the Grabers: 7/7/19

Up in northern Wisconsin, it began to get light around 4:30 am! We didn't have room darkening shades but I was able to roll over when I saw the clock and sleep until 6.

Another day to see what all is in Door County.

There's a kid song called "We're going on a bear hunt" and one verse says:

Uh-uh!

A forest!

A big dark forest.

We can't go over it.

We can't go under it.

Oh no!

We've got to go through it!

But in this case, we gotta go AROUND it!

As we drove around Door County, the 3 girls in the back seat were singing harmony. They made up a song, a play on the song "The Schuyler Sisters". It was "The Barnyard Sisters. Angelicow, a chicken and Piggy. Pork. Pork." And then they sang "The Utecht Sisters. Hannah, Sophia and Claire. Chores. Chores."

Ellison Bluff Natural Area - Where the ridge meets the sea.

There is a path in the park.

Boo! There's that "Bear" we were hunting!

As we drove through Sister Bay we saw a goat on a grass roof!

In Ephraim, we decided to do some paddle boating. You can see Jill and I backing out. Claire had said she did not want to do it. So we took 2 boats out. Adam stayed with Claire.

But she changed her mind, so Adam called us back. And she had a great time!

Lunch time! Wilson's Restaurant and Ice Cream parlor.

Oh yum!!

Adam and Jill drove us past the place they stayed on their honeymoon.

Then on to Cave Point County Park to do some cliff jumping. Well, one of us did, any way.

There were some young guys jumping in and Hannah was sure she wanted to do it too.

Al took their phone number so we could send them these photos, but later, he could not find them on his phone! Sorry, guys! So, if you guys happen to see this post, here are your pictures!

Jill wanted us to take a look around, so we walked a little ways on a trail.

Notice that we are wearing sweatshirt and jackets. But these two wanted to brave the 40 degree waters. They went to change into their swimwear.

And after not much hesitation, off she jumped! There were people standing around and they gave her a round of applause!

Sophia debating....

She decided she didn't want to jump off the cliff like Hannah had, but she did want to get in.

Hannah jumped in several times.

I thought of how we might be asked to take a "leap of faith". Maybe God is asking you do to something risky. And you just aren't sure about it. Some may be confident in Christ and say "sure!" Others may decide to obey Him, yet tentatively. And others may so "Nope, not going to do it." (like those of us who were NOT going to even try jumping in!|)

"He will teach us His ways,

so that we may walk in His paths.

Stop trusting in man who has but a breath in his nostrils.

Of what account is he?

Isaiah 2:3b, 22

"You have made known to me the paths of life.

You will fill me with joy in Your presence."

Acts 2:28 (also in Psalm 16)

Maybe your risk, your "leap of faith" is to put your trust, your belief in Jesus Christ! You may lose some friendships. It isn't always easy. Many people around the world risk their very lives doing just that. Jesus is counter-cultural. Standing up for the truths of the Bible is not popular, but it sure is a joy and adventure!!

* * * * *

After some time, the girls changed back into warm clothes and we drove back to our cabin for dinner. And we, mostly Sophia, finished our complicated puzzle that evening!

Claire and her little peace sign. When I was growing up in Japan, it seemed like the thing to do. So many photos of Japanese kids holding out a peace sign. I looked up why this was and one site said it was from this Olympic player from 1972, but kids were doing it before then and I left Japan in 1971.

Or, maybe for Claire it is a Victory sign, like Pres. Nixon!

Not sure where Claire picked it up. In either case, when one follows Christ, there is peace.

and victory!

Take that leap of faith!

Time for bed and another day to explore tomorrow.

With Jill as our guide, we finished touring Washington Island.

Oh yes! Let's stop here!!

Our next stop was the Trinity Lutheran Stavkirke, a replica of an ancient Borgund, Norway stave church. A stave church is a medieval wooden Christian church building once common in north-western Europe. (I had to look that up)

The pastor

There was a guest book and earlier that day a newlywed couple from Kansas had also seen the church!
At Schoolhouse Beach, I saw a couple and had told Jill "I bet they are on their honeymoon." Her ring was quite shiny and they just had that special look about them! Perhaps it was this same couple!

There was a prayer path that we could take back to the car and Claire wanted to go on it so the two of us did that.