Another Milestone

It seems that if we are always hitting a milestone of some sort in our lives. Today is Fred's 80th birthday - a huge milestone.. We are celebrating with his cousin and husband whose wedding anniversary is also today - pulled pork, a seafood salad, pasta salad, etc. and all of their favorite chocolate cake. Looking back the years seem to have flown by, and yet they seem as if it was only yesterday. We give God all the glory and praise for the many blessings in Fred's life, and for his servants heart.

After leaving our friends in Northern Wisconsin, we traveled to our daughter's home, a beautiful place on the Embarrass River. Our grandson from Kentucky was also there, and we had a few days of enjoying family, visiting antique stores in the area, purchasing some amazing deals at local Amish store, and just just relaxing in the beauty of the area. Friday our daughter and I traveled to Green Bay to pick up another daughter and shop for gifts and food for our grand daughter's baby shower the following day. We laughed as we drove back and forth thru Green Bay as we did not know exactly where the stores were located that we needed to go to!! An unexpected tour of the city for sure. That evening we dined at a unique place. It was hot, the restaurant was crowded, so the waitress suggested we eat on the patio, where there were fans and a slight breeze, and monkeys. Monkeys???? Ok, let's go as we had waited almost an hour already and we wanted to sample the food at this place. As we were seated, two black cats were wandering around, being petted by the customers, not begging for food but just socializing. And yes, there were monkeys, camels, donkeys, geese, and an albino kangaroo in cages out there, sort of a mini zoo in the backyard. Surprisingly, it did not smell and was quite a surprise!!! The food was excellent, also.   

                                                            

                                                    

                                  our talented son-on-law sending grandson and girlfriend off on a kayak trip 

                                       

                                                       and there they go just a few feet from the deck

Saturday we went to Green Bay for the baby shower and to stay a couple of days with grand daughter, Katie,  and husband Jake. It was an interesting shower as there were many things that I had no idea what they were, and some I wish we had when I had babies. One item was especially interesting - a spatula to apply diaper rash lotion!! We just used our fingers and then washed them off. There were also cloth diapers, very different form the ones we used and learned to fold as the baby grew older. Even a special cloth bag to put the soiled ones in until washed. Interesting. Katie has four chickens that they are raising (in town. where they are allowed 4 chickens, but no roosters) for the eggs. They have a golden retriever that has been trained for bird hunting, so we have to be careful when we let the chickens out so he did not retrieve them!!! After attending church on Sunday with them, they washed their vehicle, and as long as they had all the equipment out, Katie's husband washed our truck also - what a nice surprise.

 

                             

                                                Quiet Sunday afternoon carwash

                                          

                                                    some of Katie's chickens- the black one will lay colored eggs

                                         

                                  Katie and Jake with one of the chickens who likes to be held and petted - their                                                                         son is due early Sept. 

Early Monday morning we took Katie's Mom, (our oldest daughter) to the airport and then met some old neighbor's for breakfast. It was a nice time, laughing about adventures in the past, and getting caught up on family activities. They were great neighbors and again, we spent happy and sad times with them

We traveled back to our sister-in-law's home (where we have been using as a base for our adventures) for a week or so until we return to Arkansas, the corn fields are amazing - the corn is 10 feet or more in some places. Some land near by is planted with sunflowers - a beautiful sight.  

acres and acres of sunflowers

   

                                 the corn fields - already tasseling out and ready for picking soon 

Katie's church (Life Church) is very progressive -  very loud contemporary music but the message was well given. Change is hard. Especially change for the better even if we do not realize it at the time. We have to admit that we cannot live life without Jesus. We have to die for ourselves, immerse ourselves in Him. We we fail to do so , we live our lives under condemnation. If we want to stop living that way, we need to immerse ourselves in Him. In Matthew, Jesus is baptized in water, in Acts, the apostles were baptized by the Spirit. Immerse yourself in Jesus for 50 days. How do you do this? 

1) read your Bible everyday for 50 days. Many of us do this already - try reading Scripture through praise.

2) pray and write in a journal for 50 days. it will help keep you focused in your prayers - and you will be surprised which prayers are answered!

3) give some additional offering for the next 4 Sundays - over and above your tithe. Something to celebrate your love for God.

4) listen only to Jesus music for the next 50 days. Whatever you put in must come out. Garbage in, garbage out.

