Just north of Klamath Falls, 30 minutes, is Train Mountain, where we have our annual church picnic. The park has miles of tracks, and the kids (young and old) enjoy the rides! All aboard! Jenny, Travis and Paul grab a spot...what about Lindsey? Dad and Mom (with Seth, a little boy from church) Ernest bribes Sophie to ride with him with a Pepsi! Which she rarely has! It's "Running Water"! Poles were forgotten...so...improvise Jordan finds a step up. Local monkey hanging around! Jenny and Travis...different teams...but meeting in the middle. Brothers stick together...but They are no match for Lindsey! William's turn to serve. And...it's good! Traivs in his ready position! Gram and Sophie Fun to....the End!
The sun was a blazing orange ball when I ran back to the house to get the camera. Alas, when i got back, it had slipped away. Still beautiful...in a different way!
Sophie making friends with Gma Charlotte Paul's stir fry on the grill, and man was it good! Paul gives Charlotte a ride on the scooter Sophie is curious about what Gpa Stann has in his bowl.
"If we focus more on the gifts than on the Giver, we are guilty of idolatry. If we accept His gifts, but complain about them, we are guilty of ingratitude. If we hoard His gifts and will not share them with others, we are guilty of indulgence. But if we yield to His will and use what He gives us for His glory, then we can enjoy life and be satisfied."
And, another similar quote with more of a twist toward enjoyment...
"To him (Solomon), it was a basic principle that nobody can truly enjoy the gifts of God apart from the God who gives the gifts. To enjoy the gifts without the Giver is idolatry, and this can never satisfy the human heart. Enjoyment without God is merely entertainment, and it doesn't satisfy. But enjoyment with God is enrichment and it brings true joy and satisfaction."
We are studying Ecclesiastes in our S.S. class...going through a book called "Be Satisfied...Looking for the Answer to the Meaning of Life", by Warren Wiersbe. I have found it to be a very focusing book (Ecclesiastes), as I evaluate my own existence, my purpose, my joy, the things I have and how they align with God's purposes for my life!
Faith and Rick (Paul's sister and brother in law) arrived Thursday night...just in time to crawl in bed. We started the 4th off going to the Daily Bagel for bagels and coffee. Then the parade. I(unfortunately and uncharacteristically)forgot my camera! The parade started with an awesome fly-by from a couple f-15's...my favorite part! Dad and Charlotte arrived early afternoon...Tyler, Ana, and Isaac came over for a visit...Isaac brought bubbles and we had fun watching him! Gpa Stann and Tyler Lindsey, Faith, Jordan...Getting some sun. Travis...Getting NO sun! Bubble Boy Love those lips! Let's see how this tastes. Not so good!
Dad Mohlers and Jason and Sarah came for dinner too...BBQ'd tri-tip and home-made ice cream and we celebrated Travis' upcoming 21st birthday. Gpa..please read my card! U. Rick's is a gag gift... Long-standing private joke! Travis why are you so red!? U. Rick and Jordan...surgery of a major splinter! Travis, you are TOO BIG! Get Off!
We loaded in the backs of pick-ups to trek up some friends' hill overlooking the fireworks....Sophie's first time watching fireworks. She and her friend, Brenna, would shout, "Ooo, a present!" Then fight over whether it was a blue or purpley color!