Grace Like Rain

The Catholic Church steeple sliced the setting sun, as it slipped below the horizon on 6.28.11.  

Another day gone.  

The lawn chair pointed west and I imagined a rousing baseball game under the lights just nouth of the watertower.  Bible, notebook, cell phone, wine glass and a few fireflies competed for my attention.  

A perfect summer evening. 

This hymn seeped from my somewhere in my memory and I couldn't help but sing it.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

"Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

"Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"

  Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—

    "Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me!

I shouldn't really be on here today, I have 2000 wedding photos to edit, and the above picture is not even last evening's sunset.  It IS June, and it IS the sky, but it's the morning after a pre-dawn storm.

But I just wanted to share my "moment" with you. Certainly a reminder to:

Set your minds on things above, not on things of this earth. Colossians 3:2  

Seek first the kingdom of heaven and all these things shall be added unto you.  Mattheww 6:33   

For the things which are seen are temporary but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Last evening I paused to ponder. 

From the book Spiritual Java

Our authority comes from real faith, which is found in rest. Peaceful rest is the climate that faith grows in.

Rest. Rest awile in the presence of the Life-giving One.  He is the Lord of your spirit, soul, and body.  Regardless of how much your current circumstances may have distracted you from God, you can stop thinking your own thoughts and start living by faith.  His Spirit will help you.

From a message by David Legge:

In 1916 a man called F.M. Lehman was touched by the words that he saw scribbled on the wall of an asylum, and he incorporated them into the last stanza of his hymn, and the lyrics read like this:

'Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above,

Would drain the ocean dry.

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky'

If that was madness, we all could do with a good dose of it, and allow it to revive our hearts in love towards God, send us confirmation of  His love for us; and take us from dead orthodoxy into a living, vital relationship with Jesus Christ.

I'm closer to dying than being born and for the first time in a long while, I feel alive. I'm finding grace, peace and rest by standing under the cover of the One who never changes. 

He will keep you in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him. Isaiah 26:3

I Do

I thought it hit me when Chelsea and Derek began their first dance.  And it did.  Their happiness spilled out onto the dance floor and flowed through the tent.  It seeped across the lawn and slipped quietly along the river’s edge as their life journey began. Together.  

But it hit me again while tediously tabbing through photo after photo in the after-editing process, when I stumbled upon this.  Courtesy of Melissa & Spencer.

23 days into June my excuse has been the busyness of life, having not stopped to worship in as many days. Racing around, meeting schedules, worrying, doing, helping, harboring, striving in self.  

Every picture tells a story and this one will not shut up.

Moving river. 

We all have our pathway, our journey.  Who knows the way the river flows?  Who can determine the bends and rapid waters which give us reason to pause or send us hurtling ahead? 

Am I enjoying the path God has for me? Or do I want to set me own course then whine and complain until I get my way? Storms can be predicted, but they can’t be stopped.

Storms can not harm the soul anchored in faith’s harbor.

Taking communion.  

Two together. Marriage  is God’s plan. Not ours. He loves to see happy marriages, but he longs for a one on one reliance with Him, not the partner.  There’s a quote in my favorite movie Return To Me where Bob tells Grandpa, “I loved Elizabeth and I’ll always miss her, but my heart  yearns for Gracie.” Communion requires selflessness.  You can’t really be in complete communion and talk only of yourself.   Humanly speaking, I’m not sure it does, but communion with God demands worship.

Finding peace.  

Do you see God in the picture above?  Do you see God at work in your life? Do you believe? There is an amazing design in our wonderful world  (nature, marriage, laughter, tears, smooth sailing and powerful storms) there must be an awesome Designer. 

Step back and ask yourself  “Am I at peace?”  If, so,  “What or who is responsible for a “yes” answer to this question?” Then carry the question to the extreme, “If what/who is making me happy were taken away, would I still be at peace?”

Be honest with myself. 

Want to enjoy the rest of the journey? Want to be happy? Want to know a peace that passes all understanding? Want to harbor deep happiness even during the storm? Want to let go of bitterness, anger, and selfish pride?

I do.

