Our Little Friends

This summer two of our cows gave birth, one had a bull, the other a heifer. They are spending the winter with us and are the two cutest animals on Bentley Farm. (The sheep would beg to differ!)

The adorable duet.Chocolate the Heifer.

Empire the Steer.

Dad's 54th Birthday

Dad celebrated his birthday by eating cake with the rest of us and opening his many cards. Happy Birthday Dad!

Eating his slice of cake!

Opening his well wishing cards!

The scrumptious carrot cake!

Friends and Fishing

My friend, Isaac Knapp, and I took a rowboat, the Bentley Teacup, out for the last run of the season. Bentley, the loyal dog, was our little stowaway in the bottom of the fishing boat. We had a great time and Isaac caught a ten-inch shiny bass! The scenery was beautiful and the friendship was great!

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Plowing Days!

This past weekend, the college crew (plus Jacob, now a prospective college student!) ventured up Cayuga Lake to Interlaken for the biannual Plowing Day. It was a perfect fall day with the sun shining and a crispness in the air. Among the many highlights of the day, we thoroughly enjoyed that two teams of oxen came for the event. Isaac was especially happy for the opportunity to drive and plow with a team of oxen for the first time in six years.

Princeton Tigers Soccer

Rebecca and I traveled with the Hagers to see my cousin Benjamin play the Adelphi Panthers. We had a great time and it was worth the long car ride to see the Tigers win 3-0! Benjamin headed the defense which shut the Panthers down!

Happy to be there!
My soccer playing cousin.

What up?Goal kick!A very well played game!

The Hagers Join Us at Bentley

A few weeks ago my aunt's family came to stay in the vacant guesthouse here at Bentley Farm.

We are so glad to have them here and they add much color to our lives.

A beautiful family!

~Dinner at the Hager's~

~The little green house~

~Always willing to play~

~Fall Is Here~

The leaves have turned a golden red, the rhythm of school life has returned, soccer games and practices keep the cars going to and fro. After school projects and chores have become topics of interests. The air is changing from hot and humid to crisp and chilled. Sarah calls from Kansas and talks of her students and her Forensics and Chemistry classes. The trio of Angells at Cornell call us on their way to classes on a steep Ithaca hill. Nate has returned to an oil rig in Pennsylvania and works 12 hour shifts to help our nation's need for heat in the coming cold weather. Mom continues to minister to our invalid cousin Maryella and helps us three at home with our studies. As the seasons continue to change for us, we have grateful hearts for all the blessings which God continues to bestow upon us. Even though we are all spread out now across the harvested plains of America, we remain bound together by a love that cannot be broken.

Meditation

Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD,

my strength, and my redeemer.

- Psalm 19:14

For His Mercy Endures Forever

God gives us peace when we have none.

He gives us grace when we do not deserve it.

He loves us when we have not loved others.

He gives strength when we are feeble.

He blesses us when we have not been a blessing to others.

He saves us when we are falling.

He talks to us when no one else will.

He is patient with us when we have been impatient to other people.

He comforts us in our greatest hurt, when we have not comforted others.

He gives us mercy when we were not merciful.

He gives us rest when our hearts are in turmoil.

He forgives us even when others are not forgiving.

He gives more than we ever deserve. We all have fallen short of His glory, but He still loves us with greater love than we could ever imagine or give back.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men, for He satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things. -- Psalm 107:8-9

The New York State Fair!

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Highlights:

- The Ayrshire cow show

- The North American Classic 6 Horse Championship and Eight Horse Hitches

- Picking out our favorite smelling Christmas tree

- Enjoying watching people in inflatable water walking balls

- Seeing all the animals from giraffes to Boer goats

- The beautiful weather

- Eating our $1 baked potatoes

- Singing Mayberry along with the Rascal Flatts

Happy Birthday, Isaac!

We celebrated the life of Isaac today by leaving campus and heading to the Hunts for an incredible dinner of Isaac's favorites. And we ended the evening with Allie making delicious lava chocolate cakes.

"I can't believe that I am a quarter of a century old!"

The Last Highlight of the Summer

This year's county fair was full of fun, showing, working, not getting any sleep, and Ayrshire Jr. Champion ribbons. The three youngest, Jake, Rebecca, and myself all had a great year and did well in our respective showing classes. The fair marks the end of summer for us so we live the week to the fullest from being face-down on the Freakout to helping out at the Miracle of Life tent. We all had an amazing Dutchess County Fair and will look forward to next year with much anticipation.

One of Rebecca's cows taking a nap!

Patient Rebecca watching the cows.

Premier Ayrshire Exhibitor of the 2010 Dutchess County Fair!

John Deere Green.

Our friends, the Rubins, joined us for dinner.

Jacob's boss, Mr. Maloney, came to the fair also.

More equestrian shows but in my opinion, cow shows are better!

Our display and one of our many cow facts.

Pictures taken by Mr. Rubin.