From Arkansas To Texas

We finished off this past week with various doctor visits and tests in Arkansas where our primary doctors are. Praise to God as all turned out well - a minor surgery for Fred revealed a single cell carcinoma on his face which the doctor assured us that all seems clear at this time. Just something we need to watch. Our travels back to Texas included driving through a huge rain storm and a stop again with Chaplain Dennis and Sally Maloney in Oklahoma, where we were treated to great meal and fellowship. Traveling from Arkansas to Oklahoma we saw many fireworks stands in anticipation of July 4th. Many of the area teenagers ( as well as adults) sell fireworks during this approximately 3 week period to earn money for school clothes, college expenses, even a car. From what we have been told, it is a very lucrative venture.

and the rain came down

they got their hay loaded just in time

rain and wind

one of the many fireworks stands

The rain stopped in Oklahoma, but picked up again in Texas, just as it was my turn to drive. I do not like driving in the rain, but at least it was not a raging storm. We arrived in Alamo on Thursday, to find our plants had grown a lot (but so did the weeds). It again took us about two days to get things back to somewhat normal and settled in.

 

Today is the first birthday of our twin great daughters - if you remember we all were praying for their safe delivery last year. God certainly answered our prayers, as today they are normal 1 year olds - delightfully cute and lots of fun. We did not get to attend their first birthday party - but here they are - all full of cake!!!

 

good stuff

where do I start?

 

Mom and Dad get the honor of cleaning them up

 

 

As we reflect on the celebration of our Independence on July 4th, let us make this a day to remember what our great country was originally founded on - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This happiness comes from being able to makes personal choices - choices concerning who we marry, where we work, especially where we worship. So many people in other countries cannot even choose their spouses, or their careers, or how they choose to believe. That right is not available to them - they are often persecuted for beliefs contrary to what their political leaders think they should believe. 

2 Chronicles 7:14

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Pray for healing for our great country this week.

 

 

 



Family Time

We had the opportunity this past week to spend time with family here in NW Arkansas. Three of our great grandchildren are here, along with 3 daughters and 2 grandchildren. We had various get togethers for pictures, fun, laughter, and cook-outs. One day was particularly crazy - daughter Christine was target shooting in preparation for her gun carry permit, 2 other daughters were on in the house facebooking friends, and the men were making sausage. Our son-in-law Scott makes amazing home made sausage, so we purchased some meat in order to help him make some for us. It was a quiet, peaceful day - followed by the next day of total chaos!!! Our daughters, grand children, and great grandchildren were here for food and bonding.

hamburger and pork sausage ready to become homemade summer sausage

the mixer - a great find at a resale store

ready to begin

adding the spices - a  home made mixture

a modern sausage stuffer

son-in-law Scott - the master stuffer

some sticks done

oldest daughter Chandra and Fred - working together mixing

11 sticks ready for smoking

the smoker- patiently waiting

all ready to go

it took a while, but they are done

can not wait to try it

lots of great eating

daughter Christine practicing - she passed!!!

We enjoyed two days of wonderful family time. It seems that families are scattered. all over in this age. I wonder how to might have felt many year ago when where multi aged families all lived together in one house? Probably not like the Waltons, but perhaps the bonds were much tighter than today.

Christine and one of our twin great grand daughters - Kinley

great aunt Chandra and the other twin, Kenzie - they will be one year old on the 29th of June - God's precious miracles.

the twins' Mama - Page

 a room full of grandchildren and great grandchildren

great aunt Chandra and our great grand daughter Brielle

It was a time to take 4 generation pictures - we do not get together so very often, so it is a reason to celebrate.

 

4 generations with us, daughter Christine, grandson Seth, and twins, Kinley and Kenzie

the twins' mama Page and her daughter Shelby got in on this pic

 

 

4 generations with granddaughter Casey and great granddaughter, Brielle

 

we have our hands full of great grandchildren

daughter, Brenda, with her "children", Diggler and Trixie

Families are so very important especially if God is the center of it all. We have this verse on a wall of our Texas home: Joshua 24:15 “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Fred's favorite pastime: watering the cement!

