Hocus Focus

Stephen Hainline & Sarah Criss's Wedding

2010-06-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago we had the blessing of attending and helping out with Stephen and Sarah's wedding.

We ( the Bryan family) were in charge of RSVP's, and orchestrating the reception.

A week or so before the wedding we went and started collecting supplies such as, 45 bottles of ginger ale, 4 cases of pineapple juice, 20 cans of frozen lemonade, 20 cans of frozen orange juice. And that's just for the punch:) Well I'm not going to bore you with the rest of the details.

Here are some photos I got of the wedding.

Our living room completely full of wedding stuff!

Thanks Mrs. Ciolek for loaning us nearly all the stuff we needed, you were a life saver:)

One of the food tables.

Mrs. Phelps did a wonderful job with the flower arrangements.

The guest book table

Mr. and Mrs. Criss and Mr. and Mrs. Hainline lighting of the candles.

Mr. Placzek introducing the groom and groomsmen.

Stephen and his mom.

The groom and his nephew unrolling the "the white carpet"

Here comes the bride

Sarah hugging her mommy

Pastor Roth giving a charge to the parents of the bride and groom

Mr. Hainline giving his son a golden arrow from his quiver Psalm 127:4,5

Anna and Faith Hainline singing to the bride and groom "The Servant Song"

Exchanging of the vows

Stephen placing the ring on Sarah's hand

Sarah placing the ring on Stephen's hand

The lighting of the unity candle

Mr. Hainline praying over the new couple

The first Kiss

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Hainline

The Criss girls Laura, Hannah, Rebecca, and Susanna. Each took turns and talked about different memory's they had of Sarah.

Philip Hainline giving some words of encouragement to the new couple.

Cutting of the cake:D

Mr. giggles dabbing cake on Mrs. giggles nose

"Your turn Mr. giggles"

Stephen's nicely wrapped car:)

Stephen: "Wow, like what you did to the car"

Sarah talking about the purity bouquet

The young lady that caught the bouquet was very happy

Cutting open the car

And finely they drove away.

The wedding went wonderfully. I pray that the new couple will continue to grow up loving each other in the love and adoration of the Lord and raise up Godly sons and daughters to be faithful believers that will serve the Lord their God.

Farm Update

2010-03-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

The last month has been very busy between clearing out part of the forest, burning all the brush from the forest, building fences, building a green house, building more raised beds for the garden including one that is over 45ft long. Also we put in three windows and two doors on the barn.

Then, just to make it interesting, we trenched and laid a water line and electrical line all the way from the pump house to the new green house and then to the barn. Also we built three brooders for 19 ducklings, 18 layer chicks, and 100 broiler chicks that we got this last week. I'm sure I forgot one or two of our recent projects but I'm sure you get the point that I've been very busy lately.

Here are some photos from our recent adventures at Providence Family Farms.

Here are some of the broilers chicks

Leanne's ducks

The new layer chicks

I thought I would throw in a couple of photos of some of are other animals

Sherlock

Sam

Aravis

Just some of our raised beds in the garden

Dad working late at night putting one of the doors on the barn

Got the windows and doors on just before the snow hit.

but it just lasted of a couple of hours and then it melted:(

Our new weather vane on the chicken house

The ditch going to the barn

Leanne's duck Pound to be completed another day:)

The Sufficiency Of Scripture Conference 2009

2009-12-21T17:54:00.000-08:00

Sorry it has taken me so long to post this:(

Back in December dad, Graydon Langford, and I flew out to Covington Kentucky (just below Cincinnati OH).

Our flight left at 11:45 pm on the 8th and arrived in Kentucky around 10:30 am the next morning. I did not sleep a wink partly because of turbulence and partly because I was so excited.

So I stayed awake for 42 hours, almost two days, before I got to sleep!!

The day that we arrived we went to the Creation Museum there in Kentucky, it was amazing, huge, and there was so much to see.

We stopped here for lunch after we toured the museum and had some Cincinnati Chili.

They had this cage in one of the rooms with live birds in them

Moses and Aaron

Martian Luther nailing up his 95 theses

The Garden of Eden with the new additions of my Dad and Graydon.

Adam naming the animals

Dinosaurs in the garden

Some of the dinosaurs were animated which added to the whole effect!

Cane and Able

The construction of Noah's ark was my favorite room

Model of Noah's Ark

A scale model of animals loading onto the ark

Can you see the little people on the rock in this scale model of the flood?

Noah giving thanks to God

Babylon

"Don't Eat Me!!!!"

A real fossilized T-Rex egg

And more dinosaurs

The convention center that held the conference

A weird looking building next door

Our very dear friends the Price family

The inside of our hotel

Some of the people behind the scenes

The people involved in the making of Mysterious Islands film

One of the bridges going into Ohio

Going home

Grand Coulee Dam

The conference was very eye opening and inspirational. Even though I was working most of the time I was still able to listen to a few of the speakers and spend some time with dear friends. All the speakers were so gifted in expounding the Word of God and driving home the point that the Bible MUST be the measuring line for every area of life. Our culture shouldn't dictate how we conduct our worship in church, how we share the Gospel, how we raise our families, or even how we organize our church. The Bible must be our guide. Truly we neglect the sufficiency of Scripture in so many ways. It was a super conference! A special thank you to my dear friend Jonathan Langford for giving me the opportunity to attend the conference. You're the best Jonny!

