Back to our Roots

We traveled back to Wisconsin on Tuesday actually making the trip in one shot this last time, but think we will make an extra stop on the way home - 13 1/2 hours is really a long haul. As we neared our sister-on-laws home, we relivd a lot of old memories - marveling at how familiar things were, but then sometimes how we could not recognize the changes. Thinking we would take a week or so to relax and re-orient was our original plan, but again, there seemed so much we wanted to do and see. We went to the neighborhood cheese factory for real Wisconsin cheese, then to the Amish Country Store to check out their homemade fare, as well as many of their stock items. Did some local grocery shipping (I forgot that everything here is a bit more expensive than in Arkansas) and bought several jars of  Milwaukee pickles that we cannot get in Arkansas, and reminisced as we drove (who lived there?, are they still around, who owns that place now?), even driving past the farm that Fred was raised on, which is no longer a farm, but has quite a few homes on the land. We visited our daughter a few miles away who lives right on a river - watching the squirrels and chipmunks being fed on her porch. We saw many deer on the roads, remembering to drive slower and be on the alert for them crossing the road. We visited Fred's cousin and husband who live nearby, going to the required Friday night fish fry with them!!!  Our niece came over on Saturday, and Sunday nephew, wife, and kids were here with us. Our sister-in-law has a soy bean field next to her home which is full of deer grazing in the evening - some beautiful bucks and does - one night there were does and babies. We wake up to the many songbirds that abound here, which is earlier than in Arkansas. It is light already at 5 AM!!!! God has created so many wonderful and beautiful creatures. It is so peaceful and relaxing that it feels almost unreal.

                                                                a field full of deer

Pastor Vance continued in the study of Colossians this morning via the internet. We relaxed at our Wisconsin "home" as we listened to running on the power of the Holy Spirit. When we come to God, we run on the power of the Holy Spirit. The way we live our  for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people". A mystery is a sacred secret hidden in the past and si now revealed. The people expected a military but instead they received a suffering servant,  a conquering  king who defeated Satan. Another mystery was the inclusion of others than the Jewish people with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in them, also (this was in the Old Testament). In the New Testament God has made the Holy Spirit known to all people. Christ in you which is the hope of glory. Jesus Christ was real but came to live in us. We do not live live by our own strength but through the strength of the Holy Spirit. Christ living in you helps you to endure the tough times. Al of our suffering is lacking compared to Jesus' suffering. Being a Christian doe not exempt you from trouble. Christ can help you to endure more than you thought we could endure. Christ's suffering in us gives su the power when we need it. we re lost. Christ's living in us enables us to witness boldly. We need to warn people that without Christ we are lost. Christ in us allows us to grow up in our faith. we need to live it and grow in it. Do not be lukewarm in your faith .Be firm and orderly - but not in your own strength but in the power that dwells in you.