More than a trip to the Senior Center

I needed 45 minutes the other day. No talking, no conversing, no arguing. 45 minutes. Willem agreed to babysit. My stop, the Senior Center.

I arrive and the parking lot has a long line, in the heat. People waiting for free food. Bread and produce is what I saw. Elderly people, people with walkers, a few young mothers, one with a baby in a front pack. They came for food.


I didn't know many who were hungry as a child. I know of many who are hungry now that I am an adult. I am critical of the rich and of the wasteful. This is my shortcoming.


My mind does not stop. Early hours of the morning it starts going again. I am not sure how to stop this and maybe God made me so that I won't. My heart aches at times and my thoughts become more introverted.

A girl told me on the last day of school that she was not excited for summer break. She would miss school very much. This could have meant she would miss being fed. This could have meant she would miss her friends or her teacher or the consistency and care of school.


She cried in a cubby, the cubby where you put your coats and backpacks  - on the last day of school. I saw her today at Goodwill!! Oh how I loved seeing that girl! She told me she was doing summer school and could not have been more excited! I got to meet her mom! We don't share the same language but we shared a smile.

I don't know if I have shared through my blog in the past, but these kids are placed in my path! The kids I have felt concerned about! I see them thrifting or while grocery shopping and am reminded to pray.



P.S.
I found fabric for Natasha and Maria at the thrift store! I found a book, of course!
The senior working there was as kind as could be.
I left refreshed and with cute fabric.
I left with a prayerful heart.


We are missing Merit. He is on day 3 at Eastern's football camp. That boy has a heart of gold, a compassion that is somewhat rare in a 15 year old and is one of the easiest people to talk to.Tomorrow we will have him HOME.


These are "uneasy" times, yet I have a feeling of contentment. God given.

Happy Wednesday!

I think this morning of the kids who were not looking forward to summer break.
Kids who really needed the breakfast and lunch at the school, the socializing with friends, the care of their teacher maybe the support services of the counselor. These kids are really on my mind.
Our community does some important things to help ease the burden for these kids. Several locations offer free lunches for children under 18. And we can pray that people come in their path that can help ease some of the hardships of summer.
I also feel thankful that for many summer break is a needed break and includes more time at home, more time with family, more free time...


This blog would be fake to only highlight the "good times" There are many, but they are not all good. These last three days have been challenging and frustrating and I have worked very hard to smile and to push through.

Blessed be... the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation. 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 -----------I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20

Merit is off to camp at Eastern! Football camp! He will have a blast I think. I am praying he works hard, stays safe and is an encourager to those around him!

Willem is up for tricky jobs and challenges on the home front! He even tried to help tame our wild foster kitties. These are the trickiest kitties we have had so far! But they always go in their litter box AND once in our arms are sweet (when we catch them!!)

Willem has organizational skills that I lack. Sometimes he will help me with a room or cupboard. It is wonderful. Willem likes playing Fortnite when he has downtime.

Hazel had a blast at her friend Alli's yesterday! And then once at the baseball game, she had Sophia to giggle with! ---There is some horse dreaming over here too...

Oren LOVES having these big kids home. His imagination is my favorite.

Adventures!

The last several days have involved driving all over Eastern, WA and into Oregon.

The drive from Pendleton to Walla Walla is my favorite!! Wineries, horses, crops, farm country! It was beautiful. 

Got to watch Merit play baseball and basketball along the way! 

Merit and Willem were playing in two different places over the weekend so Vance headed to Ellensburg with Willem. Merit, Hazel, Oren and I have been all over the place. 

Summer nights are the best. 

I am not much of a night driver, so long days are so great.

 I love baseball. I love it almost as much as basketball. What I do appreciate about baseball is that it allows my littles to run and explore. Drinking fountains, mud holes, playing in the grass, pushing trucks, duck, duck goose...

 This kid works hard. Always.
He works hard at being kind and inclusive.
He works hard as a teammate.
He works to be the best he can be.

 I love these kids!
There play is fantastic!!

La Michael and Oren. 

There bond took off in Calgary, Alberta - it continues to grow! 

 Garden fun once back home

The first sunflower of the season!

Willem works hard. He does not over think the game. He is positive and a good sport. It is a blast to watch him play. These pics are from the weekend of the 9th - both boys' teams had a rough weekend of baseball but it was still a good weekend. And Stan and Adie were here to visit.

Baseball and Cousins

Baseball! Last weekend, our nephews Kai and Lane (on the same team - how cool is THAT?!) were going to be playing in Moses Lake and Ellensburg. Merit was going to be playing in Moses Lake and Willem in Yakima. hmmmm Trying to be three places at once proves to be very interesting.

On top of this we were invited to four graduation parties. 

Phil arrived at 7:45 Friday morning, texting at 7:30 asking if the coffee was on! 

I knew he was coming but guessed he would be here about 5 when Tasha was supposed to come. 

He ran my errands with me and stayed back with Oren while I went to get the kids from school. 

The weekend was very full and good. 

 Hazel and Estelle

 The pretending was so fantastic.
These two pretend they are married.
Estelle had Ernie, the foster kitty, in her arms often - Oren had his pretend chain saw and was cutting branches. I found myself peaking out windows and spying on them because their imaginations and play are so wonderful.

Lane

 Lane

Oren 

If we pack good snacks and sunscreen, Oren is going to have fun

Merit cheering on Lane and Kai

 Woody's for lunch

 Brielle, Estelle and Hazel
Lesha had to stay back - Amara had stuff going on in Lynden. We did miss them, but were pretty excited we could see so much family.

 These two!! I love to watch them play!! They are such good buddies.

Rob (my brother in law) and Kai

Kai

This next weekend I will be able to get pics of Will playing --

I sometimes have to take deep breaths. It is a BUSY season!
Every year at this time the garden suffers a bit and I get behind on laundry. The calendar is full and the days are long - but good, oh so good.