Mike Senn Family News 2014

             

                                                         

 

                                                             Mike Senn Family News 2014

We are in the middle of the Christmas Season once again.  This house is still going strong with three children left here.  Yes, you read that right.  The Mike Senn family is down to three children at home.  It is a little bit quieter and not so busy these days, but don’t worry, because between Webster, Sally, and Alena; they are quiet a busy crew.  They are the ones that my energy is going to these days and we have fun with games, trips, activities, and just working around here.

Alena is now seven.  She is a bundle of joy to me.  She is my right hand farm girl following every step I make on this farm.  She loves the animals, the garden, and the house.  She wants to do everything I do.  She is bold yet sweet spirited.  She has joined Sally in learning piano and now volley ball.  She had an amazing time showing her jersey cow at the fair.  She love God and reminds me often to read our Bible.  She loves to read just like the rest of her siblings. 

Sally is now 14 and she is such a joy.  She had a great summer at the farmers market with her new adventure in helping me bake, and selling at the farmers market.  She made her very own product called Sally’s healing balm and did quite well.  She loves eating healthy, and studying herbs.  She still loves ball and plays the piano.  She also took an interest in writing and has started her very own book.  She did show sheep this year but this seems to be a passing adventure for her.    The Christmas candy business has been passed on to her this year also.

Webster is 17 now.  He is still my quite one, but don’t let that fool you.  He is very active otherwise.  He still loves to hunt, work, farm, play, and yes even travel.  So much that he went to Europe this year with his three next oldest sisters.   He also won the National 4H trip with his record book and went to National congress and had a blast.  When asked what he plans to do, he just says, “I don’t Know.  I like doing just what I am doing.”  And he has a wonderful job and boss.  He has learned lawn care, carpentry, flooring, and many other things working with Cliff. 

Well that sums up the ones still at home. The rest are off being who they are in there own place in this big world.  Michael and his family are in Honduras still, Amanda and Daniel and their little family are still in Choudrant,  Hannah and Scotty and there family are in Magnolia.  Nathanael is in Tennessee.  Anniemae, Deanna, and Joy all went off to college. Yes they have remained three peas in a pod, but I have a feeling things are about to change as Anniemae has wedding bells in her mind.     They are all smart and are making good citizens in this world.  I know this is a quick paragraph for the older ones but they are grown and are doing their own things now, so I will let them update you on their families and adventures here on out.

Mike is still working at Amercable, pastoring Calvary Baptist in Smackover, and working on our farm.  His days are still full attempting to do what he can for others.  He loves his family, church, and friend, and thanks God often for them.  We are enjoying more time with each other building our relationship.  At the end of this road when this nest is empty we will still be little love birds chirping a song, so we are striving to please each other and build a little haven on this farm where love, peace, and joy can grow.  And all of you are welcome to stop by and smell the roses with us.  Let us know ahead of time and we will cook you a country meal and you can even stay the night if you need.  We always want our home to be a place we can welcome friend, family, and others to enjoy. 

 While my nest is getting smaller, there is still plenty to keep me busy, however it is a new phase for me.  Things are different now.  I have spent many years birthing, loving, and caring for ten precious children.  I have made a lot of mistakes down the road.  When people make the comment,” you are amazing. How do you do all that do and teach them so much?”, I always answer, “they have taught me way more than I have ever taught them.”  And that is the truth.  I have fallen short in so many areas and God’s Grace has over shadowed me all the way. As long as we are on this earth there will be sadness and happiness, and success and failures.    We can choose to dwell on the sadness and failures, and remember all the bad or we can choose to see the good and remember the happy times.  It will make us who we are.  Christ is a true redeemer, to me, a fallen sinful creature, who depends on Him to pick her up daily.  It is kind of like Paul says, “that that I don’t want to do I do, and that what a want to do and don’t do.  I thank God that he gave these children to me to care for and I pray above all they will acknowledge him as the creator and savior.  I know that has to be their choice; for if I could choose it for them it would not be free will.  And His salvation is free will all the way. 

So greetings to all and may this letter be an encouragement to depend on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ every day or our life through thick and thin, sadness and happiness, sickness and health, or whatever life may throw our way.  We know that whatever comes our way Christ will teach us, comfort us, love us, and guide us every step of the way.  His love surpasses all of this world’s trails and tribulation.  Thank you Lord Jesus for being our sustainer through all this world brings us.  You are the King of Kings we praise you above all other.   

