Cool Wisconsin

We arrived in Wisconsin on Friday after a stop Thursday night in Altoona, Iowa to visit friends who are fellow CRM chaplains. We had been with Jack and Karen Gregory in Texas, but had not seen Bob and Karen Johnson in over a year. It was so good to visit  and pray with and for each other. Our lives all had some major changes, so it was amazing to see where we all were headed. We all need prayer in some areas of our lives and it is such a blessing to know that fellow Christians come along side of us in prayer. Bob asked to share where God was in our lives. It seems that all of us seemed to realize that God shows up in the most unlikely places - we always need to be ready to speak out for him. God wants all of us to become involved in serving him and His ministry because He specializes in commissioning and using imperfect vessels to further His Word - we are those vessels.

Karen G and Karen J

Bob and Jack hamming it up

great Mexican cusine

After another beautiful day of travel, we arrived in Wausau, Wisconsin, where we spent a lot of our married life. Wausau is really a very beautiful city (in the summertime). We are so very used to the warmth of South Texas that I cannot imagine living in the cold anymore. The weather right now feels cool to me, but the natives love it!!! Our first stop was at daughter Connie's house to see our great grandson Avery. Oh my goodness, to feel a baby in my arms again is such a pleasure. Avery is such a good baby at 4 months - he wakes up smiling and laughing all the time. The love and pleasure we find in our children, grand children, and even great grandchildren is by far less than the love God has for His children - and I am so  glad to be called a child of God. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God". I John 3:1

 

 a heartwarming sight

 

the stately pines of North Central Wisconsin

 

 

 

great grandson Avery - smiling as he always does

 

Father David - Avery coos to him constantly

 snuggled up and snoozing

granddaughter Dela'von and Avery



 Avery is wondering what the fuss is all about

It was time for our annual trip with Connie to the farmer's market for flowers. The market is not nearly as crowded or flambouyant as the one in Arkansas, but this is just the beginning of the summer season here. "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven". Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

 

 part of the market selling everything from bakery items, sausages, cheese, plants and flowers

notice the jackets - it was a cool morning

an array of baskets

so many to choose from

veggie, herb, and flower plants

this lady proudly posed for me 

one of Connie's purchases

a porch full of flowers

 

 

 

Sunday we attended Highland Community Church with friends from many years ago. We try to visit with them every year but this year was extra special as we we able to worship together with them. Pastor Jeff Hinds spoke on Luke 8:26-39, which we had been studying in our Bible Study class in Texas. Pastor Hinds is an excellant teacher, delving into historical background. Did you know that the Roman symbol of a legion (the name of the many demons in the demon possessed man) is a boar? How ironic that the demons asked to be sent into a herd of pigs. Ironic -- I think not. Certainly a

God plan. 

 

 

one of many hundreds of lilacs in bloom

 

 







 





settling and resettling

Fred had carpel tunnel surgery today and all went well. Thank all of you for your prayers. As we were praying for a successful surgery just before Fred went to surgery, the surgical nurse prayed with us, and said she would be praying Fred through surgery. God is indeed alive and well in the world!!! Praise Him for Christian people.


As we are settling in Arkansas it seems like in no time we are getting ready to resettle in Wisconsin. Our time in Arkansas has been going so quickly. I did volunteer at Life Ministries, a resale shop and assistance program sponsored by 7 area churches. The resale store is much larger than the one run by CHI in Texas, but the principle is the same. Everything is donated, volunteers do the sorting, putting out of merchandise, running the check out just as in Texas. The only difference is that the assistance  program in Arkansas helps those who have electric or water shut offs, are behind on their rent, and need food and clothing. The applicants are allowed assistance every three months, but are also consouled on finances and parenting. It was really interesting to see the changes in the store, as well as meeting new volunteers. Of course, the old friends were there also making the transistion for me quite simple.

food items ready to be packaged and distributed

Marty, my very first friend in Arkansas 17 years ago, registering folks for assistance

winter items stored for the season

 sorting and preparing clothing for the resale store

 shoppers looking for gtreat deals

busy at the check out counter


We are spending a few more days in Arkansas and then leaving for Wisconsin to visit family and friends. While here in Arkansas we enjoy down time by relaxing with our daughters Brenda and Christine, who live here, and another daughter, Chandra who is visiting. We enjoy this time to recoup and plan for the coming season in South Texas.

while staying with friends, I could not help but admire their mailbox

Brenda's dog, Diggler

 Diggler begging to be picked up!

 Chandra arriving at the airport - ready for a vacation - she is the first one on the escalator

 

 some of Christine's flowers

double knock out roses

 

relaxing, but someone looks shy -  Diggler and Christine's dog Cocoa

son-in-law Scott - master griller

 

 

 

Our church services and life groups here in Arkansas are amazing  - we feel so uplifted every time we get together with fellow Christians. One of our life group discussions was "Church Attendance". How easy it is to skip a Sunday and how much easier it gets each time a person decides not to take one hour a week to worship and thank the Lord for everything He has blessed us with. Many times people state that they do not need church to be close to God - that being in the woods to deer hunt or just out in God's creation helps them believe in the Lord. Are they in the woods to hunt or to praise the Lord???  Being dilligent church attendees makes us accountable to each other - helps us in our walk with the Lord, and develops a greater relationship with Him. Encourage someone this week to join you on Sunday and you will be surprised what can happen.

