A few days in Arkansas, part 1

We drove down to Arkansas to see our son and his family last weekend.  We had planned to drive our car down, but when I drove home from Awana the night before, a low tire light came up.  We didn't have time to check it out, so we took the truck.  (Later, we found a screw stuck in the tire.  Surely we would have had a flat tire on the way.  So grateful that the light came on to warn us.  Thank You, Lord!)

We hit Northwest Arkansas at rush hour.  We had to chuckle at the title on the truck door.  I don't believe "swift" was the correct word, as we were crawling along.

We stopped at Josh's and along with him, Staci and her parents, we went to watch our grandson play basketball in a small town about 20 minutes southeast of Fayetteville.  

This little town had a super fancy basketball court!  Cushy seats, flashy lights, loud music.  Not like normal small town USA courts.

Eli did really good.  They played well and lost by only a couple of points.

Eli has grown a lot lately.  When he was young, it was hard to get him to eat.  

But now, he eats tons!  The night before, around 11, Josh heard him in the kitchen making lots of noise as he fixed himself a double cheeseburger!  He also fixed himself another one for breakfast.  He ate 2 suppers before the ballgame and on the way home from the game, he asked if we could stop at Braum's and he ate more!!

We stayed at the "Prier Hotel" (Staci's parents' house, next door to Josh's).  A 5 star "hotel"!  They are so gracious to give us a place to stay.

The following day, we were going to watch Emeri at her swim meet, but she hadn't felt good and did not sleep well, so she stayed home.  Sad not to see her compete, but she just was not up for it.

Eli went to play practice for "Fiddler on the Roof".  He will play the Rabbi.  Emeri is also in the play but she napped.  We'll have to return to Arkansas for that! 

Eli also went to basketball practice.  These teens live busy lives!

My friend's mother had passed away.  I have never watched a funeral via zoom, but that is just what I did!  I was sad to miss the funeral as I have known my friend since 1987 and knew her mother also.  I am grateful for technology to be a part of the service.  

Josh and Allen "yeshiva-ed" - discussed Biblical passages and "mysteries".  Digging deep.  One of the passages they discussed was Job 39:9.  It was so interesting!

Like his dad, Josh uses his hands to explain things.

Emeri had ordered several pair of deep red shoes for homecoming and they arrived at the door.  No need to go store to store any more.  She can shop on-online. 

I asked her to model them with her dress on.

She also put on the trench coat we got her for Christmas.

After a nap, Emeri felt better and made a Greek soup for us.

After dinner, we played a game...I should say the rest of them did.

It was too complicated for me.  Emeri said I could be on her team, but really I just enjoyed watching.  I did not contribute any words of wisdom.  Emeri won!

The talent show

We often have a "talent show" with the family over our Christmas time.  It can be playing the piano, singing, reading a book, telling a story or joke, or sharing a game.  Something you want to share with the family.  Anyone who wants to can participate. 

Claire began with Stille Nacht.  I had recently spoken at our church about Silent Night and how it was not a silent night.

As I reflect on our family, I am so very grateful for their desire to share their gifts/talents with us and with others with the various giftings the Lord has given them.  It isn't a "performance" in order to elevate ourselves, but to point to Him.  My heart is full to know that our grandkids desire to KNOW Him more and seek His face and share His love and His message with others!

Spiritual gifts are given to us by the Holy Spirit and are to be used to “equip the saints for the work of the ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.” (Ephesians 4:12-13)

"My heart says of You, 'Seek His face!'  Your face, LORD, I will seek."  

                                                                                        Psalm 27:8  

The Amplified puts it this way:  "When You said, 'Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],' I will seek [on the authority of Your word.]."

Too soon, it was time for them to go back to their homes.  We said our good-byes and gave last hugs.

Water bottles ready for the trip.

Good-bye, Wisconsin family!

Good-bye, Arkansas family!

Hopefully this coming summer, the entire family will be able to come as we celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary!  No sicknesses we pray!

A Newton Scavenger Hunt

Our son-in-law was the guest speaker on Sunday morning at our church while they were here for our Christmas celebration. 

He spoke on Forgiveness.  It was really good.  I noticed people wiping away tears at the end, even some men. If you'd like to watch it, check it out.  He starts at the 29 minute mark, but you could worship along with the worship team too! 

Some people take sitting with their families at church each Sunday for granted.  The LORD has a different journey for our family.  And for us it is such a sweet privilege that does not happen very often.

After church, we went to Braum's for lunch.

This is regular Al, expounding on things, and it usually involves hand movements!  Check out Adam and Jill.  They are intently listening. Josh seems more interested in his food, or maybe figuring out a rebuttal.

Mr. Mac, the kids' high school science teacher was there eating with his family.  He also taught Josh piano lessons.  They enjoyed catching up.

Time for ice-cream! 

I think Nehemiah enjoyed it.  They don't have Braum's in Illinois or Wisconsin.

After we were finished, we told the kids to gather in the lobby.  We explained that they would be divided into 2 teams.  Josh would be on one team, and Jill on the other.  They did "schoolyard pick", choosing their teams.

We handed out a scavenger hunt and explained the rules.  They would need to drive around town and take a selfie of the team at the location.

The teams talked strategy.

Al and I went home to rest, while the teams took off.  The teams didn't go the same route as we had switched up the order on their pages. The pictures below are of the some of the same spots they went to.  They did meet at up at one spot. 

Train and cannon at the public library.

This team got it all in one shot.

 

Phil Epp Blue Skies - (I LOVE his blue cloud paintings!)

Neither team got the water tower as instructed.

Papa's great-grandma Mary Graber's log house is inside the Kaufman museum.  They got extra credit getting the picture of the house.

Didn't quite get the house in this picture.

One of the places Nana goes bird-watching in North Newton.

Mennonite settler

Road Kill

(they'd seen it on our way to church that morning)

The pharmacy

Victorian house (Warkentin House)

Location of processing Turkey Red Wheat

I meant for them to get a photo of the old mill.  But they got the sign of the location.

The funny thing was that Josh's took a photo in front of Prairie Harvest.  I think they do grind some wheat, although that wasn't what I was after.

Bread Basket

Where the DQ used to be.  Oh, if it were only still there!  Sadness.

There is nothing like a dip cone!

COME BACK, DQ!

We love ice-cream!

 

Train Station

Jill's team got the railroad in the picture, but did not pose like it was a hot day in front of the fountain.

Drubers!

Our children went there many times when growing up!

This picture gets both Prairie Harvest AND Drubers in one shot.

Sunflower mural - This is a new mural and Jill's team looked it up on-line. 

Josh's team came across it accidently after leaving the library, where the cannon and train were.

Court house

Who won?  Well, Jill's team came home first, but they didn't get the photo of great-grandma's house, or the picture at the fountain.  So we decided they

TIED!

The loser was going to have to do the dishes, and it was a LOT of dishes, because we did sukiyaki!  It would have been even more dishes to wash, except we've Americanized this dish and put the sukiyaki on top of the rice. The kids just prefer it that way.  But it still took a long time to do them.  Several helped wash and dry.

Sukiyaki !

        すき焼き