Camping

Yes, I am still around. We pulled our camper to the campground in town on Sunday night. We have been camping with several trips back home! Last night we even slept at home and I am kind of glad we did as at 5:45 am a thunderstorm rolled in! We probably would have stayed dry in the camper but the kids most definitely would not have slept through it! They needed to sleep in -- yesterday Grant was up at 6:30! The day before they slept in. You just never can tell when you are camping.
I am listening to the thunder rattle the house and I love it. When I know that my family and I am in a safe place I love to listen to the power of thunder. We need the rain -- I can't believe I just said that after all the rain we got earlier this spring and I was complaining that it would never stop! But I planted some plants around my house and they need some moisture.
Not sure when I will check in again - Our camper will stay our through the 4th of July -- it is fun!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day! Our passage for our service this morning was Heb 12:1-13. I needed to hear the following:

11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.



Sometimes as a parent, discipline is the hardest thing. We torture ourselves with guilt or even may let our children get away with things that we know we shouldn't. This passage is for us -- even if discipline is painful there will be a harvest of peaceful living. Then it goes on to say (in my words)-- So be courageous! Take heart and stop doubting but trust in God to lead your path of parenting -- For then you will lead your children who are not yet strong but they will become strong! Wow, what a promise to persevere even when it's tough!

This week

We are surviving -- Glenn is gone fishing this week, up north, near Canada but still in Minnesota. There is not any cell phone service there! The boys are missing him already, but it has just been one day! I am trying to think of activities we can do, just to stay busy. So I painted in the morning, Cole had summer rec, we met friends at the campground to swim, and then Grant had a ballgame. We were busy yesterday. It's raining this morning, but may clear up, not sure on that. Sometimes it is just nice to talk to your hubby on the phone when he is on a trip, you can get another perspective, so it's not so nice when they are out of cell phone range. What did we do before the cell phone? I'm old and I can remember when we didn't have them. We are spoiled today with modern conveniences. Wonder what technology our kids will have when they get our age. I can hear them now -- "Yeh, when my parents were born, they didn't even have cell phones or ___________! How did they ever get along without it."

First week of June

We had our church retreat this morning at Inspiration Hills. The church retreat is actually Friday, Saturday and Sunday but we only made it out there for the service today. All the rain cancelled the canoeing that was suppose to take place on Saturday and we got busy around the house that we didn't make it to the supper and talent show Saturday night. We have to paint our house this summer as it never had two coats of paint, so between rain showers we are trying to paint one side at a time. I did find time to take the boys to the new campground to swim at the beach. Glenn even came out and took a little nap on the beach there.
The pastor today challenged us to look at each other with Grace, Encouragement and Resolution. He had as all growling GERrrrrr to remember his point. He suggested that we look at everything with grace. He then asked what kind of person are you? When you walk into a room are you one that says, "OK here I am" -- or are you the person that says, "oh, there you are." We need to encourage one another to stay strong in the faith and keep on toward the goal. It was a great message!
VBS is over, it ran from last Sunday evening to Thursday. I helped out with skits which was very fun. Over 200 kids went to Sonworld Adventure Park all week and learned about choices. I was a pirate, an animatronic figure that came to life after the park closed. I wanted to be a teapot - "what's better'n a teapot, eh mateys!" But in the end I choose to be a good pirate. All the figures had to make good choices to help find our pal, Dusty, a cowboy.
The boys started summer rec this week. Grant is in golf and baseball and Cole is taking mixed activities and teeball. Summer is off and running. It is the second week of June this week. Summer seems to go so fast. Well, that's the recap of our week! Have a great one!

New Pet

We have a new guest in our home. A painted turtle is being housed in an aquarium. We are not sure how the cats are going to take to him but they seemed to be welcoming him to the family!