Gathering in Summer

Believe it or not, summer is past and fall is here! But it has been a great summer for us, especially in visits by our family. Our daughter Mary Ruth and son-in-law Phil Taylor flew home from Brazil, South America, in June to help Phil's mother move to near Des Moines, IA, to live with Phil's sister, Lorene Burma. They picked up their daughter and our grand-daughter Rachel in Memphis, TN, where she teaches in a Christian Day School, to help out, and then Mary Ruth and Rachel drove on to Crawfordsville for a week or so. As Rachel flew back to TN then Phil joined Mary Ruth for two more weeks visiting with us and overnighting with friends Dick and Anna Redenbaugh who live nearby. We enjoyed every minute with the "kids," and they got to see Aunt Joan and Uncle Russ Gooding and cousins in the area, too, even a cookout with cousins Allen and Karen Gooding at their beautiful country home west of Wallace. Of course, we also drove to Turkey Run State Park for lunch at the Inn, a walk to the "Point" above Sugar Creek and an interesting viewing at the Nature Center. Then...we were pleased to welcome daughter Judy from Gig Harbor, WA, at the new Indianapolis international airport early this month and host her for a blessed 2-week stay with us at the "Super80Motel"! Again, we enjoyed talking, praying, shopping and eating with her, and visiting Turkey Run Park and our loved ones in the area. We (and friends in our apartment building) were richly blessed at our Thursday Bible Class by Rachel's flute solo, Mary Ruth's piano specials, Brazilian coffee and Brazil "rainy day cakes," and Phil's sharing God's Word ... also Judy's provision of Cutter's Point coffee direct from Gig Harbor, delicious WA-state fruit candies and a special piano interlude. All were a real blessing and encouragement to us and other residents here. And Uncle Bob and Aunt Jean Larsh treated us to lunch at Bob Evans followed by cousins Sherrill and Susan Hesler providing a hassle-free van trip to the airport to see Judy off. We can see a rapidly-maturing field of corn from our balcony and it reminds us of a verse in Proverbs 10:5 - "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame." We're not situated now to literally bring in the harvest, but must say that we have certainly gathered many blessings and memories this summer that we will treasure and draw upon in the months ahead! Thanks, "kids," for giving us such joy! Yes, and let us pray that we may see a harvest of souls in our places and around the world!