Family Time

It has been a very hectic but fulfilling week. Finished almost all of physicals, tests, etc. and all results are normal, PTL. Just one more for me - a bone density which should be normal also and a return dentist apt for Fred.

We began preparing for the visit from our daughter, grandchildren, and great grand son from Wisconsin and my brother from Memphis for our mini Sunday family reunion.

I began collecting mason jars, slices of logs (thanks to son-in-law Scott for these), burlap and raffia for the table decorations. I had earlier found some already decorated jars at a yard sale - love yard sales!! Saturday we ventured to the Fayetteville Farmer's Market for fresh flowers. We also spent a few days devising a unique welcome/direction sign for everyone.

one of the many groups paying on the square at the Farmer's Market

 

 

a happy banjo player

 

more musicians

finished project - note the barn fan - Arkansas outdoor a/c

lots of flowers at a great bargain

 

love the sunflowers

 

 

 welcome y'all

 

 

Wisconsin family arrived Friday morning.  We had not see them on a year so it was a joyous welcome. Memphis family arrived Friday night (they had a wedding to attend on Saturday so we did not see them until Sunday). We all hung out on Friday, catching up on news and enjoying great-grandson Avery.  Saturday the 4 sisters had an appointment for a special tattoo - for sisters only. Daughter Connie, from WI, had never had one before, so the other three elected her to go first. I decided to stay home and clean up the kitchen after Darrell made a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and homemade biscuits and gravy. The girls stopped at Starbucks on the way home and did not bring  me anything!!!! Saturday evening we did some mall shopping, and of course, purchased some Arkansas t-shirts, etc.

 

4 sisters 4 ever



 

 



great grandson Avery - 2-1/2 going on 5!!!!

 

Sunday morning came too soon, with warning of storms and bad weather. We attended church services where Associate Minister Andrew Kirschner delivered an inspiring sermon, based on I Corinthians 15:12-34 - "The Resurrection Changes Everything". There are 10 essential points of Christian doctrine, the heart of them being that Jesus died for us and the Jesus rose again. The logical explanation of Resurrection  is that if  is not true, then not even Christ was raised, then our preaching is useless and our faith is useless - we are liars in our belief.  The theological conviction of the resurrection is the death is the ultimate death - you will not die again. Jesus raised people from the dead, but that is not a resurrection - they lived to die again. Jesus was the first resurrection. He actually died and rose again. The practical administration is the question of why we put our lives in danger if there was no resurrection?? Why do we sometimes corrupt our good character by allowing bad company to lead us? Let us not be guilty of typical sin, the sin of stagnation, or the sin of silence. Let us stand firm in our Christian convictions and encourage others to do so also.

 

God certainly blessed us on Sunday, as the rain held off. The day was somewhat hot, the sun shone until the party was over and we had time for a bit of clean-up before the rains began.  The food was excellent - thanks again to Scott for the home made brats. We also had hot dogs and hamburgers which were wonderfully seasoned by daughter Christine. The rest of us contributed with mock potato salad (made with cauliflower instead of potatoes), butterfinger pie, lemon bars, tes leche cake (a Mexican cake made with three kinds of milk), veggies and delicious dip, a cowboy bean and corn dip just to mention a few things. Lots of time reminiscing (sometimes to the embarrassment of some, but all in good fun.)

 grandson Seth with Page and 4 girls, including identical twins

  

   

 granddaughter Casey and daughter Brielle

 

 

granddaughter Dela'von, her son, Avery, and grandson Calton

 



   

 Brielle posing before donning her swimsuit

 Avery testing the water

 

 twins Kinley and Kenzie and Avery enjoying the warm weather swim time

 just talking (and posing)

 a happy group

time to eat -  

 salads just chillin out

enjoying the good food  

 

 

 

 number 1 daughter, Chandra and friend Darrell

 number 2 - Brenda and friend Todd

number 3 - Connie 

 

and number 4 Christine and husband Scott 

4 of our 6 grandchildren - sadly missed were Katie and Sydney who both have new jobs and could not make the trip

 

 our four - greatly loved

 

 

 

 

 uncles Bob and Steve with the grandchildren

grandson Calton in his best frat boy pose

 

 

Family is so very important - bonds are always there. God loves us all as His family just as much as we love our families - don't let a day go by without thanking Him for the blessing of family. If there are any fractures in family relationships, try to mend them - pray for God's guidance, then just do it!!!