Summer 2007 Projects Gardening and Canning Preaching Wedding Anniversary Travel Camping and Fishing Misc Photos Embroidery and Sewing DSC02934-small.jpg God gives a banner to those who fear Him, that it may be displayed because of the Truth. -Ps. 60:4 9 July2006-125-small.jpg At Cherry Festival 2006 - Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved. 9 CherryFestival2006-012-smal.jpg Young people stay for hours asking questions about God and the Bible. 9 CherryFestival2006-006-smal.jpg "Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 97:10) 9 CherryFestival2006-029-smal.jpg Homosexuals hate the truth and even seek to burn it. 9 CherryFestival2006-061-smal.jpg The devil offers many wordly pleasures ... but he always hides the price tag. 9 CherryFestival2006-013-smal.jpg We labored with unruly youth all evening, encouraging and testifying to them of God's grace that will teach them how to live sinfree lives (Titus 2:11). Many of their parents were over in the 'beer tent'. Sin may seem 'fun' for a season, but in the end it leads to eternal destruction. 9 061126027.jpg While on business in Washington DC, we were able to spend one day touring the city together. 3 061126028.jpg This was Giampaolo's first time to visit Washington DC. 3 061126033.jpg In front of the White House 3 061126031.jpg It is a sobering thought to consider what kind of an example WE will leave behind. 3 061126032.jpg Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, You Who lead Joseph like a flock. You Who sit enthroned between the cherubim, Shine Forth! -Ps. 80:1 3 061126025.jpg National Cemetery - Death is the destiny of every man, the living should take this to heart. -Eccl. 7:1 3 DSC05711smaller.jpg We also traveled to Florida for a business trip ... 3 DSC05690smaller.jpg ... and we found time one evening to go to the ocean together. 3 DSC05698smaller.jpg Jackie has not been to the ocean very many times, so she was a bit timid about the size of the waves, but she enjoyed dipping her toes in the water. 3 DSC06091smaller.jpg We enjoyed watching some of the fruit of our labors this spring as our bulbs and flowers began to spring up. 2 DSC05552smaller.jpg "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes ... " (Hosea10:12) 2 DSC06155smaller.jpg One of our Tiger Lilies--Painted perfectly by the creator. 2 DSC06317smaller.jpg The arrival of warmer weather also opened the 2007 preaching season in Michigan. 9 DSC06293smaller.jpg Joe and Giampaolo work together at Cherry Festival. 9 DSC06295smaller.jpg Bro. Gary Birdsong joins us in preaching. 9 DSC06298smaller.jpg Dad Allen holds a Gospel banner. 9 DSC06306smaller.jpg Mom Allen shares the Truth with a woman at Cherry Festival. 9 DSC06313smaller.jpg Giampaolo passing out tracts. 9 DSC06321smaller.jpg More laborers in the Harvest Field. Paul passes out tracts. 9 DSC06123smaller.jpg The Ladomato 2007 Garden--Tomatoes, peppers, potatoes ... 5 DSC06116smaller.jpg ... and asparagus! (Although we won't be able to begin harvesting it until next year) 5 DSC06112smaller.jpg We also have a Niagara grapevine ... (and this year we planted a red seedless grapevine) 5 DSC05790smaller.jpg ... and we added a few new fruits to our yard this year-- 5 DSC06115smaller.jpg We planted a dwarf sour cherry tree ... 5 DSC06107smaller.jpg ... and a black fig tree! 5 DSC06106smaller.jpg Our little fig tree actually produced a few small figs this year, but they really didn't ripen properly since the tree is still so small. It is supposed to grow 10-15 feet in the next 5 years! 5 DSC06382smaller.jpg Really our garden was very low-maintenance this year. 5 DSC06383smaller.jpg Giampaolo always enjoys harvesting fresh vegetables from the garden--and especially hot peppers! Our garden has provided opportunties for us to meet several neighbors and share of our bounty. 5 DSC05960smaller.jpg June 18, 2007 marked our 2nd Wedding Anniversary 6 DSC05913smaller.jpg We celebrated our 2nd Anniversary with a weekend camping trip about 3 hours north, on the shores of Lake Michigan. 6 DSC05920smaller.jpg Although we camped 6 DSC05910smaller.jpg Our campsite was right on the shore of Lake Michigan ... 6 DSC05921smaller.jpg ... which made for great (if a bit cold) swimming ... 6 DSC06035smaller.jpg ... beautiful sunrises ... 6 DSC05907smaller.jpg .., lovely walks ... 6 DSC05946smaller.jpg ... and stunning sunsets! 6 DSC05949smaller.jpg "From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, the Lord's Name is to be praised!" 6 DSC05929smaller.jpg Giampaolo skillfully stoked up the campfire ... 6 DSC05941smaller.jpg ... and we enjoyed delicious fire-roasted corn on the cob, 6 DSC06024smaller.jpg ... as well as traditional S'mores. 6 DSC06023smaller.jpg Married life gets sweeter by the day. "The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow to it" (Proverbs 10:22). 