A Very Full Week

 I'm actually pretty far behind on updates--the weeks go by so fast. But they have been full and filled with blessings. The past two weekends we have had rain showers. It still seems early in the year for the rains to begin, but it is fun to see and feel the raindrops  again. It reminds me of the many years that we lived in Africa, and how we waited for the rainy season to begin after all those hot, dry months. 

 With the raindrops come the water puddles...and little feet that splash in the puddles...(oh, OK--Grandmother had fun splashing in the puddles also!)

 We also had fun "cooking" in the playhouse...

 and searching for treasures in the yard...

 Little kids and puppy dogs-- they are such a delightful match!

 After visiting our grand-daughters' home, we stopped by the grandsons' house.

 It is interesting how, once the little ones come along, all of us find ourselves on the floor in their domain, instead of sitting on chairs and sofas. I think this is a very good thing! 

 Little brother loves to follow his big brother around and imitate everything he does. It is so cute!

 Mommy and her boys

This last weekend I had the privilege of attending the 16th annual Women of Faith Conference, here in SoCal. 

My dear friend from work let me join her and her church friends at this event. It is always fun to meet new people and hear their interesting life-stories. We had a wonderful time together and shared great memories. 

 We were blessed with great seats this year. This photo was taken without telephoto, that's how close we were sitting to the stage!

 I always love to listen to the wit an wisdom of Patsy Clairmont. What a ball of energy she is!

 The keynote speaker for the Friday evening session was Brenda Werner (wife of Kurt Werner, NFL player)

 The singing is always so good...

 Worship is just an integral part of the event!

There were many enjoyable things about the conference, but I think that one of my greatest highlights was hearing Amy Grant in concert. She was certainly a "down-to-earth-type-of-person," and not only did I love her singing, but also the words of wisdom that she shared. I hope that her parting words will always stay with me, 

"If you are going to sing something, sing something that matters;

 if you are going to say something, say something that matters;

 make your life matter--for the sake of God's Kingdom." 

God's blessing to you!

Visiting Minnesota

Last week, my two oldest sons and I traveled back to Minnesota. The purpose of the trip was to help establish my parents in their new residence, and also help move the rest of their household belongings into storage. 

I will never grow tired of seeing the patchwork field designs as we come back to the Midwest. Everything was so still so green and beautful.

Our first night was spent visiting our youngest son and his wife in their new home. It was the first time we met their funny little dog, Duke. (He was injured as a puppy, so has only one eye.) Duke has alot of character!

It was fun to see the way the kids have decorated their little home, very compact and creative!

Sunday, after church and lunch, we rested and then played some games together.

Later, we hiked in a nearby park. (Duke loved being on the trails also!)

We loved being back in the woods! (And we didn't even do too badly with the mosquitoes.)

I will never grow tired of listening to my sons talk about their memories of growing up in Africa together. Their laughter and "tall tales" of childhood are always fun!

On Sunday evening, on our drive to my sister's cabin, we drove past a little lake that was located close to the house that we used to live in back in Minnesota. (sorry about the water spots, the pic was taken thru the car window) Driving around the lake brought back more memories for us... 

We arrived at my sister's cabin just as the sun was setting. It was gorgeous!

The lake was so calm, there was no noise from city traffic, we could hear the sound of a loon calling in the distance. Relaxation plus!

One last pic as the sun set...

We sat outside and talked around the firepit until late, enjoying the sounds of the night- the birds, the bugs, the lake. It was wonderful. (So were the s'mores!)

In the morning we were actually able to see the cute little cabin that my sister has enjoyed the past two years.

This is the back porch that faces the lake.

On Monday morning, we headed for my parents. They recently moved into an assisted living facility. When we  picked them up, we had several boxes stacked in the car, but Dad and Mom snuggled together in the back seat. They were so cute together! We headed for their former house and a day of work.

Dad "babysat" the doll while we were packing and moving furniture=)

I guess that I didn't take any pictures of the working process of our trip! The boys were a great help to my brother in hauling furniture and boxes into storage. The house is now empty and on the market. Please pray with us that it will sell quickly, so that the folks (and my brother) will not have the burden of the empty house over the winter months. I spent lots of time sorting and helping mom organize things in her new home. The boys also helped us hang her pictures and curtains and assemble other items. It was so good to have the help. Thanks so much guys! We enjoyed many meals with my parents and listened to many stories of the past. Like dad always said, "we are going down memory lane!"

Sisters

Great grandparents and their newest grandchild. It is so nice that they have at least one close enough by so that they can enjoy him growing up.

On Tuesday, our neice came to visit us. It was so fun to see her again and to see how much her little guy has grown. (the last time I saw him he was a newborn.) He is such a happy baby and such a charmer!

The folks' new home is very cozy. We were able to find places for everything that mother wanted to have in her new home. They have really down-sized alot, and it has been an adjustment for them, but has been a good move. They have wonderful friends in their building and great food and other activities. It is a good place to live!

Mom uses her wonderful walker to wheel the laundry to the washer and dryer, so very handy.

The boys with their grandparents

The lush Red River Valley fields...

Most of the grain has been harvested, but we did find a few fields that were still golden brown.

Baby Jax and his parents

When we finished up the work at my folks, we headed for Fargo and met many of our family members for supper at Pizza Hut. Our boys got to visit with several of their cousins on this trip, though it was short, we were so happy that it happened!

My brother and sister and their spouses

Three siblings, it was fun to be together again.

Back in Fargo and getting ready to leave. Airports always show what is important to that area. Here, it is farming and hunting...

The last sights of the Fargo airport; we could tell that we were in farming country! We had such a great trip, lots of memories and blessings.