The Sufficiency of Scripture Conference

2009-11-12T10:55:00.000-08:00

Come join me at The Sufficiency of Scripture Conference

2009

With inspirational speakers such as Scott Brown, Ken Ham, Doug Phillips, Kevin Swanson, Paul Washer, Voddie Baucham, Joe Morecraft, and Andy Davis.

The Battleground
We believe that the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture is the most important doctrinal battleground in the Church today with the purity of the Church, the supremacy of the gospel, the biblical family, and the
Conference Attendees
survival of Christian civilization hanging in the balance. Known as “Sola Scriptura” during the reformation, this doctrine teaches that Scripture is fully adequate in both content and clarity for “everything pertaining to life (salvation) and godliness (sanctification)” including the ordering of nations, churches, and families (2 Pet. 1:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Church’s desertion of this doctrine in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries resulted in the defilement of nearly every aspect of America, the church, and the home through multiple waves of pragmatic, worldly ideas.

Begin Repairing the Breach - Bring your Family and Church

How do you know the health of a nation? Look to the church. How do you know the health of the church? Look to the families in the church. How do you know the health of the family? Look to the vision of the fathers. Look to the relationships between husbands and wives. Look to the spirit of the children. The supremacy of Christ in the home, epitomized by the application of the sufficiency of Scripture, greatly affects the supremacy of Christ in the Church, and the supremacy of Christ in the Church greatly affects the supremacy of Christ in the nation.

The current condition of America is a direct result of the Church rejecting the Word of God as the source of all truth and being subverted by the philosophies of the world. There can be no denying the fact that

Keynote Speaker Doug Phillips

America is in crisis. The State is taking the place of God, the family, and the church. Churches don’t know what it means to be true churches. Christians don’t know what it means to follow Christ. Church members don’t know the importance of the church. Families don’t know how to be families. Men don’t know what it means to be men. Women don’t know what it means to be women. Children don’t know what it means to honor authority.

This conference will call Christians back to their foundation, affirming that the Scripture alone is sufficient to direct their lives and the life of their families, their churches, and their country in the 21st Century. Whether you are a father, mother, child, common laborer, or an elder in a local church, there will be important messages for everyone with topics including the accuracy of the Scriptures from the very first verse, biblical evangelism, biblical church government, women’s ministry, euthanasia, work, biblical manhood and womanhood, child training, education, music, biblical worship, and much more. Join us with your family, friends and church as we seek to rebuild the crumbling foundations, repair the breaches, and restore the paths to dwell in.

Please join us in restoring the biblical training in the work place, in the government, and most importantly in the home.

Click Here to Register Now

Farm Field Trip

2009-11-02T21:46:00.000-08:00

Last month we went with the Reilly family to several

different farms in Sequim to see how they run and do things.

We went to Freedom Farms, a horse training ranch and

Dungeness Valley Creamery, a raw milk dairy (which just

happens to be the same dairy we get our milk from).

We also went to Fairaview Farm a self-sufficient farm and

Bekkevar Family Farm, a farm that has been in the same

family for almost 100 years.

Our last stop was Sunshine Herb & Lavender Farm to try

out a bowl or two of lavender ice cream.

We all had lots of fun and learned a lot as well. One thing

we learned is that we don't like lavender ice cream!

MY-OH-MY GOODBYE BASEBALL !!!!

2009-09-17T20:50:00.000-07:00

Seattle Mariners Vs. Chicago White Soxs baseball was amazing.
Last night (9-17-09) thanks to Graydon L I went to my first major league baseball game and it was a blast.
We (the Mariners) were behind 1-3 till the bottom of the 9th, when we got two home runs and tied it at 3-3. It wasn't until the bottom of the 14th inning when Ichiro stepped up to bat and hit a high fly ball to center field and won the game.

Blueberry Picking With Langfords

2009-08-11T10:05:00.000-07:00

Last month we went blueberry & raspberry picking with the Langfords in Lynden. Why Lynden? Well, because they are cheaper then any other place around down were we live.

Here some photos I took at blueberry & raspberry farm.

We picked about 25lb of raspberry's and 55lb of blueberries, it might seem impressive but is nothing compared to the Langford 120lb of blueberry's they picked:)

Up Coming 2009 Father Son Retreat!!!

2009-08-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

REGISTER NOW, REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO ~
MONDAY, AUGUST 17 —11:59 p.m.