6 DSC05942smaller.jpg We cooked all our meals at camp. 6 DSC05954smaller.jpg ... with our Coleman stove (a wedding present). 6 DSC05953smaller.jpg We even had a Coleman Stove drip coffee maker! 6 DSC05952smaller.jpg And Jackie brought along a surprise Wedding Anniversary she had baked (at home)--the same recipe as the top layer of our wedding cake. 6 DSC05978smaller.jpg We enjoyed a 5 mile + hike through the woods. 6 DSC05985 (Small).JPG Well, okay, so we did get a little bit tired ... 6 DSC05997smaller.jpg But Giampaolo kept a steady pace, leading the way. 6 DSC05973smaller.jpg Giampaolo even caught a little Garter snake. 6 DSC05975smaller.jpg Jackie didn't want to get TOO close! 6 DSC05976smaller.jpg This area of tall, straight pine trees reminded us of Jesus' admonition, "...Narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:14). We desire to be walking on that narrow and straight way that leads to life! 6 061126035.jpg We are also blessed to have some beautiful scenic trails within walking distance from our house! 2 DSC06260smaller.jpg This summer we were able to check several household projects off our "to do" list. 1 DSC06263smaller.jpg Here Bro. Gary and Giampaolo work together to lift up some of our cracked driveway concrete ... 1 DSC06284smaller.jpg ... and cut out the tree roots that were lifting it up. 1 DSC06286smaller.jpg Those "little" tree roots turned out to be quite a bit larger than we had anticipated! But with teamwork, they got them out, and lowered the concrete back into place unharmed! Praise the Lord! 1 DSC05827 (Small).JPG We also repainted and put a wallpaper boarder around the guest bedroom. 1 DSC05830smaller.jpg "It is the gift of God to enjoy one's work" (Ecclesiates 3:13). 1 DSC05852smaller.jpg Jackie at her desk, keeping up with paperwork--which Jackie also enjoys. 1 DSC06380smaller.jpg This summer we hired a contractor to build a shed onto the garage, so that Giampaolo would have a workshop. 1 DSC06580 (Small).JPG The finished addition. 1 DSC06597 (Small).JPG And here Giampaolo is already at work in his new workshop ... 1 DSC06602 (Small).JPG ... building a new canning shelf for Jackie! 1 DSC06180smaller.jpg This year Jackie was blessed to be able to teach little sister, Ruth, how to can. 5 DSC06547 (Small).JPG Ruth was a fast learner ... 5 DSC06162smaller.jpg ... and a BIG help! 5 DSC06159smaller.jpg We processed 51 pounds of cherries. 5 DSC06158smaller.jpg We dried some ... 5 DSC06174smaller.jpg ... And we made cherry jam with the rest. 5 DSC06485smaller.jpg We harvested grapes together ... 5 DSC06479smaller.jpg ... and harvested ... 5 DSC06482smaller.jpg ... and harvested some more! 5 DSC06114smaller.jpg Giampaolo had pruned our grapevine for the first time this spring ... 5 DSC06111smaller.jpg ... and true to what the Bible says in John 15, "Every branch that is pruned bears MUCH fruit!" 5 DSC06489 (Small).JPG We harvested about 80 pounds (or 4 bushels) of grapes! We sure were thankful for Giampaolo's help to carry the bins to the house. 5 DSC06494smaller.jpg Next we flooded the grapes with water ... 5 DSC06496smaller.jpg ... to drive out all the spiders and earwigs. Yuck! 5 DSC06500smaller.jpg Juicing them was a BIG job ... 5 DSC06526 (Small).JPG ... and we were thankful for Mom Allen, Kerry and Teresa's help later in the evening. 5 DSC06542 (Small).JPG The Lord blessed our efforts and we got 6 1/2 gallons of juice! 5 DSC06552 (Small).JPG Next we processed a bushel and a half of tomatoes. 5 DSC06518 (Small).JPG We worked both inside ... 5 DSC06536 (Small).JPG ... and outside. It worked really well to have a canner outside on our gas grill's sideburner. 5 DSC06558smaller.jpg Rejoicing together ... 5 DSC06553 (Small).JPG ... in the fruit of our labors! 5 061126039.jpg When you eat and are satisfied, do not forget the Lord your God. 5 DSC06393smaller.jpg We've also found a little time for fishing together this summer. 4 DSC06399smaller.jpg A beautiful Saturday morning on a small lake near our house. 4 DSC06411smaller.jpg The best part of fishing is spending time together ... 4 DSC06413smaller.jpg ... but we're always excited to catch a fish, too! (This one wasn't big enough to keep though) 4 DSC04627 (Small).JPG Jackie has been learning to embroider ... 8 DSC04659 (Small).JPG ... and has been making all sorts of things! 8 DSC04668 (Small).JPG A sweatshirt 8 DSC04617 (Small).JPG Caps for others ... 8 DSC06076smaller.jpg ... and caps for Giampaolo 8 DSC05422 (Small).JPG A Vest 8 DSC05621 (Small).JPG An Apron 8 DSC05403 (Small).JPG And the final touches to a Proverbs 31 quilt for our bed! 8 DSC05375 (Small).JPG Close-Up of one of the Proverbs 31 quilt squares. 8 DSC05399_small1 (Small).jpg Proverbs 31 Quilt 8 DSC04663 (Small).JPG "Her husband is known in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land" (Proverbs 31:23). Jackie is very thankful for Giampaolo's support and encouragement in these sewing endeavors. 8