Johnny turned 7

My oldest son turned 7 last Saturday. Hard to believe its been that long. He was born in the farmhouse that we are soon to be packing up and leaving. “Little John” is good lad, a hard worker who loves horses, cattle and just about every animal that the Lord created. He is great helper who works the garden and helps milk the cows and feed the calves. His favorite book is Farmer Boy, not so much because he wants to be like Almonzo, but because he really is an awful lot like him. He has been really wanting a pocket knife of his own and this year he got one for his birthday. Now before anyone flips out, I’d trust John with a knife a lot quicker than I would half the adults I know. He is so proud of it, he took it to church and showed all the old men. They all admired it and gave him advice on using and sharpening it. It was fun to watch. John had his first year of homeschool this last year and he did a great job. He really loves to learn. He has memorized the first 12 questions and answers of the Westminster Shorter Catechism this year as well as Exodus chapter 20 and Psalm 1. John has been trapping since he was a little bit of guy. He has caught coon and beaver and possom. I should probably mention that he he is a pretty good shot with a rifle as well. I’m so proud of my son, he is becoming a well rounded young man. It is my prayer that he continues to grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and becomes a great warrior for the next Christendom.

2 Responses to “Johnny turned 7”

  1. Herrick Kimball Says:

    Seven is certainly not too young to own a pocket knife and learn to shoot. In fact, that’s about the age I did those things with my three boys. My wife was a bit concerned about the knife. She thought the boys might cut themselves. I assured her that they would indeed accidentally cut themselves with their knifes and each of them did. And I cut myself with my pocketknife when I was a kid too. That’s how you learn. Seven is a wonderful age. Your children are blessed to live the rural lifestyle that they are living.

  2. Deb Says:

    Happy Birthday, John!

    I love the end of Farmer Boy, when Father compares being apprenticed to Mr. Paddock in town with Almanzo being a farmer.

    “You’d have to depend on other folks, son, in town. Everything you got, you’d get from other folks. A farmer depends on himself, and the land and the weather. If you’re a farmer, you raise what you eat, you raise what you wear, and you keep warm with wood out of your own timber. You work hard, but you work as you please, and no man can tell you to go or come. You’ll be free and independent, son, on a farm.”

    Of course, Father left out the reliance on God’s Providence, but it’s a nice ending to a good book, nonetheless.

    May John also grow up to be like Almanzo when he bravely went with Cap Garland to get wheat during the Long Winter, and when he drove his team through f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g temperatures to rescue Laura from the Brewster School each weekend.

    I’m sorry you have to leave the place of such good memories, Scott. May God give you and your family many good memories and sustenance at your new farm in PA.

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