The Best Kind of Vacations

We had the joy and blessing of spending the past week with one of our sons and his family. They came to us this time, and we had so much fun chatting with our adult kids and playing with our young grandchildren! The only downside of such a trip is that time goes by much too quickly. We spent months preparing the house, the yard, the cars, and more for this much-anticipated week. My to-do list “before they come” was lengthy, but now, it sure is nice to have so many things completed. Less to do this summer and more down-time in coming weeks. I hope!

Our grandkids had fun inside and out, and it was great to see them play together in creative ways. The weather, unfortunately, for Michigan was WAY too hot and humid for June, making us very thankful for air conditioning. The kids were delighted to feed the cranes, watch the bunnies and ducks and birds. They missed seeing these three male deer that showed up while they were out, unfortunately. Kody saw them though, and I think he scared them off again!

Kody and Kaelee did not know what to make of young children. They are used to boring adults who live a pretty quiet life. Suddenly, they were faced with little feet running here and there and racing toy trucks throughout the house. So we didn’t see much of the cats during the week, which they spent in the basement. But by the end, they were both coming around a little more often. They would have adjusted, eventually.

I’m back to work this week, and beginning to regain some lost energy. I’m slowly putting things back that I tucked away to make the place less cluttered. Honestly? I think I might keep it this way! I’m rather happy with less. I see another donation of unneeded or no longer used items coming in the near future.

We don’t often get time with our grown kids or their kids because we live across the country from them, so we are always grateful for every moment God gives.

Now that I’m officially “back to work” I will begin my second draft of the story of the Syrophoenician woman. I also expect to receive edits on A Deeper Well very soon. But we will still take summer breaks when we can. And I nearly forgot that it’s a shortened week because of the 4th! The neighbors are already shooting off fireworks, so I’m not sure why this holiday nearly escaped me!

With all that is happening in our world and this country, I am still grateful to live in a place where I can freely worship my God. But I also pray for His mercy on this land. We are in desperate need of His mercy and grace.

Happy early 4th to all!