Arkansas Time

After leaving Joshua, Texas where we had a great visit with the Gee's(and getting my eyebrows waxed by Paula) we headed to Oklahoma for a long and comfortable visit with Chaplains Dennis and Sally Maloney. Reminiscing, brain storming and just enjoying each other's company. Too soon it was time to head to Arkansas before it got too late. I know I have mentioned it before, but I love Prairie Grove, Arkansas - small town friendly, beautiful, and home to us. Whenever God is done with us in the mission field, we will return here. Getting together with our three girls (we will be the the other one in Wisconsin in a couple of weeks) and their families made for happy smiles hugs, and lots of love.


Arkansas roadrunner who decided to visit - two teenager offspring also dropped by

Fred (actually Fredricka) the Wilken guinea hen's nest - now has 10 eggs

in addition to the 10 eggs in the nest our daughter is trying to hatch 12 previously laid eggs

ever laying Fred

I love Prairie Grove - see why?/

Many years ago I used to paint using oils. Some of my pictures are still hanging around, these two in one of our daughters' house - I think each one of our 4 girls have one or two! I really need to get back to this -it was ever so relaxing.

nature - my favorite subject

I remember working on this one at 2 AM when I just could not stop

 

As I said, I love nature - flowers, animals just the beauty of God's creation. We are so blessed to stay at one of our daughters' homes where nature is everywhere. It is so easy to just sit and watch the watch the world go by. I do believe that Arkansas has the world's best acrobatic squirrels.

the squirrels are trapeze artists

 ladder climbers

 tightrope walkers

 long jumpers

making sure no one falls

as they continue their antics

One of our great-granddaughters (we have 3 with one more due the end of June and only 1 great-grandson) spent the day on Saturday before a partial family cook-out. Brielle is such a special little girl, already 2-1/2 years old. She was not afraid of us at all since last year. She rattles away in a language only she understands at times, then talks up a storm. She loves music, dancing, and riding the pony (which she calls "Whee" that belonged to her grandfather when he was a child.

 

 

 

 

Brielle on the "Whee"

 

 

 

The very best part of being back in Arkansas is Prairie Grove Christian Church, Pastor Vance Eubanks, our Sunday School class, and all of our church family. As soon as we entered the church I felt that I was home, a feeling that we have had since our first day at PGCC. Vance amazes me with his 'corny" jokes that brings groans from the congregation. Most of them are related to the day's Scripture verses and the sermon. Today we learned more about Cain and Abel, two very different brothers. The story is about bad blood, a bad deed, and bad consequences. Instead of trying to change himself, Cain developed a hatred for his brother. God asked Cain why he was angry (the basis for hate) not realizing that he, Cain was the problem. Cain killed Abel, the bad  explosive result of anger. Cain lost his job, as well as his family. Resentment leads to anger, which leads to hatred. Cain did not give God his best as Abel did. We need to always give God our best, He deserves it. We have to get a grip on our anger - pray for God to release these feelings in your heart because it affects everything and everyone around you. God is full of mercy - thank goodness He does not give us what we deserve!!!!

 

Make it a point his week to try to figure out (with God's help) where your anger stems from - and them pray for God to release you from it.

 

 

 

 

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