Days of Summer

The following posts are just some pictures of our summer days. We are having a good time celebrating birthdays, weddings, the birth of baby chicks, and great fellowship with family and friends. Enjoy the pictures.

Our faithful little hen sat for 23 days on 7 eggs. She hatched out 6 little chicks. 4 black and 2 yellow. She didn't move from her nest for the entire time. We sat water and food in front of her so she wouldn't starve. She is a good momma. The chicks will be 3 weeks old Friday.

#1 - Luke's cousin Bonnie is training him early as to the college of choice
#2 - John practicing for hunting season
#3 - Laura, Grandad, Luke and hats!
#4 - Grandad, cousin David, and Nene
#5 - Luke boating again.

#1 - Grilling hot dogs at David's birthday party
#2 - David is so excited to turn 7. Bonnie celebrates with her brother.
#3 - Meredith and Tonya after swimming
#4 - Craig gives David his birthday present...a go cart!
#5 - Jonya and Jennifer at David's birthday party.

#1 - Bradley turns 18

#2 - Laura goes boating

#3 - Laura posing in her Flamingo swim suit

#4 - Drum begs for attention

#5 - Luke goes boating

#1 - John, Laura, and Lincoln rest in the recliner.
#2 - Laura swimming
#3 - John and Luke pose in the kitchen
#4 - John, William, and Poppy at Liz's wedding
#5 - Boys in tuxes after the wedding on the putting green

JOYFUL or LESS

I was just thinking (I know you all must think that I do that alot, and I do) about joy. A little while ago, as the kids were playing with these humongous (sp?) balloons, I decided to wear them as earrings. I have on this little pair of pearl studs (dollar store variety) so I put the earrings through the end of these huge white and blue balloons and wore them around the house. The kids giggled and giggled. They thought it was the funniest thing they had ever seen. It was!!!

Children are so full of joy. They are innocent and they love to be happy and to laugh about things. Why don't grown ups want to be full of joy? We meditate on our problems, some percieved and some real, until we are so joyLESS. And then, if we are really bad we suck the joy right out of our little kids too by grumbling and complaining about our life! How terrible. I know some problems are really bad, but how many of us REALLY have it bad?

If we only could realize that God is so good and loving. If we could just understand that our joy comes through our relationship of love and faith in Him, we could laugh and giggle just like the children. Problems would be placed in the Father's hands, our thoughts would transcend our physical surroundings, and peace and contentment would fill our hearts and minds.

Watch your children today. See how quickly they forgive an offense? See how something so small can create a cute smile on their face? See how a simple candy can heal a wound?

Where is your joy? Is it hiding in unforgiveness, disappointment, false expectations of people, pain or illness? Don't let Satan steal your joy. It's so fun to be happy! Lay those burdens down and the alter and let God have 'em. Have some fun with your happy kids today.

DO NOT SQUASH A GIGGLE OR A SMILE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GIVE UP YOUR UNHAPPINESS! YOU WILL BE SACRIFICING YOUR JOY AND THE JOY OF YOUR CHILDREN IF YOU DO!!