The Chief End of Man~

Shorter Catechism (Westminster)

Q: What is the chief end of man?

A: To glorify God – 1 Cor. 10:31 - "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

Col. 3:17 - "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

1 Peter 4:11 - "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles (utterances) of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Zechariah 14:21 - "Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be [engraved] HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD OF HOSTS."

2 Cor. 4:1-7 - "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels…"

2 Tim. 2:20-21 - "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wool, and of earth; some to honor, and some to dishonor: if a man therefor purge (cleanse) himself from these (see verses 16, 19), he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified (set apart) and meet (fit, useful) for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work."

Rev. 4:11 - "Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power for Thou has created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created."

Psalms 73:25-26 - "Whom have I in heaven by Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee. My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength (rock) of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalms 16:5-6 - "The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup; thou maintainest (upholds) my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage (inheritance)."

Goof~

Beautiful art work done by Mother

Here is a beautiful piece of art work that Mom has worked on for about 3 days. She had a photo she was drawing from, but still, it is a fantastic drawing! It is her first major fine art piece in colored pencil.

Enjoy Mom's beautiful talent!

For America's Patriot: Ron Paul - Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Dr. Paul! Thank you for being the champion of Liberty, Peace, Freedom & the Constitution! Our family has learned SO much these past several months since we first became acquainted with you and your campaign. It was amazing to watch you over the course of your months on the road, spreading the good news about Freedom, Prosperity & Peace!

Many happy returns on this your special day and may the Lord bless you with many, many more years of healthy, happy living!

1:1 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,nor stands in the way of sinners,nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." Psalm 1:1-3

God bless you Ron & Carol always! You two are in our thoughts and prayers!

With admiration, with love,

David, Julia, Joel, Abby, Caleb, Phoebe, Johanna & Jaden Kautt - Texas, USA

Arkansas trip #1

It was a hard goodbye to Joel, Mom, Abby, and Phoebe, when Dad, Dad’s Mom, Caleb, Jaden and I left to Arkansas. It was the first trip I had gone on without Mom, Abby and Phoebe. :-(

We left at 10:53 A.M. Monday August 11, 2008. I counted out-of-state license plates (this was in Texas: New York – Virginia. Arkansas: North Carolina - Mexico ). To say the least, it was fun. I saw vehicles from: New York, California, Tennessee, Minnesota, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Arizona, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Illinois, Florida, Missouri, Virginia, North Carolina, Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana, Ontario Canada, Nebraska, Texas (not ours’! :D), Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota, New Mexico, Mexico. 27 out-of-state license plates on vehicles!!!

We ate lunch (Wendy’s food), in the car.

Later we arrived at Great-grandma McKnight’s house in Wiener, Arkansas. Picked up Great-grandma, her friend, and Grandma Kautt (Dad’s Mom) and went to Grandma Kautt’s brother, Paul McKnight’s house. We had dinner there. Here is all who were there: Great-grandma, one of Great-grandma’s friends, Grandma, Uncle Paul and Aunt Loretta, Cousin Peyton and cousin Terri Lynn Tyner, Gracie (18), Audrey (16?) and Chloe (8) Tyner, Cousin Barry and cousin Paula Riggs, Zachary (12?) and Madison (6) Riggs, Dad, Caleb, Jaden and I. Afterward, we took Great-grandma, Great-grandma’s friend and Grandma to Great-grandma’s house. Then, Dad, Caleb, Jaden and I went to the hotel at which we were to stay. We were all covered in mosquito bites, and Caleb made up a joke: “Three things the farmers in Arkansas grow are: Soybeans, Rice, and MOSQUITOES!”

I was almost frozen in the bed, ‘cause Caleb turned the AC WAY too low. There were only two thin blankets to lay under!!! I woke up several times, during the night, thinking: “Where’s Phoebe?” Phoebe and I sleep together at home.

