Autumn Praise

O breeze that rustles waving grass,
That sighs your way o'er plain and hill,
And sways the leafy maple boughs,
While never resting, never still;

O birds that fly in heav'n above,
Who trace the path which years before
Your fathers laid, who, this same time,

Began their flight at autumn's door;

O trees, crowned now in all the fire

The seasons ever grant to you,

Who drop your beauty to the ground,

Enriching all with scarlet hue;

O sun, that dyes the scen'ry gold

With brightest glory ever seen,

A diamond pure, in sapphire set;

In sapphire strong, at peace, serene;

All nature come, join with me now,

O breeze and birds, the trees and sun:

Begin your autumn praise to Him —

Come sing the song that must be sung!

-- Hannah Rose Klein

One of the best parts of our summer

We had such a full summer, full of learning and work and meeting people from all over the place!

At first, we were a little wary of west coasters....and also their shoes.

But actually we had lots in common.

We all like eating.

We all wash dishes.

We all love singing about the Lord!

(Daddy plays bass.)

And now we feel just like family....and we are!

Daniel met the grandbaby of the folks who arranged the first creation science conference our family ever attended...back in Sacramento in the '90s!  But he was unable to get her autograph.

Another sweet family from the land of our ancestral heritage, excited about the Lord, his Word and his wondrous works!

We met these sweet sisters at the local laundromat.  They live in town but had never known much about the 7Wonders Museum until we showed up on their laundry day with 7 full hampers, and 5 full laundry baskets.  It just demanded an explanation.

This great Canadian family came for a tour and gladly obliged our requests for them to say "again" again and again!  More power to them!

Another family from the pacific northwest, but new to Mount St Helens.

We were happy to meet in person this local, young family who came for a tour and stayed for dinner and devotions.

We all found it fantastic to know that even though we live thousands of miles apart, with different circumstances and struggles, the Lord is showing us many of the same things in His Word.

We are thankful for the wonderful blessings the Lord gave us through fellowship with His people who crossed our path this summer! 

We meet again!

We have been blessed by several visits from family during our time here in Washington.  We try to stay headquartered here at the museum, and it has been a good place to meet.

Grandpa Edd and Bachan flew up just to see us!  

"Hey, tell me a story, kid."

Bachan makes herself at home.

Road trip.

The big boys chilling.

Saying goodbye takes a while!

Poor Uncle Chuck, passing through on his way to the Klein reunion, didn't know what hit him!  He is the youngest of the nine.

And here we have...

Grandma and Grandpa Klein...also in the area for the Klein reunion.

Off to do some blueberry picking.

The proof is in the muffins.

It's a grandma thing; you wouldn't understand.

Playing "dictionary" to win, kinda. 

Haven't seen Aunt Helen since this little girl was a baby in Minnesota!

Watch out for those Kleins-- especially if you happen to be a bowl of ice cream.

August 10th: Open field trip

Mount St Helens Field Trip

at the

7Wonders Museum at Mount St Helens

Saturday, August 10, 2013, 9:30 – 5:30 PM

No fee, but reservations requested

You are invited to a full day of discovery beginning at the 7Wonders Museum and Bookstore, located on the beautiful Spirit Lake Highway, gateway to Mount St Helens.

When Mount St Helens erupted in 1980, it didn’t just blow away its summit…. It also blew away the assumption that it takes millions of years of slow gradual changes to produce geological features such as canyons, rock layers and river systems.  The eruption gave geologists a front-row seat to events which can create petrified forests, causing reinterpretations at Yellowstone National Park and Petrified Forest National Park.  In the aftermath, its ecological recovery amazed the naysayers.

Here is our itinerary (times are tentative):

9:30 am.  Arrive at 7Wonders Museum and Bookstore, 4749 Spirit Lake Highway, Silverlake, WA 98645.  We are 9.5 miles from Interstate 5 (exit 49, one of two Castle Rock exits). 

10:00 am  Attend 7Wonders of Mount St Helens presentation

11:00 am  Depart 7Wonders for auto tour, stopping at Buried A Frame, bridge overlook at entry of blast zone from the May 18, 1980 eruption.

Noon  Arrive for a lunch break at the Forest Learning Center (free exhibits, gift shop, picnic and small playground).  When done, depart for Hummocks Trailhead

1:30 PM  Hike Hummocks Trail inside the Mount St Helens Volcanic Monument, a two hour hike (with interpretive talks,) 2.5 miles.  This is a fairly easy trail for all ages, with some uphill at the very end.  Hike on top of the landslide debris deposited by the largest landslide in recorded history!  Observe the amazing recovery in plant and animal life! 

3:30 PM  Depart trailhead for our last stop, Johnston Ridge Volcanic Observatory.  This is on your own.  Fee area ($8 per adult, age 16 and up, children free).  Exhibits, shop, films of eruption and recovery, easy, paved vista trails for great photos.

Please note

·      There will be about 45 miles driving from 7Wonders to the final destination on our tour.

·      Bring:  sack lunch, water/snacks, sunscreen, hats, sturdy shoes/boots.

HOW TO SIGN UP:

Email us at:  mshcreationmuseum@yahoo.com or call us at:  360-274-5737  And check out our new website:  7wondersmuseum.org.  You may also contact us to schedule other tour dates for your group, church, family vacation, homeschool group, etc.

Twelve years ago today

Twelve years ago today, our day began with a phone call that Dave's dear mom had gone to be with the Lord.  We had left California a few years before, and we were living in Minnesota at that time.  

Grandma Carmen

I never knew you, but you knew me
I did not have much of a choice
But I am longing your face to see
I want to hear your dear voice
If I could choose, I know what I would want
To grow up under your care
But our dear Savior had other plans
And you are so much better there

I hear the stories of your life down here
They make me love you the more
Your love for Christ makes you all the more dear
As I walk where you've gone before
Your strong reliance upon the Lord
Your joy and deep humility
Your love for Jesus and for His word
Those things are my legacy

You are much more than a Grandma to me
You are a hero for Christ
I am so thankful, and always will be
For the heritage of your life
You are a treasure that I long to see
But until then, as I run this race
I want to follow Christ as faithfully
Till the day that I look on your face

-- Hannah Rose Klein, who was 5 at that time

From the Bible read by America's founders...

Let every soul 

be subject unto the higher powers.

For there is no power but of God:

the powers that be

are ordained of God.

Whosoever therefore 

resisteth the power,

resisteth the ordinance of God:

and they that resist 

shall receive to themselves damnation.

Romans 13:1 - 2

And here we are....

...at the 7Wonders Museum in Silverlake, Washington.  

We were met with a huge meal prepared by our hosts, Lloyd and Doris.  They have been wonderful and feel like family already.  They are letting us take over their house, and they are staying in a vacation rental nearby while we learn the ropes.   

So, we are going on four weeks here... 

four full weeks of....

Cooking.

Eating.

Working.

Looking.

Learning.

More looking.

Sharing.

Hiking.

Meeting.

Singing.

Weeding.

Spreading.

Listening.

Rearranging.

Shopping.

Helping.

Missing.

And just relaxing.