From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!
It’s 72 degrees and sunny here right now. Kevin Michael and I went for a bike ride on some trails in the woods. We were treated to many bursts of color. It was so nice today that we even saw some boats out on the lake.
Color on one of the trails.
Kevin Michael on the trail.
Boat on Higgins Lake.
Kevin lets me plan our camping trip destinations each summer. I always get his input but I have fun checking out possible places to visit and I make reservations at state parks online. I thought it would be fun to check out Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. I looked for a place to camp where we could enjoy visiting the Keweenaw Peninsula and also be close enough to explore the Porcupine Mountains. The website for campgrounds in the Porcupine Mountains had information on camping with bears. Not wanting to get too close to bears while staying in a tent, I thought Twin Lakes State Park might be a better option since I saw no mention of bears on their website. Plus the lake there is one of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula’s warmer lakes.
Each morning I would get up and walk on a nice trail to a near by BP station for a cup of coffee. One morning Kevin Michael, Luke and Jacob walked with me. While we were on the trail Kevin Michael said, “look, there’s a bear cub.” That was my first encounter with a bear in the wild. I encouraged all of my boys to keep moving. I didn’t want to wait around and see if the mama bear would appear.
Of course I know that there are bears throughout the Upper Peninsula. We have bears here where we live. Friends from church have pictures of bears in their yard. Unfortunately we didn’t have a camera with us but we did get to see a bear.
Trail where we saw the bear cub.
Over the weekend I was troubled by some things that are really small in light of eternity. It’s all too easy to be burdened by the cares of this life and let it rob us of our joy. I hadn’t spent enough time in God’s Word and in prayer. It’s something I need daily. I knew I needed to get back on track this morning. As I was reading my Bible, I was very encouraged by Psalm 68:19.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. Selah. (NASB)
I knew I needed to confess my worry to the Lord and leave my burdens with Him. I am not in control but He is and He is the only one who can change the situations that trouble me. As I walked this morning, I was able to spend much needed time with the Lord in prayer. My heart was much lighter when I finished my walk. I am so thankful the Lord daily bears our burdens.
Jacob opening one of his presents while Kristi watches.
Nicholas swinging at the pinata.
Luke taking a turn.
Lots of candy.
1/2 c. oil
2/3 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten
3 c. dry oatmeal
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix together oil, sugar and eggs. Add oatmeal, baking powder, salt and milk. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. We double this recipe and put it in a 13×9 pan.
Luke making baked oatmeal for breakfast.
I love surprises – pleasant ones anyway. When I returned home from grocery shopping on Monday evening I was pleased to see a nice clean kitchen and dining room. Kristi had done a nice job of cleaning up after supper with a little (emphasis on little) help from Zachary and Josiah. Last week I went to a Ladies Retreat at Lake Ann and Kevin surprised me with a very funny video he made of the kids while I was gone. They are quite the actors. I’m sure things were far from chaotic with Kevin at the helm and the kids are very capable of keeping things running smoothly when I’m gone. I had a good laugh and I’m sure they had lots of fun making it.