Once Upon A Time

If I could copy and paste  every moment of Chelsea & Derek’s day and place it here. I would.
Because then I could enjoy it a bit more, too!
I don’t remember a lot from the day, but I’m positive Chelsea and Derek are honeymooning it up in Florida with visions of their fairytale wedding still dancing in their heads.
"Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." Psalms 127:1 Praise God from whom all blessings flow. The day dawned, the flowers bloomed, the bride waited on her groom, the families prayed and rejoiced in what God created and intended us to ... the marriage celebration.
God bless you both as you begin to serve Him, together.
* * * *
Weddings are just way too short.  They should start at like 7am in the morning. Can you imagine the awesome shots, straight out of camera, one could capture at that time of day?  Think Bridges Of Madison County photography.
Then a lovely, leisurely  brunch, including mimosa’s and parisian croissants.
Followed by EVERYONE napping.
After naps, wedding party could wander to 3rd and 4th locations in their horse-drawn carriages, trolly’s and limo’s.
Inspirational ceremony at around 4ish.
Another nap.
Cocktail hour and hors d'oeuvres in early evening, including the speciality dances.
A late candlelight and conversational dinner.
Then the dance floor opens and the crowd goes crazy.
Pizza and/or Cheeseburger sliders at say, midnight.
Last call around 1 or 2am.
It’s all got me thinking now, what it would be like to pull out of the driveway for a wedding.  Hmmmmmm.
* * * *
And they all lived happily ever after.

Chelsea's Turn

Happy Anniversary today to Nicholas & Victoria!

Is this the little girl I carried,
Is this the little boy at play,
I don’t remember growing older
When did they?
I don’t know about your house, but in ours, for almost every family gathering there’s been a group of cousins at the “kids” table.  The big girls and the little girls.  Ben & Nic then Austin & Shane.  We’d be hard pressed to fit even Shane at the kids table these days.
Late in the afternoon this Saturday, Chelsea will marry the love of her life and sit down to dinner at the head table.
With cousins, the direction our lives take, mostly determines the relationships.   The traditions we celebrate in our own families have much to do with the intersections and crossings of extended family. Our Holidays and summer days made for happy carefree get-togethers. We’ll always have grandma’s.
Chels and Meliss were middle cousins. But that didn’t hold them back.  It wasn’t easy being the youngest  of the big girls, not too mention the harassment from Ben & Nic then Austin & Shane. When tease came to shove they made their own movies, invented their own entertainment, and never failed to tackle the deep end.
These two fiercely independent women made their way, fought their demons, and  held their own until giving their lives up to a life lived with Jesus on the throne.  And He’ll be there Saturday night turning our sorrows into joy.  He is the reason for the celebration of marriage. Chelsea and Melissa both know this and it is the magnet that draws them to encourage and admonish each other, once as cousins, now as sisters.
Derek and Spencer may have to console each other on the sidelines when Chelsea and Melissa hit the dance floor.
My contribution will be the photographs, but hey, what’s new.  I’m only hoping, somehow, even through the camera lens, I’ll be able to celebrate the love of my sister’s family.
My kids demand encourage me to put the camera down and enjoy the moment.  After capturing Chels and Derek’s special moments, I intend to do just that. Weddings deserve more than digital mode.
So put on your dancin’ shoes (for the ceremony) then kick them off and raise your glasses to the happy couple, the sacrament of marriage, this moment in time, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Farm Girl

