VBS

This past week our church had our Vacation Bible School. Jennifer and I had a class of 2-year-olds; children of workers for VBS. They were just so sweet!

Each day we played on Cora's Playground.

Every day, Luke would say "Miss Debby's car black!"

Freddie the Frog welcomed the children. We would sing songs and have stories. Lillian wanted to sit beside me.

Even Elmo wanted to listen and learn about Jesus. Our verse for the week was "God takes care of me." 1 Peter 5:7

The "ravens" brought food to Elijah.

Jennifer brought rice krispie crowns and the children decorated them with "jewels".

On the last day, we had a program. Here is my Hannah singing.

Sophia is lost in the midst of all those children. I couldn't get a photo of her!

Adam wearing armor.

During this program, there were tornado warnings about and we had people watching for us. We were in the activity center which is a designated storm shelter. If the sirens had gone off, we would have all just gathered against the south wall. Luckily, the storms stayed south.
The clouds were spectacular after the program was over!

What a fun week teaching precious children that God takes care of them and He loves them so much. I do too!!!!!

The new firestation

Anshin
This is a Japanese word for ease of mind or a sense of security.

There is a new firestation that was just built. And it is about 1/2 mile from my house. It gives me anshin to have a firestation so close to my house. I have started 3 kitchen fires. I was able to get them stopped, but I did have to call 911 one of those times. "Please don't turn on your siren when you come. This is just embarrassing.!" "Sorry ma'am, we have to. It's the law."


The new firestation had an open house yesterday so I took Hannah and Sophia to see it.

They had so much fun climbing all the trucks!

An old fire engine from 1926

The bed rooms are on the main floor.

No sliding down any poles when the alarm sounds!

Hannah was wanting to do that. Disappointment.

Where the firemen lounge when not busy.

This was pretty cool. The girls drew on the board in one room...

and it showed up on the board in the conference room!

We could see the roof of our house from the firestation.

Again, anshin!

After a fun time at the firestation, we went to Sonic.

And got a Cherry Limeade for Papa, who was all sweaty working in the basement and one for Aunt Millie too. They were both very grateful!

Delights

In our bedroom, by the big bay window I keep my binoculars along with my bird book.


My grand kids have their binoculars there too.

We love to watch birds that flit and fly about!



I once saw a bald eagle, but didn't get to my camera fast enough!


Sometimes we see other critters too. There is a huge snapping turtle back there now too, but I haven't captured him on film just yet. I hope to.

On Sunday morning, we looked off the deck to see a deer!

Did you see the sunrise this morning??!!




We noticed a bit of haze in the atmosphere last evening. And a gloriously red sunset. And this morning another dramatic sunrise. Evidently, the plume of smoke from the fires in Arizona have reached Kansas and all the way to Iowa and that is what is causing it. We should still be able to see that tonight, but once a cold front comes through probably not. So be sure to look tonight!

I was thinking about all this. What if I chose to close my blinds or curtains and just didn't bother to look outside? What delights I would be missing!

In a similar way, many people close their hearts to looking into God's Word. And they miss out on the many delights, the treasures that He has for us!

"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." Psalm 119:18

If you haven't done so already, I encourage anyone reading this to take Jess' 30 day challenge. Many years ago, in our young couples' Bible study at KU, we were challenged to read the Bible each day. It is such a habit now that if I happen to miss, I really, really miss that time with the Lord. It is not just something to check off my "to do" list anymore. It is a longing to be with Jesus. Sometimes it is uncomfortable as He may need to reprove me, but mostly it is just a joy. Refreshing. Comforting. Precious.

Get out those spiritual binoculars and look into God's Word!