Summertime

As we prepared to leave Arkansas I marvel at the beauty of summer. Our daughter Christine has blooming flowers, garden veggies and herbs, which produce such a soothing atmosphere. We did get an opportunity to visit with friends before packing and traveling to Wisconsin. While visiting friends we noticed a grey squirrel with black feet, back neck as well as black parts of his head. We never saw one like this before - a cross between a grey and black squirrel, except there are no black squirrels in Arkansas. Strange.  As I shopped at Aldis for a few items to take along, the check out guy asked if we were going on a road trip - imagine that!!!

backside of Christine's outside kitchen

daughter Brenda's dogs - Trixie and Diggler - both adopted!

blooming knock out roses

unique herb garden

 

Our trip to Wisconsin was very easy, with the beauty of the late spring and early summer trees and flowers blooming. We arrived at daughter Connie's late Friday night, so spent most of Saturday, just relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather, including a few rain showers. As usual, Connie has her porch decorated with beautiful flower baskets.

 

 aren't they pretty

 very patriotic

these were a birthday gift from  a friend

 

While we were living in Wausau area years ago, I worked at the courthouse , which was such an interesting job. I worked in the Register of Deeds office where we handled records of all types - especially very old deeds, some signed by President Lincoln, as well as some from Indian chiefs, who only signed the deeds with the  drawn sign of their tribe. It was one of my most interesting positions that I ever had. Yesterday, a black bear roamed the streets of Wausau. ( a city of about 75000) Two years ago it startled our daughter as she went to her car, as he was sitting on the lawn across the street! Yesterday, the bear strolled into the lower part of the courthouse where I worked where he was drugged and relocated to a wooded area where he would be safe.

 

he seems totally unaware of the commotion he was causing

 

 

We are getting ready for our grandson Calton graduation on Wednesday, family cook-out on Friday, and graduation party on Saturday. Calton is the last of our  6 grandchildren to graduate from high school. Two weeks ago, granddaughter Katie graduated with her master's degree - all a new generation of young adults. God works wonders with just two people! Great grandson Avery, who is just 1-1/2 years old, kept us entertained all week-end.

 

great grandson Avery and great niece Anahi, enjoying the computer and cookies

 

We attended church this morning at Bible Truth Chapel, listening to the word from Pastor Eric Shelley. He is doing a series about prayer, reminding us to prepare our spiritual life for battle. Are we praying in the will of the Lord, with humility, asking in Jesus' name? Referring to Luke 18:12-14, he compared the  prayers of the Pharisees, who could not admit  that he was not righteous,  to the  prayers of the tax collector, who admitted that he was not righteous. How do you compare yourself to these two?? Pray with persistence, impudence and go boldly before the Lord, asking in humility. I did get the opportunity to pray with a church member, Ruth, who is raising her 4 grandchildren as her daughter has an addiction situation. Please pray for strength and endurance for Ruth, as well as strength for her daughter, who is just being released from prison. Pray for guidance to continue to walk with the  the Lord, breaking the chain of bondage to addiction.