5-31-10 Memorial Day

A second night with no d for Jewel. I think I can safely say it’s over, and in a few weeks I’ll let her have a popsicle again and test my theory. Meanwhile, I’m thankful.

Today was another beautiful porch morning. I love to sit on my front porch and just listen to the birds and watch the sunrise. Makes me praise the Creator of such magnificence; after Saturday night when we heard about being thankful for Jesus’ blood, I hope appreciating creation also leads my thoughts to appreciating the most important creation – the plan of salvation by Jesus Christ’s perfect sinless blood. “We praise thee O God, for the Son of thy love, for Jesus who died and is now gone above…”

Levi was up before me and fished again; Dad and Jacob were up soon after me and put the supers on the beehives.

More later – I want to post this tonight so it gets archived under May instead of June. I’ll finish it another time; I’m tired now.

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We were on the road by 8:30, headed to Starved Rock State Park, and spent some time in the visitor’s center before enjoying a great round-trip hike to French Canyon and Wildcat Canyon. Halfway through the loop we heard ominous thunder and greatly increased our pace to beat the rain. We were so glad we weren’t caught in it – we watched people pour into the visitor’s center, just soaking wet.

Our wonderful Dad.

Visitor Center.

Starting off.

Jesse had Joshua most of the morning. His enjoyment at taking care of his baby brother is such a blessing.

French Canyon.

Joshua loved the water everywhere… his delight was precious.

Lots of climbing.

More water – more smiles!

The whole crew.

At the rim (on an overhanging lookout platform) of Wildcat Canyon, looking down.

Wildcat Canyon – 95 foot waterfall.

Looking up at the platform.

Returning to the Visitor’s Center by way of the River Trail (I think that’s what it was called.)…and it got grayer and grayer, and we heard more and more thunder. This leg of the loop was pretty quick.

Starved Rock.

We ran/walked the last 500 yards and landed at this pavilion right beside the Visitor’s Center. It was a good time and place for a snack.

More climbing!

I caught this picture of everyone simultaneously looking at Ben. And the folks in the classy yellow slickers…are waiting for the rest of their party to come, and then they headed out to hike…in the pouring rain! We saw lots of those yellow slickers. Also unusual was the number of Hispanic and Asian hikers – we were in the 10% minority the whole time. It was kind of different – almost didn’t feel like we were in America, because almost all of them spoke their native language.

Just watching it rain.

When it let up enough (and our food was gone) we made a run for the Visitor’s Center where we watched a documentary on the history of the park…all 425 million years of it. What a sad deception. Our children get these smug smiles when we hear that story; inevitably someone will lean over and say (hopefully rather quietly) something about the flood, the Bible, or these poor dumb people who actually believe we evolved from fish and monkeys. It’s continually amazing how evolution is presented so factually when in reality there’s no proof of it…and more and more evidence is being presented all the time that supports the Biblical account of creation.

After the movie, Dad brought the van to pick us up, and we drove up to the lodge hoping to find a pavilion in which to eat lunch. Didn’t find one, so we had lunch in the van, and then we wandered around the lodge a little before heading back home.

Joshua brings us so many smiles…his delight in everything is so contagious!

Starting off…

…almost home.

It was a pretty quiet trip.

Chores and supper; then an outside evening of Cornhole, Catch, dirtbike, and sandbox.

Guess what little Tiger did?

We put this tubful of warm water by us; when he discovered it, the look of delight on his face was precious.

An avid audience.

Glenn got some attention again.

Then ice cream bars for all…

…baths, outside cleanup, Bibletime (??I think. Can’t remember if we did or not.), evening chores, and beds.

5-30-10 Happy Birthday Sarah

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Sweet

Adventurous

Rambunctious

Affectionate

Happy

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“Make a joyful noise…” Psalm 66:1

Six years ago today Sarah Danielle joined our family on the stormiest Sunday we can remember. I missed out on the most excitement at church ever when everyone was sent to the basement due to tornado warnings! And at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, we were put under a Black Alert (I think that’s what they called it) because of said storms…not once but twice that memorable day. All us new moms were sent to the hallways with our babies, away from windows; they wouldn’t let me go down to the lobby for a view of the river, where reportedly a funnel cloud was seen raising and lowering a few times. I don’t remember hearing about storm damage, so maybe nothing ever touched down; but I do know it was stormy, and I remember being disappointed that I couldn’t see the funnels.

