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 "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

                                               Luke 2:8-14

Wise men still seek Him.

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As Thanksgiving approaches and we join with friends and family to feast on turkey and all the fixin's, scrumptious deserts and gather around to watch our favorite football team, let us not lose sight of the true meaning of the holiday. Thanksgiving has become an annual tradition since 1863 and was historically a day set aside to give thanks to God. The first Thanksgiving is historically credited to the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony giving thank to God for His provision in getting them through their first brutal winter in America. That Thanksgiving feast reportedly lasted three days and was shared by 53 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans. The feast included not only wild turkey but venison, duck, fish, lobster, clams, berries, corn, pumpkin, and squash.

A tradition our family has adopted  to allow us to remember the significance of the day is to place three kernels of popcorn on each person's plate at the dinner table. After we give thanks to God each person has an opportunity to share three things for which they are thankful. This year we must not forget those who will have no Thanksgiving and our troops who will not be home to share Thanksgiving with family and friends.

We pray for those who have been injured as well as each person and family whose loved one has paid made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

God bless you and God bless America.

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     Since we are located in Central Florida, we are just a tank of gas away from nearly any point in Florida. Come, relax and enjoy the Withlacoochee State Forest, named as "One of the ten coolest places in North America". After feasting on a full hot country breakfast (included)  our guests enjoy hiking, biking, birding and nature walks in the forest. A canopy of grandfather oaks permits summer activities in the forest.  Some guests fish, kayak or canoe on the Withlacoochee River. We even transport our complemenary canoe to and from the river.

     Some guests choose to chat or enjoy a good book while rocking in hand-made cypress rocking chairs on our huge screened porch. As evening approaches one may see deer grazing in pastures of lush grass or wild turkeys foraging for seed. The evening is frequently  spent with guests sitting by a camp fire under a star light sky.

Come, relax and be refreshed.

NEW! For your convenience our website now has online availability calendars and reservation requests

Image by B A Bowen Photography via Flickr

It looks like Spring is arriving early this year. The Florida maple trees are already sprouting and the deer are munching on the new green grass in the pasture. Cool mornings are followed by balmy days, perfect weather for hiking the Florida State Trail, bicycling on the Withlacoochee Trail, canoeing and fishing on the Withlacoochee River or a horseback ride through the forest.

Make your reservations today to take advantage of our Season Special:

TWO GUESTS, TWO NIGHTS, $198.00, including a hot country breakfast daily.

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It has been our honor to serve our guests over the past year. It amazes us that we had guests from as near as Central Florida and as far away as Ethiopia. Some guests arrived with horses to trail ride. Others brought bicycles, fishing rods, back packs, and ATC's while some just brought a good book. Some guests were "on a mission" while the  "mission" for others was to relax and recharge. We shared the joy of couples sharing honeymoons and anniversaries and well as the sorrow of others saying a final goodbye to loved ones at the Florida National Cemetery.

     We pray a blessing in the New Year for all our guests. May the New Year bring health, prosperity, joy and peace to you and your loved ones.

We are looking forward to serving you in 2012.

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Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Image by Riverbanksoutdoorstore via Flickr

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After their visit to Our Father's Haven many guests have blessed us with five star reviews in the guest books in the suites and online reviews. Last weekend we welcomed the Circle W Riders and their horses to our bed and breakfast. Half the group were returning guests while half were new guests. We have hosted groups that have had great times of fellowship but the Circle W Riders rode the trails for hours and even enjoyed a three hour canoe trip on the Withlacoochee River. 

Each morning they filed into the dining room for early coffee, went for a trail ride and returned to  feast on a hot homemade breakfast. Mid-day was spent gathered on the screened porch, chatting while rocking in the rocking chairs and sipping a cold drink. Some of the group occasionally snuck in an occasional nap.

 A second trail ride each day took advantage of  cool of the forest in the late afternoon.

 Each member of the group brought food to share for the evening meal.

Circle W Riders, I believe we enjoyed your visit almost as much as you did.