Wisconsin Graduation and Birthaversary party

It is really beautiful here in Central Wisconsin - Wausau is a funky town, much like Fayetteville, Arkansas. Lots of unique and artsy shopping, many local characters, some old familiar ones and some new ones, such as the older man walking around with a huge white bird on his shoulder. I did not see the man with the snake wrapped around his neck though!!

Years ago, a local church sponsored the first Hmong family (Hmongs are Vietnamese who were displaced and lost their homeland due to the war). Since then, many families settled here making up about 20% of the city's population A Hmong family lives next door to daughter Connie. As we were sitting on the porch one evening, enjoying the quiet early evening, several cars drove up to the neighbor's house, couples got out and went next door, carrying what looked like Bibles. Soon we heard the sound of singing, although we did not understand the words the meaning was clear. What a country we live in, where we can worship as we please, in whatever language, however we want to!!!

On Wednesday night, our grandson Calton graduated high school - the last of our grandchildren to begin their life's journey. Calton plans to go on to school to become a dentist because he wants everyone to have a beautiful smile.

so refreshing to see a young man so neatly dressed (this was his own personal choice)

smiling and ready to get this over with

the hats are flying in celebration

Calton and his girlfriend, Devon

and his mother, Connie, our daughter

his father, Roman

 

and of course, the soooo very proud grandparents

On Friday, since all of our daughters were in Wisconsin for the graduation, we celebrated with a Birthaversary party - three of our daughters have birthdays within days of each other in May as well as our anniversary( from the 25th to the 29th!). It was truly fun to be together and laugh at silly things they did as kids, as well as the silly things they thought we did! We had a wonderful day, including grilled Wisconsin brats and hamburgers.

 

 unique cake, but the bakery forgot the word "Happy"

 Great Uncle Scott from Arkansas meets Avery for the first time - and instantly bonded

Grandpa and Calton,  just finishing a deep discussion

 Great Grandpa Fred and Avery

How many men does it take to grill a few brats and hamburgers??

 

 

 

Saturday started out beautiful, but storms were in the forecast  - we decorated and set up tables, always with plan B in mind. As the storms rolled in, we moved to the garage for the meal and visiting.  The sun then came out just in time for photos, which were a request of mine. 

 

 congratulations, Calton

decorations done

 even in the front - before the storm

 after the storm -  suns out for happy cousins

 

we always take a yearly picture of Fred and his siblings - Fred on the right, brother Charles in front, and sister Sis on the left

 our four amazing daughter - from the left - Chandra, who moved to Arkansas right after the party, Brenda from Arkansas, Connie in Wisconsin, and Christine from Arkansas, In the back is Barbara from Wisconsin, who is considered another daughter who lived with us for awhile

 oldest daughter Chandra (in the middle) with  oldest granddaughter Katie, who just finished graduate school, and  Katie's friend Jake

Mother and daughter just before the frosting flew!

 

 

 We had the opportunity this morning to again attend Bible Truth Chapel with Pastor Eric Shelley as he continued his series on prayer. Intercessory prayer was the sermon for this week as he read from John 17. Intercession is a way of loving others as stated by Robert Foster.  Do you realize that someone is praying for you?? Perhaps not at the moment, but someone IS praying for you, for whatever the reason. Pastor Eric used an example, which actually happened to me this summer. Chaplain Bill called one day and said he was praying for me - my reaction was, WHY"?? Did he know something that I didn't? Pastor Eric used the exact example this morning, saying that just because God laid it on a person's heart to pray for another does not necessarily mean there is a specific reason. God just does these things to encourage us to pray for one another. Read John chapter 17 - you will see where God prays for Himself, us, and His disciples. He is a mission God, sending us out into the world to continue the work He started.  Make it a priority that we all complete that mission.    

 

 

 

 

 

Summertime

As we prepared to leave Arkansas I marvel at the beauty of summer. Our daughter Christine has blooming flowers, garden veggies and herbs, which produce such a soothing atmosphere. We did get an opportunity to visit with friends before packing and traveling to Wisconsin. While visiting friends we noticed a grey squirrel with black feet, back neck as well as black parts of his head. We never saw one like this before - a cross between a grey and black squirrel, except there are no black squirrels in Arkansas. Strange.  As I shopped at Aldis for a few items to take along, the check out guy asked if we were going on a road trip - imagine that!!!

backside of Christine's outside kitchen

daughter Brenda's dogs - Trixie and Diggler - both adopted!

blooming knock out roses

unique herb garden

 

Our trip to Wisconsin was very easy, with the beauty of the late spring and early summer trees and flowers blooming. We arrived at daughter Connie's late Friday night, so spent most of Saturday, just relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather, including a few rain showers. As usual, Connie has her porch decorated with beautiful flower baskets.