And so began Sarah’s life. And what a sweet baby she was – and what a fine young girl she has become already. Sarah, we love you very much and are so glad God put you into our family. It was a blessed day for us when He picked you to be our little girl.

I woke up early this morning so finished my Saturday post on the porch… I thoroughly enjoy the absolutely stunning morning. “Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee, How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art.” Beautiful creation, beautiful life, beautiful blessings, beautiful peace…and only because of Jesus’ blood…all this and heaven too. Sometimes it’s overwhelming, the goodness of God and the blessings He floods on us. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” (Psalm 68:19) A picture can’t do justice to the beauty and tranquility of the morning, but I’ll post it anyway. I’m still convinced we’ve been soundly blessed with the prettiest view in the country. And I do appreciate it daily.

Levi was up fishing before me and came home with this nice fish (I don’t know what kind. Carp, maybe?).

And of course his fan club had to see it too. Joshua was so cute – he couldn’t take his eyes off it. I think much of the joy of a baby is seeing the world through their eyes – everything is new and amazing to them. I’ve always loved to watch our babies watch new things…I still do!

Bros. David Eisenmann and Darren Plattner, both from Champaign, were here for Susan’s baptism, and Dave had the, morning service; Elder Bro. Rick Plattner (Fairbury) preached in the afternoon. There were so many good teachings all day, but the nugget I’m going to mention was from David in the morning. He and his family had been to Zion National Park which has rock formations with names such as The Great White Throne, and Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Dave spoke first about the beauty and glory of God’s handiwork – which continually speaks to my heart; he also had numerous comparisons between our walk toward Zion and a hike to a summit, waterfall, or whatever. Since our family enjoys hiking, we can easily relate to these lessons. He closed with a comparison of life with Christ to a life without Christ: an endless hope versus a hopeless end. Excellent semantics, and a profoundly simple but powerful description of salvation. The baptism was inspiring, as always, as was the singing, fellowship, and overall joy of the day. Our church family is such a blessing; thank you Lord for putting me where I am.

After church, Dad took the oldest 8 swimming while I stayed here with Joshua who napped. I caught up on some reading (other blogs that I enjoy!) and got things ready to start for supper.

When my crew came home, Jacob took a little time to play with his newest pet. He was named Glenn by a certain someone (you know who you are). And his last name is SAUDER. And a warning – these pics are not for the faint of heart. I’m only posting them because Dad told me to take some pictures – and if Dad wants pictures of something, then I’m going to post them even if I can hardly look at them.

Jacob is demonstrating the sound of ribs (muscles? ligaments?) or whatever stretching; he can only pull so hard (until he starts to hear that ‘sound’, whatever that ‘sound’ is [NO I DID NOT LISTEN TO THAT SOUND. I do have my limits.]) and the snake will unhook himself from Jacob’s arm.

Demonstrating the strength of the snake.

Snakes can easily climb trees (?????????). Yes, I knew that but I prefer not to be reminded.

AND THEN!!!!! I did not take these; they are posted in the order they were taken. And no, these pictures do not bring warm fuzzies to this mommy. But if I focus on the smiling faces, I can deal with it. Obviously they’re not being traumatized like I would be.

In all this play, if that’s what you call something so…yuk… Jacob kept reassuring me that Glenn was a very mild mannered snake and would not bite – he had no reason to. Whatever.

Dad grilled ribeyes and sausage, and Aunt Sarah joined us for an early supper. Jewel had a big day!

Saving her birthday dessert for later, we sang to Sarah and gave her her gifts after supper. She was pretty smiley!

After a quick k.p., I woke up Joshua (fed him supper in the van) and we loaded up to go up to Uncle Dave’s and meet our newest nephew. Just look at this tiny little miracle – Seth Daniel was three weeks old yesterday. A newborn is such an incredible blessing.

Some of the kids had fun fishing…

…while others played house (what else?).

After awhile we enjoyed Sarah’s birthday dessert, Mud and Feathers (chocolate trifle).

And of course, baby Seth was thoroughly enjoyed by many of us.

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Home to beds; that’s all.