Monday, June 23, 2008

One month down! Where is summer going? I know "summer" has only just begun, but here in KS the children have been out of school for a month and I ask myself: where has the time gone?

It seems like the first week we stayed busy with baseball, VBS prep and we went to see the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Then Vacation Bible School was in full swing and very busy. Unfortunately a humdinger of a virus visited 3 of the children with high fever, sore throat that looked like Strep, but wasn't and fatigue. So we missed a good 7 days of activities due to that. Then we hit a lull between not sick, but not well and harvest. Keeping older children busy and content with $4 gasoline is not easy!


We did find some adorable kittens. We had a few more baseball games (losses unfortunately). Our coach has not been very enthusiastic this year, so the team has not been practicing and thus not winning. We've been to the pool a handfull of times. Just pretty boring!!!!!!!!!!



Thursday, June 19, 2008

It's a dog's life...

The devotion of a lab should not be underestimated! Or is he just bored?
We are the interum home for Mike and Staci's dog Remmington until Bill and Paula get ready for him. Which is fine for us, Remmy has often vacationed with us in the past, so this is normal for all of us. Although, I am getting rather attached to him... Anyway, I think he enjoys having the children to play with and basically hang out with. He has also been running and 4 wheeling with us, which has him panting heavily. He has gotten a bit out of shape!!!


Anyway, yesterday was cleaning day and I finally just had to carry the camera with me because he constantly followed me whereever I was going and laid down. I think he was wondering why I could not just stay in one room!!!
Bathroom #1Bathroom #2
Dishes...
Laundry...

And then a long run after all that...pant pant pant! I'd rather be hunting!

Monday, June 09, 2008

Farewell, not goodbye...

Our dear friends Mike, Staci and Brody (and baby) have headed to TX to start a new chapter in their life. As much as they will be missed, I'm sure their family in TX will love having them close. As long as they wander through KS from time to time and stop in to say Hey! Plus with Erin absolutely in love with Brody, we will be making a few trips south. Here are some pictures at a farewell party at the lake.


Saturday, June 07, 2008

The Road of Life

At first, I saw God as my observer,my judge,
keeping track of the things I did wrong,
so as to know whether I merited heavenor hell when I die.
He was out there sort of like a president.
I recognized His picture when I saw it,but I really didn't know Him.
But later onwhen I met Christ,it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride,
but it was a tandem bike,and I noticed that Christ
was in the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places,
but life has not been the same since.

When I had control,I knew the way.
It was rather boring,but predictable . . .
It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead,He knew delightful long cuts,
up mountains,and through rocky places
at breakneck speeds,it was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, "Pedal!"
I worried and was anxious and asked,"Where are you taking me?"
He laughed and didn't answer,and I started to learn to trust.
I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure.
And when I'd say, "I'm scared,"He'd lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed,gifts of healing, acceptance and joy.
They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine.
And we were off again.

He said, "Give the gifts away;they're extra baggage, too much weight."
So I did,to the people we met,and I found that in giving I received,
and still our burden was light.
I did not trust Him,at first,in control of my life.
I thought He'd wreck it;
but He knows bike secrets,
knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.
And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places,
and I'm beginning to enjoy the viewand the cool breeze on my facewith my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore,He just smiles and says . . . "Pedal."
-- author unknown