GUEST SPEAKERS:
Scott Brown & Son-in-Law, Peter Bradrick ~ Wake Forest, NC
Troy Hacking ~ Snohomish, WA
David & Scott Brown

2009 SPEAKING SESSIONS:
A Father and Son Relationship Made in Heaven, Scott Brown
The Heart of the Battle, Scott Brown
How to Neutralize a Godly Legacy, Scott Brown
A Charge to Sons, Peter Bradrick

**********************************************************************************************

NAVIGATION INSTRUCTION:
Troy Hacking – Homeschooling Father, Army Ranger School Graduate
Session I
Cardinal directions/degrees of the compass
The compass/how it works/how to read it
Basic map reading/map scale/measure distance
Pace count – what it is, how to determine it, how to measure it
Session II
Topographic Map reading
Terrain Features
Map Legends

about the retreat

Biblical Manhood, Leadership, Fatherhood, Sonship … God has a victorious plan for the father/son relationship – demonstrated in the very Godhead. He designed men to be the leaders in home, church, and society and the duty falls on fathers to prepare their sons for this crucial role. Share a spectacular time together learning crucial principles for Biblical sonship, fatherhood, manhood, & leadership. Also enjoy boating, swimming, hiking, group activities, stimulating camaraderie and more during this power-packed weekend.

DAILY SESSIONS PRESENTED BY SCOTT BROWN: Challenges and encouragements toward Godly manhood, Godly family relationships, and bold & Godly leadership in today’s dark world. (See below for speaker information)
FATHER/SON TEAMWORK ACTIVITIES: Bible Study project, Father/Son navigation project, and other relationship building activities
FATHER/SON TEAM COMPETITION:
Land navigation course in the woods using compass & topography maps
GROUP GAMES & RELAYS: Organized Games & Relays, Navigation Instruction, Singing
MEALTIMES: Delicious food; Enriching fellowship with other Fathers & Sons
FREE TIME FOR FATHER-SON TOGETHER ACTIVITIES:
Outdoor:
•Swimming* (available at designated times)
•Hiking/biking trails
•Sports field for games
•Volley ball
•Frisbee golf
•Basket ball
•Zip Line
•Playground
Indoor:
•Pool
•Foosball
•Table tennis
•Air hockey
Paid Activities:
•Canoeing and kayaking* (available at designated times ~ weather permitting)
•High and Low Ropes course
•Mountain Bikes—$5 per hour
•Climbing—$10 per person

PRICES

Fathers: $130
Sons & Grandfathers: $110
Prices the same for both bunkhouse cabin and campsite registrations

WHAT TO BRING (ALL PARTICIPANTS):

•Sleeping bag, pillow, and other bedding (mattresses provided in cabins).
•Flashlight, toiletries, and towels.
•Sturdy shoes (no sandals) – some of our trails are rough and uneven.
•Durable all-weather clothing – the weather can be somewhat unpredictable.
•Warm clothes for mornings and evenings
•Mosquito repellent
•Bibles, pens & paper
•Hats & sunscreen
•Gear, as desired, for personal father/son free time activities: mountain bikes, kites, water gear, frisbees, ...
•No tape/CD players, ipods, or music, please
Click Here to Register Online Now
I hope to see y'all there.

Chickens Chickens Chickens!!!

2009-08-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

Sorry every one I have not posted for a long time I have been vary busy.

For the past couple of months we have been working on a chicken coop, or should I say chicken Mansion.

This is what it looked like when we first moved here.

The first walls going up.

The roof.

And now the final touches:)

These are your laying hens (there 10 of them).

We got 5 Silver Laced Wyandottes and 5 Buff Orpingtons.

The broiler Chicks (we got 40, all Cornish Cross).

I am currently working on making two chicken tractors, I will post pictures soon hopefully.

New Lens!!

2009-07-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

A late B-day gift from Dad, Mom and Leanne:)

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

This is the lightest EF lens of all at a mere 4.6 oz. (130g). Compact and high-performance, standard lens. Its amazing optics provide sharp perception from near to far focusing distances. The color balance is excellent for a standard lens this cheap.

With f/1.8 this is a great lens for taking photos in low light conditions, because of the f-stop it also can have a vary shallow depth of field.

Here are the specs for the people who are interested:

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture	50mm 1:1.8
Diagonal Angle of View	46°
Focus Adjustment	Overall linear extension system with Micromotor
Closest Focusing Distance	0.45m / 1.5 ft.
Filter Size	52mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight	2.7" x 1.6", 4.6 oz. / 68.2 x 41.0mm, 130g

Photo of the day

2009-07-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

For the word of God is
living and powerful, and
sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the
division of soul and spirit,
and of joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of
the heart."
Hebrews 4:12

Photo of the day

2009-07-15T19:55:00.000-07:00

Then Job answered the LORD and said:

"I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.

You asked, 'Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." Job 42:1-3

NASCAR Pit Stop in Times Square

2009-06-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

Little Tait Fund

2009-05-08T09:13:00.000-07:00

Tait Edward Zimmerman, Jr. was born November 6, a 27-week preemie, weighing just 2 pounds 9 ounces, and measuring 14 inches long. Amazingly, Little Tait was breathing on his own, though he did need significant breathing assistance over the next few months. Little Tait spent his first three months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Children’s Hospital at Providence in Anchorage, AK, connected to numerous feeding and oxygen tubes, wires, leads, and IV’s.

