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!