 

 aren't they pretty

 very patriotic

these were a birthday gift from  a friend

 

While we were living in Wausau area years ago, I worked at the courthouse , which was such an interesting job. I worked in the Register of Deeds office where we handled records of all types - especially very old deeds, some signed by President Lincoln, as well as some from Indian chiefs, who only signed the deeds with the  drawn sign of their tribe. It was one of my most interesting positions that I ever had. Yesterday, a black bear roamed the streets of Wausau. ( a city of about 75000) Two years ago it startled our daughter as she went to her car, as he was sitting on the lawn across the street! Yesterday, the bear strolled into the lower part of the courthouse where I worked where he was drugged and relocated to a wooded area where he would be safe.

 

he seems totally unaware of the commotion he was causing

 

 

We are getting ready for our grandson Calton graduation on Wednesday, family cook-out on Friday, and graduation party on Saturday. Calton is the last of our  6 grandchildren to graduate from high school. Two weeks ago, granddaughter Katie graduated with her master's degree - all a new generation of young adults. God works wonders with just two people! Great grandson Avery, who is just 1-1/2 years old, kept us entertained all week-end.

 

great grandson Avery and great niece Anahi, enjoying the computer and cookies

 

We attended church this morning at Bible Truth Chapel, listening to the word from Pastor Eric Shelley. He is doing a series about prayer, reminding us to prepare our spiritual life for battle. Are we praying in the will of the Lord, with humility, asking in Jesus' name? Referring to Luke 18:12-14, he compared the  prayers of the Pharisees, who could not admit  that he was not righteous,  to the  prayers of the tax collector, who admitted that he was not righteous. How do you compare yourself to these two?? Pray with persistence, impudence and go boldly before the Lord, asking in humility. I did get the opportunity to pray with a church member, Ruth, who is raising her 4 grandchildren as her daughter has an addiction situation. Please pray for strength and endurance for Ruth, as well as strength for her daughter, who is just being released from prison. Pray for guidance to continue to walk with the  the Lord, breaking the chain of bondage to addiction.

 

  

 

 

Memorial Day

  

  

Memorial day 2014 

 

 

 

 

Why do we really have Memorial day??? So many people celebrate because it is a 3 or 4 day week-end to do nothing, or time to take a mini-vacation, a time to party, or for family get togethers. All of this is great - but what we really should do is take this time to thank every person that is or has ever been in the service for their supreme effort and sacrifice for us - so that we can  choose and express our religious beliefs,  be free from oppression, be able to voice our opinion without fear of arrest or detention, even to be able to bear arms for our own personal protection. The constitution guarantees us these rights and our service people fight so that we can keep them.

Take time today at 2 PM (or whenever you read this) for a 2 minute reflection and time of thanksgiving to honor every person who preserves these rights for us in order to make this the best country in the world.  

 

 

Not only do we live in freedom in the world, but we have also found freedom in Christ. He has set us free - free from the bondage of sin. We are slaves to being in bondage of our sins - the greatest is believing the lies of Satan. God can free us from that bondage by relying on His Word.

We left South Texas last Wednesday on our way to Arkansas, pausing  along the way to visit. Just before we left, out cacti burst into night bloom again - if you look really close at the bottom of the middle of this bloom, you will see a perfect star -

 

We drove as far as Joshua, Texas to visit with Chaplain Roy and Paula Gee for 2 days - a wonderful time to just fellowship together in relaxation. Paula and I discussed our ladies conference coming up next February, reviewing possible speakers, ideas for promotion of the event, and the opportunity to reach as many ladies as possible. Roy and Paula have an amazingly close family, with family members just popping in to say hi and "Check in" for the day, with the ability to make you feel a part of the family. It is clearly evident that this family has God in the center. A definition of the Gee family, "He and his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly". Acts 10:2. After leaving Texas we traveled to Oklahoma to visit with former Alamo Rec Veh Chaplain Dennis and Sally Maloney. Dennis and Sally are raising a huge garden in order to harvest and preserve food for the needy in that impoverished area. They spent a very rough winter in Oklahoma, as the temperatures were very low and the snow and ice were above normal levels. But spring has brought a promise of new growth, both spiritually and physically. Training for new CRM chaplains as well as CRM board meetings will take place at Sycamore Chapel  training center and mission house on the grounds this late fall, so the Maloneys are also busy preparing for those events. As I was taking their picture, Dennis asked if this was going to show up on my blog - yep!!