Merry Christmas,   Mike, Bonnie, Webster, Sally, and Alena  

 

 

 

The Mike Senn Family News Letter 2012

The Mike Senn Family News Letter 2012                                                

The Mike Senn family is busy again celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  This is the time of the year for love, laughter, and sharing what God is doing in our lives.  This year has been another great year with Christ being our main focus.  He is the reason for the season, and will always be.  I think it is unique how America’s main and most prized holiday is (Christ)mas.  Our forefathers understood this.  And founded our country on His principles.  They were not perfect but by following some basic principles they made a place for us to grow and raise our families.  While it is hard to keep my mind focused on good when so much evil is abounding around us, I know Christ is still on His throne and He is still love, peace, and joy.  So with that let us report how He has blessed this family. 

I think I will just do a rundown of the kids and their events.  Let us start with Alena.  She is five now.  I cannot believe it.  My baby is five.  She loves the farm.  Loves to run up and down the hill to the barn and watch the garden grow.  She is learning how to read and catching on fast.  She has had Anthony here again this year for school.  They have been great school mates.  It has been so good having him here to play and learn with Alena.  

Sally is growing into a lady.  And let me tell you.  She is a strong, willing, helping hand around here.  She takes care of the rabbits, chickens, goats, and whatever else I ask her to do.  She hauls feed, hoes, plants, cooks, cleans, and helps with Alena.  And she does all this with a willing heart.  She loves to do and go.  She loves piano, sewing, crocheting, karate, and reading.  And finds time to do it all. She won some 4-H awards with her sewing and sheep projects this year. Her biggest award was the 4-H sweepstakes that she won by entering the most items in the Union County fair.  She has taken over the cookie business here and has been up at four even this morning, baking cookies.  She had a great time selling watermelons this spring and is looking forward to it again this Spring. 

Webster is growing into a man.  People remind him often of that because the first thing everyone notices is his little mustache.  He has been so picked at about it and  his need to shave.  Well he is definitely earning those hairs.  He works so hard around here.  He loves the land.  I can ask him to do any task around here and he is able.  From changing oil in the cars to moving anything I want moved.  He loves basketball, karate, and his sheep.  He loves to go out and find new baby sheep.  Our flock is growing and he is our number one Shepard.  He won several awards in 4-H this year and got to go to State Orama for the first time.  Won second there in none other than tractor driving.  Lol.  He has learned some great carpentry skills and made a carpet ball table for his siblings.  He will do for anyone and will even get up and cook me breakfast on an occasion.  Even with all the outdoors stuff he thrives on, he is still a terrific cook.  He has just recently taken over our peanut brittle making. 

Joy is not sixteen going on seventeen anymore.  She is the only girl that I know of that wanted to stop at sixteen.  She was saddened when she couldn’t sing, “ I am sixteen going on seventeen.”  She is quite content being a young lady.  Loves to cook, play the piano, and sing, sing, and sing.  She has a beautiful joyful voice.  She is still our happy playful Joy around here.  She liked selling watermelons and has done well with her candy making this season.  She is also in Karate, but I must say I don’t think that comes too easy for her.  She enjoys learning the skill and is progressing. She wrote an exceptional speech for 4-H this year and still has a passion for a free America.   Still sews but I think mainly for the adventure of getting to go to the contest.   Traveling was a big part of her year with going to Honduras being her biggest travel.  She also got to go to 4-H National Congress which is a big deal.  Now she has applied to be on the design team for next year so she can help give other kids the same great experience she had. 

Deanna graduated this year.  That is hard to believe.  No, she has not gone to college.  Many have asked her about that.  While college may be in her future,   she has chosen to stay home this year and continue learning and doing around here.  She loves her Jersey cow Sherry and got lots of interest while showing her at the fairs. She is looking forward to Sherry calving in March.   She continued in 4-H these years also and also went to 4-H congress.   She has taken interest in photography and took a course at the college. She did a great job on our Christmas pictures.   She loves the watermelon business and the candy making business.  She has also taken a job watching a little girl named Faith and loves doing that.  I can’t say she will ever go to college but I feel like she is learning things a school could never teach her.  And if she goes on to get married and have a family,   I think she will have a master degree in homemaking, child rearing, and farming.   I do think college has its place but when a girl wants to stay home and do one of the most important jobs in this world why does everyone bombard them with questions about what college they will go to.   And that job she has helped me with in a huge way this year, from staying with her siblings and holding the fort while Mike and I took our ten day vacation, to working daily; cooking, cleaning, and being our taxi service. 

