We had a wonderful visit with my parents last evening as we celebrated my dad's 73rd birthday. How beautiful their yard is, every inch is used for some beautiful garden or plant, including a water garden. Walking through the gardens and talking with my dad about the plants and discussing what is special and unique about each one, reminds me of how our Heavenly Father likes to walk and talk with us about His creation, His Holy Word, His good and perfect will and about what is going on in our lives.
How intriguing and mysterious He is! What a wonderful time we can have getting to know Him!
I hope you can find time to do just that, because then you will find blessings beyond your wildest dreams!

Days are filled with back breaking work, I fear I am not getting any younger as all of you aren't either. Trying to box books to either store or move down to our new study. And sorting, sorting sorting through junk and stuff, junk we throw, stuff we judge to junk or keep. A bit back breaking and hard on the knees, as that is where I end up sorting.
I signed Sarah up for Cyber School today, she is not totally happy, but she likes the idea of having a lap top computer.
Finger doc said today to take it easy for another 6 months now that the pin is out he doesn't want it to drop. I guess that means no hand wrestling for a while! It is hyper extended, if it gets better then nothing more needs to be done, if not well.... I don't want to even consider that.
Ladies study was thought provoking today as we finished our study on Philippians. One piece of food for thought is that we as parents need to exhibit the mind Paul had as he talked about being satisfied in what ever state we find ourselves. Hopefully our children will learn from our behavior. After all Paul said he learned to be satisfied and didn't just gain contentment overnight.

It was another nice worship service and a restful Sabbath. Bob and Beverly (Assco.Pastor and wife) took Anna for the afternoon, which gave Bruce and I a nice rest! I watched some video lessons from the holy lands which held a lot of food for thought. The speaker talked about how Christ went where the disciples feared to go, such as the Decopolis and a place of fertility worship, the Gates of Hell. He talked about the fact that we often visualize the church as a fortress where we fight off Satan. But he said that really when Christ spoke about the Gates of Hell not holding up, He really was describing the Church attacking the Gates of Hell from the outside, not sitting in a comfortable fortress waiting for an attack. In fact we are to be on the offensive, not waiting in our fortress for an attack from Satan.
Another important fact that was brought to light was that the man who had a legion of demons cast out was told he could not follow Christ and the disciples, however Christ commanded him to go and tell his family what was done for him. When Christ came back there was a multitude of people gathered to see Him. What one man cleansed and witnessing can do!
You are welcome to borrow these video lessons, they have a lot of food for thought!

Cleaning is the topic of the day as we try hard to reorganize and purge the house of junk.
The girls, Sarah and Anna, picked out a few art supplies to help them stay constructive during these long summer days. Anna got an easel to use in the kitchen. Sarah picked out a scrap booking kit, both have stayed very content.
I have been suffering from migraine headaches again and stomach pain. It kept waking me till I finally woke fully and took some more medicine, then finally gave into sleep at 5:30AM.
We had a wonderful rainstorm during the evening hours, so we are hopeful that the garden and vineyard will perk back up.
A question for all who read this: How hard is it to stay constant in prayer throughout the week? And what are the helpful ideas you could offer for those struggling to make a habit of being on their knees. Please write with your ideas or lessons. Thank you in advance!

A big thank you to all who have been praying for our family and for Anna in particular! She is much better, with only a few coughing spasms a day.
The surgery on my finger went well! They told me to think of a place I would like to be as they put me under, I said Hawaii. I must have relaxed a little to much because I was told afterwards that my oxygen levels really dropped and I was on oxygen awhile before I could leave. I guess I really just needed that rest!
Life here is getting back to normal as we put away garden food and I begin preparing for home school for Sarah and Anna. Now that Daniel has moved out we are preparing his room for the study, as we plan to move Anna out of our bedroom and into the room which holds the study now.
Preparations for Daniel & Kelsi's reception here are under way. A Hawaiian Luau is the theme and we plan to have it out side here at the church with food from the grill.
Plans are coming together for a wonderful feast day celebration as well, as we hope for the return of our Lord and Redeemer one day, hopefully soon. What a wonderful focus, as we set our minds on His soon coming reign!

How sweet home and the home church truly are! Worship was so refreshing and it was so good to see our dear ones again! It was wonderful news to hear of our co-pastor's (Robert Wertz) busniness growth, with several very nice contacts in the works, when we returned and we are so very glad for him!
Bruce has over whelmed the kitchen with produce from the garden, so I have been extremely busy putting away green beans and red beets.
Some of us returning from TX caught a sickness which includes vertigo, mine gave me a migraine headache, it is slowly getting better.
Tomorrow I must have surgery to remove the last pin in my finger. It has a hook in it so it must be cut out, I will be asleep for this thankfully.
Anna still is fever less, praise the Lord. She did enjoy Lorie's horse yesterday, which really cheered her up! However her cough is bad and it is still causing her to vomit several times a day and at night. I will be so glad for a sound night's sleep for her and ourselves, your prayers are still welcome on her behalf!

Friday PM

Anna seems to be on the mend. She is eating better and sleeps well. The doctor said he feels pretty certain she has a full blown viral disease that may be complicated by asthma. They are not certain why she coughs up what she does, her lungs sound clear and that is good news to me. They said it will take a while for her to completely recover. Thank you again for your prayers, I know He hears and cares about all His children young and old!