Sunday Morning Waking

Woke up this beautiful Sunday morning to the sound of bluejays hollering to "get up, get up".

Cool here in Wisconsin, has been raining, but the days turn out to be sunshiny and beautifully green, with splashes of color supplied by the trees and flowers. It was really windy one day and the apple blossoms were blowing in the wind like a rain storm of petals. A person could just stand there and smell the amazing fragrance all around. We went to a neigbooring city and had to stop and let Mr. and Mrs. Goose and their babies cross the highway. The babies were so soft and fluffly looking, yellow with streaks of black, almost like bumble bees padding along on the road.There is still snow on the ski hill - yes in June - it looks strange with the sun reflecting from it. One street here is completely lined with flowering crab apple trees - a truly awesome sight. We drove down it twice just to savor the beauty and reinforce the memory, created by our loving Father. "The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes."  Mark 12:11

snow still on Rib Mountain in June

a beautiful street in Wausau, WI



 

the street from the opposite direction, just before the wind starting blowing the blossoms around

 

 

We are so greatful for this time to bond with great grandson Avery. He is a very happy baby, only fussing when he is hungry. It is such a pleasure to share with him in his first discoveries - the feel of the leaves on a bush, his first taste of bananas, the world around him as he goes for a ride in the stroller. To have the innocence and wonder of a small child would be such a blessing."Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 18:4 

Avery chillin with great grandpa

 we laid him outside on a blanket on the lawn - his eyes opened in wonder as he looked up at the umbrella of tree leaves

 he laughed when the wind blew and the leaves moved

 the innocence of a child

 pure joy

 grandma Connie feeding him his first taste of bananas

 I want more

 look at his determination as his mother holds him and he makes noises with a water bottle.

 

 



 our daughter Connie, her grandson Avery (our great-grandson), and  our daughter Chandra

 

 

I went to church this morning with Chandra to her church, Bible Truth Chapel (Fred was getting our car repaired, which is another story as well as a test of faith!). It was not the normal service as this one honored the 5 high school graduates in the congregation. As I watched the graduates and their videos depicting their lives, and listened to their plans for the future, I thought of their past lives as an ending but also a beginning in their new lives just as we begin a new life in Christ as we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. To me, there were three seperate areas of life that I was involved in this week - almost a full circle. New physical life in our great grandson Avery, a new life in Christ when the graduates were baptised as well as a new physical life as they step out into the world as adults, and a waning of physical life as we age in our golden years, content in the knowledge that God is with us throughout the years. The speaker, Austin VanRyn presented the graduates with a challange - to save time for the Lord, to actively seek out ways to praise Him, and to use what you learn to continue your connectivity with the Lord. He encouraged them to "Let my lifesong sing to You", as in the lyrics of the song "Lifesong" by Casting Crowns.  I did get a chance to briefly meet with Pastor Eric Shelley and hopefully get to speak more with him when we return here in a few weeks.

 

Pastor Eric (on the right in the red shirt) praying for the graduates and their families.

 

 

 

We leave the area tomorrow after a slight bump in the road getting our car repaired. We had to have the back brakes replaced, revealing that the master cynlinder went out, totally causing the brake power booster to also have to be replaced. Praise the Lord that this happened while we were at a suitable place, rather than out on the road somewhere where others could have been placed in danger. Mechanic friend Walter helped with the repairs, allowing us to have the parts at his cost as well as doing all of the labor for free!!!! There is still a slight glitch that we need to have someone with electronic ability take a look at (a fuse keeps blowing), but know that it too will be taken care of. We know that God puts trials in front of us to test our faith. Our faith is strong in the knowledge that He is with us always - and will continue to be at our side as we walk this path He has laid out for us.

 

Mechanic Walter taking a break with a s'more while Fred stands guard

 

 

 

The weather remains cool but we all decided that it was indeed time for s'mores, so we lit the firepit in Connie's backyard this evening. We enjoyed the time together (just us women) and kept warm in the sun and heat from the small fire.

almost ready

 

 



 let the roasting begin

Connie and the first s'more of the season with s'more to follow

 Chandra's enjoying her s'more

great niece Anahi

niece Jen (Anahi's mother)

 Connie's lilacs

lilacs up close and beautiful

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Cool Wisconsin

We arrived in Wisconsin on Friday after a stop Thursday night in Altoona, Iowa to visit friends who are fellow CRM chaplains. We had been with Jack and Karen Gregory in Texas, but had not seen Bob and Karen Johnson in over a year. It was so good to visit  and pray with and for each other. Our lives all had some major changes, so it was amazing to see where we all were headed. We all need prayer in some areas of our lives and it is such a blessing to know that fellow Christians come along side of us in prayer. Bob asked to share where God was in our lives. It seems that all of us seemed to realize that God shows up in the most unlikely places - we always need to be ready to speak out for him. God wants all of us to become involved in serving him and His ministry because He specializes in commissioning and using imperfect vessels to further His Word - we are those vessels.