5) read one Jesus book over the next 50 days.  Suggestion The Hope Quotient by Ray Johnston.

See  how you change!!!

                         

Wisconsin Northwoods

 We have been spending the last few days in the Wisconsin Northwoods, visiting with friends that we have had for over 60 years. We have been in each others lives through all the fun times: vacations, dances, having and raising our children together, all the good menories as well as the sardines when we needed each others emotional support:  the loss of their daughter at childbirth, the deaths of all of our parents, illnesses including accidents and cancer to name a few. We all have moved various times, but keep in touch and manage to get together as often as we can wherever we can. Fred and  Bob have been friends since their teen years and because we are the spouses Judy and I are also friends. We sat up late the first night we arrived and talked and laughed into the evening. They live on a lake in a beautiful spot in the Northwoods.  Last night we were enjoying the evening and saw beaver and loons on the lake, not to mention the deer roaming about. I love the beautiful and stately pines as well as the many varieties of other trees. God created this wonderful place on earth for us to enjoy and wonder of the majesty of it all. Any place on this earth is a blessing to all of us.                                                                              As we were in another area in WI last week a friend and neighbor of over 20 years ago past away so we atttended his celebration of life.  It was a moving ceremony concluding with military honors. It was wonderful to see his family as well as other former neighbors who also attended. This is rather short today as there are so many folks we have visited with as well I could probably bore you all to death. I feel so blessed to be able to see them all- many have physical and emotional situations. I give God all the praise and glory for our health and strength in our lives.                        

Summer Sunday

 Another beautiful summer day in Central Wisconsin. This past week has really been beautiful - a bit cool in the morning but perfect days  after the rain finally quit). We have been helping our sister-in-law with to do lists, as well as general upkeep. Fred loves to mow lawn, and the lawn here is expansive, even to the pint of mowing half of the horse pasture. At one time, there were horses in the side pasture therefore no need to mow. After the horses were no longer there,  the entire pasture was mowed, but since Fred''s brother passed away, the wing ha been cut down a bit. As Fred mows, the gopher dart back and forth, poking up their heads to see what all the noise is about. They scoot across the yard, seemingly playing tag with the mower. there is also a huge apple orchard to be mowed, where disaster struck. Fred got slapped in the face with a low hanging branch, which have since been cut and given t a neighbor for smoking meat. Looked like Fred got in a fist fight!!!

                                                      serious face slapping

 

After the face injury, we had to drive to a nearby town to get Fred's glasses readjusted, thanks to the apple tree branch. On the way, there were various road side stands - we purchased some sweeet corn     ( from Indiana as the Wisconsin corn is not ready yet) and some wonderful Georgia peaches ( almost as good as Arkansas peaches). Love the fresh produce here in Wisconsin at this time of year - including the sweet Door County cherries which we had purchased earlier.

                                                                    sweet and delicious peaches

fresh, two color sweet corn with real butter and a touch of salt.

Saturday we went to the cousin's breakfast, a family tradition that has endured for years (although this was the only 3rd one since the virus last year. It is held every 2nd Saturday of the month with about10-20 cousin's there. We had not been there in a few years, but didn't seem like it - got caught up on all the family news, and enjoyed a good time of fellowship.

We have not had any cats or dogs for many years, but enjoy the company of Skipper, our sister-in-law's boxer. He is really very well behaved and smart, keeping guard outside our bedroom door at night. While trying to take his picture he totally ignored me, striking this impressive pose. 

Skipper, being regal

My sister-in-law is a great quilter, so on Monday we went to her quilt club silent auction. Needless to say, I found  a few things at bargain prices. We had both finished the baby quilts for my granddaughter's shower later this month, so she worked on quilts for missions, and I designed a quilt (with her expert advice) from the items I purchased from the auction. Hopefully I will get the top finished while we are here. We plan on making this trip to WI every year to help her out with "handyman" help. So far  it has been hanging curtains and shades, mowing, and trimming trees. No apples this year due to a late frost that froze the blossoms, so hopefully next year there will be some to can. A few more  projects on the list but a few weeks yet to complete them. God has so blessed us that we can be of help to her while enjoying our vacation here.

