Today I got a letter in the mail from the Bright Lights ministry, and in it they mentioned a new 8-week Bible study that they have (you can download it off of their website for free). I got online and looked at it, and I thought it looked really neat! It is designed for young ladies as a discipleship and accountability study. They encourage you to find another girl (preferably a younger girl) and then to go through this 8 week study together, meeting once a week. I thought that this was a great idea! I would encourage you to check it out (4:12 Bible Study), and see if you can think of a girl in your life who would be encouraged by going through this study together.

~ Rebekah

4-H Photos

Ok, I finally decided on some photos for 4-H! Thank you for all of your input! I decided to do only 9 photos, since it can cost a lot with printing and getting them matted. In case you are wondering, I decided to do...

1. Seasons collage (photo 1)
2. Yellow flower with wooden background (photo 3)
3. Birds nest (photo 7)
4. Tree in the mist (photo 11)
5. Spider web (photo 12)
6. Miriam walking on the path (photo 13)
7. Yellow flower with sky (photo 14)
8. Yellow flowers and grass (photo 15)
9. My friend and her little sister (not pictured in last post)

Sorry this post was kind of short, but I just wanted to let you know which ones I had chosen :)
~ Rebekah