Just A Couple More...

The Zombeck's have a few pics too.

Pymatuming Lake

My brother-in-law John. He and I have the same birthday!

He and Re-Re are a perfect match.

My Ke-Ke... isn't he handsome?!

He's like Mr. Joe Cool with those shades.

Re-Re... my sis. Strike a pose!

The ducks and geese were dangerously close to the spillway.

The carp go wild for bread. Talk about crowded! Can you imagine falling in? If you made it out alive you'd be covered with sucker bites! Click on the picture for a closer look.

Keith stops for a moment of enjoyment, just drinking it all in... meanwhile the water below him is churning with hungry carp!

These are some of my favorite shots of the day. The scenery was superb... as was the weather... and the sun was glorious! We couldn't have asked for a better day to spend with Amanda and John.

Blessings Monday

The highlight of my weekend was spending time with my sister and brother-in-law. We relaxed and also laughed a lot. We rented a pontoon boat, took it out on a lake, had a lovely picnic, and did some fishing. We caught more sun and laughs then we did fish, but it was well worth our time just to be together. My sister Re-Re is so very precious. Her hubby is fun and sweet and takes good care of her. They are a lovely couple. I'm grateful that they have taken care of our kitties several times this summer while we have traveled. We are so blessed to live near them. It was a great time.

Thank you Lord for Amanda and John. Amen.


(I'll post some pictures this evening if I have time.)

Come join us over at Amazing Graze Farm where we all recognize our blessings... especially on Mondays! What an awesome way to start the week!

"Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 2:4-5 (NRSV)

Yet again I am reminded of my own selfishness. Why does God keep repeating this to me?!!! These words follow me continually. Actually, I think that it is our human nature to WANT for ourselves. Admit it... YOU WANT too! I want a bigger house. I want a bigger yard. I want a new kitchen. I want new carpet. I want a truck. I want central air. I want to relax. I want to go shopping. I want a new life. I want I want I want.

But these things are not what God wants for me... at least not now. When I catch a glimpse of attaining any of these things, my mind is consumed by them. I dream about them. I waste precious time wanting. This can't be good. I figure that every time my mind wanders toward wants, I end up feeding the devil a dance. He wants me to think about THINGS. And thinking about things takes my mind off of seeking the Lord with all my heart!

I want to want what God wants me to want. I want to dream of treasures in Heaven, not here on Earth. Thanks to my good friend AmyS for reminding me that God has a "Better Blessing" for me. I'm wasting a lot of time seeking "MY" blessings, when God is waiting for me to trust him to know what's best for me and when.

Do you find yourself in this same slum? Does dreaming of "things" make you feel good or depress you because you can't have them? I would like to know what "Storing up treasures in Heaven" is really like. Any comments on that?

I think this post took a turn away from how it started. It was supposed to be about putting others before yourself. God tells us that we are to care for others. Simply put, I started my day by making coffee for my husband. It's part of how I take care of him. It can be that simple, or it can be more complex. I'm going to send some donations to an orphanage later this week. Anyone want to join me in that? It makes me feel good to do that. Obedience feels good. How about that! Christ was self-less. We are generally opposite of that. (I think anyway) How have you cared for others today? What kinds of things are you doing to look out for others?

Ok I'm off my soap box. Have a nice day!

Reminder - No Worries

Matthew 6:25-34 (NRSV)
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."

I cannot claim to be "worried" at the present time, but this passage is always very encouraging.

Sad Summer Stop

My Penny

I have at least a years worth of tears to shed because I miss her so much. I had the opportunity to visit with her this past weekend and got a good head start on those. She is fine. The farm is beautiful. I'm just enduring a heartache now... and it really stinks. I love her so much.

Computer Progress

So last night I put the computer tower on the desk, turned it around, and found that the back of the computer is RIVITED on. I was so entirely annoyed! I can change my own ethernet card. Really I can. I'm not a genius, but I can read directions. So now I'm wondering if I have to ship it to Dell just for that?!!!

My computer savvy friend at work says that the side panel should come off instead of the back. If I can't figure it out, he said he'd help me.

YEA!!!! So maybe, just maybe I'll get it fixed this week?

Reminder

When I find myself WANTING things... When I find myself consumed with dreams... When I have a bonus check coming and I'm planning how to spend it... When I become discontented with what I already have...

I remind myself:

Matthew 6:19-21 (NRSV) Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Today Is A Very Special Day

Please forgive me - our computer is still out of sorts. I do plan to fix it, but haven't had a moment to look at it thus far.

Today is my Dad's birthday. Happy Birthday Dad! What's new and exciting?!

Today is my Step-Mother-In-Law's birthday. Happy Birthday Rachel! Can't wait to visit with you this weekend!

Today is my Brother-In-Law's birthday. Happy Birthday Rob! Welcome to the East Coast!

Today is one of my friend's birthday. Happy Birthday Wendy! Long time no see.

Today is my friend's anniversary. Happy Anniversary Greg & Caroline.

WOW - what a busy day! I hope everyone has a spectacular time!

Blogging Block

My home computer is on the fritz. There is always something I can dump into that category. There was a crack of lightning yesterday near our home. Keith said the computer was on at the time and of course our power went out for a brief time. I called tech support last night, who thought maybe I needed a new ethernet cord. Tried that. Didn't work. We think maybe the power surge blew the modem or something. I've got to call them again, but I really don't have time to just sit on the phone waiting. So - maybe tomorrow???

Anyway, don't think I've forgotten you or have gotten lost... I'm just out of internet for a spell.

Pocono 500 - A trip to remember!

The Goodyear Blimp in the sun.

Kurt Busch wins the race.

I got to drive on the track! Wanna Race?!!!

Progressive Shots... Pocono 500

Keith and Eric

Engrossed in the race.

Pocono 500

My new favorite "date" photo.

Rene'e and Eric.

Can you tell we are having a good time?

Lots of autographs!

Enjoying The Cottage

Eric held Eli for hours.

Keith... Contemplating...

Who could resist this little bugger... ELI.

Valentine Ventures...

Cottage Or Bust

Isaac had a remote control boat on the water.

Believe it or not... this is a self portrait!

Good Morning Acre Lake

Summer Flowers

I took these photos a couple weeks ago. I'm learning to use the editing features of Picasa. What do you think?

Very Good Company

Maggie (top) and Baxter (bottom) were my company 2 weeks ago. They were great fun to entertain. We played ball every day.

My time away from home was short but sweet. It was comfortable and we established a routine very quickly. I had devotion time and relax time. It was great. Everyone should have a retreat a couple times a year.

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