God be our guide

It has been a week of learning and a week of summer beauty...

Annika and Elliot were wed last night

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Merit is having a ball in Boise with some terrific ball being played.

We are eating so well here. Going out for some fun dinners! Enjoying these long summer days. 

 I went for three bike rides Thursday, all of them by myself. Often Willem goes with me, sometimes Merit and every now and again Vance, Hazel, or Oren. 

Thursday it was just me. 

I hit 1,000 miles on my bike. 

I typically take the same route, it is nothing too strenuous in fact, I know I should push myself a little more. 

Willem said he noticed I walk with people a lot. Vance or Oren here, Shannon in town... sometimes Marie. He told me how much he enjoys walking alone. 

Well that little tidbit along with the heat maybe keeping others away, I set out on my bike by myself. 

The day before had some really rough patches and I started to reflect on the rough patches. Reflection happens best in quiet spaces. I had this knowledge that I could not longer tolerate certain behaviors. I said it really wimpy in my mind the first time "I don't think I have the energy to tolerate this anymore." I didn't like how it sounded. So then I said it with more conviction,  "I don't want to tolerate these behaviors anymore." Ending with, "I will not tolerate the behaviors any longer."

What I pray for in the wee hours of the morning is clarity. When it arrives, it is a thing of beauty.

I feel a little raw in sharing this, but if it can help anyone else - even one person - I feel like sharing is important.

I whisper regularly -God be my guide-

This kid! PURE JOY

Desert Love

Happy Thursday

 

I will upload pics soon of  some cousin fun in Moses Lake. 

Lesha, Kai, Amara, and Brielle made some memories here. We are thankful.

Oren is so enjoying our pond and barn - hikes, walks and talks - this kid makes summer better. 

Merit did a terrific job pitching in Boise today! Willem is putting in the work for summer basketball. And these guys are pretty good with helping Vance maintain this acreage. Planting trees, spraying weeds, and pulling weeds is not easy. Oh and then there is always rock picking. And household stuff -

Vance has walking trails mowed and with our milder summer, these trails have been really taken advantage of. 

Hazel and Oren played at the Turner's today - good friends, less than two miles from here -  and had a lot of fun! 

Please pray with me for Triston - he is a young guy battling cancer. He has some really long days. His whole family could use our prayers. 

Please pray for Natasha. 

I am so grateful we can pray. 

Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God. Romans 5:1

July goodness

 

July

We are experiencing beautiful weather and our summer nights are so welcomed.

I go for a couple of bike rides every day. 

Do you ever look back on a week and think of all the times you could have spoke up, the things you should have handled differently, the things you should have navigated with more boldness, or grace, or patience? 

That's me.

I sometimes rehearse some of the days conversations and just think of how I could have responded differently.

Blessed are those who put their trust in Him.

Psalm 2:12

All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

Romans 8:28

I am clinging tightly to these verses today and am SO thankful for them.

FIVE praises 

1) Hazel got to ride Sable yesterday and SO enjoyed it! Marilyn has shared her horses and pasture with us for many years and we feel delighted.

2) 

Oren! And the "microphone"

3) The Farmer's Market is today! 

4) Our pond is a good place to relax, kayak, or cool off. I have been down there a lot this summer. We all have. 

5) We are so thankful Tasha has a new heart. Her road is not easy. But there is a lot of hope.

She has had a lot of headaches and is quite tired because she is anemic. I pray she is less tired and her headaches subside. I pray she is protected from illness and infection. She has a good outlook and treasures the days she feels good. 

Happy Tuesday

My dear friend Marilyn's holly hocks

 I have to keep it simple.

We just can't quite find our way over here. 

But I tell you what we can do;

work and play EVERY day

do nice things for others

keep the freezer stocked with ice pops, drumsticks, and Outsihine fruit bars

I can't tell you how much I love the summer weather here and I am praying now for a minor or nonexistent wildfire season! I will pray daily. 

God is at work within you, helping you want to obey HIM, and then helping you do what He wants. 

Philippians 2:13

Saturday evening at Marilyn's

Marilyn's home is a welcoming haven of love and beauty. 

It is a place where God is honored and voices are heard. 

Last night we got to celebrate beautiful Annika! She and Mitch and Marilyn's third son, Elliot, will be wed later this month! 

Marilyn's blooms are gorgeous!!

 

JUNE

We are struggling a bit in finding our summer groove - but there is SO much to be thankful for! 

There is a u pick strawberry patch two miles from here and the berries are DELICIOUS!!

Oren LOVED the bike track last week! 

Cousin fun is  - oh so sweet -

Pond swimming and kayaking we try to squeeze into each day!

More pics to come! 

Oren and Ingrid
 

Sparkling cider on the cabin deck

Estelle and Hazel

Current Happenings

 Current Happenings

Friday of last week everyone had a free afternoon so we met Merit at Palouse Falls and the beauty we experienced was breathtaking!!

Willem played basketball in Spokane Saturday and in Richland Monday night. We enjoyed grad parties as we could fit them in Saturday and Sunday. The weather turned out beautifully although there was a threat of rain. 

I think maybe sophomore year was Merit's favorite and wow has sophomore year ever been a blast for Willem. He comes home with great stories every day! 

Hearing about what he is cooking up in culinary is a JOY! And his American Sign Language class has been so very terrific! He has really bonded with his teacher - Merit did too! Mrs. Couch! But she is leaving our area and will be moving to Arizona. 

I got to teach Oren's class Tuesday and Wednesday last week and I was grinning from ear to ear! So much growth with this group! And man those kids are funny! 

I was, however, a bit distracted as Hazel was home sick. 

Tuesday afternoon I took her to walk in. They ruled out Covid, influenza, and strep. She had a mandatory cheer meeting that afternoon - we got there for just a quick piece of it -

Merit ended his first year as a Walla Walla Warrior yesterday and that KID! He pulled up last night in a rain storm. Hazel had blueberry muffins in the oven and Oren ran to greet him! His year was good. There were challenges along the way, but the friendships he has made are incredible. He is a social being and a heck of a pitcher. 

Merit is pitching in Selah today! I have not seen this kid pitch his last several outings and I am missing it. 

I thought a ton of my nephew Kai yesterday with his graduation being last night. I thought so much of Lesha too. 

Oren enjoyed field day on Wednesday - I did too! It was incredibly fun. There were inflatables, bounce houses, games, sponge volleyball, popsicles! The weather could not have been better. 

And then yesterday was Longview's art fair and BBQ! 

Vance got ready for his trip Tuesday and Wednesday, and left Thursday morning. He is up in Ketchikan. 

Hazel is slightly better but this has kicked her little butt. She is still sleeping. Went to bed at 9 pm and here it is 11:15 - I am concerned I should take her in again...

SPOKANE in the RAIN

Ohhhhhh I loved a walk! Uphill for a mile and then downhill

With THESE SIGHTS along the way! 

We have had more rain then normal and Spokane even more than here I think.... It is has been so much cooler than previous May/Junes  - - -

I love these 60, 70 degree days! 

But once 90 hits, I think I will be ready! 

And my VERY favorite part, spending the day with Willem!!

We had five hours between games. Sure is a good thing we have similar interests!