Little Tait finally came home on February 6, his three-month birthday, weighing 8 pounds 15 ounces. Today, he is a smiley, chubby, healthy little guy who brings constant joy to his parents. While he may need some therapies in the future, and has minor lung damage (common in babies who have been on extended breathing support), he faces no major medical challenges. Tait and Lauren are so thankful to the Lord for all the Lord has done in and through their precious son’s life, and pray that Little Tait would grow up to be a mighty man of God.

Our Needs.....

The first hurdle that we face (now that we're home from 3 months in the hospital!) is the neonatology bill. The neonatologists performed a key - albeit expensive - role in our little guy's life! We have access to a professional hospital negotiator through a ministry to which we belong. Our representative has been able to negotiate the neonatology bill down 72.35% - from $186,769 to $51,644.35! Unfortunately, the neonatologists are only giving us 90 days (until June 3rd) to come up with the money! They do not want a long term outstanding balance on their books. If we do not raise the money by June 3rd, then they will turn the bill over to collections and it will skyrocket up to the original amount of $186,769. We appreciate your help! Click Here To Donate Now!!!

Sound of Music Live in a Train Station

2009-04-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

Sound of Music Train Station @ Yahoo! Video

The Hour Is Go.

2009-04-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

Here is a poem I found commemorating D-day paratroopers in France.

7th E's Foxtrot

One's eyes close tight and families fade,

When going to war which evil men made.
Though anxious and frightened, we don't let it show,
For the day is approaching, when the Airborne must go.

Each day now rolls past; we wait just the same,
But D-Day is near, and for this we all came.
The hour grows near; each man feels it inside,
And soon we'll be falling, with nowhere to hide.

Our eyes are now down and the chatter the same,
Each weapon now loaded, no longer a game.
Eagles gather round and bow your heads low,
Europe awaits and the hour is go.

Planes rumble past as we wait for our turn,
To fly over waters we have yet to earn.
Checked buckles and straps, left nothing to chance,
The Jumpmaster stands, calls "Welcome to France."

Flak turns to fire in the blackest of night,
Too low, too fast, can't jump from this height.
There's no turning back, the risk has been taken,
Free fall into Hades, paratrooper's forsaken.

Eagles hold tight, scattered prayers to survive,
We'll hit the ground soon, whether dead or alive.
As feet touch the ground, each soldier turns on,
Confusion and fear are beaten and gone.

The enemy is close and sad they don't know
The Airborne is here, it's time they must go.
The hour is now, Hitler's had his last chance
On St. Michael's wings, we're taking back France.

-Francis J. Turner

(Sorry to author I had to change a word in the poem)

"Wish We Could Be There Party"

2009-03-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

Last month we had a "Wish We Could Be There Party" for Philip & Katie Bradrick's wedding.

We got to gather all the different people that wanted to go, but could not afford to go to the wedding.

The wedding ceremony was broadcasted live online. I hooked up the computer to the TV so we could view it.

We all had a wonderful time watching the the wedding and fellowshiping with each other.

It was wonderful to see another Godly wedding, and another Godly family beginning their life together.

Mom made several cakes and decorated them to look like wedding cakes.

All our friends that came to the party.

The McKinley family.

Some of the Pollack clan.

The Allen family.

The Langford family.

Part of the Reilly family

And the Bryan family

Hanging on the edge

2009-03-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

This bridge is on the Old Donner Pass Highway.

It has a spectacular view of Donner Lake and Donner Pass on Route 80.

A bear was walking across Rainbow Bridge (Old Hwy 40 at Donner Summit, Truckee) on Saturday when two cars also crossing the bridge scared the bear into jumping over the edge of the bridge. Somehow the bear caught the ledge (see unbelievable photo, above) and pulled itself to safety. Authorities decided that nothing could be done to help Saturday night so they returned Sunday morning to find the bear sound asleep on the ledge.After securing a net under the bridge the bear was tranquilized, fell into the net, lowered, then woke up and walked out of the net.

You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Psalms 139: 2-3

Gun Owners Fear Obama will take away their 2nd ammendment rights

2009-03-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

Up comming Christian Heritage Conference

2009-02-14T18:20:00.000-08:00

Come join us for a magnificent time at the 2009 CH Conference!

Come listen to inspiring speakers such as:

Voddie Baucham - Pastor, Homeschool Father, Speaker through Voddie Baucham Ministries, Houston, TX

Scott & Deborah Brown & Family – Pastor & Mentor, Director of National Center for Family-Integrated Churches, and Homeschool Veterans, Raleigh, NC

Mike Riddle —Creation Science, Answers in Genesis lecturer, Kentucky

Wade Myers – Homeschool Father, Successful Christian Entrepreneur, and Founder/Director: New Venture Lab, Tennessee

And much more!

Also Neil Craig will be instructing & directing the annual Christian Heritage Chorale. This is a unique opportunity for homeschoolers of the Northwest to blend their voices to the Glory of God. Each year’s chorale performance has been an inspiration and a stunning success! And many name it one of the highlights of the conference!