Karen G and Karen J

Bob and Jack hamming it up

great Mexican cusine

After another beautiful day of travel, we arrived in Wausau, Wisconsin, where we spent a lot of our married life. Wausau is really a very beautiful city (in the summertime). We are so very used to the warmth of South Texas that I cannot imagine living in the cold anymore. The weather right now feels cool to me, but the natives love it!!! Our first stop was at daughter Connie's house to see our great grandson Avery. Oh my goodness, to feel a baby in my arms again is such a pleasure. Avery is such a good baby at 4 months - he wakes up smiling and laughing all the time. The love and pleasure we find in our children, grand children, and even great grandchildren is by far less than the love God has for His children - and I am so  glad to be called a child of God. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God". I John 3:1

 

 a heartwarming sight

 

the stately pines of North Central Wisconsin

 

 

 

great grandson Avery - smiling as he always does

 

Father David - Avery coos to him constantly

 snuggled up and snoozing

granddaughter Dela'von and Avery



 Avery is wondering what the fuss is all about

It was time for our annual trip with Connie to the farmer's market for flowers. The market is not nearly as crowded or flambouyant as the one in Arkansas, but this is just the beginning of the summer season here. "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven". Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

 

 part of the market selling everything from bakery items, sausages, cheese, plants and flowers

notice the jackets - it was a cool morning

an array of baskets

so many to choose from

veggie, herb, and flower plants

this lady proudly posed for me 

one of Connie's purchases

a porch full of flowers

 

 

 

Sunday we attended Highland Community Church with friends from many years ago. We try to visit with them every year but this year was extra special as we we able to worship together with them. Pastor Jeff Hinds spoke on Luke 8:26-39, which we had been studying in our Bible Study class in Texas. Pastor Hinds is an excellant teacher, delving into historical background. Did you know that the Roman symbol of a legion (the name of the many demons in the demon possessed man) is a boar? How ironic that the demons asked to be sent into a herd of pigs. Ironic -- I think not. Certainly a

God plan. 

 

 

one of many hundreds of lilacs in bloom

 

 







 





settling and resettling

Fred had carpel tunnel surgery today and all went well. Thank all of you for your prayers. As we were praying for a successful surgery just before Fred went to surgery, the surgical nurse prayed with us, and said she would be praying Fred through surgery. God is indeed alive and well in the world!!! Praise Him for Christian people.


As we are settling in Arkansas it seems like in no time we are getting ready to resettle in Wisconsin. Our time in Arkansas has been going so quickly. I did volunteer at Life Ministries, a resale shop and assistance program sponsored by 7 area churches. The resale store is much larger than the one run by CHI in Texas, but the principle is the same. Everything is donated, volunteers do the sorting, putting out of merchandise, running the check out just as in Texas. The only difference is that the assistance  program in Arkansas helps those who have electric or water shut offs, are behind on their rent, and need food and clothing. The applicants are allowed assistance every three months, but are also consouled on finances and parenting. It was really interesting to see the changes in the store, as well as meeting new volunteers. Of course, the old friends were there also making the transistion for me quite simple.

food items ready to be packaged and distributed

Marty, my very first friend in Arkansas 17 years ago, registering folks for assistance

winter items stored for the season

 sorting and preparing clothing for the resale store

 shoppers looking for gtreat deals

busy at the check out counter


We are spending a few more days in Arkansas and then leaving for Wisconsin to visit family and friends. While here in Arkansas we enjoy down time by relaxing with our daughters Brenda and Christine, who live here, and another daughter, Chandra who is visiting. We enjoy this time to recoup and plan for the coming season in South Texas.

while staying with friends, I could not help but admire their mailbox

Brenda's dog, Diggler

 Diggler begging to be picked up!

 Chandra arriving at the airport - ready for a vacation - she is the first one on the escalator

 

 some of Christine's flowers

double knock out roses

 

relaxing, but someone looks shy -  Diggler and Christine's dog Cocoa

son-in-law Scott - master griller

 

 

 

Our church services and life groups here in Arkansas are amazing  - we feel so uplifted every time we get together with fellow Christians. One of our life group discussions was "Church Attendance". How easy it is to skip a Sunday and how much easier it gets each time a person decides not to take one hour a week to worship and thank the Lord for everything He has blessed us with. Many times people state that they do not need church to be close to God - that being in the woods to deer hunt or just out in God's creation helps them believe in the Lord. Are they in the woods to hunt or to praise the Lord???  Being dilligent church attendees makes us accountable to each other - helps us in our walk with the Lord, and develops a greater relationship with Him. Encourage someone this week to join you on Sunday and you will be surprised what can happen.