Wisconsin travels

After leaving Arkansas following our granddaughter's graduation, we began making our way towards two of our daughters and other family in Wisconsin. Our first stop was Adventureland in Altoona, Iowa where some CRM chaplains spend their summer, working at the amusement park as well as bringing the word of the Lord to the workers there. We thoroughly surprised Chaplains Jack and Karen Gregory, Chaplains Bob and Karen Johnson, as well as friends Glenn and Sandy Rivers. It was a wonderful evening of visiting and talking about God's plan in our lives. Sometimes it is very clear, while other times we just wait and be patient for His guidance. After spending the night at the Settle Inn (it is a nationwide chain that offers a pastoral discount!) and a morning breakfast, we proceeded on our way to Waudamee, WI to visit friends and Texas neighbors Kay and Don Schmidtknect, Dave and Pat Niccum and Dave and Joy Schmidtknect. The area where they live is so very beautiful in the rolling hills of Southwest Wisconsin. All of them were so very hospitable that we never went hungry!!!! A great two days of visiting, laughing, and just spending time with good friends

Upper Mississippi River Wildlife area

Overlooking a dam from the bluffs

Fred and friends, Don and Kay Schmidtknect

the town of Alma, Wi on the Missippi River from the bluffs

good friends, good food

it amazes me how the farmers can farm these hillsides

perhaps they are part mountain goat!

this area is also home to many Amish families

After leaving this  area, we continued to our daughter Connie's home, in Wausau WI, the city where we spent many years of our married life. The area has changed so very much, as I am sure many places have. Strange that we think that even though our lives go forward, all else stands still! I still expect everything to be the same as always - is this a fear of or perhaps an inability to change?
At our daughter Connie's house, she, as usual, had a project in store for us. A new splash board under the cupboards and behind the appliances was in need of some TLC. Fred and Connie laid the tiles, which involved placing a sticky sheet on the walls (a big improvement over applying mortar), cutting some tiles, and continuing on. My job?? Grouting - I do like to do that, especially with pre-mixed grout. If we must say so ourselves, the job looks pretty professional, even if it did take two days to do. Connie also likes outdoor flowers, so we went flower shopping. As you can see, they look beautiful.

tiles all laid

and grouted

Connie's home exploding with flowers

adorned with a flag from the parade

We girls had a fun day (daughters and granddaughter) as we checked out rentals (daughter Chandra is moving). We took a short road trip, laughing and having just an awesome time together. I thank God for giving me this time to be with our daughters, to be able to freely express our ideas and inner thoughts, to share the good times as well as the sad times.
Memorial Day involved a drive downtown Wausau to the Memorial Day Parade. These parades are always so patriotic, always involving local politicians shaking hands and passing out flags and candy.
Local bands participated, including one from the school where all of our girls graduated (Connie marched with it during her high school years). Some very inspiring speeches followed, beginning with a Christian invocation!  What a country we live in (due to the service of all of our veterans) that we can be free to worship as we please.

a local band from the school where our  4 daughters graduated

the raising of the flag for the National Anthem

the home of the brave

I am asking for an unspoken prayer request for Tuesday, June5th - for God's grace, wisdom and fairness on the part of those in charge. We serve a great God, and expect Him to grant our requests if we present them to Him with prayer, petition, and thanksgiving, as stated Philippians 4:6