Students, ages 13 and older, are welcome but need a basic ability to read music and sing a part. Chorale instruction & practice will take place during two one hour Chorale Workshop sessions each day. The chorale will be performing three selections at the closing session on Saturday afternoon. ~ For more info click here~

family night

Concert by accomplished Homeschooled Musicians

Powerful Keynote Message by Voddie Baucham

“Family Night” is designed …

To include children who will not be attending the full conference with their parents
To give a taste of the conference to families who are unable to attend the full conference
To introduce friends, relatives, pastors, legislators, and more to the wonderful & fruitful adventure of home education
CLICK HERE for Family Night ONLY Registration Information!

On Behalf of Christian Heritage I hope to see y'all there!!

Surefire 6P LED

2009-02-09T14:34:00.000-08:00

My pocket sized, high-intensity LED flashlight for tactical, outdoor, and general use. Puts out a smooth, brilliant beam with four times the light of a larger two-D-cell flashlights, and bright enough to temporarily blind and disorient a person by impairing his night-adapted vision. And it continues producing useful light levels for an impressive 11 hours on a single set of batteries. Lightweight, strong, aerospace-grade aluminum body resists crushing or bending. Small size, high output, and extended runtime make it perfect for self-defense, camping and backpacking, emergency/disaster-preparedness kits, or everyday carry. Vary tough flashlight I would recommend this flashlight to any one that is "in the dark a lot" and need a super bright flashlight that is Small and compact.

My Remington 870

2009-02-05T17:55:00.000-08:00

For those looking for that "one shotgun to do it all," you'd be hard pressed to find a more affordable all-purpose option. Capable of digesting 2 3/4, 3, and 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge shells without a hiccup, the Model 870 ExpressSuper Magnum Synthetic is as at home in the dove field as it is in the duck blind or on the skeet field. With 28-inch vent rib barrel with a Modified Rem™ Choke, this pump-action shotgun features a non-glare matte finish on all exterior metalwork and an all-weather black synthetic stock and fore-end.

I got it about a week after Christmas, and me and any one else will tell you that the Remington 870 is a solid gun, and I am proud to own one.

This is Remington country.

Trip to SAICFF

2009-01-17T22:27:00.000-08:00

Our trip to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival was absolutely fantastic, we all had a wonderful time in San Antonio, here are a couple of my photos, actually 115 to be correct.

Vision Forum's SAICFF

2008-12-31T15:26:00.000-08:00

Click Here to Register for SAICFF

2009 Festival Trailer

Hope to see y'all there !!

Snow

2008-12-13T22:22:00.000-08:00

It's SNOWING!!

At about 2:30PM it started and has been off and on ever since.

I will try to post more photos in the morning.

Roping A Deer

2008-11-12T22:43:00.000-08:00

Haven't stopped laughing...Roping A Deer (Names have been removed to protect the UNEDUCATED!) -- Actual letter from someone who farms and writes well!I had this idea that I was going to rope a deer, put it in a stall, feed it up on corn for a couple of weeks, then kill it and eat it.The first step in this adventure was getting a deer. I figured that, since they congregate at my cattle feeder and do not seem to have much fear of me when we are there (a bold one will sometimes come right up and sniff at the bags of feed while I am in the back of the truck not 4 feet away), it should not be difficult to rope one, get up to it and toss a bag over its head (to calm it down) then hog tie it and transport it home.I filled the cattle feeder then hid down at the end with my rope.The cattle, having seen the roping thing before, stayed well back. They were not having any of it.After about 20 minutes, my deer showed up -- 3 of them. I picked out a likely looking one, stepped out from the end of the feeder, and threw my rope. The deer just stood there and stared at me.I wrapped the rope around my waist and twisted the end so I would have a good hold. The deer still just stood and stared at me, but you could tell it was mildly concerned about the whole rope situation.I took a step towards it... it took a step away. I put a little tension on the rope and then received an education.The first thing that I learned is that, while a deer may just stand there looking at you funny while you rope it, they are spurred to action when you start pulling on that rope.That deer EXPLODED.The second thing I learned is that pound for pound, a deer is a LOT stronger than a cow or a colt. A cow or a colt in that weight range I could fight down with a rope and with some dignity. A deer -- no chance.That thing ran and bucked and twisted and pulled. There was no controlling it and certainly no getting close to it. As it jerked me off my feet and started dragging me across the ground, it occurred to me that having a deer on a rope was not nearly as good an idea as I had originally imagined.The only up side is that they do not have as much stamina as many other animals.A brief 10 minutes later, it was tired and not nearly as quick to jerk me off my feet and drag me when I managed to get up. It took me a few minutes to realize this, since I was mostly blinded by the blood flowing out of the big gash in my head. At that point, I had lost my taste for corn-fed venison. I just wanted to get that devil creature off the end of that rope.I figured if I just let it go with the rope hanging around its neck, it would likely die slow and painfully somewhere. At the time, there was no love at all between me and that deer. At that moment, I hated the thing, and I would venture a guess that the feeling was mutual.Despite the gash in my head and the several large knots where I had cleverly arrested the deer's momentum by bracing my head against various large rocks as it dragged me across the ground, I could still think clearly enough to recognize that there was a small chance that I shared some tiny amount of responsibility for the situation we were in, so I didn't want the deer to have to suffer a slow death, so I managed to get it lined back up in between my truck and the feeder - a little trap I had set before hand...kind of like a squeeze chute.I got it to back in there and I started moving up so I could get my rope back.Did you know that deer bite? They do! I never in a million years would have thought that a deer would bite somebody, so I was very surprised when I reached up there to grab that rope and the deer grabbed hold of my wrist.Now, when a deer bites you, it is not like being bit by a horse where they just bite you and then let go. A deer bites you and shakes its head --almost like a pit bull. They bite HARD and it hurts.The proper thing to do when a deer bites you is probably to freeze and draw back slowly. I tried screaming and shaking instead. My method was ineffective. It seems like the deer was biting and shaking for several minutes, but it was likely only several seconds.I, being smarter than a deer (though you may be questioning that claim by now), tricked it.While I kept it busy tearing the tendons out of my right arm, I reached up with my left hand and pulled that rope loose. That was when I got my final lesson in deer behavior for the day.Deer will strike at you with their front feet. They rear right up on their back feet and strike right about head and shoulder level, and their hooves are surprisingly sharp. I learned a long time ago that, when an animal -- like a horse -- strikes at you with their hooves and you can't get away easily, the best thing to do is try to make a loud noise and make an aggressive move towards the animal. This will usually cause them to back down a bit so you can escape.This was not a horse. This was a deer, so obviously, such trickery would not work. In the course of a millisecond, I devised a different strategy. I screamed like a woman and tried to turn and run.The reason I had always been told NOT to try to turn and run from a horse that paws at you is that there is a good chance that it will hit you in the back of the head. Deer may not be so different from horses after all, besides being twice as strong and 3 times as evil, because the second I turned to run, it hit me right in the back of the head and knocked me down.Now, when a deer paws at you and knocks you down, it does not immediately leave. I suspect it does not recognize that the danger has passed. What they do instead is paw your back and jump up and down on you while you are laying there crying like a little girl and covering your head.I finally managed to crawl under the truck and the deer went away.So now I know why, when people go deer hunting, they bring a rifle with a scope to sort of even the odds.

