Another One Bites the Dust.....

The unimaginable happened. I know it is not uncommon, but that doesn't make it any easier. We lost our store manager because of theft. It was one thing loosing Chris who didn't 'choose' to be let go. This is totally different. For the past two years I have felt things were not 'right' with him. I asked him more than once about how he was detaching himself from us. I suspected a gambling problem. There is too much to write about. I cannot. All I can say is that I am sad he never shared with me, whom he often shared confidences, how desperate he was...... And, I was right. I wrote him a letter and told him I forgave him. More importantly, he can be forgiven by a God that doesn't categorize sin. And that is the most important forgiveness of all.

Wet in Wakarusa

Last night we grabbed my mom and met Mike, Dryscha, and their boys and Patrick, Jordan, and their kids at the waterpark. There is nothing better than a small town waterpark on a July Summer evening. We had a picnic first. What is a waterpark without food? After playing on the waterpad, everyone decided to climb the huge hill that is used for sledding. Of course Dryscha had to see if she could roll down it. What a mom!

It is always fun to get the little guys together. It always brings back a flood of memories to be in Wakarusa. Happy memories of carefree Summers. Wakarusa is in my blood.

Walking by Faith

Sometimes the road that Christ takes us on is not a pretty one. It is narrow. It is twisty. It is rocky. There are barriers to overcome.

When Christ called Peter to become a disciple, Peter was a simple man. He was a fisherman. Uneducated. Probably a man who wasn't too concerned about personal hygiene or proper etiquette. When he was called to follow Christ, he was going about his everyday task - fishing. He had no concept about theology. Didn't fully understand the verbage Christ used. What he knew was that he needed to obey. After he obeyed, everything else just fell into place.

Freedom Isn't Free

James got to spend the 4th of July at the lake with me. He did a good job in spite of the bomb like sounding fire works. Of course there had to be sparklers and a bonfire. The people across the road had a parade and invited James to be a part of that.

The 4th of July always reminds me that there was a price. Freedom isn't free. Someone paid a price, sacrificed, for my liberty. A lesson I always want to share with my grandchildren. There was a price.