The next morning, we had a breakfast (at the hotel) of: puffed millet (for cereal), soy milk, oranges, apples, grapes, and oats. Yummy!!! Phoebe called Dad and Dad told me, after Phoebe was done talking to Dad, that “Hymns for Kith and Kin” had arrived at our house. :-)

We then went to Great-grandma’s house and helped her clean up her house. Caleb cleaned the counters and cabinets with Grandma and I did the dishes, after eating a meal of: noodles, wild duck, corn, and I don’t remember what else.

After cleaning a bit more, we left with Great-grandma, Grandma, and Great-grandma’s friend to a restaurant called “ Western Sizzlin’ ”. Uncle Bobby Joe (Great-grandma’s brother) and Aunt Macine McKnight were there, and Uncle Paul and Aunt Loretta McKnight, Barry and Paula Riggs, Zachary and Madison Riggs, Peyton and Terri Lynn Tyner, Gracie, Audrey, and Chloe Tyner, Great-grandma, Great-grandma’s friend, Grandma, Dad, Caleb, Jaden and I. After eating, all of us (except Uncle Bobby Joe and Aunt Macine), went to Payton and Terri Lynn Tyner’s house. I held/carried Madison around a bunch. She’s my buddy! :-) After that, we took Great-grandma, Great-grandma’s friend, and Grandma to Great-grandma’s house. Then, we went to the hotel and slept.

On the 13, we ate the same breakfast and Phoebe called. I talked to her for about 10 or 15 minutes. She said that the night before, Joel, Abby, and herself had apple crisp, ice cream, and fruit salad! :-) Also, she and Abby watched “Gods and Generals”.
For lunch we all went to ‘Ryan’s Steak House’. Some of Grandma’s high school friends were there. So, basically, it was Grandma’s high school reunion! At this restaurant, on one of the doors, there was a sign that said: “Stop! Alarm will go off if you open this door.” Then in Spanish, for ‘stop’ it said: “!Alto!” So, I learned a Spanish word that day. I was thinking, later on, that if we passed some Mexicans, and we were talking about singing Alto, they might think we were saying, “Stop”, in Spanish! ;-) Then we went to see our Great-great Aunt Dorthy (Great-grandma and Uncle Bobby Joe’s sister). We stated for about an hour, talking, looking at pictures, and Caleb, Jaden and I walked through the gardens. She lives in a assisted living type place, but it’s still beautiful.

Later, on our way to Uncle Paul’s (so we could follow him to Barry and Paula Riggs’ house), we were right next to a black mini-van (on the high way). I happened to look over, and there was a man, in plain clothing (overalls), beard, hat. I wondered if he was Mennonite. Sure enough, when I looked over at the woman next to him, she had on a head-covering, like the Mennonite women wear, and plain clothing. When they passed us, I could see quite a few children in the back. It was a quick glance, but it was a rare one! :-) They passed us and an eight-teen wheeler, and soon were out of sight, but I won’t forget that sight!

We passed a antique mall and Great-grandma said: “There’s an antique mall! I’m an antique, too!” She always is trying to make us laugh……that’s why she’s lived so long, she’s 93!
Barry and Paula Riggs live out in the country. We all had fun there. Caleb and I went paddle boating, which I love to go paddle boating! :-) We also jumped on the trampoline, played in the basement (ping-pong, air hockey). Madison was not there, because she went with here Dad’s brother’s family to the lake. :-(

Found out Gracie Tyner likes the name “Phoebe Lynn”. :-)

On the 14, we were finally going home. I kept seeing cars from Missouri :-) and Tennessee :-) (Smiles for both states is because: I have a pen pal who lives in Missouri, Rebecca Serven, and another pen pal and friend who lives in Tennessee, Camille Wolaver).


I hope you enjoy reading this ‘journal’ of our trip to Arkansas!

Blessings,

Johanna ‘Jo’

Carol Paul update

Continue to lift Carol Paul in your prayers. As of the 14th, she was in the CCU, in serious but stable condition. Apparently, she has had quite a struggle for her life.

Of course, keep her husband, Ron and all of her children and grandchildren in your thoughts and prayers.

~Abby

Update: Carol Paul is doing well! She had her breathing tube removed, and it looks like she will soon be moved from the CCU into a rehab center. Thank you Lord for your healing power!