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PawPaw has to go back to town to work, so the kids and I go to the beach to entertain ourselves until he can get back for The Treasure Hunt.
Now mind you they know how to entertain themselves with the least amount of things. But nothing can stop the allure of the wonderful beach. So our time flies past under the warm water and sunshine.
Gotta run!
The time has come in the middle of summer to take our grandchildren on a special vacation with just us! So I have made lists and planned special things to do, hopefully they both will enjoy and remember lifelong.
We start the wonderful vacation with Mickey Mouse Blueberry pancakes.
And we shall eat this week on special vacation plates with matching napkins. A detail not lost on Gracie.
As soon as we finished breakfast....... "when are we going to the beach ..... can we go now..... how much longer ...... we can't wait to go...... can we leave now...... hurry mimi ....... come on pawpaw"!
"ok you can get your feet wet right now, but not your clothes yet".
RIGHT!
"OH MY GOODNESS ..... LOOK AT THIS PAWPAW!"
"Don't touch that! I don't want either one of you to touch that dead fish"!
PawPaw says it's a dog fish, Jake says 'ruff ruff'. Gracie wants to keep looking at it. but it's time to move on to another exciting thing to see.
"Look at how my hands sink in the sand when the water comes over me"
Grabbing handfuls of sand Gracie tells us that these are hairballs! Then Jake realizes his feet are sinking too.
Oh the joys of simple childhood pleasures. How come adults can't enjoy themselves like this anymore? It's fun, relaxing, simple and full of joy. Oh and it costs nothing! Makes ya want to be a kid and run for the sheer joy of it again don't it?
The Boundaries in Marriage Seminar was a great success Saturday. This thoughtful and insightful curriculum planned by Dr Henry Cloud and Dr John Townsend is well written and thought provoking. I highly recommend every church family to purchase and use this dynamic study. I promise you as a pastor's wife, this material will challenge and promote healthy marriages in every church.
Along with our son-in-law the three of us facilitated this material for a 6 hour seminar, in the Palace Theater. We all worked hard, thought hard, talked hard and fast and learned ALOT!
Every couple that attended gained ground about themselves and how they relate to their spouse in reality.
Paula and Chuck held down one long row from their end, and Jasmine and James held the other end down! Here are a few cute couples that attended!
Take a 5 minute break - to download the brain and absorb this powerful teaching. The 10 Spiritual Laws of Marriage cannot be understood quickly in how a man or a woman works within these laws personally. How about some Starbucks coffee to help the material connect mentally!
Special thanks to Chuck and Deborah for providing the technical support for the whole day!
I leave you with one question........ if you always do what you always have in your marriage, you are always going to get what you always got! So isn't it time to invest in your marriage - instead of just quitting!
I think I've talked enough about our trip, too much is happening here at home base that I need to catch you up on.
The day after we got home from our 4,000 mile trip was the Role Models of America Great Summertime Escape - a poolside party! This is planned and done by the Role Models themselves, so I was able to just go and enjoy being with all of them.
Mind you it's been in the 90's and topping 100 degrees several days here in Texas recently, so everyone was looking forward to a cooling time together.
Thanks Deborah for hosting it at your home - it was great!
There were cold refreshing salads, and healthy foods for us to enjoy along with ice cold tea and lemonade!
Everything was decorated with aqua blue and lime green - true summertime colors.
Then we had a cooking show after-wards - several ladies prepared special cold 'raw' foods that are very good for a woman's body to eat (and drink). We all enjoyed the tasting after each one got done
- here Shirley is making her special recipe of her own style of guacamole. MMM good! Did you know just how good avocados are for your skin?
Angela and her assistant Gracie made a 'Fruit of the Spirit' Watermelon salad . 
She made us all want to eat it after we found out all the vitamins it had in it that are wonderful for us.
Then Rhonda's team put together a 'Oatmeal Smoothie' that really has great possibilities for the future! My mind is working! There are many things that can go into this drink!
Then I gave a short detailed idea about different kinds of sugar to use instead of the ole white poison kind.
It was a wonderful afternoon of making memories with all of my sisters at New Life.
Role Models you are great!!!
r Here is a map of the Russian River area. It's quite famous, ck this!
Let me tell you a little about an important part of this beautiful land. It's called The David Ranch and it's located next to Jenner California. This is a Ministry Respite Ranch dedicated to the rest and meditation of Pastors and Pastoral leaders.
Nestled in the foothills of the mighty mountains, it's refreshing natural setting lends itself to the peace and quiet so needed by busy Pastors. 
There are buildings to support different types of meeting for leadership sessions and training. A Lodge, a Cottage, a large meeting 'Barn' and various outbuildings. And a Caretakers house too.
Everything is in place and stands ready to receive the weary traveler needing a break from a hectic schedule of people, programs and pressure! 