In order to live a life in Christ, we have to have preparation and performance. We cannot be a servant of God by our means - we need to prepare and follow through. "So then, as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue living your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing in thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7. We have been strengthened and built in the Lord. The first part of Colossians tells us who we are - it is our identity. "Since you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not earthly things." Colossians 3:1-2. If you are in the kingdom of God, there are things that must happen in your life. If you live a life in Jesus, you need to focus on things above and not on things on earth. Our brain has millions on connections in order for us to function. . Our brain is a big pace in a small place.  We have to think of how to live for Jesus and His purpose for us. we live in an age of information overload.  None of this information given to us is usually without knowledge of the truth from those who give it. It is just repeated over and over. Before all of this technology,  we interacted with everyone personally. It is very difficult today to take our eyes off worldly things. It takes away our inability to focus on God. All earthly information influences us and leads us astray. If you don't pay attention to who you listen to, you can get into a lot of trouble. What is shaping you mind, your heart, and your character? Set your mind on the kingdom of God. See things in His perspective. By setting your minds on things above, you become what you need to be in this world. .Let God transform your minds and you will have a new set of values. Think and pray about where your mind and heart are set every day of the week and not just on Sunday. Read your Bible, study Scripture, memorize verses, turn off the TV, shut down the computer, unplug from technology. When you do that you have fullness of joy in the presence of God. Let Him transform  our hearts and minds to live the life He wants us to lead. Let's live our lives so others see Christ in us. When Christ is in us, everything changes. 

 

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Freedom

 The Fourth of July is just not about family picnics, cook-outs, vacation time, or fireworks. It is a day to reflect on why we really celebrate it. Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, celebrates America's formal declaration of independence from colonial rule. The Second Continental Congress officially adopted the final version of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776..But beyond the official creation and adoption of one of our nation's founding documents, how did the Fourth of July come to be a federally recognized holiday? After the American colonies officially declared independence from the British crown, it wasn't long before the occasion was celebrated. On July 4, 1777, Philadelphia kicked off Independence Day by "adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells, and fireworks." This Independence Day celebration became more widespread at the end of the War of 1812. We continue to celebrate this day to celebrate our independence as a United Nation, founded on Christian principles, giving every man equal rights to worship as we please, to speak out and not be persecuted, and to pursue the American dream. If not for the brave Americans of that time, we would not have the life we lead today, perhaps still under the rule of England. Thank goodness for their foresight which form our great country. We hope you had a wonderful day remembering what you were celebrating.

Our sister-in-law had a huge ash tree removed from her yard this week as it was dead and in danger of falling on her house. A removal company truck arrived with just one employee. I wondered how he was going to do this by himself, as he hoisted himself with an automatic crane and began sawing off small branches on the bottom of the trunk, working his way up, using a power saw with just one hand and dropping the branches into a neat pile on the ground. I was amazed at the way he continued up the tree in a seemingly patterened way. In about an hour and a half, he had the tree totally down, leaving a foot no the trunk so a pot of flowers could be positioned on it.

just getting started

one side done

down to the stump

almost done

finishing up - the neighbor is going to cut it up for fire wood nd haul away the brush. 

                                                

                                                                             and away he goes!

Almost 41 year ago Fred's brother and his wife adopted a baby girl, to add to their family They had adopted a boy a few years prior to this. When they asked son, Jeffery, what he wanted for a sibling he said he wanted a brother named Jack. Well, he got a sister named Jacci instead! Last year, Jacci's birth mother reached out to her, through the adoption agency as it was an open adoption, to search for her daughter. Jacci was contacted, agreed to fill out the paperwork, and did some facebook searching, and located her birth mother. Before the papers could be sent back to her, Jacci (after a few false starts) called her birth mother - the result was a very emotional meeting and melding of families. We were honored to be able to meet her birth mother for the first time on Saturday - again in a very emotional meeting. We spent the afternoon with family, laughing, recalling events in Jacci's life, crying at times, and created a larger family circle in the process. What a wonderful gift that this lady gave our family - so we loved on her and Jacci all day. Our sister-in-law (Jacci's adoptive mother) was just as much involved as everyone else, creating an amazing day. God does work miracles in people's lives. 

We continued with visiting, relaxing, and just marveling in the beauty of a Wisconsin summer. We finished baby quilts for our soon to be 9th great grandchild, did some fun crafting, and enjoyed the past week of reliving old memories.