As we prepare to travel back to South Texas, we attended our last church service of the year at Prairie Grove Christian Church, where Pastor Vance Eubanks continuesd his series on expectations. This week was focused on the expectations others have of us - does our yes be yes and our no be no? Sometimes it is our over commitment to fulfill expectations that others have for us or sometimes we are not qualified for those expectations that let us down. We need to be totally committed to God where every minute in our life Jesus is the guest of honor. Humble yourself at the feet of Jesus, no one can pull you any lower than that! I love our church, our church family (there is family again!!), Sunday School class, and especially Pastor Vance and his wife Linda. It is comforting to know that when the Lord feels we need to retire from missionary service, we have a home to return to!

 

This week I ask you to pray for the family of Dennis and Sally Schmandt. Sally was a friend since high school - especially our young married years when we visited together often.  We have always been in touch over the years. Sally called me last Monday, just to catch up and talk about a possible vacation visit to us. On Tuesday they were both killed in a truck roll over accident. Pray for their children, Dale and Shelley, knowing  that their parents were partners in this life and comforted by the knowledge that they walked hand in hand through the gates of Heaven.

Dennis and Sally Schmandt a few years ago

 

 

Goodbye Wisconsin, Hello Arkansas

As we prepared last week to leave Wisconsin, our daughter Connie demoted us "slave labor" again. She always seems to have a few projects lined up for Dad to do, which also involves Mom. This year was the replacement of the back door, garage door, and new outside faucet. The faucet went well, the doors took a bit longer - a last resort was me reading the instructions! Why do men not read instructions first??? After a couple of false starts and help from grandson Calton, the doors were in and working great.

just beginning

number 1 almost done

mission accomplished

As I posted last week, Connie's neighbors are Vietnamese Hmong. It is interesting to see how they plant their gardens. Several small garden plots instead of one large one. Seems to make sense - I would rather work each small garden at a time, then face the prospect of a huge one.

 

one small plot in the corner by the fence

there is actually a garden under those branches - perhaps something that requires shade?



A sight quite common in Wisconsin are the paper mills which produce many paper products. The huge piles of pulp, the smoke stacks, and the bit unpleasant odor is present in  quite a few cities. This one in Rothschild, WI is the USA Lignatech.

 

the enormous piles of pulp wood

                              

smokestacks mean work for many people

 

 

After our arrival in Arkansas, I realized that living in a city such as Wausau, Wisconsin is nice, pleasant, easy access everything, but there is nothing like living in the country. We awoke Saturday morning to the sound of songbirds and a rooster crowing. I could step outside in my bathrobe and still fell comfortable. "Green Acres is the place to be". Saturday we had a few family members getting together to just relax and visit a bit after our travels here.

 how many people does it take to fill a corn feeder

 great granddaughter Kinley with great Aunt Chandra - the twins love the rocking horse which was their Grandfather's

 Great granddaughter Kenzie with great Aunt Brenda 

 a cozy comforting fire

 

this bunny found the corn

 

 

Father's Day brought the family together again for a cook out (the usual feast) of grilled meat loaf. It was delicious - simple to make. Make your meat loaf the day before, refrigerate, and slice the next day and grill like hamburgers. Some afternoon naps were followed by generation pictures with us, daughter Christine, grand daugther Casey and her daughter Brielle.

 

 

grilled meat loaf, grilled potatoes, pasta salad

great Aunt Chandra and Brielle



 great granddaughter Brielle and me

 Great grandpa Fred and Brielle

 Grandpa Scott and Brielle

the blessing of 4 generations

   

Pastor Vance's message this morning "You Got This" revolved around Father's Day, using Judges 6 for a basis of teaching. God always seems to use the most unlikely people to do His work. Always remember in your Christian walk in life that you are not alone, you are stronger than you think, you will be tested, but you will be victorious.  Vance's message that if you need reassurance from God, He will reveal it to you was just what I needed to hear. I have been praying about our ladies conference next February - a choice of speakers, theme, etc. One possible speaker uses forgiveness as a  topic - an online devotional I read yesterday was based on forgiveness, a communion devotion this morning in church was based on -- forgiveness. I think God has truly shown me which direction to go.  We need to listen as He speaks to us.

 

Happy Father's Day!