Preussless Pathways: Sunday Morning Waking

Woke up this beautiful Sunday morning to the sound of bluejays hollering to "get up, get up".

Cool here in Wisconsin, has been raining, but the days turn out to be sunshiny and beautifully green, with splashes of color supplied by the trees and flowers. It was really windy one day and the apple blossoms were blowing in the wind like a rain storm of petals. A person could just stand there and smell the amazing fragrance all around. We went to a neigbooring city and had to stop and let Mr. and Mrs. Goose and their babies cross the highway. The babies were so soft and fluffly looking, yellow with streaks of black, almost like bumble bees padding along on the road.There is still snow on the ski hill - yes in June - it looks strange with the sun reflecting from it. One street here is completely lined with flowering crab apple trees - a truly awesome sight. We drove down it twice just to savor the beauty and reinforce the memory, created by our loving Father. "The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes." Mark 12:11

snow still on Rib Mountain in June

a beautiful street in Wausau, WI

the street from the opposite direction, just before the wind starting blowing the blossoms around

We are so greatful for this time to bond with great grandson Avery. He is a very happy baby, only fussing when he is hungry. It is such a pleasure to share with him in his first discoveries - the feel of the leaves on a bush, his first taste of bananas, the world around him as he goes for a ride in the stroller. To have the innocence and wonder of a small child would be such a blessing."Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4

Avery chillin with great grandpa

we laid him outside on a blanket on the lawn - his eyes opened in wonder as he looked up at the umbrella of tree leaves

he laughed when the wind blew and the leaves moved

the innocence of a child

pure joy

grandma Connie feeding him his first taste of bananas

I want more

look at his determination as his mother holds him and he makes noises with a water bottle.

our daughter Connie, her grandson Avery (our great-grandson), and our daughter Chandra

I went to church this morning with Chandra to her church, Bible Truth Chapel (Fred was getting our car repaired, which is another story as well as a test of faith!). It was not the normal service as this one honored the 5 high school graduates in the congregation. As I watched the graduates and their videos depicting their lives, and listened to their plans for the future, I thought of their past lives as an ending but also a beginning in their new lives just as we begin a new life in Christ as we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. To me, there were three seperate areas of life that I was involved in this week - almost a full circle. New physical life in our great grandson Avery, a new life in Christ when the graduates were baptised as well as a new physical life as they step out into the world as adults, and a waning of physical life as we age in our golden years, content in the knowledge that God is with us throughout the years. The speaker, Austin VanRyn presented the graduates with a challange - to save time for the Lord, to actively seek out ways to praise Him, and to use what you learn to continue your connectivity with the Lord. He encouraged them to "Let my lifesong sing to You", as in the lyrics of the song "Lifesong" by Casting Crowns. I did get a chance to briefly meet with Pastor Eric Shelley and hopefully get to speak more with him when we return here in a few weeks.

Pastor Eric (on the right in the red shirt) praying for the graduates and their families.

We leave the area tomorrow after a slight bump in the road getting our car repaired. We had to have the back brakes replaced, revealing that the master cynlinder went out, totally causing the brake power booster to also have to be replaced. Praise the Lord that this happened while we were at a suitable place, rather than out on the road somewhere where others could have been placed in danger. Mechanic friend Walter helped with the repairs, allowing us to have the parts at his cost as well as doing all of the labor for free!!!! There is still a slight glitch that we need to have someone with electronic ability take a look at (a fuse keeps blowing), but know that it too will be taken care of. We know that God puts trials in front of us to test our faith. Our faith is strong in the knowledge that He is with us always - and will continue to be at our side as we walk this path He has laid out for us.

Mechanic Walter taking a break with a s'more while Fred stands guard

The weather remains cool but we all decided that it was indeed time for s'mores, so we lit the firepit in Connie's backyard this evening. We enjoyed the time together (just us women) and kept warm in the sun and heat from the small fire.