Sonja's 30th and more

A couple weekends ago we celebrated my sister-in-law Sonja's 30th birthday out at her parents' house. Big hat party style. And I don't know what has been up with the weather, but we have had the most beautiful evenings this summer. Even in July! It has been just gorgeous. The Schonbergs have some acreage out in the country, with plenty of room for the kids to run and play. We honestly hardly saw them the whole evening! I guess that is one of the perks of having some land (and something we consider from time to time). It would be nice for our kids to have the freedom to roam a bit. Maybe someday....

My parents were in town, as well as Nate, Ruth and Matt too, so they all came along.






















So Dave ended up taking off work a little earlier than he had planned. Sometime while it was still dark outside (early Friday morning), the stomach flu hit me with a vengeance, and I am still not recovered. It has been a long day (for me, and for him, I am sure), but I am just hoping and praying that no one else gets it. Our scheduled stay-at-home vacation could be pretty miserable!

As I sat in the bathroom last night, praying for this to be over, I kept thinking about how many people are sick and suffering, and how little I have known of that. I am so grateful to the Lord for our health, for our children's health. I know it could be different. Maybe someday it will be. But for now I can cling to the Lord in the short periods of suffering I endure...and be thankful for His watchful eye over our little family. He knows, and He cares. And He has promised never to leave us, no matter what trials may come.