In a strange set of coincidences (no, not coincidence but God's plan) Vance's sermon this morning was about freedom- freedom in Christ. It was not preplanned, as he laid out the sermon series weeks ago. I smile as I see God's hand it this! We need to keep Jesus in the center of everything. Everything revolves around keeping a relationship with Him. We need to be careful not to substitute religiousness for relationship. We tend to set up a bunch of activity and rules to  make an appearance of Christianity. Jewish Christians would keep a lot of their old rules and not a reality of the true Christ. The most important thing is a relationship with Christ. Don't be in love with a mystical experience rather than a relationship with Christ nor expect others to do so. we need to be in Christ, connected to the Head. Look to spiritual holidays, rules, and mystical experiences but do not overemphasize them as they tend to make you just look like a spiritual person. People who have more don'ts in their life are more spiritual. What makes a person spiritual? We are free to put Jesus at the head - the Lord of our lives. Your spiritual power will be found in your relationship with Christ. You need to be confident in this new identity in Christ. Let no one deceive you - Jesus is enough to make you complete. In the Old Testament, circumcision was an outward sign of a new life in Christ. When you are struggling, go back into your heart and remember when you were in Christ, raised through in baptism. Be free in your victory in Christ. Christ forgave our sins and nailed them to the cross. The perfect vision of Christ shows our own imperfections. You have your sins paid for by Him. That is why He said, "It is finished". punched Satan while He was on the cross - He appeared to destroy the devil's work. 

The greatest freedom of all is our freedom of sin through the death of Jesus on the cross.  

 

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.   

A Short Breather

 Since we have been back in NW Arkansas we indeed have taken  time to take a deep breath. It still seems like we are on vacation and not really here for good. I am sure we will finally feel at home when we get settled in a home of our own. We will be leaving this next week for Wisconsin to visit friends and relatives that we have not seen in  few years. While we are there, we will attend a shower for our 9th great grand baby ( boy), spend time with our Wisconsin daughter and her husband, as well as her son who we have not seen in about 4+ years. God has truly blessed us by allowing us to return - we are just waiting with anticipation to see what plans He has for our future 

While in NW AR, we attended a softball game of our great grand daughter, Brielle. She really does a great job, even made 2 points for her team! She is so full of energy and enthusiastic all the time. We also took our two great granddaughters to supper a their favorite Mexican restaurant.  It seemed like we wanted t do everything that we had missed for the many years we were in S Texas.

Concentrating on catching

her teammates - a bunch of really competitive girls - Brielle is in the front row on the left

Do you ever think of why God created the earth and all the amazing creatures in it?? It was for God but also for man's enjoyment, for us to see and enjoy. Our daughter's home is in the woods - actually not far from time but really isolated. As we were doing dishes one evening, a doe and her fawn were in the backyard for a long time. The fawn would scamper and run around the yard, while Mom quietly munched on the fresh, green grass. Almost every evening at least two racoons come up on the porch to enjoy the treats left there for them. Last night a lonely possum ventured up to also partake of the food. 

                                       Momma and baby - our son-in-law named COVID 21

                                                      making sure all is ok

                                this does not show up so well, but our daughter's blue/purple hydrangeas are                                                                                            beautiful. 

Saturday, two daughters, a grand daughter,  great grand daughter, and grand son's wife Page all went to get our pedicures together. These are the times that I really treasure - a time to laugh, bond, and create memories. I am especially thankful for this time together because Page is very quiet, and it gave her the opportunity to be more involved in our girl time. She became more talkative and seemed to really have enjoyed herself.  

Damaris is mentioned in the Bible in Acts 17:31. Her name means heifer, a reference to a young girl and certainly not a slang or a derogatory manner. She was a convert of Paul when he was a Mars Hill, and was perhaps a well known Athenian. Some writers say she was the wife of  Dionysius, but there seems to be no proof of that. When Paul was mocked at Athens, Damaris along with Dionysius were there, stood by him and then believed. Paul must have been overjoyed at their conversion and knew that their names were then written in the Book of Life!

