Yup. I Caved.

.

More of Elim Lodge

If you haven't already noticed, we spent this past week with all my siblings, their families and my parents again on Pigeon Lake in the north country of Ontario.  I have too many pictures to share so I'll just show you a few of my favorites:

A very mis-leading picture since he was in this
hammock for a total of 45 seconds or so.

The view just outside our door.  Our "cottage" was about 15 feet from the water.
Shifrah loved to splash and play in there.

Sam and Shifrah kayaking

Fishing off the dock

.

Wanna ride a hotdog?

Hadassah and Josiah weren't to be seen too much this week.  They disappeared with their cousins sometime each morning and though I saw them now and again around the grounds, they generally came back for dinner or bed.

Having Fun At Elim Lodge

.

Obituary Notice

G U N T H E R

the hamster

died in his sleep Friday, July 20, 2012

Gunther was the symbol of patience as he endured

the poking and prodding of a medically-inclined child,

the experiments of a scientist and

the extra fun loving of a very affectionate girl.

Gunther leaves behind:

A non-grieving 5-year-old girl who loved Gunther "like crazy"

but cared very little about his death,

a young boy who is glad his cage cleaning duties are over,

and the teenage owner who was medically banned from touching him.

Gunther.  You will be missed for your entertainment value alone.





Snorkeling In The Molokini Crater

Didn't take this photo.  I just want to show you
where we snorkeled.  Pretty cool.

This is Paul - since you might not recognize him...

Shifrah was "gung ho" to go but didn't actually last that
long in the water.  Then, she fell asleep on the boat.

Turns out that it's quite difficult to hold a camera still while snorkeling.  :)

A Hawaiian Daybook

Friday evening.  Hawaiian time.
.

Outside my window -  the tips of palm trees with the ocean behind.  In the foreground, one huge lanai overlooking it all.

.

I am listening to the sound of the wind rushing by the lanai. Hawaii is very windy, I'm discovering. I don't think there is such a thing as a Hawaiian breeze!

.

I am wearing a swimsuit, of course.

.

I am going to Oahu first thing Monday morning, D.V.  That'll be our last Hawaiian island to visit before we head home next Wednesday night.

.

I am currently reading a bunch of back-logged WORLD magazines by the pool and on the beach and reading Francis Chan's Crazy Love when I have a rare more focused moment.  The introduction threatens the book will change me.  Hoping it will!
.

I am hoping to go snorkeling in the Molokini Crater tomorrow - one of the best places to snorkel in Hawaii.   I'm a bit nervous but I've got my underwater camera ready!

.

I am wondering if I will ever get sick of watching Shifrah having a blast regardless of what she is doing or where she is.

.

Noticing that there are no wild chickens on Maui.  Kauai was full of them.  Apparently the chickens were in captivity years ago but were loosed by a hurricane or something and somehow survived and thrived.

.

Also noticing that I have a very wacky sunburn on my right leg.  I guess I wasn't paying too much attention at a critical moment!
.

From the kitchen - dinner?  I'll have to check the menu and get back to ya.  Greek tonight, I think.  Luau tomorrow (Saturday).

.

Around the house - I'm confident that Aunty Ada is holding down the fort quite well without me.  Hoping Gunther (the hamster) doesn't die in our absence.

Kaua'i By Air

We were told parts of Jurassic Park were filmed here.



Waimea Canyon

My Adventure Boy

Hadassah Meets Bethany

Since the reason for our trip to Hawaii was for Hadassah to meet Bethany Hamilton, we have been busy these past few days doing just that.  Bethany was very generous with her time - a poolside BBQ together, more time on the beach in the water plus we attended her church with her on Sunday.

We also met and spent time with Bethany's parents (Tom and Cheri) and her brother (Noah).  And Cheri Hamilton taught me how to make a lei out of Hawaiian tea leaves!

I should also mention that we spent some time watching Bethany surf with her friend and also professional surfer, Alana Blanchard.



Beautiful Kaua'i

After many delays, we finally made it to Kauai, Hawaii - 12 hours later than scheduled.  (My kids are such travelling troopers!)  Kauai was described to us as the "beautiful but sleepy island" of Hawaii - which sounds like my kind of place!  Pictures will never tell of the jaw-dropping beauty that greets you here at every turn.  We have a very creative Creator!

.

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

Isaiah 55:12

"The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed

according to their own kinds,

and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed,

each according to its kind.

And God saw that it was good."

Genesis 1:12

Drawing In Church

Yesterday, our foster kids left us (unexpectedly) but they left behind some good times, some laughs, a quiet house and a few pictures:

Kanijah added some drawings to the front
of our church bulletin on Sunday.

Sammy's picture also drawn during church.  Notice what the people coming into church are saying!

Organic Pest Control

We are watching these Praying Mantis egg cases.  Each case will hatch between 200-400 little nymphs.  When the nymphs come out, we will scatter them throughout our yard.  In the meantime, we get a Science lesson and can marvel at God's creation once again.

We also bought some nymphs already hatched and freed them onto our yard last week already.  I wonder what percent will survive...

And a nymph closeup photo for you.  I knew you'd want to see that.  The nymphs are only about 1/4 inch long so this is a rather enlarged photo.

Squirrels

This bold squirrel was rapping on my patio door
looking for more bird seed!



Happy Birthday, Little One!

Five years ago, we went to sleep in a Rochester hotel and were awakened by the news that our baby girl had been born. Life has never been the same since.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweet, affectionate, spunky, active, always exploring, crazy-curled, God-loving, ever curious, always smiling girl. Shifrah, you make my world go 'round. And 'round. And 'round. So glad God put you in our life!


Shifrah shares her birthday with this little robin born just today!  We looked at the eggs last night and one was cracking.  I had forgotten this morning but Shifrah had not.  She came running into the house to declare his birth with much excitement!

Last night, we noticed the one egg starting to crack.

Foxglove

The Foxglove is one of my favorite perennials.  I'm enjoying this even though it's currently surrounded by weeds!

Make-A-Wish

If you could ask for anything this world has to offer, what would it be?  Where would you go?  Who would you meet?  This was the happy position that Hadassah found herself in this past year as the Make-A-Wish Foundation agreed to grant her request.
.

Hadassah's choice is to meet Bethany Hamilton.  You may know that Bethany Hamilton is a Christian home-schooled young lady who at the age of 13 had her arm bitten off by a shark while surfing.  Less than one month after the incident, with confidence and faith in God, she returned to her board and went surfing again.  She eventually became a professional surfer with one arm.

Hadassah has been inspired by Bethany's story and admires her courage, her surfing skill, her love for God, and her care for others. We are all looking forward to meeting her this summer as the trip has now been booked.  Plus, we get a little added bonus in that Bethany lives in Hawaii - so, off we go!  If the Lord wills it.

Bethany has good advice for all of us, "Love God, love others and worry about yourself last."