A Wasted Vote

2008-10-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

A Wasted Vote

by Chuck Baldwin October 10, 2008
When asked why they will not vote for a third party candidate, many people will respond by saying something like, "He cannot win." Or, "I don't want to waste my vote." It is true: America has not elected a third party candidate since 1860. Does that automatically mean, however, that every vote cast for one of the two major party candidates is not a wasted vote? I don't think so.
In the first place, a wasted vote is a vote for someone you know does not represent your own beliefs and principles. A wasted vote is a vote for someone you know will not lead the country in the way it should go. A wasted vote is a vote for the "lesser of two evils." Or, in the case of John McCain and Barack Obama, what we have is a choice between the "evil of two lessers."
Albert Einstein is credited with saying that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. For years now, Republicans and Democrats have been leading the country in the same basic direction: toward bigger and bigger government; more and more socialism, globalism, corporatism, and foreign interventionism; and the dismantling of constitutional liberties. Yet, voters continue to think that they are voting for "change" when they vote for a Republican or Democrat. This is truly insane!
Take a look at the recent $700 billion Wall Street bailout: both John McCain and Barack Obama endorsed and lobbied for it. Both McCain and Obama will continue to bail out these international banksters on the backs of the American taxpayers. Both McCain and Obama support giving illegal aliens amnesty and a path to citizenship. In the debate this past Tuesday night, both McCain and Obama expressed support for sending U.S. forces around the world for "peacekeeping" purposes. They also expressed support for sending combat forces against foreign countries even if those countries do not pose a threat to the United States. Neither Obama nor McCain will do anything to stem the tide of a burgeoning police state or a mushrooming New World Order. Both Obama and McCain support NAFTA and similar "free trade" deals. Neither candidate will do anything to rid America of the Federal Reserve, or work to eliminate the personal income tax, or disband the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Both Obama and McCain support the United Nations. So, pray tell, how is a vote for either McCain or Obama not a wasted vote?
But, back to the "he cannot win" argument: to vote for John McCain is to vote for a man who cannot win. Yes, I am saying it here and now: John McCain cannot win this election. The handwriting is on the wall. The Fat Lady is singing. It is all over. Finished. John McCain cannot win.
With only three weeks before the election, Barack Obama is pulling away. McCain has already pulled his campaign out of Michigan. In other key battleground states, McCain is slipping fast. He was ahead in Missouri; now it is a toss-up or leaning to Obama. A couple of weeks ago, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida were all leaning towards McCain, or at least toss-up states. Now, they are all leaning to Obama. Even the longtime GOP bellwether state of Indiana is moving toward Obama. In addition, new voter registrations are at an all-time high, and few of them are registering as Republicans. In fact, the Republican Party now claims only around 25% of the electorate, and Independents are increasingly leaning toward Obama.
Ladies and gentlemen, Barack Obama is headed for an electoral landslide victory over John McCain. John McCain can no more beat Barack Obama than Bob Dole could beat Bill Clinton.
I ask, therefore, Are not conservatives and Christians who vote for John McCain guilty of the same thing that they accuse people who vote for third party candidates of doing? Are they not voting for someone who cannot win? Indeed, they are. In fact, conservatives and Christians who vote for John McCain are not only voting for a man who cannot win, they are voting for a man who does not share their own beliefs and principles. If this is not insanity, nothing is!
So, why not (for once in your life, perhaps) cast a vote purely for principle! Vote for someone who is truly pro-life. Someone who would quickly secure our nation's borders, and end the invasion of our country by illegal aliens. Someone who would, on his first day in office, release Border Patrol agents Ramos and Compean and fire U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton. Someone who would immediately, upon assuming office, begin leading the charge to dismantle the Federal Reserve, overturn the 16th Amendment, expunge the IRS, and return America to sound money principles. Someone who would get the US out of the UN. Someone who would stop spending billions and trillions of dollars for foreign aid. Someone who would prosecute the Wall Street bankers who defrauded the American people out of billions of dollars. Someone who would work to repeal NAFTA, CAFTA, GATT, the WTO, and stop the NAFTA superhighway. Someone who would say a resounding "No" to the New World Order. Someone who would stop using our brave men and women in uniform as global cops for the United Nations. Someone who would stop America's global adventurism and interventionism. Someone who would steadfastly support and defend the right of the people to keep and bear arms.
"Who is this person?" you ask. Go here to find out:
BALDWIN '08
As John Quincy Adams said, "Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."