Anniemae has had a great year.  She is twenty now.   She spent the first part of her year working at Larry’s and preparing to go to Taiwan.  She left in August and has been working there with an organization called Woodpecker.  This has been a huge experience for her, but she loves ministering to the people there.  Her plans are to come back in June. She shares her testimony weekly with the youth there.   Please say a special prayer for her.  She is special girl, in a special place.  

Nathanael has had a wake up year.  He has decided to change his direction and join the Air Force.  He is back home working at Storey's carpet until all the paperwork is finished.  He has made some big jumps this year.  Going from Honduras back here then to live with his papaw, then here. Our prayer is that he will continue to realize that God is real and all things work to the good of them that love Him. 

Hannah, Scotty, and Logan still live in between Magnolia and Eldorado.  They are working as a paramedic, EMT team.  We enjoy visits with her occasionally. 

Amanda, Daniel and Marirose still live in Choudrant, La.  Daniel works for Voith and Amanda enjoys home life with Marirose. 

Michael, Anna, Andrea, Julissa, Anthony, and Anita are still in Honduras.  Michael has a business called Saminet. 

I must include Mrs. Veronica.  She is a 74 year lady who came and lived with us for about six months this year.  She taught us a lot about ourselves and others. While her stories of her childhood in the Netherlands when the Nazis came in and arrested her parents and left her and her siblings abandoned were not pleasant, it helped us to understand we can only depend on Christ.  She is now back in Alaska where her church family is.  We are thankful for this opportunity and experience.  Sally learned some great sewing skills while she was here.  Alena grew to love her and there were tears in her eyes when Mrs. Veronica left. 

I also must include Anthony.  If you live here more than six months you have a paragraph in this letter.  He loves his mamaw’s farm and works hard helping with the garden and animals.  He is my little wood hauler.  He piles the wagon as high as he can and pulls as hard as he can until he has it on the porch for us.  He is learning the language well and is full of questions.  He is his daddy’s son.   He reminds me often that the big pig we took to the breeder is his.  He asked me the other day if the little pigs would be his since the big pig was his.  His dad was the only other little boy that had baby pigs at our house. 

Mike and I enjoyed our thirtieth anniversary this year and went on a ten day vacation to Colorado.  We have been planning this trip since the second year we were married.  And this year, on the blue moon, we went.  We are still working own our business called SennSational Country Goods.  We are gearing up to include some veggies to sell with our watermelons and strawberries this year.  We have been studying on how to make our farm a more natural sustainable farm.   We want to give a good product with the best nutrients. Mike enjoys pastoring and loves the people at Calvary.  He is grateful for the work at Amercable, the church, and his family and friends.    Mike and I are so thankful for Christ;  The one who has blessed us with his love and care.  We give Him all the glory.    And may we all remember it is not the evil people who control.  It is Gods’ people for He says, “ If My people will humble themselves and pray then will I heal there land.”      May God bless you with His love and peace this upcoming year.  

Mike Senn Family Christmas News 2011

There is no better time than the present.  This is the very first day of the rest of our life, as one person put it.   A time to love, laugh, play and share.   And this is just what this family is inspired to do today and throughout the rest of our life.   Love comes in the form of giving to others without expecting anything in return.  Laughter comes in the form of reminiscing over our past excitements.  Play comes in the form of well; for the girls it is dressing up and being pretty, for the boys it is fishing, playing ball, and chasing deer through the woods.  And sharing; well I guess that is what I do when I write this letter every year.  Many of you have already asked me about this letter.  I am a little late writing it this year.   I have written this letter so many years that it seems that some of our life is beginning to repeat itself.  The young ones are filling the older ones shoes.   I want to change this up a little bit and put it in kind of a journal format. 

            We will start with the beginning of the year.  We started with a wreck on the first week of January.  Poor AnnieMae experienced her first very traumatic event.  She had a wreck in her car on her way to work. She was ok, but the car was not so ok.  She began her work career last November to save for her harp.  She had figured that she would have made and saved the amount she needed by February 2012.  Well all that changed this November. Read on and you will understand.  On the up side all the ewes began to lamb.  Alena claimed Buddy, the little lamb we had to bring in at about 4 hours old and nurse back to life.  She showed him at and the county fair and came out with another trophy.  She is a true farm girl.  Joy started the year off with speech competitions.  She has become our political spokesman.  Her passion is keeping America’s foundation firm.  She still believes in her country and feels this is a wonderful country full of freedoms and wants to fight to keep them here for her children.  Deanna and Sally were the seamstresses, making there own dresses for 4-H.  Webster began his year with finishing up basketball season.  He loves to play ball.  He also ran in three 5k runs and ended up with two first place trophies.  All of Hannah’s energy was working on her paramedic’s degree and working as an EMT.  Didn’t see her a lot those days.   I started a blog spot called www.themikesennfamilyblogspot.com and began writing about our family but because of time you will see I have fallen way short keeping it up.  Maybe next year I will do better. 

