Three Words of Strength

There are three lessons I would write-
Three words, as with a burning pen,
In tracings of eternal light,
Upon the heart of men.

Have hope! though clouds environ round,
And gladness hides her face in scorn,
Put thou the shadow from thy brow,
No night but hath its morn.

Have faith! where're thy bark is driven-
The calm's disport, the tempest's mirth-
Know this: God rules the hosts of heaven,
The inhabitants of earth.

Have love! not love alone for one,
But man as man thy brother call,
And scatter like the circling sun,
Thy charities on all.

Thus grave these lessons on thy soul,
Hope, faith, and love; and thou shalt find
Strength when life's surges rudest roll,
Light when thou else wert blind.

Friedrich Von Schiller

The twins are 8!!!

Andrew Jacob,(right) and Steven Joel, (left) about a week after Nov.10, 1999, almost ready to come home from the hospital.

Today, with their new farm set, which they are thrilled about!

The traditional "farm" cakes that Mom makes for them. She's done it almost every year. Notice the pasture, the plowed fields, the barns (made of graham crackers) and the trees(suckers).

The cows and machinery are toys.

They have been and are, two great blessings to our family, praise the Lord!

"Come little leaves" said the wind one day,

"Come o'er the meadows with me and play;

Put on your dresses of red and gold,

For summer is gone and the days grow cold."

Soon as the leaves heard the wind's loud call,

Down they came fluttering, one and all;

Over the brown fields they danced and flew,

Singing the glad little songs they knew.

"Cricket, good-bye, we've been friends so long,

Little brook,sing us your farewell song;

Say your sorry to see us go;

Ah, you will miss us, right well we know.

"Dear little lambs in your fleecy fold,

Mother will keep you from harm and cold;

Fondly we watched you in vale and glade,

Say, will you dream of our loving shade?"

Dancing and whirling, the little leaves went,

Winter had called them, and they were content;

Soon, fast asleep in their earthly beds,

The snow laid a coverlid over their heads.

George Cooper