Raspberries, Thorns, and Mosquito Bites

I had this place in the flower bed that wraps around from the front of the house by the front porch to the side of the house where I couldn't get anything to grow. It is in the corner of a brick wall of the house and the porch. I tried roses and other heat and sun loving plants but nothing. weed didn't even grow there. So last summer I saw raspberry bushes on sale at the end of the session so I bought one. It actually produced a few raspberries last year. The instructions said to cut the branches that had fruit at the end of the season. This is literally all I have ever done for this plant. I haven't even watered it this summer. And it has grown like magic. So tonight this what I got.

So here is what I learned tonight. Raspberries have throns. But you can see them and they really don't hurt that much. They really don't make it that much harder to pick raspberries. We have thorns in our life, but we can usually see them. At least we know they are there are we can prepare ourself for them. So tonight I didn't get hurt by thorns when I picked my raspberries. But what I did get was Mosquito bites. I didn't see the bugs who bite me and I didn't know it was happening when it did. I only felt the itch and sting when I went inside. Lord help me to think about things that I don't see that can sneak in and cause damage. Help me to remember to protect myself like I should have with a little bug spray. Help me to use your word to deal with the thorns and bugs in my life.

Oh Yes! Thank you for all the gifts you give, like raspberries, that make life a little sweeter.

My Daughter is Married and Other Good Things!

Our family has had a very wonderful and very full summer.

The summer began with the wedding of our dear friend's daughter. Kara married Justin. Meredith and I, along with Robin and Stephanie, did the bridesmaid's luncheon. Meredith was a bridesmaid and I directed the wedding. Three years ago when Donna's son Kevin got married she told me that she wanted to direct Meredith's wedding. She took a class and taught me everything I know about directing weddings. It was wonderful to share in that family's joy. Over the years we have shared so much; graduations, soccer games, church, and camping at Fall Creek Falls.

So when it was time for Meredit's wedding, three weeks later, Donna did the same for us. Kara was a bridesmaid for Kara and Donna directed Meredith's wedding. She, along with Pam, did the bridesmaid's luncheon. This has been a wonderful thing - to have a friend know exactly what you are going through, to share so much in each other's wonderful day. This made the weddings even more special. Weddings are very emotional things - answered prayers, happiness, joy, knowing that your family is changed forever, knowing that your children are grown.

Another special thing that happened at the wedding was that we got to meet David's girlfriend, Lizzie. She was wonderful and I am so excited for them, for they are falling in love, too.

So after the wedding things suddenly game to a stop - the focus of planning for a year was over. The kids and all their friends and family that filled our house and life were gone and it was just back to the two us again. It is interesting how it felt different this time. We have had an empty nest since Meredith left for college in 2006, but somehow it was different. At first it was sad, but as we get used to it again we are actually talking and spending more time together. This is a good thing because school starts in a week. It seems like teaching and work was much more longer ago since I didn't have time to do much of any schoolwork this summer.

Now of course we had to go to Fall Creek Falls for our anniversary. This time we spent 8 days. We were in one of our most favorite campsites, 211. Clark and Shirley were there of course and there was dominoes with Curtis and Gertude and Ken and Judy, the other regulars who usually seem to be there when we were. We also did some different things this time like a trip to Burgess Falls and a night hike on the golf course.

So that was our wonderful summer. I thank God for his presence in our lives these many years for these blessings are from Him.