There is not much more that I can say, other than we are SO proud of Ryan.
About a year ago Ryan started asking if he could be re-baptized. We discussed it with him, wanting to know what made him think his first baptism wasn't "valid" and he simply said--"Because it was your choice--not mine. I want God to know it's my choice". You can't argue with that. A chat with Pastor Tom, and he confirmed to Ryan that it was A-OK to do this again! We didn't hear much more about it until several weeks ago. It was decided by Ryan that he wanted baptized when we returned from Michigan. His Youth pastor called, and said they hoped he wouldn't mind changing from the 24th to the 31st, since Sr Pastor Tom would be gone, and he wanted to be there. Ryan was fine, and this morning, he found out that Troy was doing music, and while a little disappointed, he said it really didn't matter...but was thrilled when it was Pastor Tom that baptized him, as that is the man that first spoke to Ryan's heard about the Lord. Troy played music and sang one of Ryan's favorite songs, and the two most important influences were part of his baptism today.
It filled my heart when one of Ryan's friends came forward as well, and from the back came Sam, who did not intend to come to church this morning, as he just got home from a mission trip, but when he saw Ryan was being baptized this morning, he came over...and was a huge support. Thanks Sam...it meant a lot to Ryan, and to this Mom especially, knowing that he has such great friends in the Lord to be with!
My heart is full, I am so Thankful....
The latter part of June, and the month of July have been a blur! It has been SO busy, it's hard to remember it all. I guess I'll break it down like before!
The end of June, Kristin and Tanya spent a few days painting the windows & doors of the new coop. Bill put them up, and it's starting to look pretty cool. We are trying to get it finished before we fly out on the 30th. The nesting boxes are complete, but not painted yet...but the girls have finally figured out where to lay. Bill also put a perch inside, but the chicks don't seem to like it, but maybe it takes time.
Ryan has been busy with fund raisers for church camp, and football. He's been a busy kid, and will no more than get out of school than we leave for vacation.
After the coop is fixed enough that it can be used, we then concentrated on fencing. We thought we had some figured out, but it sold before we got there. Oh well, better things in store, right. On Saturday, we got up and I checked Craigs list. We found some fencing for a great price, and the only problem, was that it was in Washington....just over the state line. It was a beautiful Saturday, so we called, and told them we were on our way. We work Kristin, dropped Ryan at the football car wash, and headed out. What was really neat, was it was in an area that Bill used to live in when he was in the service. So..he showed us where he was stationed while in dry dock. It turned out to be a productive day in getting fencing, and a fun day too!
The fencing goes up, and we head out on vacation 2 days later.
We head to Portland on Wednesday the 29th, and fly out on Thursday the 30th, arriving in Michigan at 12:30 AM on Friday. We get a good nights rest, and spend the day with Bill's mom and sisters, and of course, we hit Michaels favorite place, LEOS for breakfast and then head to Ohio to my folks lake property for a weekend of fun with my brother & sister, and their families. It's been many years since we've all been together. We get a great treat of fireworks...and Bowerstown puts on a good show for such a tiny town!
On the second day at the lake, the boys stay and play while a few of us adults, and the two girls run to town for some needed supplies, and of course, corn on the cob!! We had a nice evening and Jason brought out the fireworks...which turned out to be a smoke show. We still had fun!
On the Fourth of July we headed to Salem to Aunt Cece's and Uncle Rudy's to celebrate my Grandparent's 70th wedding anniversary. What an inspiration they are to all of us. It was a special treat for all of us to be together, and to visit with some very special people in our lives. The day is never long enough, although we got some awesome family pictures, and we were only missing two out of our family of 30!! Jason & Jeannine head home, and we talked them into leaving Natalie, if we promised to bring her home on Friday with us! The boys were already scheduled to be at the lake with our kids for the next two weeks.
The following day we spent a great day at the lake. It was so much fun playing with the kids in the water. They would all ask Bill to come out to swim, and they run and scream as they played "King of the raft". We also had a great visit with my Aunt Dolly & Uncle Dick...the man who introduced me to Uncle Wiggly! We also got to visit with Debbie their daughter (my cousin!). Lots of fun--visiting--laughing...catching up!
On Wednesday, we headed to Amish County and the cheese factory. It was a great day, and we were able to meet cousin Sarah and her kids there. Back to the cabin, and we share a last night with Tam & Eric, Nick & Erica before they head west on the vacation to Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and all those beautiful places there, back & in between! We had a great day, and on the way home, stopped at an old mill....that really was still like it was in the day...very cool!!
The following day was sad and sulky for us, as Tam & Eric packed up and headed down the road with Nick & Erica. We tried to enjoy the relaxing day, but there was a lonely cloud as Kristin missed her only girl cousin there, and I of course missed my sister. The kids went fishing and swimming, and we spent our last evening enjoying the cool on the porch. It had been hot & sticky all week, and we certainly enjoyed the lake to cool off in.
On Friday, Bill,Natalie & I headed back to Michigan. It was very strange to have one child in the car, and a younger one at that!! She was SO quiet!! We dropped Natalie off, along with Jeannine's car that she was kind enough to let us borrow, and then headed back to Bill's Mom's to enjoy a visit from Todd and Erika, of course with Abby & Maddy. It was a great evening, again, always too short. I will forever remember dancing with the fireflies!
Saturday, Bill, Margaret & I spent the day in the basement, sorting through boxes of things that had not been unpacked yet. 90% of it were things from Bill's Dad, and 75% of that was tools. We made a big dent, and then we got cleaned up to head to Cracker Barrel...one of my favorite places when we hit back to the Detroit area. This trip, no chili dogs, no White Castle...a much healthier trip being that Bill's wheat & sugar allergies kept us in pretty good check!! We enjoyed a nice visit with Patti & Randy, Brooke, Karen & Jeff, Michael & Beth afterward, and the we headed to bed at a decent hour, since my flight was the next morning at 6:30AM.
I arrived in Portland at 10:30 AM on Sunday the 10th...and headed to the airport to pick up our car, and head home. It was a LONG two hours, having to stop, since I was SO sleepy from getting up so early!! Bill stayed in MI to help his Mom clean out some of his dad's things and get things ready for a garage sale. They made a major improvement in the basement, and Bill was able to sort through Dad's tools and has a stash to bring home....which translates into a trip home next summer!
Bill flies home on Sunday, and arrives at 10:30. We head home...have a nice nap, a nice dinner, and enjoy being back together after a week apart. You would think after 23 years..we'd enjoy a week off from each other...guess that's not the case!! Friday I took the day off, and I joined Bill in going to get the kids. We had a nice day together, and spent the weekend painting the chicken coop!! It was a good day, and on Sunday, it was nice to be back with our church family.
Monday, Ryan packs up to head to camp for the rest of the week....and so the summer continues!! Football starts again this next week, and tomorrow is a special day as Ryan is being baptized. Yes, he was infant baptized, but as he said...it wasn't his choice...this time it is. We are so proud of him!!
Until next time.....
