Oh my, a full month has flown by. What a whirlwind summer we have had. The best thing, aside from terrific time with my kids, has been a growing contentment within my heart, especially in regards to this huge transition we’ve undertaken. Yes, I would say that circumstances have changed some – mostly relationally things have improved and grown – but far more so, my heart has changed and I’ve come to better terms
with all the losses and their inevitable alterations.
I’ve become more grateful and gratitude truly does feed one’s soul well.

Aside from all those internal happenings, we’ve continued to have many comings and goings over the past 3 months. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed discovering more of the northwest. What amazing beauty!

In June we attended a church campout at a lake in the middle of the state.
Here’s a typical sunset from there:

Who wouldn’t enjoy that?

While there, our youngest, Jenny, was baptized.

And then we drove further east and north to a lovely area that resembles
a little Switzerland here in North America.
Lake Wallowa:

The mountain water is cold there!

~ Heidie & Jesse ~

The Sound-of-Music-ish scenery was just gorgeous.

~ Jenny ~

And we even enjoyed the company of a local visitor. 

All in all, it was a great summer kick-off.

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“I could feel the day offering itself to me and I wanted nothing more than to be in the moment – but which moment? Not that one, or that one, or that one, or any of those that were scuttling by seemed perfectly right… Plus, I was too knotted up with questions about the past and his tall, evasive sister, the future….. And so the priceless moments of the day were squandered one by one – or more likely a thousand at a time – with quandry and pointless interrogation….” ~ Billy Collins

May it not be. I think this live-in-the-moment-mentality has become part of my growing contentment ~ to be satisfied with now, today, this hour, and dwelling on the past or projecting into the future less and less. I’m sure I’ll be challenged down the road to forget this lesson, but for now – I’m thoroughly enjoying it.

“He….said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ ” Mk 4:39
“I have learned to be content.” Phil 4:11
“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens…” Eccl 3:1

Trusting He will remind me when I need it again….

I’ve been so remiss and terribly busy – I’ve become a poor, negligent blogger, I’m afraid. My oldest son, Josh and his wife, Kirsten were with us not long ago….
and my oldest daughter, Katie, is coming on Sunday.
That means that this summer these are the only two we are missing:

Jon and Kat. But, they are already thinking through plans for a visit in the fall/winter.
I do wish I could transport all my kids to the west coast,
but I know they each need to follow their own journey
and I am grateful for whatever shared time we are given.

I have many more photos I could post. Since our trip east in May there have been drama productions, days of yard work, b’day celebrations, an aquarium trip,
the end of another school year, a violin recital, parties, parties and more parties, opportunities to serve the poor, a church campout, a short family vacation,
garage reorganizing, a youth retreat, women’s Bible Studies, bike expeditions,
books read, movies watched,
days at horse camp, out of town guests, ballet lessons,
a 4 day music festival, a bit more unpacking,
numerous hikes…..
and just regular life.
Whew.

If you follow my Facebook page, you’ve probably “seen” at least some of those activities….
I’ll try to put a sampling on here from time to time.
And, there’s plenty more on the calendar for the upcoming weeks.

Now you can see why my blogging has been so sparse.

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“I am sure we honor God more if we gratefully accept the life He gives us with all its blessing, loving it and drinking it to the full, grieving deeply and sincerely when we have belittled or thrown away any of the precious things of life.” ~ D. Bonhoeffer

“Everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be thrown away or refused if it is received with thanksgiving.” 1 Tim 4:4

There have, of course, been challenges amidst all our activity, but the blessings always outweigh them – something we can truthfully say, as long as we have life.
Gratitude is the oil for every season, whether it be slow, lean, abundant or hectic.

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We’re still pretty amazed with Oregon….

….more to follow, which will show you why.

My girls have been gone for a few days, at a church campout. I’ve enjoyed the quiet house, but I’m ready to be back with them! Rob and I leave today to join them for 4 days,
and then we’ll pick up our youngest son and have another 4 days all together in a cabin,
in the mountains of eastern Oregon. Summer is a delight.
I’m thoroughly enjoying being done with school.

Here are the girls back in PA in May, with their closest friends:

Heidie’s chum, Emily came out here last September, and Jenny’s counterpart, Linn, will be coming for a week this August. We have various friends and family stopping by this summer. So, so nice…

Unfortunately our middle son and his girl won’t make it out this summer.

We’re hoping maybe in the fall…..one thing about living so far apart is that when we do get together, we are REALLY grateful.

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“Years ago He was a swinging speck in the distance; now He is close enough I can hear His singing. Soon I will see the lines on His face.” ~ D. Miller

“Let me see Your face, let me hear Your voice…” Song of Solomon 2:14

Someday that distance, too, will be totally diminished.
A very happy thought.

This shot was taken when we were back in PA, in May. So typical of these two – so true to their personalities. Josh is our first born, the one we’ve cut our parenting teeth on. He’s a great kid, though I guess now I should say, he’s a wonderful man.  He called his dad yesterday, along with his 5 other siblings. None of them were home for Father’s Day, but Rob had very nice conversations with each one. We’ll actually celebrate a little later in the month, when half of the tribe will be together.

Parenting is such a fearsome and blessed endeavor. It’s the most stretching thing we’ve been called to do, to date. It’s also the most privileged task we’ve been given. I’m so grateful for the Father Above who covers all our missteps and errors. The more time has passed, the less we think we know – not because we’re lacking in appropriate confidence, but because we’ve been duly humbled. Serving these kids whom God has created and called, for whom He has His plans and purposes apart from us, is truly “awesome” and often knee-knocking. When we started on this journey 28 years ago, we so thought we knew what we were doing. Who were we kidding? We were so “wet behind the ears” and mere kids ourselves. I’m so grateful for His grace and sustenance that carry us along.
 I rest in my dependency on Him. Maybe I’ve finally learned a bit how to do it.

