“There is nothing like family,” Mom leaned over and whispered in my ear as we watched little Weston struggle to move a heavy chair, one handed, with his paper plate full of food in the other hand.  He wanted to sit by Uncle Isaac.  No one was noticing him but Mom and I, from across the way……

*****

Good morning, my friends!  It is Wednesday and in my neighborhood, it is sunny with a nice cool wind.  There are freshly washed linen sheets waving in the sweet outdoors, pinned up on a porch clothesline.  I just washed my hands and dug dirt out from under my fingernails after weeding and tending our baby plants in the gardens.  The chickens have been let out.  ‘Tis the season for trips into the woods for sticks, in order to stake up the peas.  Everything is growing out there, it’s green and full and lush.  The cats visited me in the gardens and chewed on plants and rolled in the good clean dirt.

I listened to the birds while bending over the garden.

(This morning I became a member of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology!)

On Sunday, we hosted a pig roast/baptism/Bible study.  I know, the pig is rather disturbing.  In fact, our 7 year old Seth refused to eat any of it after witnessing such a sight on the grill.  However, it was delicious.

Rejoice with me!  My son Caleb has been baptized.  He is 10 years old, soon to be 11 and loves Jesus and people so very much.  He has a tender and loving heart that has been a source of abundant joy to me and his Dad since the day he was born.  His hugs knock me off balance every time (multiple times a day).  He told me this morning that it is “Step up Day” at school.  He is visiting the Middle school with his class.  He hung his head down against me and confessed, “I don’t ever want to grow up.”  I could very well nurture this attitude because, frankly, I feel the same way.  But I have to make his see that it is better to grow according to God’s general plan for humanity, even if it does hurt at times.  So I say, not “I don’t want you to grow up either!!!!!!!!!!!”,  “Caleb, of course you do!  It’s going to be fun!”

And our dear Emily, Jacob’s girlfriend, was also baptized.

Wally had the honor of baptizing his son Jimmy, on his very own 72nd birthday.  He told me it was the best day of his life.  So you see, you just never know what Father God will bring to you in the future.  The best is yet to come!

Rich and I set up tables in the garage for the food.  Everyone was so generous in bringing side dishes.  The only thing we had to do was prepare the house and yard, hire someone to do the pig roast, and supply coffee and water bottles.

I cut fragrant lilacs, which conveniently bloomed a few days before the picnic, and filled mason jars and vases.

People brought their own chairs and several people took pictures throughout the day.  It’s been fun to getting the emails.

Jacob had the camera for a little while and took this photo from the porch during Bible study.

I sat by Larissa, and Emily during the Bible study.  It was a hot and humid day (in the opinion of New Englanders, but I’m sure Larissa was cold, as she is from Texas).

From my seat, I took a panorama.  It’s always exciting to try to keep the arrow on the line.

After the Bible study, pretty much every one left.  But it was nice to have a few people stay longer, including my parents and brother Isaac, and sister in law Cassandra.  Sarah had a great time playing catch with her Aunt Cassandra.  They counted all the way to 200 catches!  (standing in the shade)

Mom and I went for a walk and counted 10 lady’s slippers.  They are Mom’s favorite wild flower and it was a thrill to have her discover some in a new spot, too.

We heard a woodpecker up in the trees.

We were also looking for as many wild flowers as we could.  We pointed everything out to each other.  (I think God was smiling)

Don’t you just hate it when you have to do your growing in a dry, uncomfortable spot.  Do you know what I think when I see this sort of thing happening in nature?  “What a determined and adorable plant.”

Mom.

Several of our guests on Sunday stated that Mom and I “could pass as sisters” and it is true.  As I am her firstborn, she was very young and newly married when she had me.  I am forty now, and she is fifty eight.  I am grateful for every day of my life with her and she is one of my best friends.  She has taught me more by actions than words what is important in life; Christ, marriage, family, and the sweet simple gifts in life like birds and flowers, gardens and work.

My little children, let’s not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.
1 John 3:18

Who is wise and understanding among you? By her good conduct let her show her works in the meekness of wisdom.  James 3:13

(We all make mistakes and have bad days, but moments don’t prove what a life is, and my mom’s life has been a quiet, unpretentious life of love and work.  We come from simple, earthy, country stock……….)

She, as well, grew up with a Mother of gardens, sunshine, home cooked meals, walks in the woods, trees, and flowers.

The influence of mothers (and fathers) goes on and on.

^^Do you see the toad?^^

Dear dad blew bubbles with the kids, played drums and guitar with E, football with Caleb, and probably other things that I missed while running around hosting the picnic.  We sat on the porch and visited and talked.

Dad loves me.  I can tell by his face.

Or maybe it’s mom, since she is the one taking the photo.

Both.

When mom and dad had to leave, it was 8 at night.  The sun was down and Caleb walked his Grandma to the car.

“O Zion haste, thy mission high fulfilling,
to tell to all the world that God is light.
That He who made all nations is not willing
one soul should perish, lost in shades of night.
Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace;
tidings of Jesus, redemption and release.”

~Mary A. Thompson

(I sang the chorus as I published this blog post and David said, “I never know when you are going to burst into song.”)