Bittersweet Farm

When I was a younger man I used to notice that the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day was short and swift-passing. I even wrote a book about it (Sunset on Summer)…

This week I have been speaking to a sweet group of families all gathered at a beautiful, well-run camp in Wisconsin (Camp Fairwood). We’ve had wonderful meals, long conversations, perfect weather, great recreation, and good singing. I have had the privilege to be the preacher-storyteller all week, two sessions a day.

Early in the week our daughter Heidi and her children were here and we made sweet memories.
Now I’m in my quarters and I’ve been writing this afternoon. When I am alone with the Lord and with my thoughts studying the Bible, meditating, writing–it hits me with a sudden shock. Memorial Day and Labor Day are so very close together, but now I see what I didn’t see before…

The time between Labor Day and Memorial Day also passes as swift as the flight of a bird…
Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom and see life the way you see life.
Aspen lost a tooth and jumped into the pool on her own for the first time this week. Laela laughed when see saw it. Denver smiled she always does. Gunnison turned three already.

Keira is becoming a little lady. Koen is growin’ and becoming a little man.

Waylon rode in a little rodeo the other day and he and Leon have cowboy boots.

Baby “J” had her pictures taken this week walking in a patch of sunflowers. Hannah and Dale beam with joy and pride.

K2 (Kyle Kenneth), Oliver Bruce, and Leland Ralph will join me next week at the camp where their parents met. (Barakel)

Bub’s went to camp in Kentucky and got saved!

Bella makes funny faces on FaceTime and her brother Aiden Redemption went down a big slide with a smile on his face and his hands out like he was an airplane.

Wes came and put in our laundry. He had to sleep in an airport overnight because he “flew” Spirit Airlines. Haley and Dylan missed him. Dylan is having another baby. ?

Lois and I will celebrate 42 years of marriage in just a few weeks.

That is all just in the last week or so….

Teach us to number our days….

Camp Fairwood, Wisconsin
August 6, 2021