Dawn

Last night (June 16th) we had a torrential downpour. Daddy called from work and asked me to take the garbage out early this morning. When I got to the road. I took one look across the street, turned tail and sprinted back to the house for my camera.

This is what I saw. I snapped this picture just moments before a cloud was blown away and the light changed from a golden hue to a whiter light...
...like this. Sigh.
A view down our street. The goats like to eat early in the morning when it is cool. Here we find Lyman (brown) and Duncan (white).

Hazy morning light...
A string of fence posts...
Clinging dew drop...

Imagine...you are standing under a tree. All around, you hear the sound of left-over rain and morning dew dripping from the surrounding trees. In the background, birds sing their morning melodies and they echo through the surrounding countryside. An occasional cat's meow greets your ears. A butterfly flits past you on yellow and black wings.

Behold, it is very good!
Just as you are lifting thanks to God for His marvelous creation...

...a helicopter soars overhead, drowning out the morning symphony with its infernal chopping. You laugh at the irony. Then, as quickly as it had come, the aircraft is gone. You are again free to revel in the music of morning. :)

A back view of our property...
The ever-faithful follower, Mr. Bingley.
A spider guarding her web in the grass.
Doesn't this look like a scene from Pride & Prejudice? I can just hear the Dawn piano arrangement playing in the background.

So, we live in Florida. Sure it rains like cats and dogs sometimes. We get bombarded by hurricanes almost every season. It gets so hot and muggy we think we can't breathe at times, and, it feels as though we're wrapped with a wet blanket when we walk outside. Of course all of these 'cons' to living in Florida seem a bit overwhelming...but then...God sends the rain and cooler weather to revive us and the planet He created. We can look on days such as this as a blessed break from the 'cons', a gift of renewal. Take time to thank Him for occasional cool mornings, refreshing the earth and our souls. It's in simple ways like this that the Creator blesses His people.

~Anna

Wedding Announcement!

We are pleased to announce the Wedding Celebration of Andrew Blizzard to Rachael Haake. The joyous event took place at 3 o'clock p.m. June 14th. With guests smiling, chatting, the service was light and happy. God smiled down on the day Andrew and Rachael covenanted before Him.
Beaming faces greeted each person as we waited for the ceremony.


The church was decorated to a perfect 10...just lovely.
Soothing music enveloped us all as we entered into the sanctuary. Well done, Emily and Miss Susan!
Yards of tulle cascaded down from the ceiling to the chandeliers, creating a cozy yet formal effect.
Bows graced each pew down the center aisle.

Mother of the Bride.
Mother of the Groom.
Jimmy pulling his little brother Isaac down the aisle, the ring bearers.

Shortly after the above picture, Jimmy threw down the handle of the wagon and charged back down the aisle crying. His loving mother was waiting with open arms.Laughter bubbled from almost everyone. It was so sweet.

Unrolling the runner.
The first flower girl. I think she was a sister of the Bride.
Lydia Joy, sister of the Groom.

The air fills with the elegant music of Pachebelle's Canon.

The bride and her father emerge...

A collective gasp escapes from the cloud of witnesses...
The groom beams as both father and daughter exchange a loving embrace.

Stunning.
The Groom's men look on.
Bride's maids gazing.
Saying the vows.
After the exchange of rings.

Making a covenant before God.
Lighting the unity candle.
The Prayer was sung and played in honor of the Bride and Groom.
The first kiss as man and wife. Here we find Andrew in the process of dipping Rachael almost to the floor which gained a burst of chuckles from us...and...
...a hilarious gaze from the Groom's grandfather. After several moments of this amusing stare, Pastor Blizzard announced..

..."I'm shocked!!" The declaration set us guests nearly off our seats with roaring laughter.
Presenting, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew John Blizzard.
Sharon and Timothy Blizzard, brother and sister of the Groom.

And, we're off...to the reception site.

Matthew, Rebekah and Olivia peering over the handrail.
The reception hall, brimming with loved ones.

May I help you gentlemen? A bowl of chili, perhaps? :)
Mingling guests.
The Groom and most of his men.
The ever-faithful videographer, Matthew (brother of the Groom).
Daddy and Emily. (She took all of these reception pics.)

Chatting with Amy and Katie DeWitt. I greatly enjoyed talking with you and your family, ladies! :)
Dinner table discussions. It looks like Mrs. Hicks is enjoying herself.
Conversations by the river.
Rachael was deciding how best to throw the bouquet to the eager young ladies...
...She decided on the "Throwing-It-Straight-Back-Hitting-Someone-In-the-Face" approach. I hear it all worked out very well. LOL! :)

Momma decorating the getaway car. It looked right spiffy when all was said and done.
Making their Grand Exit.
The happy couple needed a key for the church, Daddy was only too happy to oblige. Andrew looks thrilled, no?
Picking up the lovely mess after the Bride and Groom departed.
Lydia sporting her red fingernails. She was so proud of them. :)

A battle cry.
Olivia, Lydia and Matthew investigating a military tank.
The reception was hosted at a Veterans Memorial Park. Lovely spot, I daresay!
Sharon (T-shirt over her bride's maid gown) and me (tux jacket and vest on). What a pair we made!
Emmy and Sharon.

Post-Reception-Cleanup mingling.
Em's art. :)
Good times!
A girl and her Goldfish.
Congradulations to Andrew and Rachael. May the God of Peace bless the life they now share!

~Anna