There are trails leading up into the mountains, all covered by large trees and foliage. I did see a trickling stream and think there may be several springs here. A hikers dream!
And at the top of the mountain there is a view of incredible wonder. There is no way a picture can do this view justice. One just has to be there!
It's certainly a place to get still away from everything, and clearly hear the still small voice of God speaking with you. What an incredible hidden treasure for ministers!
Oh how I would love to spend some time here!
The drive out here is enjoyable too, about an hour. The road from San Francisco is through long vineyards and cultivated fields and vales. Little fruit stands dot the sides of the smaller roads and they are filled with cherries and grapes, and almonds. Mmmm good! All so pretty to look at, and the weather is awesome - it's in the 60's year round!
Out of our 18 day trip we were able to spend one day alone. So we decided we would drive upcountry to the Sonoma area to see the Redwoods. This area is so beautiful to see the views are wonderful everywhere you look!
The David Ranch is out this way also, so we went to see it too. It's set back in beside a little quaint town, and it's acreage includes a mountain. It's a beautiful place dedicated to ministry and the futures of many.
And when we got to the top of the mountain the view simply took our breath away. This is where the Russian River meets the Pacific ocean - simply spectacular to see!
It's quiet here, do you realize just how noisy our lives really are? The stillness is so peaceful, the temp is 62 degrees, it's sunny and there is a little breeze that is just right. From every angle there is a different view. The sandy colored tones of the fields and foothills, to the gigantic mountains filled with rustling trees, to the extremely tall majestic redwoods that tower over everything around. The rich green river flowing silently pass, to the expanse of the blue ocean going into infinity in front of us. Oh the sights!
What an awesome place to be still and contemplate, pray and seek the Lord. I wish we had brought a picnic lunch.
This is a view worth seeing at least once in life! There is much history here about the Russian river. This is where the Russians did their logging in the early days of America and floated them down the river to the ocean, and then across the seas to Russia. So interesting. Right after we took this picture we turned around and saw another sight that took our breath away.
A flat on our car!
Oh the ugly sights of the modern world!
Now where does one go here to have a flat changed?
So we limped down to the town looking for a tire shop. There is one but it's closed now (it's after 6 pm) Oh look there is a street sign that says LaPorte - how funny! Can you read it?
So the mighty man of faith and power has to change it himself with an assistant who knows nothing about changing a tire!
About the only thing I can do is find big rocks to chock the wheels with, so he can change it. But we got it done and went on our way back to San Fran. and the fast pace of life again.
What a good day! I would like to come back here, time just went by too fast. My mind is spinning.
Last Sunday morning finds us in El Sobrante California at Pastor B J Robinson's church. Calvary Church. We have not been here to be in service with them since we moved to Houston to begin a church some 14 years ago now!
Pastor B J and Shirley Robinson has been in our lives for many years. They know both sets of our parents, and our history is rich with longtime memories and past experiences. It was so good to see him and his dear wife Shirley again after all these years.
We all have many things to share about what has been going on in the past with our families and lives.
And the Bishop rocked Calvary Church with a good word. It was good to be back here. Time has passed and brought many changes to us all, yet the faithfulness of God has brought us all safely thus far. And His Grace will lead us home!
Goodbye dear ones, we hope it's not another set of years before we get to come back and see you all. Now you both have to come to Houston to see us and New Life. Come see what God has done in the last 14 years with us!
OK..... I have to stop for a couple of days in telling you the details of our California trip, to catch you up on where we are now. We drove 2,000 plus miles to get home in time for a church wedding that's been planned for some time now. So we are running fast...... to get there in time!
You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Langdon and Jessica. This couple has experienced the love of God first hand in their personal lives, and we have, as their pastor's watched them grow and God put them together! Jessica is one of our employees and we are happy for them. There is no way we would miss their special wedding day - no matter where we had to travel from. Wedding flowers are always beautiful and they had a little corsage just for me!
And the many hours that have led up to this moment in time become locked in the hearts of these two who promise and pledge their love for one another. The Bishop is sooooo smooth in giving them their wedding vows. You would never know he just drove for 3 days to get here on time!
You may kiss your Bride...... (laughter and clapping from the audience) May I present to you husband and wife......
And the momentous wedding is over and the celebrations begin.
She is a sweetheart - I remember the day that she was singing in the choir and as the choir walked off the choir loft - I had a word of prophecy for her and I told her privately in the choir room. 'This year your life will change and you will no longer walk alone, but God is sending your husband to you'
Jessica and I remember this prophecy as today it is fulfilled in her life. I am so happy for her! God is good! We cried then, and I teared up again now!
I didn't get a picture of it - but they had a good time with their wedding cake - they both had icing on their laughing faces.
I had to admit I am a little tired so it's home for me..... just time to write this little update and then it's rest time. I will unpack every thing tomorrow.