I grew up on a farm in Remington. [Cue “Out Of Africa” Music]
There was a dad, a mom, and five kids. A medium sized family by standards of the 50’s and 60’s.
Not to say kids these days aren’t, but we were happy. Our happiness centered on a strong faith, a healthy work ethic, and memories made during church, school, farming, and family times.
A typical day consisted of kid appropriate chores, playing outside, maybe a bike ride into the library, laying pennies on the railroad tracks, chasing fireflies, minimal homework, a smattering of basketball and baseball games, and church on Sunday morning.
Meals were three times a day, if not four. Always a hot breakfast, dinner at noon, bologna sandwiches or Woody’s snack shop after school, followed by a farm supper when dad came in from the field. We set the table, kept our elbows off the table, asked to be excused from the table, cleared the table, and laid it all out on the table.
In the spring, we picked up rocks and sowed the seed in cabless tractors.  In the summer, we pulled weeds, and detassled in our swimming suit tops and jeans. Our backs received the perfect tan while our legs remained milky white. In the fall, we hauled grain before we had a driver’s license, while listening to Harry Carey on the transistor radio. In the winter we scoured the want ads and snowmobiled in Michigan.  In the meantime we hung wash on the line, tilled gardens, painted fences, milked cows, pulled corn out of beans, and fell in love with dogs while tolerating cats. The soundtrack of our lives blared WLS from the Plymouth sized hi-fi while we checked off our Saturday lists.
One by one we grew up and moved away because that is just what kids do when they are from a small town.
In early fall of 1973, I landed in a 10-story dorm room in the heart of downtown Chicago and didn’t sleep for a month.  The siren’s wailed; the street noise was deafening and the stars were missing.
Slowly, the city began to enthrall and entertain me and soon, when I went home for the weekend, laid in my childhood bedroom with it’s slanted walls and familiar constellations out my window; I couldn’t sleep for the quiet.
Then I found the love of my life, moved to Michigan, raised a family---in another house with slanted walls---albeit much smaller. We tried to raise our kids without digging our way too deep into the American Dream Entitlement Myth.  We aimed for eating together every evening and managed to make it about once a week.  We added soccer, drama, choir, and Disneyworld to our family repertoire and realized the good ‘ole days were probably just that, old and over.   Our children would disagree.
A funny thing happened on the way to the forum. One day we finished up a UPS career, married off a couple kids, sent the baby to California, and moved back to the farm.  Now we didn’t actually pack up and sell the house (the economy saw to that), but we hauled our Apple computer, our bikes, and a few family scrapbooks, down here and set up housekeeping in my childhood home.
We’re in our 50’s and it’s been 35 years since my parents threw us a poolside wedding reception and waved as I drove off on the roundabout called the circle of life.
I guess you could call us “Boomerang Kids” (90’s slang for children who move back in with their parents--typically shortly after college) we’re living with the ‘rents (’00 slang for parents).  Well, we’re not actually living “with” them.  They built a one-story cottage and we keep watch from the big house to make sure they haven’t fallen and can’t get up.
I’m writing this from the alcove at the top of farmhouse stairwell.  It is here, where sleepy and timeless rhythms of the night rocked us to sleep. And it was here, beneath branches of trees long gone, where the breezes blew us from the nest and taught us to fly.  The memories remain.
I’ll probably go pick up a pizza in town tonight for dinner, but somehow I smell fried chicken wafting up the stairs.
Everything remains the same, in this quiet town, and yet, not.  The farmer can program a GPS to drive the tractor. iPods dangle around teenage necks and their thumbs do all the talking. Recently, the Cubs where still playing baseball towards the end of harvest season. Family sizes and shapes morphed, but one thing never changes, for me anyway.
Home is where the farm is.

After School Special

Loosen up. Everyone (especially the faculty) will take the pomp and circumstance very seriously. Go barefoot or sneak your iPod under your cap and gown. From here on out don’t take man-made rituals, yourself or anyone else to seriously. Fly.
Let it go.  It was what it was, and it’s never a good idea to bash and rehash, once you’re gone. Leave it all out on the floor. Forgive.
Turn it up. When your heart says sing, dance, cry, eat, pray, love... Do it!  Your heart will never say, “Earn more, collect stuff, or success makes you happy.”  Enjoy.
Move on.  If you get the chance get the heck outta dodge for a week, month, or even a year.  Go trekking in Europe, help the needy in Africa, or serve at a soup kitchen in the inner city.  Leaving the comforts of home will always remind you, you’re blessed. Serve.
Remember this. Life’s a dance you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow, but always learn.  Learn from your mistakes. Admit when you’re wrong. Learn life’s lessons.
Don’t worry be happy. That cliche is free ;-) Happiness is not a right it’s a choice. Smile and wave.
Seize the day. I want to be around for the fireworks when somebody first says to you two, “Those were the best days of your lives!”  They weren’t.  Make today the best day of your lives. Carry on.
One more thing. Put God high on your priority list.  You’re at the top of His. Find yourself somebody to love---that can be read two ways!  Change your little corner of the world.  Love wins.
Whether it’s a job or college, whether in a red car or yellow truck, I’m excited to see the places you’ll go!
Congratulations Ashley & Austin!  I love you both.
God bless,
Aunt Julee

