Time Flies

PHEW! What a week! What a month!

I don't know about the rest of you, but time sure seems to fly by fast around here!

I can scarcely  believe it's already middle of June with the Fourth of July(what I consider to be halfway thru the year marker) right around the corner.

Oh, yes, and  HAPPY SUMMER to all of you, as today is the first day of summer, officially-  my calendar said so! Maybe that's why the weather was a whopping 111 degrees here yesterday, and probably equally so today.  There is a slight breeze blowing, kinda like standing in front of a blow dryer!  You know it must be summertime when even at 9 or 10 PM it's still over 80 degrees!

There's Plenty to be thankful for during these hot days, however:

  

1. The warm weather has our garden and flower gardens in full bloom, and everything is growing like weeds, including the weeds!
   
2. We are all in relatively "good health". A HUGE blessing, considering some of the stories we have recently heard of friends in the hospital and or injured in one way or another. 
   
3. We have work to do- and lots of it!  God may not plop a big chunk of cash-money into our laps, but He is always faithful to provide for our family the opportunity to work and earn our living.  We are thankful for His provision.
   
4. Our cars have air-conditioning, our house doesn't.  But it costs so much these days to just go driving around aimlessly just to get cooled off!  Kind of funny I think.  We are thankful for our portable swamp cooler for the COOL-ER air it provides for some relief!  (Aren't humans just the most finicky creatures?) Too hot, too cold, too this, too that, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!
   
5. Out of the blue, coincidently, or by providence, (whichever way you choose to look at it), I received three phone calls in a row, one right after the other, from three friends I hadn't talked to in a while.  I was very blessed and surprised!  That doesn't happen often for me, so I thought it was great!  THANK YOU, LORD for friends!
   
6. Our house wasn't hit by earthquake, flood, major power outages, tornados, landslides, monsoon, freezing or famine- at least not yet!  The fires were close enough earlier this year, so I'm thinking that we can be pretty thankful for that as well.  Our cozy little country home down our rutty dirt road... aaaahhhh, paradise! Or at least HOME SWEET HOME!
   

I think I'll put a marshmallow on a stick outside and see if it'll get roasted in the hot sunshine. 

If so, I'll make S'MORES!  Yummy!  

That is, if the chocolate hasn't already melted!!  Then that would be 

sad :(  

and messy, 

and well, maybe even a little disgusting! (smile!) 

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER EVERYONE!!!   ;)

Our beautiful coastline

The other day I was out running errands. It was a beautiful day here in sunny southern California, so I thought I'd stop by the beach and take a picture or two. Below, these shots are taken at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, CA. from the parking lot overlooking the beach. Peaceful, easy waves flow along the sandy shores soon to be invaded by the summer crowds.


Psalm 40: 5

" Many, O Lord my God, are your wonderful works which you have done; and your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them , they are more than can be numbered."

WSGMA Spring Concert

Yesterday we spent the day visiting with our friends at the
Western States Gospel Music Association' s annual Spring Concert.
It was a fun day (noon to 6pm) of listening to the west coast version of southern gospel style singing! There were about ten groups performing. Our family didn't sing at this ocassion, but it was good to see many of our singing friends. We helped with parking, door monitoring and other various odd jobs.
Here are only a few pictures of the day. I am only able to post five pictures at a time.

Herb Henry with Dennis Zimmerman of Singing News Magazine

Our Mikki with Bonnie Johnson of Johnson Family Quartet

Jerry Unfried of RSV, Revised Standard Version

Above and Below, Closing ceremony

Finale Choir conducted by emcee Dick Hilleary

GREAT JOB EVERYONE!! See you next year!

Ben

We didn't get a chance to post yesterday, May 31, because we were gone all day to the WSGMA Spring Concert. So, sorry Ben for not getting this out on time!

BEN turns 22!

Twenty-two years ago it was love at first sight as we were blessed with our firstborn son!!
And he continues to be a blessing to us each and every day!


May 31, 1986 Home-birthed in Oceanside, CA.

Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "first born son"

Nicklaus means "ruler of the people" (leader)

Greer means "shepherd"

Words to describe Ben include :

our "right hand" man, loyal, productive, creative, technical, ingenius, fun-loving, adventurous, witty, responsible, Godly character, and a good friend.

Fun Facts about Ben!

1. From TJ- Ben likes WWII culture.

2. Ben likes ICE CREAM and COFFEE! And even coffee ice cream!

3. He "retired" at 16 from years of running our CNC machine.

4. He is really gifted in the area of technical details.

5. Ben currently sleeps on the bottom bunk!

6. He is a good swimmer and likes to surf.

7. He has been to China, Mexico and Nashville!

8. Ben tore out Grandpa's engine on his car AND put it back together again at age 9!

9. Ben sings tenor, lead and bass!

10. He doesn't like dressing up in a suit and tie!

Last but not least...

11. Ben is a FUN guy, but he's not a fungi!!! :)

We love you Ben!

May the Lord bless and keep you, make His face to shine upon you, and give you courage and strength to grow in His knowledge and grace this year.