Goodbyes

 Saying "good-bye" can be hard.  We had said "good-bye" to Mindy and Jason.  Then it was Josh and Staci's turn.

Our "silly wave" good-byes.  

                     We noticed that Al blended in with the garage door!

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good-bye, sayonara!

Little did we know that it could have easily been our last good-byes with Kobi.  (story to follow)

A beautiful sunset!  Good-bye, sun!

We invited Al's brother and sister-in-law to come for dinner and games.

The next morning, we had another good-bye to our Wisconsin kids.

After everyone left, I was cleaning the basement and realized our old sofa downstairs was really beat up.  I had not noticed it before.  Al thought it was time to replace it.  So we took the old one to the dump.  

Good-bye, old sofa!  Hello, new one!

While we were out shopping for this sofa, Jill was calling us about their dog, Kobi.  During the week, he had gotten sicker and sicker.  He wasn't eating, and then he was vomiting - a lot.  It got worse and worse.  A couple of trips to the vet and then being sent to another one in Madison, and they realized he would need surgery to save his life.  We are happy to report we didn't have to say "Good-bye, Kobi!"  They were able to save him!  They found an obstruction in his colon - over 8" of blanket material that would not pass!  No more playing with blankets for this pooch!

One day, we will be saying "good-bye" to this world.  As Christians, we are seeing that the times are drawing near.  The Bible talks about this and we are seeing the signs!  Like the birth pains of a woman in labor, the contractions growing ever closer, we are seeing that the trumpet call is drawing ever closer!  

I listened to a sermon this morning that I would like to pass on for you to listen to.  Listen here. 

Are you waiting for that Day?  One of my friend's grandpa said, 

"I'm standing on my tiptoes!!"

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more
And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair
When the saved diverse shall gather over on the other shore
And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there

When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there

Let us lay before the Master from dawn 'til setting sun
Let us talk of all his wondrous love and care
Then when all of life is over and our work on Earth is done
And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there

When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there!

"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." Matthew 24:42

Having Fun

These days have been troubling, haven't they?  Despite that, we chose to have fun  when the kids were here.  

Some of it was at our expense!

Of course, we had to play "Murder In The Dark!"  We turn off all the lights and a "murderer" lurks around getting his victims.  But if someone runs across a dead body, they yell "Murder in the dark!" Lights are turned on and accusations made.

They also enjoyed playing an on-line edition called "Among Us".

We enjoyed many games.

Telestration - 

Everyone first writes a phrase.  It can be anything.  Like "running in the park".  It is passed to the next person who will draw a picture of what the phrase said.  The next person looks at the picture and writes what they think it is.  Sort of like the old fashioned telephone game.

I believe the picture below had first morphed into Chewbaca climbing the mountain. 

The next person studied it and wrote down "Stacy" who is Adam's adventuresome sister.  Yep, that fits!  That girl has traveled all over the world multiple times!

Playing Guess Who? family version

 

The original game pictures were replaced by our own family photos, including pets.

Nerf Wars

Samurai Claire

Adam took the older kids to Walmart and gave them all $1 to purchase something for the best value.  When they came home, they showed us their $1 item(s) and gave eloquent speeches why we should vote for their item as the best choice!  Chocolate bar and Santa hat, whistles for all, bath bubbles and bath crayon, plate and cup.  Which would you vote for?

Fashion show

Family photos (we took another family photo when Mindy and Jason were here before Josh's arrived.  You can see those pictures here.)

Painting

Good Eats!

Lots of discussions and laughs

Claire usually woke up earlier than the others, not long after we woke up.  I found it so very sweet that she would have her own little devotions.

She uses this book. 

Psalm 119:165 "Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing can make them stumble."

Isaiah 48:17

"I am the Lord your God, 

     Who teaches you what is best for you, 

Who directs you in the way you should go.

    If only you had paid attention to my commands,

your peace would have been like a river,

your righteousness like the waves of the sea."

Peace, true peace comes from the Lord.  I am so excited for the new series we will be having at our church this coming month about the importance of reading God's Word, listening to the Lord each day.  In our troubled world, He is the answer!

You can listen on-line here.  Jack showed a survey that those who spend just 4 days a week reading the Bible have less feelings of being lonely, anger issues drop, bitterness in relationships, alchoholism, feeling spiritually stagnant, pornography, all drop in significant proportion!  God meets us and fulfills our lives, y'all!!  He will help us not be discouraged!

"Have I not commanded you?  

      Be strong and courageous.  

    Do not be terrified; 

         do not be discouraged 

          for the Lord your God will be with you 

            wherever you go."

                      Joshua 1:9