            Spring began with the first immersing of little strawberries in the garden.  We then began full swing with a good crop of strawberries and a busy spring with everyone planting hoeing and working a big watermelon field.  All the little lambs were born by then and Web, Deanna, Sally and Alena began working and getting their lambs ready for the big shows in the fall.  Joy decided no animal for her this year.  She was putting all here energy into speech and working the watermelons.  Alena enjoyed picnics, kite flying, and days at the park.  She also was right there in the garden helping.  AnnieMae continued to work, work, and work. 

            In May we all lost a very special person in our lives.  Aunt Sally went to be with the Lord after a short fight with cancer.  She was an inspiration to us and we loved her dearly.  She knew how to love, laugh, play, and share; she helped to teach this to our family. 

            We sprang into summer with a bumper crop of watermelons.  All the kids spent their days, picking, and selling melons.   The test of love really came out through this time. The kids had to learn to love even when people were not so loveable.  Deanna announced she wanted a jersey cow, so she and her dad went to the La. Tech farm and came home with Sherry.  We had a wonderful reunion toward the end of summer with Michael and his family joining us.  He was able to bring Anna to the states for the first time.  They all arrived in July.  This filled our house with six wonderful blessings.  I was so excited to have them all here!  I got to hug and see my two little people that I had never seen.  We finished the summer with a huge family trip to the East coast.  Never had our family ever done this. We traveled across America to Virginia for the Senn family reunion.  On the way to and from we loved, laughed and played a lot.   And they shared very close quarters in a van for a very long trip.    Joys and Deanna’s highlight of the trip was Washington DC.. Mikes his family.  AnnieMae’s was Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home.  Webster’s was the food.  Joy and Alena loved the Metro.  Sally loved the beach after she learned to close her mouth when the waves hit her.  I enjoyed having Michael and his family join us and I loved the Amish country.  I am still threatening to join them if this family doesn’t slow down. 

            Fall began with a whole new experience.  Hannah joined Scotty in marriage and began her knew journey with Scotty and Logan.  And I must say this here; I have always tried to be honest but bring out the positive. While I don’t always agree with my adult children’s decisions they are there decisions to live with.  This was a surprise to all of us, but I love Scotty and Logan and look forward to getting to know them.  Hannah fell in love with these two people and she loves them with all her heart.  I know she will put her all into this marriage.  Fall also brought all the animal shows.  Deanna and Sherry were very popular at both shows.  We found out home dairy cows these days are a rarity.  They brought home Grand champion at both fairs with no competition to compete with.   Another big decision was to keep Andrea, Julissa, and Anthony here for Mamaw to teach them how to read and speak English.   A new; but very rewarding experience for me.  I know how to teach a child to read, but these children were lacking in the English language.  A definite learning barrier, but we have done well breaking that barrier.   Michael, Anna, and Anita went back to Honduras and plan to be back by March.  Another surprise sprung on us this fall was AnnieMae’s announcement that she felt the call to go to work in Taiwan on a short term trip, so she has postponed her harp purchase and has made arrangements to go to Taiwan in January.  She said this was the hardest decision she has ever made.  She really wanted to purchase her harp first but realized she must put God first.    Nathanael went to Honduras to work with Michael and his internet business, and Amanda and Daniel are still in choudrant.  Marirose turned two in November.  She is turning Amanda into that farm girl that I don’t think she ever planned on being. They love there backyard chicken farm and little country garden.  I remember Amanda saying, “I don’t understand why you do all that work growing green beans when you can just go to the store and buy them.  Hmmm.  People change.    Another fond memory we get to add to our journal is a trip to my mamaw and our country Cajun cousin’s house for Thanksgiving.  The kids loved playing and riding down the bayou in the boat with the men, while the ladies sat around and visited.  Mamaw was our star person.  Still full of determination to do and go and make all the people in her life special even at 87 with hardly energy to move from place to place.  She still sat with the kids and helped them make crafts while some wore there pilgrim hats and aprons she made.  What a testimony of love, laugher, and sharing.   Joy and Deanna entered our last contest.  “The Sew with Cotton” and Joy ended up with fifth place in the dress category.  This was a big deal because this is where the best of the best compete.  An added treat for Deanna and I was watching the ducks come out on the red carpet at the Peabody Hotel.   If you haven’t heard their story you must Google; the ducks at Peabody.  The things that entertain.  

