Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy Fourth of July

I awoke this fine July 4th morning
bright and early to pack lunches for 
Warren and Mikey.
They are off to ride dirt bike with 
two friends of Mikey's.

 
I saw them off just after 6:00am
and settled down to download photos
from the week.
So many!

One of these days I'll show you 
a few photos of Chelsea and Grandma 
Ruth at a local park.  
We had gone out thrifting and decided to 
take a detour to this park to play with the
camera.  It was fun!

But for today I will show you some of our
church family at a picnic yesterday.
May I just say, one more time, 
how much I love our church?


It is becoming more precious to me as
it grows and I get to reap the blessings of 
years of endless hours of hosting and cooking
and all that goes into the ministry of a very small church.
Not that I minded it ...at all.


Nor, am I washed up and done....
it just doesn't all fall on a few of us because there are more 
than a few of us now.
Others have gifts and talents in these areas and
are delighted to share them.


Our family is one of the "oldest families" in the church
and as such I have seen a lot of personalities
in our little group.
We have never been in a better place.
Yesterday I sat and listened to conversations that were 
uplifting, entertaining and edifying.
My heart was sooooo blessed!!


I heard an older woman praise a younger
for her hostessing skills.
I heard mothers sharing experiences from 
their week.
There were comparisons of our chicken
flocks and protecting them from the 
foxes and owls and other predators.
(No not everyone has chickens...
but you might be surprised at how common this is becoming.)


I watched children of all ages playing together
and teenagers sit with children on their laps.



I really wanted to call this post "Picnic with Sonja"...because she was my shadow as I took photos of the day.  I loved it.  What a perfect little helper to show you the fun we had on this day!

I saw Dads totally involved with their children.

I saw several people holding our host family's pet duck....
 
but that really doesn't have anything to do with 
church....not exactly.
I saw the rockets come out to be launched and 
observed the silly excited grins on certain faces.

I was reminded that these things don't always 
go as planned.



When one experiments, one must be
prepared for the unexpected.

By the time we got in the car
to return home my eyes were 
so heavy they would barely stay open.
However, it was worth every
second of
exhaustion!
With memories to treasure.
Friendships deepened.
And more to look forward to.
The Lord is good.

Happy Fourth of July.
Chelsea, Jonathan and I are planning 
a quiet day....
what about you?

11 comments:

Carol said...

We enjoyed having the kids over yesterday afternoon for dinner. Today our subdivision is having its annual parade & Ethan will be riding in his patriotic wagon. Later we'll have dinner with Kari's family.

Have a wonderful 4th!

Smiles,
Carol

Vee said...

We're off soon, though I just wanted to say that your photos and words warmed my heart. Your church is truly a family and serves as an example of what a church should be. Blessings on your quiet day...hope that it doesn't turn out quite as quiet as you think. ☺

Zuda Gay Pease said...

There is nothing sweeter than a close church family! Looks like a lovely day!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Your church sounds wonderful!

Have a wonderful 4th of July!

Barb said...

Becky, your pictures are wonderful. True American life.

Happy July 4th!!

Barb ♥

Theresa said...

Oh what a wonderful picnic! I totally enjoyed looking at all of the pictures of everyone enjoying themselves! Hope your 4th was a great one! BIG HUGS!

Gayla said...

I am so glad to see those pictures. It looks so inviting and pleasing to the Lord! What a blessing! A perfect holiday.

We had so much fun with family and friends... Hugs from MO

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Oh, thanks for sharing them! We really hated to miss yesterday, but it was work it to visit with Tim's Aunt and to pick up Liberty this morning!

We missed you all though!

Deanna

Anonymous said...

Happy Independence Day to you and your family! It looks like a fun day was had by all that attended the church picnic.

We have been enjoying a quiet 4th of July, just Bob and me (oh and the kitty). Right now the three of us are sitting outside in our backyard, in the picnic pavilion. Bob and I are sitting at a table, on our computers. The kitty is inside her carrier, content. She is lying down watching anything that moves!

Tracy said...

Happy 4th belated, Becky! You guys know how to celebrate... very fun to see all your festivities! I was feeling a little homesick yesterday, missing family & friend back home in the US, so it was fun so many visited my place in blogland, yourself included. Since I live abroad, the celebrating is quiet. Though I am happy here, and all I encounter have been wonderful, I tend not to do too much flying of red, white & blue...just to be safe, you know, in this day & age...But we had a bit of grilling happening on the deck, so it felt like home. ;o) Happy Days ((HUGS))

Bee said...

I miss the fellowship. The rockets looked exciting!