Warta Almond Harvesting Party

Who would have thought that our old almond trees would be the focus of an evening family social? Maybe the beginning to an annual tradition at the Warta homestead.  Often, Brian is approached by young parents (city-folk we call them) who dream of providing their kids with the "country living" experience that they had as kids.  With much pondering...Brian came up with a brilliant idea to invite these families out to help us harvest our almonds.  You rake, you take them home.  BRILLIANT!!! Our lawn mower is saved from chewing them up while others enjoy their nutritional value.  For years, we have wanted to flip a profit from our almond trees, but we either don't have the time or the crop.  This year we had an AMAZING crop!  Too good to ignore, but not enough time for the Warta6 to harvest them all.   

There is plenty more on the ground, so come one or come all before the rain spoils them all!!!

 Knocking down the almonds & climbing the trees to knock down the almonds was the hit amongst all the kids!

 Fellow shipping and getting to know one another while sorting & shelling the almonds.

 Oh, no!  KC is at bat!

 Best buds hard at work-Keagan & Tye Morrison

 BREAK TIME!!! Lord please bless this food.

 Washing hands before dinner...country-style.

 The future men of the group enjoying some pizza.

 Tackle-time!

 KC wasted no time charmin' the ladies.

 Back to work...OR...back to telling jokes...hmmm?

 Hours of fun!

 Petting zoo at dusk.

Yippee!!! Zip line

Who would have thought...Bethany & Keagan enjoying the same thrilling fun...TOGETHER!  Moments like these are priceless.  $10 a piece was worth all the smiles, giggles and forever memories.  

First Day Of School

Today, is a bittersweet for us all.  Everyone is excited to start school, but sad to say goodbye to a fun summer of...mornings to sleep in, late nights, morning jogs, long evening walks, quad riding, jumping bikes, building forts, reading, baking, making music videos, learning new technology, family days, vacations, swimming, star-gazing, swinging and climbing trees.  

 I started attending FCS my 6th grade year.  Remember it so clearly.

 Miss Lonny Gorton, 2nd Grade Teacher

8th Grade yikes!

 6th Grade Super cool!

 2nd Grade Yeah!!!

 "Come on, mom, you are going to make us late!"

 The "Oldest" boys on the campus

 "Yes, I get to see Bethany everyday!"

 She's ready to go!  

Claire & Lauren helped Bethany unload her backpack.  Next year, girls and you will start school.

Soulful Toddlers

Kelden & Alex just love to dance!  Most days I miss catching them in action.  Today, I missed them both swaying to an old time hymn.  I was patient long enough to catch them rocking out on the next song.  I just love watching how children respond to music!  It brings me such joy.  Enjoy!

A Rainy Spring Day!

Every little boy needs a container of Flarp...or two...it creates hours of fun.

Focal Point

April 25

MAKE ME YOUR FOCAL POINT as you move through this day.  Just as a spinning ballerina must keep returning her eyes to a given point to maintain her balance, so you must keep returning your focus to Me.  Circumstances are in flux, and the world seems to be whirling around you.  The only way to keep your balance is to fix your eyes on Me, the One who never changes.  If you gaze too long at your circumstances, you will become dizzy and confused.  Look to Me, refreshing yourself in My Presence, and your steps will be steady and sure.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before hime endured the cross, scoring its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."-Hebrews 12:2

"But you remain the same, and your years will never end."-Psalms 102:27

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

No day is too big for God!

My morning devotions left me awestruck!  God's timing is always PERFECT!

Today, Brian is participating in a 9 hour assessment center for a spot at a Captains promotion.  He left the house looking amazingly sharp in his black suit, blue shirt and blue tie, but I could tell that inside he was a mess.  Four years of competing for this spot has worn down his level of confidence.  Watching him load into the truck with such a heavy heart left me feeling helpless.  As I flipped over my daily devotional book this is what I read...

April 19 

"I LOVE YOU regardless of how well you are performing.  Sometimes you feel uneasy, wondering if you are doing enough to be worthy of My Love.  No matter how exemplary your behavior, the answer to that question will always be no.  Your performance and My Love are totally different issues, which you need to sort out.  I love you with an Everlasting Love that flows out from eternity without limits or conditions.  I have clothed you in My robe of righteousness, and this is an eternal transaction:  Nothing and no one can reverse it.  Therefore, your accomplishment as a Christian has no bearing on My Love for you.  Even your ability to assess how well you are doing in a given day is flawed.  Your limited human perspective and the condition of your body, with its mercurial variations, distort your evaluations.

Bring your performance anxiety to Me, and receive in its place My unfailing Love.  Try to stay conscious of My loving Presence with you in all that you do, and I will direct your steps."
-Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Jeremiah 31: 3  I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

Isaiah 61:10  I delight greatly in the Lord;my soul rejoices in my God.  For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness...

Psalms 107:8-9 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.