Sunday, October 23, 2011

A Visit With Friends, and to Amish Country

Dear Friends,

A blessed Sabbath to you! Yesterday the temperatures warmed up enough to make a perfect day to go visit our beautiful friend Emily from Desert Rose Homestead. She and her family were visiting Missouri, and invited us to join them for a picnic at Adam-Ondi-Ahman (a spot that is sacred to Latter-Day Saints).

Mr. Graham was nice enough to chauffer the troop, and as we left Kansas City we whizzed past the Sports Center, as well as Worlds of Fun.










The traffic decreased as we traveled north, and we knew we weren't in the city any more when we had to cautiously pass this combine!


We also passed this tractor supply store, and Frankie informed us that he would own every single tractor when he grows up~


A farmhouse with a windmill in the front yard told us we were close to our destination~

And finally we were there!


Emily and her family were patiently waiting for us when we arrived (we misjudged the driving time by almost an hour!), and everyone had a wonderful time catching up and munching on the goodies provided.






There were lots of uninvited guests at the picnic, too, including lots of ladybugs and spiders!
There was just enough time to play "Hide and Seek" while we put things away,





And for making a fairy house in the big oak tree!









Though we wished we could have stayed together longer, it was finally time to part ways, until the next happy day when we could visit again. One thing that I love about Emily's family is that they are at the same stage we are, of dreaming about that piece of land and working toward making it a reality. We've been so very blessed to make so many wonderful friends through blogging!


We spent some time absorbing the peaceful spirit that prevails at this special spot, and collected a few rocks and seeds to remember it by.





Some of us decided to rest on Father's shoulder instead!



We then decided to drive through Jamesport, the largest Amish community in Missouri. Although it was definitely a tourist attraction, it was a wonderful thing to see the buggies and wagons, and not be the only ones who are stared at because of their apparel! ;)


We found a little store that we selling apples, and bought a bushel of Red Delicious and a peck of Honey Crisps for $10 each; what a bargain! The owner of the store, Mr. Yoder, took time to come out and talk to us, while swinging on one of two porch swings out front. Not quite like shopping in the city!


We felt truly at home in Amish country, and it was a little difficult dragging ourselves away and heading back to "civilization." Seeing all the farmhouses along the way, and picking up a local small town newspaper and perusing the "farms for sale" section helped to fuel our dream of finding our own place beyond the sidewalks. We know it's out there somewhere!

Thank you so much for coming along with us today, and may all your worthy dreams come true.

Love,

Marqueta

14 comments:

  1. OH how wonderful! What a fantastic day! Sure wish I could meet you and Emily IRL sometime :-) Our family has vacationed in MO more than once and just love that beautiful part of the country.

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  2. What a blessing your day was. Meeting Emily again, and sharing and making memories with your loved ones.

    It is such a special time when Our Lord allows us to meet our 'special' friends that He has blessed us with.

    What a treasure it must have been...and passing through Amish county must have been peaceful.

    Te deseo todo lo mejor mi querida amiga :-)

    Maria

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  3. Marqueta, it looks like you had a wonderful day meeting Emily and her family and then touring Amish country.
    What a lovely blessing for you!
    grace and peace in Jesus..Trish

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  4. When I rest here, it calms my heart. What a beautiful day you had.. It looks so peaceful.. I have always wanted to visit Amish county.
    Blessing to you and family,
    Penny

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  5. When I rest here, it calms my heart. What a beautiful day you had.. It looks so peaceful.. I have always wanted to visit Amish county.
    Blessing to you and family,
    Penny

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  6. awww so sweet you were able to meet up with Emily again!! And looks like a wonderful day ~Thanks for all the lovely pictures shared Love Heather

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  7. A wonderful post...fellowship of close knitted friends....and such beautiful country...I loved all the pictures you shared...thank you. Two beautifully blessed families.
    Blessings on your week.

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  8. Would Love to take a vacation out that way! The countryside is absolutely Beautiful!

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  9. How fun to look at your photos of your outing. Meeting new friends is always so special. A picnics & Amish country in the fall sounds so simple and peaceful.

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  10. What a wonderful day! Sounds like you have found a kindred spirit in Emily. Did you find anything interesting in the "farms for sale"? Can't wait until the day you have a farm either. It will be so much fun to read about it!

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  11. Ohhhhhh! What a FUN BLESSED DAY!!!
    You all look so wonderful and happy in the pictures, having sweet kindred fun!
    Thanks for bringing us with you!!
    I loved the Amish pictures too! We are so fortunate to live in the heart of Amish country and are so at home here! My favorite store to buy bulk and deli foods is run by an Amish Family!
    Many many Blessings, Lots of Hugs and much Love, Linnie

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  12. How lovely to meet up with a kindred and her family for a picnic!

    P.S. If you are ever in our area, we would be delighted to have you and your beautiful children over for tea. Ursula and Jemima would be thrilled to meet you. too. We are saddle training Jemima to be ridden, but we will need some youngsters to put on her back!

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  13. Sounds like a wonderful day--and you got to go through Amish country--I am dreadfully jealous! You look so beautiful in your dress and hat. I am having trouble responding to comments on my blog--but I wanted to say that I am drooling over the 'goodies' you mentioned sending--I am practically giddy with anticipation!
    Much love, Evelyn

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  14. Oh it was so wonderful to see you again and to have our children play. I don't know why we don't have any photos of our men together?? Next time! What a wonderful visit it was - so sunny and beautiful too!

    We drove through Amish country too and just loved it! I can see why you love the countryside there! We loved it so much that it was one of our fav. spots on our trip! :)

    We are praying for you to find your place in the country too!

    Hugs and love,
    Emily

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Thank you for coming to visit — I look forward to hearing from you!