Thursday, April 30, 2015

Fellowship, Firearms, Food & Fun - Part 2


Fifteen years ago, when we built our little Shouse on the Prairie, we didn't know a soul in our newly adopted town.  Our first Sunday at church, we were warmly welcomed by a family that would eventually become our dearest friends.  But lifelong friendships aren't built over night.  They take care and nurturing and maintenance.  Relationships require effort.  My new friend, Lady Day, and I, took turns hosting each others families for meals after church.  We exchanged homeschooling encouragements and family recipes.  As the years went by, our families hearts were knit with threads of shared memories - both tragedies and triumphs and everything in between.

Not only were we blessed with that friendship, but so many more.  Every time I met another lady that I found interesting, I would invite her to tea.  More often than not, another friendship would be born.  Because our town is very small, most of my new friends had grown up together and already knew each other quite well.  My little shouse became a meeting place - a place for encouragement and exhortation....and tea.

But it wasn't just the ladies and children that benefited from these blossoming relationships.  Our husbands found brothers in each other.  They discussed biblical truths, world events and how to manage their high maintenance wives (ha!).  They became, in every sense of the word, Brothers-in-Arms.

But it gets even better.  We don't just get to fellowship with incredible friends, we get to fellowship with incredible family.  My parents and their pastor(s) join our group, as well as parents of most of our friends.  And when we are together, we are much more than friends - we are what's best in family!  Such sweet fellowship....and a great foundation for Fellowship, Firearms, Food and Fun!



Can you say "Out of Africa"?


Our resident Southpaw





Men in hats!

 
My father and husband - what more can I say?



Who says you can't shoot clays with a combat shotgun?

My mom!

Master Hand Grenade - the winner of the Men's Division, hitting 11 out of 12 clays!

And a combat reload....

Miss Serenity


Maid Elizabeth



The Firing Line

A delightful time!



Thank you for coming for a visit!

20 comments:

  1. Wonderful! I had been waiting for Part 2 and so well worth the wait! The photos are beautiful and it looks like everyone had such a grand time. Fun & fellowship with family and friends. What a blessing. Thank you for sharing, Enola. :o)

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  2. What a wonderful time! I especially liked the period clothing and hats. Congratulations to Mr. Hand grenade for the win, he looks like a fine young man. Thanks for sharing your times with us, it is much appreciated!!!

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  3. Dear Enola - thank you so much for sharing your tea party with us. The pictures capture the spirit of the gathering and they feel like a step back in time......

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  4. Enola,

    Well worth the wait for part 2. Great pictures, and great friends!!!

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  5. What a great time and thanks for sharing the story and pictures. One question - is that a riding skirt that Maid Elizabeth is wearing? I am really interested in getting something like that but would need some help figuring out where to purchase or what to ask for in a pattern. SJ in Vancouver BC Canada

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  6. Wow! It looks like you all had a wonderful day! Also, if that is you in the first picture, you are just radiant and lovely! I have been following along for about a year and I am enthralled by your life stories and wisdom - what an incredible life you live!

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  7. I don't normally comment on blogs, but this was an outstanding event. I commend you for maintaining such a gracious lifestyle. Here in the Texas Hill Country it is often difficult to create an event that is so appealing to both genders and so much fun. I congratulate you on such a successful "party". I really enjoy reading your blog and look forward to each new entry. Thanks for sharing your family's daily adventures. It is a a joy to read about other Christians in this world without the "of this world" interference from Satan. May God bless you and yours.

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  8. It's been my pleasure for almost 5 years now to have shared the little window into your world that you've given your followers. You have a beautiful family, a lovely home and wonderful friends. You are truly blessed.

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  9. I have enjoyed the two fellowship firearms food fun posts immensely. I don't know how long I've been receiving your blog. Long enough for your children to go from little ones to biguns.

    But then again - my grandson just got married - so life circles on.

    Thank you for sharing with us.

    WolfBrother

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  10. Love the clothes! :)

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  11. Once again you have shared your goal and the precious outcome, this time a tea party triumph! The joy on everyone's faces is quite beautiful.
    You have helped me set several goals since I found your blog near the beginning of our homeschool adventure. You helped me gain confidence in myself to teach one child, as I read about you guiding 5 through the process. You shared your wisdom regarding marriage, femininity, and nurturing relationships with our husbands with such honesty, it was inspiring and humbling. I took your words to heart and helped my own marriage bonds strengthen. Sharing your children with your readers brought joy to us as we watched them grown and accomplish so much. Sharing dreams and hopes that have not yet materialized and the grace with which you have handled it brought me closer to realizing the blessings of "yes" and of "no".
    Now you share another joy, your family and friends gathered for fun and fellowship, and it is heartwarming to see the fruits of your efforts, shared in pictures and words.
    Thank you and God bless you and your family.
    sidetracksusie

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  12. What wonderful photos! Both posts, looked beautiful and fun!

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  13. All great photographs. You had a wonderful Spring day!
    God bless and good Fortune to all.

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  14. Everyone looks so terrific! Such nice, old fashioned clothes and you all wear them well. Love the ladies' hats.

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  15. Oh how lucky you are! Where I live, you can rarely find someone to meet for an hour for coffee. Everyone's busy with kid's sports or work or just a hundred other things. I would have loved to have been at your house for such a wonderful time!

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  16. Love this more than words can say! The pics of your father and husband, and then your mother......priceless!
    Blessings.

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  17. Lovely event, lovely folks. Looks like a good time was had by all. What a wonderful idea!

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  18. I love Maid Elizabeth's skirt! Did she sew it? If it was purchased, would you share where from? I love this idea of a tea party. Well done. 😀 Thank you for sharing.

    April

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