Summer Days

These were our lilies when they were in full bloom. I'm not sure if once they bloom, they are done for the whole summer, or if they would make new flowers, but they got destroyed when the old shingles were being torn off and thrown onto the lawn... some landed on the lilies and mums and flattened them. =/  oh well, at least they're perennials.

Kyle bought Seth this inflatable pool (which I thought was too big from the start), and we ended up returning it b/c it didn't hold air very well, so we now have a smaller round pool that is still big enough for all of us to get in, but not so cumbersome. Well either way, he was having a blast with this first one but doesn't like the water if it's too cold. He's spoiled with those nice warm baths I guess. ;)

                        He thought it was funny to put his mouth in the water and take some sips =)

                                                  Love this big crazy sounding laugh he does!

   Kyle made homemade soft pretzels all by himself... and they turned out pretty good, esp when rolled in         cinnamon sugar! Next time, we won't do all whole wheat flour; maybe half and half.

The week of June 13-17th, I was a teacher for VBS at our church. My co-teacher (Christina) is such a wonderful woman and was a joy to work with. She has had previous experience doing this, so it was great to learn from her. The theme this year was the "Gold Rush-- discovering the Rock of Ages." Hence, all the "mining carts, and western decor ;) I've helped with decorating for VBS the past several years, but have never actually been present the week of VBS, so it was really neat to see the kids and other teachers in "action."

                                                               "outside a miner's cabin"

the "main set" in the auditorium (an old mining town)... our SS class has been in charge of doing this for the past several years.

    very blurry, but this is my friend Christina (she's gonna be 42 this summer...she looks so young!) The pic of the miner in the background is all dirty, etc.. b/c we had the kids make him look disgusting, as a picture of how our sin looks to God.)

We had a great (and tiring!) week, and we trust the the Word of God will take root in the kids' hearts, especially those that made decisions for Christ. Christina's neighbors are Muslims and they actually allowed 2 of their girls to come with her the whole week. They only missed one day b/c their little sister (18 months) was in the hospital and ended up dying later that day. She had multiple health problems, and the doctors could never really pinpoint what was wrong with her. =/  They had previously lost a 2 yr old daughter to sickness when they lived in Palestine. We couldn't believe that both of the girls showed up the next day at VBS after their sister had died. Please pray for the "Shaltaf" family! They need the Lord.