Bird Watching

Today (May 13, 2011) we had a little party to celebrate your arrival on planet earth and to give words of encouragement to your moms.
Great Aunt Ardy opened her home to receive those closest to you and Great Aunt Ruth drove all the way from Chicago* and brought your cousin Ariel.  Ar lives in Chicago now, but wanted to hang out with us, too. Grandma Martha and Aunt Kelly drove quite a ways, too. Grandma Kate (she’s gonna be mad at me for that cuz she’s not really a grandma yet) was there.  Aunt Melissa, too, although, she loves to come to Grand Rapids nowadays.
We had an awesome time.  We laughed, we ate, we drank, we swooned, we took pictures, we laughed and cried .... well, Max you did most of the crying and Lilly, you were a bit bored with it all and slept most of the time.
But I’m sure you could feel the love.  Your parents hog you most of the time, but tonight, for a short time we got to hold you and pray for your young lives.
It’s a crazy world we live in, and our prayers for you hovered over us all in that warm home in the heart of the city. We offered them up to ask the God of the universe to watch over you, protect you and guide your paths to follow him.  You won’t remember them but He will.
The next day we hung out in our old house down the road a bit, and the warm feelings lingered.  Sitting around sipping coffee, watching sermons, and telling stories of how we’ve seen God work in our lives, made for an awesome Saturday.
Before Aunt Ruth hit the road to Chicago and we took our quick little road trip along Scenic Drive, she shared this with us.
“Don’t worry parents!  God will take care of Max and Lilly, because he says so in his Word.  In Matthew it says “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Most everybody in your extended family loves to watch birds.  We feed the birds, we look up rare ones, we memorize their songs.  Your great grandpa Lloyd loves a red Cardinal so much he will actually cry when he sees one.  So look at the birds!  Watch the birds and let them remind you how much your heavenly Father cares for you.
Love,
Grandma Juls

28 Years Ago Today

Happy birthday, Jen.  I wanted to fish around and then link a few other posts about you.  I still may, so feel free to check back at a distant point in the future (where the heck is a sarcastic symbol when you need one?)
Today I pray for you these three things...
A relaxing day with time to reflect on your life before motherhood.
A chance to dream about the future, the miracle of life, and the blessing of family.
A special time of intimacy with your Father to draw from His wisdom, experience His peace and grace, and rest in His care.

The Lights Of The City

For those of you still reading, I'm going to Tarantino this entry for you. (As in Quentin, the movie writer that likes to tell the end of the story first)

Jennifer checks her caller id and her eyes light up brighter than any neon sign in sight.

Woke up late after the Wilke's Grand Canyon Adventure. We tried to find and call the Las Vegas KOA, but the cell phone reception was non existent. In fact, the night before, Tony had tried to call Jen to talk to him while sleepily driving to Indiana, but she kept losing the call. Made a big breakfast and then had a cleansing discussion on topics we could all use a little work on. We all listened and learned. By 1:30 (ok, so it was a long catharsis talk) we had the BW loaded and headed to Vegas. We wanted to come over the hill and see it at night so about an hour out we stopped at Chili's, B & N, Best Buy and Coldstone. We hit Vegas at dusk and it was just as we had seen in the movies. The KOA gets only 1-star because it was pure black top with no trees. We could see the strip from our campsight and so we headed down. Our excitement soon turned to dread as we entered probably the only strip of road in the country with that much electricity, gambling, prostitution and plain hell bent people looking to fill their God vacuums. The contrast between GC and LV was striking. We grew more and more disheartened and weary the further we went. Mainly a sadness overwhelmed me. The Billagio fountains perked me up a bit. A group of drunken well-dressed businessmen gave us a round of applause as they passed. Well, mainly they gave Jennifer and Melissa the ovation. We walked the whole strip, and not once but twice, Jennifer voiced her concern that even though she had left Tony several messages, she had not heard from him since he arrived in Indiana. And then, right in front of Paris Las Vegas, before we shell out the only $ we would spend on a cab ride, Jennifer's phone rings.

