Warmth!!!

Summer has finally shown it's much anticipated face!  Ahhhhh...  It has been in the high 80's the last few days, and truly delightful!
Much has been happening around here too!  As a family, it's been a busy couple weeks.  Jim taught at church the last two weeks, and that always takes a lot of time.  He really studies, prepares, and practices - all the while having some part time jobs, and getting 23 students ready for a missions trip.
He had a fun week running Rocky Mountain Mini Golf while our friend was on vacation.  The place is kept up so beautifully, and Jim enjoyed putzing in the ponds, and keeping the greens cleaned. 
Over Memorial Day, our family camped with the Gilmore's, and other friends.  Lots of folks coming and going as schedules permitted.  We stayed close by (it's so great living close to such amazing places to camp!) and Jim preached that Sunday.  We returned to camp, and he promptly started writing his next message.  It wasn't all work though.  Two other couples, along with Jim and I, played some mean games of horse shoes.  We had to adjust the rules some, but the women came out on top once - which is really all we needed!  Kids rode the four wheelers on the rodes, and we took some nice walks as well.  Great campfires, and yummy food as well.  It was a great weekend.
Jim had training all last week for the job he does one month in the summer - the CO Conservation Core.  He, along with another leader or two, are responsible for taking the youth that signed up, and putting them to work.  They have jobs like getting the fair grounds cleaned up, painting,  and working on some of the different trails around Salida.  They also do team building, and educational days.  This year will be special because Steve and Donna's oldest - Heidi - will be part of the group.  Meanwhile, Sarah participated in a volleyball camp (got so sore it was hard to walk!  The good ol' days!) and Rebekah jumped in to a couple days of tennis camp.  They both did great!!!
On Friday of last week - while the girls went swimming at the local indoor pool (I know - bummer that it's inside....), I joined Jim and a group of folks from church to help rip out the old carpet in the community center where we meet each Sunday.  The glue on the carpet - even after all these years - was still very adhesive!  Lots of work - but there were big burly men, and a couple of us willing to work women.  Got that carpet out in a couple hours! 
Sarah turned 13 on Saturday - WHAT????  Yikes!  Enjoyed the day with her, and she had friends over for pizza, cake, games, and then a trip to town for glow in the dark mini golf.  It was cool!  She had a fun time with her friends, and I loved the memories of her as a little girl, and looking through her baby pictures - like I do each year. 
Because of the work being done to the community center - we joined the Vineyard Church for Sunday services.  The youth leave for their missions trip to New Mexico next Sunday, so there was a nice prayer time for the students and leaders.  After that - Jim continued the series he and Kyle are doing on the role of the Church in our world.  The last youth fundraiser breakfast was right after, and Jim did a great job in coordinating that along with Kenny.  We all came home pretty pooped!

This week, we look forward to my brother Bill and his daughter Krista coming out.  Krista is joining Sarah, along with her other cousins, Audrey and Ellie, on the mission trip.  I know the girls are all looking forward to it!  Though my visit with Bill will be brief - I am very excited about it! 

I think summer has been a wonderful welcome to Donna and the kids too.  They have the house ready for market, which brings a lot of mixed feelings.  I know that she is completely trusting God to do what He will.  She continues to be a blessing to those who hurt for her and her kids.  That family doesn't even realize what an encouragement they are to so many.  It's amazing how God is using their lives here.
A few weeks ago, we had the chance, along with some wonderful friends, to watch Heidi get baptized.  Pastor George asked her some questions, and one of her answers just swelled inside of me.  "Why are you getting baptized now Heidi?"  "It's not my parents faith anymore, it's mine..."  YES!!  Isn't that what it's all about?

I miss Steve, and think about him every day.  I am amazed at how taken back I am at times by the whole thing.  It surprises me.  I continue to trust that God knows the plans, and am so thankful for the faith that is mine! 
Looking forward to our MN trip, and catching up with friends and family.
Looking forward to enjoying summer in the mountains.  With the slamming of the screen door, the beautiful wild flowers that are growing again in my yard (yeah!!), the meadow larks song, and yes, even the warm wind that blows - always blowing.  I'm grateful that winter has passed.