 

 

 



 





Springtime Warmth

Beautiful late springtime in NW Arkansas. Warm, lazy days, cool evenings, family and friends. Gardens are planted and starting to grow, new flowers and trees are being planted, deer are feeding near the ponds, and the cows are loving the fresh new fields.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are staying with wonderful, Christian friends, Linn and Shirley rather than with our daughter. Linn and Shirley go to our church - Linn  is our Sunday School teacher, full of the knowledge of Scripture. I heard once that Scripture applied without knowledge is dangerous. Shirley loves being outdoors, gardening (veggies and flowers), yard sales and flea markets, black licorice, and studying Scripture. A girl after my own heart. Fred and Linn both love to fish so they, too keep busy. Evenings find us all in the living room, playing with Angus, a very spoiled part Shiatsu, and discussing various aspects of Scripture, sometimes expressing a different viewpoint.

view from the dining room

part of Shirley's iris garden

a pink iris

different shades of purple

 Sunday morning services at PGCC were as spiritual uplifting as they always are - Vance's sermon based on Acts 12:1-25 reminded us that into every life flows some desperate moments. In those moments we need friends who will pray and the peace to know that God has it all under control. Prayer is the power God uses to accomplish His purpose. After all, God cared enough to send the very best (Jesus) to save us from ourselves.After church and Sunday School, we went to our daughter's house for a delicious brunch of delicious homemade quiche, bagel, fruit, and an amazing triple layer chocolate strawberry filled cake. Spending the time with two daughters, receiving phone calls from the other two daughters, watching the deer and humming birds was the end to a perfect day.

Saturday evening we were invited to a cowboy cook-out. Several members of a riding club had an afternoon ride, then a true outdoor cooked meal. We arrived in time to visit a bit, then enjoyed beef brisket, hot dogs, pork ribs and tenderloin, cowboy beans, biscuits cooked in a Dutch oven over open coals, salads, a fantastic combination of sweet potatoes, raisins, pineapple, and carrots.  It sounds strange but was unbelievably delicious. If a person had room, there was chocolate pie, apple pie, coconut pie, brownies, and peanut butter brownies. I had to keep reminding myself that the Lord does not like gluttony. Afterwards, we listened to some music performed by a few talented area people.  It was another peaceful, beautiful day in NW Arkansas - a day we are so thankful to be alive and enjoy God's creative work.

riders back from the trail

biscuits finished cooking over the fire - hot coals on top to finish baking

these two little cowboys spent time finishing - the little guy caught a perch (and he is deathly afraid of fish!!!)

two of the horses relaxing and enjoying the new grasses

come and get it

blessing the food

Shirley and her great grandson only 7 weeks old (Fred making sure she is doing it right)

ribs, beans, salad, biscuits, and the amazing sweet potato mixture

plain ole country music

I don't know how many times I thank the Lord for our place in this world - we have the best of it all. Winter in South Texas, ministering to those in need, springtime in Arkansas, with it's beautiful flowers, trees, and slow pace living, summer in Wisconsin rebonding  with friends and relatives, and fall is split between Arkansas and Texas. God has blessed us so very much and I am content with it.  "Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Snow???

As we left S. Texas last Thursday, we traveled through Oklahoma and were flabbergasted to see the ground covered with snow instead of the spring green we expected. Along with the snow was the cold weather. All I could think of was - I already miss S Texas - the wonderful warmth, the fresh produce that will not be available here in Arkansas, the friendship and acceptance of the Mexican people who we serve there.   Soon though I began to feel at home again - our family, friends, the wonderful Ozark Mountains, and our home church with minister and friend, Vance Ubanks. Even the birds are different here but so familiar - the cardinals, the bluebirds, even the deer walking across the fields to the pond.

Yesterday we spent the day with two of our daughters, family and friends, just celebrating the day with a grill out of pork chops and steak. As always happens, son-in-law Scott did the grilling - everything was delicious as usual. My daughter's in-laws, who spend a few months here in Arkansas ( they are from Wisconsin) were delayed from their trip back to Wisconsin due to the fact that Jim had to have emergency gall bladder surgery a week ago. They stay in their trailer on our daughter's property, so there was a pretty large group. Grandson Seth and Page were also in attendance - as we patiently await the birth of our great granddaughters (identical twins) this summer. Hopefully we will be here for the event. Page is doing well, as are the twins, Seth was the basket case!!!! They had a 3D ultra sound done, so watched the video which was amazing, to say the very least. God in all His majesty has given us the gift of life.  I had made quilts for the twins, (with special thanks to friend,  Judi Swanda)  to be given upon their birth, but as usual, I could not wait that long.  Another of our daughters, Brenda and friend Todd, also had bought birth gifts for the twins. They too, could not wait.

one quilt

can you see the difference??? Same material, same pattern

It was fun making them, as these are some of the very first quilting projects for me. God granted me the patience to learn this craft and the perseverance to see it through.

 

 

We attended church services this morning and I realized that I had missed the comfortable feeling of belonging. Vance's sermon was based on Acts 11:19-30 and Titus 2:11-14 - being a witness for the Lord. How many times do we witness to others - through actions and words and not really know it??? Wouldn't it be wonderful to know how many lives we actually did touch? God brings us hardship in order to test us - this testing leads to testimony, which in turn is our witness to the Lord. We must strive to follow God's command "But you will receive power when  the Holy Spirit comes on you: and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" Acts1:8  We do not have to go to the ends of the earth to witness - just start in your family, your neighborhood, your city or town. Tell others how God has influenced and changed your life, and you will be blessed knowing that you have been witnesses. 

 

Please pray for Dave Peck, a very good Christian friend, who is in the hospital with an extremely serious infection, which seems to weaken him every day.  Pray for increase in the ability to fight off this infection, which started around his pacemaker which had to be removed, complicating the issue.