Lord, set a guard upon my lips,
My tongue control today;
Help me evaluate each thought
And watch each word I say. —Hess

Muskegon Pier Wind Storm

Sand stings my face.  Hubby and I brave the wind storm and head for the beach to take pictures and document the effects of high winds across Lake Michigan. 

Crashing waves.  Angry waves break over Muskegon Lighthouse pier.  Rolling, rolling frantically to an unsuspecting sandy shoreline.  Lake Michigan churned simulates a voluminous soap-suds illusion. 

Enthusiastic surfers walk the pier, and then jump off the end all on a quest to ride that surf in toward the beach.  One solitary, crazy power boater attempts to navigate the channel. He bobs continuously as we watch from the safety of shore. Now and again, the boat disappears in the rising of the surf. 

“Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your right hand will hold me fast.”  (Psalm 139:7-10)

 Overnight in Duluth where we can see the bridge which raises when ships or sailboats enter or leave Superior Bay and Lake Superior. ate at Little Angie’s Cantina & Grill near the Pier.

Traveling home and takin’ our time to get back to dodge…helps to soften the blow from having to say “good-bye” to our MN son and family.  Rather say, “see ya later!”

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purple flowers

Lasher family photo

liberty and elijah w red flower

Nana-Liberty admires Castle Rock near Wisconsin Dells

liberty w nanna and grampa at miners castle rock

Munsinger & Clemens Gardens, St. Cloud, Minnesota.  Garden: A planted tract used for public enjoyment.  And that it is!  “During the 1880’s the location was used as a sawmill, due to its proximity to the Mississippi River…around 1915 the City of St. Cloud purchased the area that has become known as Riverside Park and Munsinger Gardens. 

Many photo opportunity spots, coins in the fountains, beautiful walkways lined with many colors and types of flowers and bushes.  Then, lunch at Famous Dave’s and home for naps for all (at least most of us!)

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Liberty harvests her 1st green pepper!

Our granddaughter, Liberty, harvests her 1^st green pepper from my deck garden.  She’s been watching the pepper grow for days now and asks me every day, “Is it time to pick the pepper yet?”  Today was the day!  She’s so excited to twist the tender green vegetable and she says she will even eat it too.

Her eagerness reminds me of the verse, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8)  I have to ask myself, just how eager am I to taste and see that the Lord is good?  Admittedly, my mind and body sometimes hunger for other things or people.  I like to think I hunger more for God, his word, and time with his people. But my actions do not always match what I know I should hunger after.  Lord, I desire to follow after you, learn more of your ways, your likes & dislikes.  When I seek refuge in you, I am blessed.

How about you? Do you hunger after God?  How do you taste and see that God is good?

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Liberty and I walk the neighborhood.  She asks if we can knock on some doors and say “hi” to the neighbors.  I say we can say “hi” if we see them in their yard today or out walking like we are. 

Out of the clear blue sky she asks, “How can people have kids if they aren’t married?”  Wow – what a loaded question!  That was kind of her to save it for me.   I think this question is one to be saved for her Mom and Dad.

Later on the walk, she spotted some acorns.  I was able to explain that the squirrels gathered and hoarded these away for their winter food.  At least I could answer that question without fumbling too much.

Never a dull moment in the life of a 4-year old and those loved ones who surround them!

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Andrew, Elijah & Liberty on raceboat, "Swiftsure"

Grandpa & Daddy w-Elijah & Liberty

"Swiftsure" race boat

Liberty and Elijah, Mom, and Nana see Grandpa and Daddy off for race night off Holland pier.  The grandkids are impressed with the big boat, but also eager to get to the beach to build sandcastles and jump in the waves.

This is what happens when a 2 ½ year old willingly fills the cat bowl.

We both roused, made our way to the front door and “SURPRISE!”  Our son, Andrew, Bethany, Liberty and Elijah were standing right there on our porch! And naturally Andrew was videotaping our expressions.  Not a pretty sight, I’m sure!  But, boy, we are thrilled to welcome them earlier than expected.  The bags were packed, put in the car, so they decided, why not! let’s just drive to Michigan now–why wait till tomorrow??  and we’re glad they didn’t wait!!

They are resting now since none of them got too much sleep last  night or this morning on the 11-12 hour trip from Minnesota.  What shall we plan for today?

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