Christian Heritage Father Son Retreat 2008

2008-10-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

Pilgrim Bible Church camp out

2008-09-07T22:34:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Pilgrim Bible Church Camp out was a blast, we all had a great time.
Thur different games and activities from volleyball to water polo in kayaks, and of course, a talent show. Each morning and evening we heard wonderful Bible teachings. Here are a few photos my sister and I took.

Northwest Trek

2008-09-07T21:03:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago the Langford boys and my mother and I went to Northwest Trek.
For those that do not know what the Northwest Trek is, it is similar to a zoo with animals that are native to northwest Washington.
We all had a great time seeing all the sights.

Spotting Deer

2008-08-05T22:15:00.000-07:00

About a week ago I was mowing the yard and I happen to look at the field and I saw deer, so being that I am Matthew I stopped where I was and ran and got my camera then ran back outside just in time to see the deer go in to the forest. Instead of giving up I lit-off across the field into the forest. When I got in the forest I slowed down and went into stealth mode, about 200 feet into the dense forest, a stick snapped, I stopped. I looked to the left and there was, one of the deer. I could barley make out the deer under the brush and trees. So I pulled my camera off my back and crawled as close as possible (about 15ft away) and started snapping pictures, the deer was wondering what I was and started to walk closer and than it stopped at about 8-10ft away and then figured out what I was and ran off.
On my way back I saw the mother deer off in the distance, she was a little more skittish and ran off.

Psa 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.

My new Knife

2008-07-08T12:03:00.000-07:00

Down behind enemy lines? Left to fend for yourself? These are the scenarios that inspired the LMF II. Former military man Jeff Freeman led the charge to engineer this fearless new 10" survival knife. And we field tested it with the troops. This knife is as adaptable as the personnel who carry it. Use it to cut through the skin of a fuselage. Or sever a seat belt. Or egress through the Plexiglas of a chopper. Plus, the LMF II does a slick job cutting firewood and building shelter. It can even be lashed to a pole to create a spear.

Overall Length: 10.59"
Length of Blade: 4.84"
Weight: 11.4 oz.

"Gerber sent the LMF II prototype to Iraq. A Marine told me it saved his life when he used it to cut a heavy-gauge cable. He also used it to punch through the Plexiglas of a helicopter. Splitting tent stakes shouldn't be a problem."
Anthony Licata, Field & Stream, May 2006

Dear Mark (Gerber Legendary Blades),
"I'm here writing this letter because Gerber's new LMF 2 worked like you sad it would. My spotter and I set our position over a section of road where there had been a great deal of IEDs (improvised explosive devices) placed. There was no moon and it was as dark as it could get. This meant I would be able to see the bad guys with my NVGs (night vision glasses), and they would not be able to see us... which is the way a soldier likes it.
As we began to engage two targets, a larger contingent of bad guys arrived and started looking for us. I decided we should pull back and I radioed for evacuation. We moved to a bombed- compound and set up a defensive position to wait for the helicopter. We were then told that the helo had been diverted to a med evac and we would have to wait for our Bradley's, which were about 10-15 minutes out.. no big deal.
Two of the bad guys moved into the compound. We were waiting for them to come into the open for a clearer shot. As luck would would have it, they turned on a generator. Within seconds, the compound was lit up like a Wal-Mart parking lot, and the two men continued their search.
My spotter and I noticed two 220-volt power lines running along the wall to the floodlights. I remembered you telling me that the handle and the butt cap of the LMF 2 knife were insulated and would not conduct electricity.
I have to admit I wasn't exactly thrilled about the thought of having to cut the "hot lines" but in the battle you do what you have to do.
I moved over to the wall and wedged the knife behind the power lines and used my body weight to cut through the lines, I did turn my head and close my eyes.
I felt the heat from the lines arcing but that was it. I wasn't electrocuted. Darkness returned and our cover was restored. We were able to re-engage while we waited for our evac. The knife blade had a couple of chunks eaten out of it by the high voltage, but when I got back to the compound I worked most of them out with a honing stone. You can still see where the blade was arced. Thank you and your company for this great knife.