We dropped like flies into our air conditioned home and that's all I have to say about the 5th day.

We're Off To See The Wizard

Kaiab Village RV Park. It's a little too early to give it a 5-star rating, but port-o-johns, outdoor sinks, and pay showers are clicking off the stars pretty fast. Although, in the light of day the quiet and scenery are fast erasing the negative score. Big breakfast and we're off to see the GC, one of the seven wonders of the world. The day was hectic and relaxing all in one, a complete oxymoron. The roads were hairpin, treacherous and guardrailess. The only difference between last night's drive and this morning was that you could see how nothing would be left of you in an accident. Thank you. And before I try and describe the awesomeness and beauty let me just tell the story in my own words because this will be one everyone tells. OK, remember the guard-rail-less roads? Well apparently the GC keepers feel that all who visit will just use their heads and stay a few feet back from the edge. Everyone can get a pretty good view of it when you do obey the common sense in your brain that says.."pretty dangerous drop off." That is everyone except Mark and my 3 kids. I spend the entire day yelling, "not so far, that's far enough, get back here, stop it now," and at times even acting like a human shield between child and canyon. I say, unless you're going to start a studio and sell your photos, a picture from a couple of feet back should just be good enough! But at one point during the day I did want to go out a bit further and actually look down into it, not just out over it. So ever so cautiously I stepped down a couple of ledges to just peek over. In fact, I had a few "devil-may-care-relatives" actually say..."be careful, mom." In just a few short seconds I had had my fill and I turned to retrace my steps. I could have sworn that I had stepped down 2 levels but apparently it was 3 and suddenly everything turned into slow motion and down I went. Thankfully in the opposite direction of the GC. I used every limb and muscle to protect my camera head, and I have the bruises to prove it. The largest problem/scenario here is that Jen & Melissa could see me fall and started in screaming. Ben was a ways down the path videoing when I disappeared from his view finder and Mark saw nothing but heard the screaming. You do the math. But alas, my hideous fall did nothing to keep them all back at a safe distance. I fell in vain.

And let me just say that the North Rim rules. Even though we bought a T-shirt and postcard or two, it is very uncommercialized. Lunch at the lodge had breathtaking views and so-so food. And as if we hadn't had enough treacherous road the drive to Cape Royal was worth every twist, turn, and white-knuckle-no-brake-on-the-passenger's-side mile. 

The August 23, 2005 7:01pm sunset over the grand canyon will always be a defining moment in my life.

And then ever so slowly, after a heartfelt prayer offered up by Ben, we crept back down the same stretch of road and headed back to our campgrounds which I affectionately give it's well deserved 5 stars. And the morning and the evening were the 4th day.

America The Beautiful

Up at 7/10 MI time. It's time to stop adding MI time on to every watch check. OK so I guess there are levels of camping or degrees you might say. KOA's are not hardcore whatsoever. Pools, hot tubs, WiFi, stores, continental breakfasts, need I go on? So today's sightseeing excursion is the Petrified Forest National Park, Painted Desert National Park, and Meteor Crater National Park. Some of the most gorgeous and awe inspiring views ever. So did you know that they think a meteor struck the earth 50,000 years ago and left this big hole? Seriously, and they called it Meteor Crater. I thought it was just another big canyon that they named meteor, because it was so big. Who knew. Apparently, Ben did since 7th grade and has wanted to see it ever since. Science lesson for the day: without impact earth would not exist. The Discovery Channel as a babysitter finally paid off. Anyway...storms chasing us all day, but never really catching up...mac's and cheese with view of painted desert felt like we were at 5-star restaurant. Short stop in Flagstaff to stock up on essentials...video tapes, iTrip, hamburger, and shampoo, and then the ride of our lives to the North Rim. 

