Golden Friendships

In my Brownie troop, many years ago, we learned the song
"Make new friends but keep the old
One is silver and the other is gold."
This was a weekend of celebrating old friendships and celebrating the marvelous answers to prayer in their lives.
First on Saturday, we toasted Ruth and (Ben)Barlow Jacobs' new marriage with a lovely summer supper by the Mutters' pool. Ben's family shared the driveway with us, our two families went to the same church and school;how we missed them when they moved away!
Sunday night the Rainsfords came over to our house for another summer supper with lots of yummy vegetables. This time we were celebrating Guy's quick recovery from brain surgery only a month before and that the tumor was NOT cancer!Which was the same result after Barlow's surgery on his ear last year. Life is hard, but God is good.
We rejoice with each of them that God has strengthened us through the trials and
"...that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured."
Colossians 4:12

More Than 8 Cousins

Blessings without number is the phrase that comes to mind after returning from a family reunion at Lakeside Community near Marblehead on Lake Erie. My cousin, Carmen, who we nicknamed "Queen Mum" organized a delightful get together on the shores of the most shallow of the Great Lakes at a place with old time cottages that made you feel like you dropped into an old "Leave It to Beaver" episode on T.V.!
A family group arrived from Tennessee just hours after the crew from Minnesota and Wisconsin pulled in to the old railroad station. We had a worship service, meal and some riotous games that had everyone cheering and laughing!
During the 3 days together we square danced, played shuffle board and miniature golf, climbed up Marblehead Lighthouse, also went sailing and swimming in warm Lake Erie. We rode a ferry over to Kelley's Island, visited the astounding Glacier Grooves (stone carved by ice) and ate WALLEYE for lunch!!!
Sitting around a campfire on the shore, eating s'mores and singing with a guitar all together were very memorable. It was hard to say good-bye so cousin Bill's wife, Marie, said instead we should say,"Until next time" because we have the promise of heaven and seeing each other again if not next year then over there.

Water's Edge

Henry and I have been enchanted with time away from T.V., telephones, and computers as we sit by the water's edge and watch the Tennessee River flow by our cottage.

A very simple truth has been refreshed in my spirit through this time away.

"Jesus knows me

this I love".

In so many ways, over and over again, I have felt known and provided for by the Creator of the galaxies and many universes.

The 1st chapter of Jeremiah reminds us that before we were born, He knew us!

"And Jesus said,
"Come to the water
stand by my side
I know you are thirsty
You won't be denied
I saw every teardrop
When in darkness you cried
And I strove to remind you
That for those tears I died."

Sitting on the Dock of the River

Delightful is the best adjective to describe a time to rest and relax with family and friends! It's what is so special about summertime!


Water flowing gently by soothes the spirit, even better is floating on a raft with a rope tied to the dock!Seeing the tugboats push the barges up stream made us recall the old story of "Lil' Toot".
Henry and I relished our week with the Becks, plus a variety of visitors including several of Tacy's college friends, plus Uncle Eric and Uncle Evan. One smile from Molly and we all melt, needless to say she has all of us wrapped around her little finger.

Our granddaughter, Molly Jane sat on Grandpa's lap as he drove the boat on the Tennessee River, bundled in a life jacket decked out with dalmatians!
Aunt Margaret and Uncle Tom also joined us in our time away from the phones, computers, T.V.'s, and the other distractions. Fishing and sitting on a dock brings reconnection and peaceful spirits and a thankfulness to our Heavenly Father who designed life to include Sabbath rest.

"Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay our ev"ry burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.

Shall we gather at the the river
the beautiful, the beautiful river,
Gather with the saints at the river,
That flows by the throne of God."
by Robert Lowry

Thank Heaven for Little Girls

Do you remember the movie, Gigi? There's a song called "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" in that movie that
I have been humming over and over again since we got the WONDERFUL news we are going to be blessed with another little granddaughter!!!Her arrival date is in the fall.
Since Henry had 4 sisters (sister, Barbara above) and I have 3 sisters, (that's two of the three, Sally and Marilyn) we are both thrilled that our granddaughter, Molly, will be blessed with that extra-special relationship also!
Here's me with my interpreter in Ethiopia. We are sisters in Christ, it brings a happiness that is amazing! I love being able to pray for Alevelf even though we are so far apart.
Of course, brothers are great, but it's hard for either of us to imagine life without the incredible richness that has come from having a sister!
Two girls together adds up to tons of blessings!

Mother's Day Out

When our kids were little, they attended a mother's day out program while I would run errands. Last week,our grown up daughter, Kira gave me a mother's day out, only now she not only planned the day but also was our personal guide as Henry and I toured northern Washington.
Lunching by the waterfront in the village of La Conner, we spotted Native Americans holding a pow-wow to celebrate the opening of the salmon season. Just up the hill was located a quaint Victorian mansion that is a quilt and textile museum. I relished the feast of colors and talent as we "oohed and aaahed" our way through each room of historic and contemporary array of unique fiber art. What a treat!
Proceeding north, we admired the abundant rhododendron blossoms and hiked to the shore exploring tidal pools at Larabee State Park, where we saw orange and purple starfish clinging to the rocks. The view from the Oyster Bar was fabulous, looking out over the San Juan Islands. So was the delicious seafood! But the best part of this fantastic day out was spending time with our daughter, our guide.

Kalmia

My loving husband turned 62 this month. That's the age some people retire, but not Henry. He's full of vim and vigor and I'm very thankful that his daughter, Tacy pointed out he is King of the Mountain! He jogged in an annual King of the Mountain run on Lookout Mtn. According to the stats in the newspaper, he was the fastest in his age group for those who live up here!
All that to stay, we are taking on a new project, a river cottage. His grandparents had a summer cottage in Summertown on Signal Mountain named Kalmia, which means Mountain Laurel. So we have decided to carry on the tradition and use the same name for our summer cottage.
We are thankful to the LORD for the blessings of family and family traditions. And we look forward to sitting on the porch sharing our beautiful view of the river with many of you!