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“There are places in our lives that only God can go.” ~ “Paul”, via Don Miller

This is so true – especially in regards to our children. We cannot and should not think we can touch everything in our kids’ lives and hearts.
Much of it is territory where only He can tread. And He does it so well.

“O Lord, You…know everything about me….if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there Your hand will guide me…You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion…
woven together in the dark…” Ps 139

If He knew us so well then, He can see all now and do His work each step along the way.
So, so grateful.

Rainy and misty here today. Yesterday was stunning – so sunny – and I spent it playing in my dirt. Today I’ll probably be mostly inside, working on finishing up our school year.
We must be done by the end of next week! Well, at least the girls must be done…
my documentation may drag on a bit.

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“The greater gift is always the Giver, and not what He dispenses….I must learn to appreciate Him for Who He is and not simply for the blessings He bestows.” ~ C. Ringma

“[May] you really come to know the love of Christ.” Eph 3:19
“I count everything as loss compared to…knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Phil  3:8

Indeed. He is the best blessing of all.
Forgive me, Lord, when I think it’s about other “stuff”.

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When we were back in PA, we went on a hike to one of our favorite spots in the county –
a woody glen.

So glad to have Jesus, Who is the water that refreshes my soul!

Busy days here of outings, work, birthdays, gardening, errands, meetings, finishing up our school year….you know, just life! God is good. That’s what transforms it all – recognizing His grace in the every day, in both the monumental and the seemingly inconsequential.

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“Our life is not only travail and labor; it is also refreshment and joy in the forgiveness of God. We labor, but God nourishes and sustains us. And this is the reason for celebrating.”
~ D. Bonhoeffer

“Nourish and shepherd [us] and carry [us] forever.” Ps 28:9

“He did you good and showed you kindness and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with nourishment and happiness.” Acts 14:17

“The Lord sustains me.” Ps 3:5

So grateful. Most of all for Him.

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When we were back in PA last month for Jon’s graduation, we had a few hours with extended family. Precious. Especially given how far apart we all are now – scattered
in NY, PA, VA, TX and of course, OR.



Couldn’t resist some silliness!

Any parent who loves his child can relate to this:

“The greatest thing…a man can do for his heavenly Father is to be kind to some of His other children.” ~ H. Drummond

Little can discourage and dishearten a parent more than bickering, insensitive, thoughtless and cruel siblings. And when your children truly love one another, it is a gift not just to them, but to you, isn’t it? How much more must the Father of All feel this way?

“He who loves God shall love his brother also.” 1 John 4:21

We need to continually look for ways to love the children of God –
even those who have yet to discover that they are His.
And so we give Him cause to smile.

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This weekend Rob is in Joplin, MO, hoping to love some hurting folks. Our church has a sister church down there and a team is gathering to help wherever and however they can. It was a privilege to go. Lord, have mercy on so many who are grieving now.

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One of our surprises when we returned to PA a couple weeks ago was that our daughter, Kate, now living in Houston, also unexpectedly joined us. It was pure delight.
Here she is with her long-time friend, who picked her up at the airport.
(Erin lives in Hawaii, but was in town for her brother’s wedding).

It’s always food for the soul to have time with my girl.

Then we all gathered to celebrate Jon’s college graduation.
Here he is flanked by two darlings: his well-loved sister and his adorable girlfriend.

And here he is with his first teacher, who was very proud of him:

It was a weekend overflowing with the goodness of God.

I’ve been sharing the reasons for my faith in Jesus with a young friend of late.
He doesn’t see it.
Yet.

“No lips can tell the love Christ to the heart till Jesus Himself shall speak within….Till…Immanuel reveals Himself within, the soul sees Him not….The Spirit of God must come with power…Happy are those to whom our Lord manifests Himself.”
~ C. Spurgeon

“With You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light.” Ps 36:9

“Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven.” Matt 16:17

“God Who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts….the light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God as it is manifested in the Person and…in the face of Jesus.” 2 Cor 4:6

It’s hard to understand why so many do not see what seems so evident to me.
But, I pray, I pray.

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Last weekend we went back to PA to celebrate our middle son’s college graduation and visit with dear family and friends. It was all wonderful and full of delightful surprises – the first one being, surprising 2 of the girls’ best friends who had no idea we were coming.

These four are more like sisters than friends.
It was terribly satisfying to watch this reunion.
And there were so many other good times to come after that first night.
Yes, God is good.

Well, we’ve been here for 9 months and I’m hoping that the worst of the feelings of loneliness and isolation and “out of my comfort zone-ness” are over. I’m sure we still have some adjusting to do, but it just feels different now than it did a month or two ago,
and for that I am very grateful. The difference has come about by
investing in more relationships, staying busy and letting time do its work.
I am content.

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“When we practice looking for God’s presence around us, we see His hand everywhere. We must continue to look for His treasure, even when circumstances overwhelm us. When we are determined to search, we will find His peace in the midst of the storm.”
~ W. Carmichael

“Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually.” 1 Chron 16:11

“In Your presence is fullness of joy.” Ps 16:11

Sometimes evidence of His presence is stunningly obvious….sometimes it is not.

But, I’m so grateful He’s always there, even when I must see Him
with the eyes of my heart.