SFC Dillard Johnson
Platoon Sergeant 3rd ID 3-7 CAV

Tall ships

2008-07-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

About a week ago we went down to the bay and saw some tall ships. Hear some of the picture I took.

Gardening

2008-05-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

The last three days we have been vary busy doing the not so original task of gardening among several other things.

The creek that runs along the side of the property was over flowing and semi flooded the bottom corner of the pasture, so dad and I dug it 3-6 inches deeper.

Dad and I rota-tilled the second garden to get it ready for planting the pop corn, the sunflowers, and the pumpkins thanks to the Hamilton family for letting us use their rota-tiller.
Dad spaying the cordoned off area.

I burned branches for about an hour and a half and I'll tell you it got hot!!

Ashley Leanne's horse.

This is Pepe' the chicken that guards the garden.

The Garden, containing everything from: corn, beans, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, garlic, cantaloupe and much more.

The labor of the righteous tendeth to life; the fruit of the wicked to sin. Proverbs 10:16

2008 Christian Heritage Conference

2008-04-23T17:10:00.000-07:00

Mr. Doug Phillips was the keynote speaker.

We had over 1,500 participants at this year's conference. Raising up the next generation of Men.Peter Roth looking important.
Danny & Annalisa Craig singing, accompanied by Mr. Craig on the piano.

David Craig playing the marimba, accompanied by Mr. Craig on the piano.

More performers at family night.

The Stars & Stripes.

Probably the best part of that evening was the Patrick Henry and the 2nd Virgina Convention Re-enactment (Patrick Henry played by Joshua Erber).

Conversation over the coffee table (A battle of wits).
A friendly hand shake, or is it?
A battle of strength.
Two dashing young Patriots
Michael with his new 70-200mm f2.8 lens.

Buisness at the registration table.

The CD table.
Thomas Jefferson lifts Triumph to victory.

2008-03-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

This last week we helped the Bittners spoof up there yard and help paint. We all had a (as the English would say) "jolly good time."

Paul's Brithday party

2008-03-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

We had a great time on Paul's B-Day blasting away at the Kitsap Rifle & Revolver Club
Afterward we had lunch, ice cream and opened presents followed by a quick game of Axis & Allies.

2007 trip to Idaho

2008-01-31T21:49:00.000-08:00

Hear are several photos from last year's trip to, from, and every thing in between Idaho.

Now why did the chicken cross the road???

2007-12-19T21:07:00.000-08:00

I took this photo through the car window on our way to my sisters dental appointment.

The Skies Above

2007-12-16T20:14:00.000-08:00

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour fourth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice in not heard. their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. in the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

PSALMS 19:1-6

Winter is hear

2007-12-01T16:30:00.000-08:00

Winter is coming. You say how do I know, the frost on the ground one of the sure signs.

Another sign is the snow that came this morning.

Hocus Focus

Stephen Hainline & Sarah Criss's Wedding

Farm Update

The Sufficiency Of Scripture Conference 2009

The Sufficiency of Scripture Conference

The Battleground

Begin Repairing the Breach - Bring your Family and Church

Farm Field Trip

MY-OH-MY GOODBYE BASEBALL !!!!

Blueberry Picking With Langfords

Up Coming 2009 Father Son Retreat!!!

Chickens Chickens Chickens!!!

New Lens!!

Photo of the day

For the word of God isliving and powerful, andsharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit,and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is

living and powerful, and

sharper than any two-edged

sword, piercing even to the

division of soul and spirit,

and of joints and marrow,

and is a discerner of the

thoughts and intents of

the heart."

Hebrews 4:12

Photo of the day

NASCAR Pit Stop in Times Square

Little Tait Fund

Sound of Music Live in a Train Station

The Hour Is Go.

"Wish We Could Be There Party"

Hanging on the edge

Gun Owners Fear Obama will take away their 2nd ammendment rights

Up comming Christian Heritage Conference

Powerful Keynote Message by Voddie Baucham

“Family Night” is designed …

Surefire 6P LED

My Remington 870

Trip to SAICFF

Vision Forum's SAICFF

Snow

Roping A Deer

A Wasted Vote

Christian Heritage Father Son Retreat 2008

Pilgrim Bible Church camp out

Northwest Trek

Spotting Deer

My new Knife

Tall ships

Gardening

2008 Christian Heritage Conference

Paul's Brithday party

2007 trip to Idaho

Now why did the chicken cross the road???

The Skies Above

Winter is hear

For the word of God is
living and powerful, and
sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the
division of soul and spirit,
and of joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of
the heart."
Hebrews 4:12