A 3 year old - or is she 18?

 The morning we were headed for Colorado, it was rather foggy.

We had decided that we wouldn't leave until 9 anyway, and by that time the fog had burnt off.

We stopped for a picnic lunch.

"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 more valuable to Him than they are?"  Matthew 6:26

He is not the only one who feeds them.  This little sparrow had built a nest in the rafters of the covered area, a perfect spot to get leftover crumbs!

If you are able to zoom in, Kansas' historical map is rather interesting - and rather sad too.  So many massacres.

The road we take in was under construction.  The city continues to build up and there are many new home developments!  This road is getting busier and they are making it a 4-lane.

We arrived!!  They were as happy to see us as we were them!

It was Kaia's 3rd birthday.  Jason was in the middle of putting together the present Kaia received from their other grandparents.

Time for Kaia to open her other presents!

Jason fixed filets that were so tender and Mindy made such good sides!

I'd made a pumpkin pie because Jason loves that!  He even eats it for breakfast.

                                    How old is she???!!!

Cousins called to sing Happy Birthday to her.

Time to read bed time stories.

It was time for Nani and Papa to go to bed too.  

Headed home to Kansas

We had enjoyed our 2 plus weeks house-sitting and "baby" sitting our granddaughters.

When Jill and Adam returned from their study trip to Turkey/Greece, they handed out gifts and we tried out various snacks, including Turkish Delight.

They showed us pictures from their trip (Paul's Missionary Journey) with Albert Mohler.

When they showed us this, I had to pull up the picture from the same place!

We went in 2016.

Early Saturday morning we packed up the car and left.  Al was going to teach Sunday School so we needed to skedaddle home. We had given everyone hugs and kisses the night before because we knew they'd still be asleep. Jill woke up though so we got extra hugs and kisses from her before we pulled out.

The trees were displaying their beauty!

We ran into rain along the way.  A cold front had come through.

Only 1/2 hour out of Des Moines, we noticed that icy weather had hit the city.  We were glad we were ahead of it!

Flags were at half staff for former vice president Dick Cheney.

We got home at 5:40.  With the time change, it was nearly dark.  We had listened to sermons and enjoyed cello/piano music on the way and the time seemed to go fast.  I guess it was!  We'd made it home in 11 1/2 hours!!  Usually it takes us another hour, but maybe someone was driving with a heavy foot?  Grateful for a safe journey!  The LORD watched over us.

"Every day I praise You."  Psalm 145:2

The next morning, we saw that our trees were nearly bare!  They had not even really begun turning when we left.  How can they lose their leaves so fast?  We didn't get to enjoy them this fall.  The neighbor boy raked them for us.

We unpacked our bags but did not put away our suitcases as in less than a week we'd be headed off for Colorado!

We found out the house next door has sold and we have a new, sweet neighbor!

On Tuesday night we began seeing posts that people were seeing the aurora borealis so we jumped in the truck and headed out to the country where we wouldn't have city lights.  The phone camera showed them like this, but in reality, they weren't that bright.  But it was cool!  Since we didn't get to see them in Wisconsin, this was a treat! 

On Thursday I had Bible study with my lovely older women's group.

I walked with my neighbors.

And best of all, I got the most amazing picture from my friend Sachiko in Japan. This is from the town my parents were missionaries in. The church now has an English service and several Filipinos attend. And this day 7 young adults were baptized!!

"I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart;

       I will tell of all Your marvelous works.

   I will be glad and rejoice in You;

        I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High."

                  from Psalm 9