Let me just say...2-lane roads, canyon walls you could reach out and touch, impatient semi's pushing you from behind and taking 3/4 of the road coming at you-YIKES. No gas stations, no electricity running to the dilapidated, occupied trailers and old school buses that dotted the roadside. Ben drove it all, only to have our family true colors revealed while backing into the campsight at midnight. And so the morning and the evening were the 3rd day.

Take It Easy, Don't Let The Sound Of Your Own Wheels Drive You Crazy

More observations.

We make a family pact not to eat at fast food restaurants. So Ruby Tuesday's it is.

Jen can talk on the phone for long periods of time.

Driving through the night and hearing Melissa's rendition of O Holy Night sorta unglued me.

But I pulled it together just in time to

See a man pushing a shopping cart down the side of the expressway in the middle of the night.

Another overwhelmingly sad sight to me is an adult bookstore/whatever at the end of a forlorn expressway exit.

But not to long after I see a huge lit cross...it was almost bigger than the church it stood beside...hope in the night.

At a breakfast diner just inside Texas all the cars are trucks.

I'm a mother on the mother road.

We've gone a long way already, and we have a long way to go.

Amarillo by morning.

So Ben puts in a 10 hour shift and every stop we make seems to take a good hour. We all gather round the map and decide to alter some of the plans. We are coming in from the south on Rt. 66 and our campsite is on the north rim. We decide to stay south for a day and 1/2 and then after GC we'll head into Las Vegas so Jen and Melissa can see the strip. Reservations revised and a few new ones made, we start the long trek through New Mexico. They paint their overpasses orange and turquoise with Indian markings and signs. We should do that in every state...like Michigan could have trout and evergreens, etc. Ben talks to Annie and Bill S. and Jen talks to Tony and then me! If nothing but the timing in their relationship was taken into consideration it would be an awesome story. We stop at a Navajo travel store where Ben feels the need to apologize for stealing their land. Another gorgeous sunset and the first leg of trip becomes history. We park at the lovely KOA campground in Holbrook, Arizona, and Mark "happens" upon a wireless hot spot. Of course Ben and Jennifer find secluded spots to call and say goodnight to their spouses. Melissa gets a little quieter towards dark...I hope this campchair holds both of us. And the morning and the evening were the 2nd day.

California Here We Come

Up at 6 am. Finish last minute trips back & forth...I'm almost looking forward to sitting in BW (initials for motorhome that I have lovingly christened, "bandwagon" ) It's hot and muggy but a last minute shower makes us presentable until about St. Louis. Ben and Jennifer are on schedule, although their van dies in the driveway from running the springhill generator all summer. Meg and Ashley stop by for final farewell. I hear them all crying and purposefully avoid that area. Ben prays, everyone cries. Melissa wants to go back in one more time but doesn't.

And we're off.

All kids show signs of hyperactivity, trying to jump up and see if they're any further back in BW when they land? Ben's first comments about sleeping in the back bed while traveling, "Having trouble sleeping in that martini shaker back there." Jen's famous question after about 2 & 1/2 hours down the road, "So, are we going to be in this thing all day?" and Melissa while stuck in construction outside Chicago, "Ewwww, I don't want to go this way...you know the routes I like."

What were we thinking?

But we sail right down the lake, our only mistake being I-55 instead of I-65, but soon utter exhaustion overwhelms the Springhill workers and I make these observations.

The floor of the BW gets hot. 

Crazy box like home following us down the road.

I forgot bread.

Truckers looking in our windows.

I'm positive we brought too much stuff. We have a camera/electronics cupboard, for crying out loud.

Some town names strike me as funny. Funks Grove & Shirley

Randy Travis' Rise and Shine is awesome traveling music for someone who likes country.

Tiny cell phone towers now dot the landscape and they're almost as plentiful as the ever changing mile markers.

Someone hoisted a lonely American flag on an overpass pillar.

The morning and the evening are the first day. And it was good.

