Horse Feed

Amos, the horse I use to own, is getting close to his senior years so his feeding requirements are changing. He doesn't need a high energy feed, his working requirements will decrease with age. However, to keep his body in good health we want him to have good nutrition. His new owner wants him to stay healthy for many more years.

How is your spiritual health doing? Recently I have been thinking about my health, both physically and spiritually. I have been reading the Bible for over 60 years, maybe I can quit now - think so? In a few days I will be 66. Maybe I will just close up my Bible and put it on a shelf. Prayer, that is another one I can push side - usually its the same old requests and petitions - He already knows anyways before I pray. Devotional reading? Naw, nothing new out there -

Actually - when I get done with this post I will be heading to the prayer cottage here on the church camp. I am so blessed to be able to spend time there. I love the time I spend with my Savior.

Meet Sydney!

Meet Sydney my grand daughter. She rode in the back of papa's truck during the parade and tossed out candy. I love Sydney! She is 8 and a very smart girl - she definitely has her papa's genes.

One of the special things I love about Sydney is she has a very tender heart. She is always coming up to others and throwing her arms around you and saying, "I love you!"

I want you to know that Sydney has already given her heart to Jesus. She gave her heart to Jesus one Sunday morning at church. She has a wonderful church and a pastor who loves the children very much. A few weeks later she asked her parents if she could be baptized - by submersion! We got to attend that very special event.

Please be praying for this very special girl that as she grows up that she will always remain true to her Savior and that she will be an instrument for Him.

I love you Sydney!

Papa

Let Freedom Ring!

Yesterday was our big parade - lasts about 20 minutes - We won 1st place with our family float. There were several floats. Probably 35 kids on bikes, old cars, walkers, and at least 25 decorated golf carts. I even entered my truck in the old vehicles and shared 1st place ribbon! It was fun!

Today, as a family, 30 plus of us will worship together. Then we will walk to the camp dining hall where we will eat together.

God is so good - all the time! Let Freedom Ring!

Time for Family

The picture to the left is mama with her family. Mama's mother is sitting down the rest are her brothers and sister. Her mom is 91 and doing great! Fourth of July they all get together to discuss family, religion and politics. They are very conservative in their political views so you can imagine how the conversation goes!

Regardless of their views they are a close family and the 4th of July is the time they all get together for a couple of days. They have a very strong opinion on family values.

We will be praying that this special time of year will find your family values strengthening and that remember - "Let Freedom Ring!"

4th of July - a fun time! I think!

This was mama last year - making homemade ice cream! In a day or two we will be doing this again. We make one of three freezers of homemade ice cream - we end up with 16 quarts of ice cream for about 35 people. Already some of mama's extended family have started to arrive. We will peak on Saturday with 35 to 40 family members.

Most of you know that we live on a church camp ground of over 300 acres. The camp has three motel units, approximately 25 rustic cabins you can rent, and 150 RV sites with full hook-ups. Every thing by Friday will be filled up! There are 175 homes like mama and papa's here as well. Most of mama's extended family will eat all of their meals at our house from Thursday through Sunday.

I have one question, does anybody have a spare room I could rent starting any day now until Monday noon?? Please ?? I'll bring some ice cream! Please take pity on papa!!

Relay for Life - Cancer awareness.

This picture is not our group but helps you to get the idea.

As I type this, members of our team are still walking at a local high school outdoor track to support "Relay For Life". Our local church team will walk for 24 hours - until 10am this morning.
Mama and I walked as part of the relay team last evening from 8pm until 9pm.

We thought of many friends and family members who have lost their battle with this dreaded disease, but we also are so thankful for all of the survivors. There were many walkers with purple shirts on that indicated they were survivors. Remember my post about Wendy? Had nine children? She lost her battle with this disease a couple of weeks ago - yes, I am angry.

Two days ago a close friend of ours found out she has Pancreatic Cancer. I have come to a very profound revelation about cancer - "Cancer Sucks"!

Swimming Hole!

When my brother and I both learned to swim, probably at the age of 10 or 12, we got a big surprise. Dad took us just 2 miles from our small farm and took us to the local "swimming hole" that we did not know existed. He wanted us to know how to swim first - there were dangers. When you got into 4' of water it suddenly went to 15' of water had a sharp drop off. After a few visits and dad was sure we were safe he sat us down and gave us good news. We could go to the swimming hole by ourselves!! Wow was that special! Almost every day through the summer we would go. We could take the tractor or ride the horses! We preferred the horses - because we would play tag on horse back in the water! Every once in awhile the horses would go right off the drop off! If you have never rode bareback on a swimming horse - it was cool!

This past Tuesday I went to the old "swimming hole". A man with his kids was fishing but the access to the swimming hole was now closed - I was disappointed! I wanted one more dip!

Life has had many changes - some good, some disappointing. Tuesday, I got back in the car, disappointed, but thankful for the memories and thanking God for his blessings. And His protection as a kid.