 Fred and Roy Gee, discussing places they have been

 

 

The Maloneys in front of the canning shed - Sally's decorative touch is always prevalent

 

    

the garden, waiting for God's blessing to produce food for the hungry 

 

 Arkansas hills in the distance

the mountains remind us that we are almost home

 

After arriving at our daughter's in Arkansas we took a rest on Saturday, then prepared for our other daughter's birthday. Brenda was 50 this year, her sister Connie in WI, also born on the 25th, was 48, and another daughter, Chandra (currently a WI resident but very soon a AR resident) will be 52 on the 29th, not to mention our anniversary on the 27th (a busy month for us). Only daughter, Christine in AR, has a birthday in a different month-- but---she was born on Christmas Eve. We had a surprise birthday party for Brenda - even the twin great granddaughters were there for the week-end.

 black balloons tell the story

 a large lighter so Brenda does not lose it in her purse

 a Mexican cane to help her in her "advanced years"

 more presents - stock in the Green Bay Packers and a hitch cover

 twin great granddaughters - Kinley and Kensy - or vice versa

the twins, eating Cheetos

 

 they even enjoyed birthday cake with black frosting - this is how they looked before their parents showed up -  I wonder if they are ever allowed at their grandparent's house again????

 

It was so comfortable to be back at Prairie Grove Christian Church again, where Pastor Vance Eubanks encouraged us to be disciples, as God instructs us to be. God invites us to a higher calling, make a statement of surrender to His will, and expect greater things. All of us are called in some manner - some to go out, others to remain at home and serve. I loved Vance's message of not having a Plan B -  burn the bridges of your past, become a new creation in Christ, take the plunge - no turning back. Commit yourself to Christ today - and don't look back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Lesson in Boasting

I was trying to think of a title for today's blog - don't really like the word boasting, but the other descriptions are not flattering either - "show off, blow your own horn, sing your praises, etc.".  This week I finished a baby quilt top for a Hispanic friend here in the Valley. I took it along when we volunteered at CHI resale shop this week to try to find some matching yarn to tie it with. Later in the morning (when I wanted to show to show it off again) it had disappeared. I worked hard on it, frustrated at times because the directions were unclear and I had to rip out stitches - I was proud of it to the point of me realizing that I was being a show off. Anyway, it was gone. I looked and hunted, as did Fred but to no avail, it was gone. I was devastated - then began to think and ask God for forgiveness for being boastful. Even though I was sad, I thanked Him for reminding me. It was a hard lesson to learn - I was thinking of all the time, work, and money involved into making another one. I could not get to sleep that night, but finally did - all of a sudden I woke up at 1PM with a revelation - I had taken it into another room to look for yarn - did I leave it there?? And whatever woke me up??? Saturday morning came, off to CHI we went - and there it was!!!! I was joyful, but remembered to thank God and remind myself not to be boastful. It is for Him that we give thanks, praise and glory. Soooo - if I post a picture of it is just to remind us that God gives each of us certain talents for which we need thank Him for and not waste them. This quilt is for a girl who was ever so helpful to us at Staples where we have our church bulletins printed. She is a wonderful Christian and has always gone above and beyond for us. In the spring she found out she was expecting a baby (her next older child is 10!!!) After urging from her husband, she decided to quit and finish her nursing degree.  We have kept in touch and I wanted to make sure she had the quilt before we left for AR and WI in case the baby came early. (Baby is due on Fred's birthday in July). My morning devotion reminded me that our goals in life should include giving away the gifts God has given us.

it is not a traditional baby quilt color

Our key lime tree is growing, but so far we do not have any fruit. I noticed that other day that even the truck and branches are lime in color - even the leaves smell  like key limes. God's great order in creation never ceases to amaze me. Some of our cacti have never blossomed before, so I do not know if it is the rain we have had, plus the warm days that have seemed to make them all burst out in flowers, as if they are bursting out in joy!

some buds we have never seen before

there are quite a few of them

 and then they burst into flower - for one day only

 so beautiful - this is our neighbor's (and Fred's cousin's) trailer in the back ground )

so prickly but such amazing beauty

 even the crown of thorns is blooming

 

another cactus with buds we have never seen before - hope they bloom before we leave this week

 

Pastor Israel's sermon this morning was titled "The Invitation". This is the time of year that we receive all sorts of invitations - graduations of various types, weddings, showers, and anniversaries. These invitations all say "come, come, celebrate with me". God invites us to "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light". Matthew 11:  28-30.  The yoke fits perfectly because God made us in His image. To enter God's rest we need to listen to Jesus and learn from His teachings. So important - listen and learn. If we do this, the Lord will go with us always, leading sometimes, sometimes walking alongside us, sometimes carrying us. Eternal life is the invitation - we do not want to miss this event.

 

There are a few in our park yet that need our prayers - please pray for Jim Kastner, Dave Niccum, and Marvin Rutledge who need healing as well as comfort in the knowledge that the Lord is always with them. Also pray for us as we travel to Arkansas this week.