In hindsight, we have no problems-Donate to the Red Cross for the Katrina victims.

Happy Trails To You

And we’re off.

I’ll keep ya posted.

End Of An Era

Wow only 3 August entries...and that's all you're gonna get, too! I'm just gonna go ahead and say it even though I hate cliches...So much to say, so little time. I've broken out the real diary to keep it all documented and therefore you'll probably get a "Month In The Life" entry when I return, which will be on 9-11. But I would be remiss if I didn't mention my brother John on the day after his 40th birthday. Remember, it is not what you do, but who you are! You could drive a garbage truck for all I care and you would still be the same caring, unselfish, hardworking, loving dad, and all-around-good-guy. I don't know why, but your face always comes to mind when I think of soft spots in my heart. God bless you in whatever you decide to pursue and speaking from my 10-year seniority, let's not call this one "over the hill". 

OK then, troops, carry on!

Rant And Rave

Now that I have awakened from the coma I shall forever lovingly refer to as Hurricane Melissa, there are just a few topics that have become eminently clear in my mind. Therefore I blog.

Job ~ If I have to go, and I do, I will. If I didn't have to, I wouldn't. But I never seem to want to. Pretty sure that will never change even if the situation would. And it won't. My glass is half empty when it comes to work.

Money ~ I have tried to not let the almighty dollar become my god and rule every decision, or sneak into every conversation I have! An old ex-relative of mine used to answer the "I got it on sale" scenario with, "the whole world is on sale". So it didn't' surprise me when my common sense started rearing it's ugly head on this whole "motor home vacation idea." I'll betcha that thing goes through a gallon of gas faster than I can complain about all the SUV's that are passing us like we're standing still. 

Relatives ~ You can't live with 'em and that's a good thing, but I couldn't live without 'em, either. For starters: Ariel Janae. What a pleasant young woman you have turned into (not saying you weren't pleasant earlier, just saying). You have had a couple of curves thrown your way but have stayed positive and charming through it all. You and your mom brighten up a room by just walking into it, and it's not just cuz you both wear the cutest and funkiest clothes in W. Michigan...it goes much deeper than that. I hope you enjoy your h.s. years as much as my girls did, and good luck with trying to get a Mona Shores type POP's concert pulled together. We would sure enjoy coming to watch you perform much more than we're going to enjoy playing East in football this year. Remember to shine and always go towards the light.

Ang & Joel. Good morning! I cannot say enough about your quiet convictions and faith. If I wasn't such a wus, here I would go into great detail about the strength and determination you portrayed in delivering that baby naturally. And those same traits will turn into powerful parenting skills. They already have. I'm positive that you've passed the valium/prozac test and have come out victorious on the other side. I am so excited to see Aidan grow up in your physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally sturdy home. LiVeSTroNG. 

Mom & Dad ~ you both remind me of that silly Energizer bunny...you keep going and going! Whenever you describe a little ache or pain, the first thought that comes into my head is, "what? you're just now feeling that?" Your absolute unconditional love and support of our kids in everything has meant the world to Mark and I. As we peeked over our shoulders during the open house it was reassuring to see you interacting with grandkids, great-grand kids, friends, and acquaintances. In the midst of it all I don't think you missed one weed in the garden or one empty dish that needed refilling. I'm going to have to insist that after Monday's auction dust has settled...you finally take the break you so deserve and need.

Open Houses ~ Me proving to the world that not everyone stops taking pictures after the first baby.

Well as you can see by my list above the fun isn't over 'till the fat lady sings. No pun intended. I have a sunset to catch.

Countdown

Tues July 26

T minus not very much time and counting! Mark, get off the computer and fix the screen door, finish cleaning out garage, paint....need I go on? Kids: pre-warn any friends you happen to drag bring home on Friday that they'll be put to work. And anyone reading this: you show up before 5:59pm on Aug 6 and you'll probably get a job. Just kidding! Except for you Mark, seriously, step away from the computer. 

Note to west Michigan meteorologists: please forecast severe thunderstorms and torrential downpours for Aug. 6.