            Christmas is almost here again and we are making lots and lots of candy around here.  We have decided we are going to make this an official candy making business.  We are officially announcing our business name as being “SennSational Country Goods”.   From watermelons to candy and who knows what else this family will come up with.   

            This family still loves music, farming, reading, sewing, learning, hunting, sports, and have added karate to the list while trying to serving God in all that we do.  Jesus Christ is still what this is all about.  We live for Him.  Calvary is still our church home with these people being part of our family.   We serve here in South Arkansas and look forward to another year to serve Him with all we do.  May God bless each one of you with a lot of love, laughter, joyfulness, sharing times, and a Very Merry Christmas. 

Love, Mike and Bonnie senn

Easter at the Mike Senn Family

I know it has been a long time since I have written on this blog and I know Easter was way back.  Well it has been very difficult for me to update this like I would like to because I had very limited Internet.  We only had Internet on Mikes phone so I would have to wait for him to be home.  Then I would not want to be on the Internet because he was here.  Sometimes I went to the library but that was inconvenient.  Mike bought me a smart phone with all the bells and whistles for my anniversary present,  so now I can get on the Internet whenever I need or want to.  This is the last post I was working on.  I had more pics but now feel like I should go to other things.  Spring has ended here and we are in the full swing with the garden.  Green beans, onions, potatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, and corn are all being harvested.  Watermelons, peas, and okra are growing. It is hot and dry and my water bill is high.   I will update pics of the garden soon, I hope.  Bonnie

Mike's sister, Sally

The two week have been very emotional for our family.  April 2, Mike's sister, Sally Senn left this earth for a better place.  She is now in heaven.  I have not been able to keep up with this journal during this time.  I plan to start back.  The story of her life is so touching. I will share how she touched all our lives soon.  One of the things this journal is about.  Living a caring life and loving others. Bonnie

Strawberry time

I have had and idea to grow a big strawberry patch for years.  I have attemped in the past to grow one.  Sometimes I ended up with plenty for my family but never enough to market.  I guess you could say this has been one of my dreams. 

These plants have just started producing.  They will get much bigger this season.

The leaves are shiny and green with no dead on them.  That means they are very healthy.

Yes, a few weeds but no harsh herbicides in this field.  If it gets to bad I will till the centers. Hannah says it's bad.  The way I see it, is that it is good organic matter to go into the soil.

A handful of yummy berries.

A New Experience.

Sometimes things are a little hard in life and this was one of those times.  Deanna went down to feed her sheep and found that her sheep had lambed.  She noticed that one sheep was large and healthy and walking by mom sheep.  Then she notices a little tiny sheep on the opposite side of the pen, cold, dirty, and as far as she could see, the mother did not have anything to do with it.  She sent Web to get me.  I looked at the little lamb and thought, this lamb is way to little.  I waited longer hoping the mom would come see to her but she seemed to not acknowledge that she even had another one.  So after a bit longer I told Deanna get it and we will see what we can do but the mom sheep probably knows more than we do.  She knows this lamb is little and weak and she could loose both lambs if she risk trying to care for this one.  And it  was to weak to even get up and nurse.   Not knowing really what to do I called a friend.  Thanks Shanna for your advice.

Deanna wrapped it in her jacket and here it is.  On my kitchen table.

Our first thought was get it warm.  So on the stove under a heat lamp was our fastest option.

Then we remembered Hannah's heat pad so we got it.  It will stay at a perfect 100 degrees. That will keep the towel about 98.  I left Joy with the lamb and went to help Deanna get some colostrum from Mom.  After working over and over we managed to squeeze about 2 tablespoons out. I began giving the lamb the colostrum while Deanna and Web went to get more.  They came back bushed by wrestling mom sheep with about a tablespoon.  By this time she got back. This little lamb had warmed up and drank the other colostrum and was trying to stand up on my counter.  soooo

On the floor it went.  We gave it the other tablespoon.  By this time we had began to wonder if we would get enough milk from mom so we looked in a lamb book and read how to make homemade lamb milk.  We mixed pet milk, egg, sugar, and cod liver oil. 

We waited and watched.

By the time Deanna had came in from trying for more colostrum her little lamb was walking around. Hmm you smell like my mommy. Deanna had the smell of mommy sheep all over her from wrestling with her for colostrum.

He is trying to find his mommy.  I decided it is time to try to get mom sheep to take this little one.  We gave it two ounces of the homemade milk and off to the barn we went. 

I must put to be continued here.  It is time to get ready for church.  I will post the rest of the story soon.