Preussless Pathways: Last of Wisconsin fun

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Last of Wisconsin fun

We spent the last of our two weeks in Wisconsin in a flurry of visiting, reunions, and just enjoying the area. The are many Amish families in the surrounding area - they are such peaceful, God loving people. Again, I was just itching to take pictures of the families, the sweet obedient children, their homes. But respecting their beliefs, I do not do so. I did get a few pictures tough, with a clear conscience.

an Amish home - just look at all those clothes on the line

One of the many buggies we met on the road

perhaps you read a few years ago when a person opened fire on an Amish school and killed many children there- this is the school were it happened - the total forgiveness that was displayed at the time is an awesome lesson in following the of the Lord's Word

the Amish candy man's house - where we bought unbelievably delicious chocolate covered cashews and toffee.

an Amish church wagon - Amish services are held in different homes each time - benches needed for the services are loaded into this wagon and driven from home to home.

A sight seldom seen anymore in Central Wisconsin are the shang gardens (ginseng plots). At one time, Marathon County, Wisconsin grew 90% of all the commercially grown ginseng in the world, . Because ginseng takes about 4 years to mature, and takes so much out of the soil, many of the fields are no longer able to support it's growth. But at the peak of production, people really reaped the rewards of ginseng growing.

a "shang" garden - one of only a few left in the area

God makes magnificent beauty out of everyday things. The wonders of the earth are around us always, ever changing, but God's Word is eternal. " The grass withers, and the flowers fall, but the Word of God stands forever". Isaiah 40:8 We see so much of everyday beauty that it seems impossible to remember it all. But I do remember God's world is full of wonder and His Word is full of promise.

a picture of serenity

take a stroll across this bridge

beautiful scenery in an area of SW Wisconsin

one of God's special creatures

While visiting at Fred's cousins, they decided to burn some stumps in the ground. Might as well take advantage of the fire for s'mores!

starting one of the stumps

are these people true GB Packers fans

yep - more green and gold

s'more time!

Katie says - where is mine?

An annual affair in Manawa, WI is a championship rodeo - always held the first week-end in July - a very hot time of year. This year the temps were extremely hot - almost 100 degrees more than one day. It was great fun watching the parade, especially the kids retrieving the candy thrown from the floats. Not only was candy given out, but also cheese, brats, fishing poles, footballs, flower leis, as well as many other fun things. How much fun was it to people watch, to see families gathered together to celebrate our freedom, to be able to listen to Christian music being played from some floats. We indeed are lucky to live in te United States, were because of our military and the grace of our Heavenly Father, we can live as we choose, worship as we choose, and not be afraid of repercussions. God is great!