Attending our home church this morning was such a wonderful feeling - seeing old friends, renewing acquaintances, and meeting new folks as we all worshipped together through song and prayer. We feel so very blessed to be a part of this church family of God. Vance continued in the Book of Colossians God told Timothy to watch his doctrine and his life. The Book of Colossians is divided into two parts - the first part is doctrine (the root of your faith) and the second part is how you behave ( the fruit of your faith). Today is no time for us to sleep because of what is happening in the world today. A spiritual war is going on. What do you believe about Jesus? Was He a mythical character or was He a real human being? the source for us to know about Jesus and to know Jesus is the Bible. "Pretend" Jesus is the one who fuels our culture today. Jesus is the only begotten Son of our Lord, born of a virgin, raised from the dead, and the only way to God out Father. The people of Colossae were defying Jesus' deity. We believe the Jesus is God in the flesh. He was 100% God, and 100% human. If you want to  know who God is, look at Jesus. He was the firstborn over creation ( firstborn in this sense means "most important").  the universe was not created for man, but for God. A nation, like man, reaps what it sows. God is the glue that keeps the world together. Without Him all things become unwrapped. Jesus is the head of the church. Why?

1) Because He is God.

2) Because He purchased the church with His own blood.   

3) He has risen from the dead to prove His authority. 

Jesus is the hope for the world. Our own sin keeps us distanced from God. We need Him every day because we all are sinners. Jesus Christ is the Lord of all.  

 

Chapter One

 As we are starting a new chapter in our lives, I like to compare it to reading a novel. I love to read - I get engrossed in a book and and am excited to see what the next page or chapter will bring. I never sneak a peek at the end - I love the anticipation of what is happening next - what twist and turn in the road lies ahead. I try to figure out the the theme of the page or chapter - sometimes I am right and other time I am totally off the road I thought I was on. Does this not seem like life?? God has that total book of my life written - whenever I think I 've got it all figured out in my earthly mind I discover God has it all figured out according to His plan. As we relax here in NW Arkansas I ponder on the road ahead - but am just relying on God to lead and allow me to follow.

When we left Texas for Arkansas, we stopped at the Gees in Joshua, Texas, for a few days of relaxation and a bit of down time and a chance to take a breather. We had closed on our place in Texas, bagged and boxed hundreds of pounds of food for the colonias, met with those who are planning on taking over the ministry, packing our things, and  saying our goodbyes. It was a bittersweet time, but again, a time of great anticipation. We attended church with them on Sunday where we listen to their pastor's interpretation of Colossians. We then traveled to NW Arkansas, took a few days to try to get settled at our daughter's for the time being, putting things in storage and trying to decide what needed to be left out. We attended church at our amazing home church in Prairie Grove, when Pastor Vance proceeded to give a sermon on the exact scripture that the pastor of the Joshua church!!! It was amazing, as there were two different views of the same scripture. Of course I listened with great interest - trying to combine both messages. 

I do need to apologize for missing two weeks of my blog - hopefully all of you will again check me out every week again. We plan on staying here in NW Arkansas for a few weeks, then taking a much needed vacation to Wisconsin to visit friends and relatives, as well as attending a baby shower for our 9th great grandchild. 

This morning Pastor Vance continued our journey through Colossians, as we followed Paul's letter to     the church in Colossae - a new church. Paul was in prison in Rome, where Epaphras visited him. Paul had never been to Colossae so Epaphras related to him how the church was coming along. People there were off center - they were new Christians and needed help on how to live a Christian life. So Paul wrote them a letter and encouraged them to pray for themselves. We need to take note of Paul's message. Pray to know God's will for our lives. Be filled with the Holy Spirit - being filled means to be controlled by. We need to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, with wisdom and understanding We need to live our lives vertically - through God, and not horizontally, as through the world. It is the will of God for all men to be saved. As you walk with Him, he reveals the specific will of God. Pray to live a life worthy of the Lord - place your heart and mind on things above bearing fruit in every good work work nd knowledge of Jesus Christ. Pray for power of endurance and patience. Paul wrote to these people who knew that they would have a challenge. Endurance is the strength to deal with obstacles in life. (stronger longer). Patience is the wisdom to be able to deal with people in your life. Pray to never forget what God has done for you. We have been qualified to be in Christ through the things that He has done. His death and resurrection assures us of that. We have been removed from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light through Christ. 

Continuing with the ladies of the Bible, Cozbi. Her name means deceiver,  deception. She was a Midianitish woman, daughter of Zur, who was the head of a chief house in Media. Her  name was given to her because her parents were disappointed in her birth because she was a girl. Although she was a princess, her influence among the leaders was evil. She was among the group who encouraged moral and religious corruption among the Israelites. She was slain by Phinehas, son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron. She was slain by a "javelin thrust her belly. 

May all of you bask in the glow of summer - enjoying all of God's magnificent creation.