Sat July 30

Young Love

Not mine, silly! Mine's old-----28 years old, to be exact. Not stale, stagnant or musty old, but old none the less. As I celebrate this day I'm desperately trying to remember my season of young love. It's difficult to get out of the driveway in my quest to go down memory lane. Time! So as I sit back and watch my kids (well, not necessarily sit back) words like young and new are not in my description of love. They have long since been replaced by comfortable, content, secure and happy. And just for the record...what a ride. My hope for today is that I (we) have led by example. Remember: love is a choice.

Mon Aug 8

OK, just a tad tired. And grateful. And overwhelmed. And excited. And bittersweet. And apprehensive. Did I mention tired? I'm still pulling my thoughts together on the whole open house dealie. It is somewhat strange when different aspects of your worlds collide right at your own front door. I hope everyone, (especially those that follow along here) took the evening as the biggest "thank-you" I could possibly muster for the role you have all played in Melissa's life. And I'm quoting my friend Kate not Hillary Clinton when I say, "It absolutely does take a village!" So thank you, merci beaucoup, obrigado and thank you once again. More later.

And now the final countdown begins. I am painfully aware of the anticipation and sadness that separation brings, but on the other hand I am coming to terms with this new phase that is starting to unfold. I eagerly await the adventures, travels, and new acquaintances that the YA's is going to afford our family. I mean c'mon, it's southern fricken California, for crying out loud! I'm positive Melissa, you are where you're supposed to be right now and also in the fall. I can not wait to hear the stories, see the shows, and cherish the reunions. So yea, whenever I get super homesick for girl's night out, I guess I will just have to jump in the car and go harass Jennifer. Whatever will I do if she's overwhelmed by studies, work, and Boyfriend, that she limits me to some sort of ridiculous once a month visitation rights. I call shotgun on Jen for Amazing Race 7 and Survivor Guatemala premiers and finales. Seriously, Jen, look what listening to God's small still voice has afforded you! I can't wait to see what lies ahead and I'm positive that since you've overcome some major fears in your life since the middle of July, music performance is going to be a piece of cake! It's your time. And that brings me to Ben and Annie. God bless you both as you struggle through this year of US 131 trips. My hope for you is that when you look back on this short span of time in your life you will be able to see how all things work together for the good. It's very cliche, but you know the old absence makes the heart grow fonder saying! What with Melissa in California and my restricted schedule with Jennifer, I'll probably be dragging you to lunch, Annie, every 10 days or so! And even though I'm ecstatic to help plan a wedding, the marriage is what I've prayed about since he was born. Go ahead...society, put your negative spin on the empty nest syndrome, my heart is full.

And What A Time It Was

Week-end...time flying

acrobatic, loud planes 

pictures and music

lazy country evening

station food thank you

road trip planning

springhill stories 

friendships quicken

have mercy

Tony...laughing

easy to include

getting to know you

how did you get to her 

he’s heaven sent

Jennifer...walking

with God and

risking her heart

packing up all her tears

getting ready to fall

never knew 

how happy she’d be

her smile’s back

one step at a time 

on a path with one

who is strong and true

her answer to prayer

Melissa....incoming

non stop talking

campers, counselors, god

facing her fears

re-entry

talk slows sleep overtakes

contemplating separation

overwhelmed but ready

group singing with guitar

then goes solo

friend connection failed

aug 6 will have to suffice

reluctant and excited

to start it all again

Chelsea....following

a small still voice

making life choices

hesitant at first

but no turning back

trusting and waiting

you’ll never go wrong

when your heart says go

let loose and hang on

Annie...patient and kind

the first corinthians type

anticipating and abiding

all in god’s perfect timing

how we all fell hard

without even trying

for her smile and grace

to overwhelm him

she has what it takes

a bit of heaven on earth

Ben...leading

always knew he would

working on his flaws

and listening to all

making plans to fly

putting away toys

but not losing the child

satisfied at last

with the girl of his dreams

love is his choice

river roll on

i silently contemplate

on return trip from church

with Ardy’s reminders

Ariel soaking it all in

great is thy faithfulness

my heart has wings